Samsung plans to rip off one of the iPhone X’s hottest features for its upcoming Galaxy S9.
The device will allow users to create animated emoji characters just like Animoji, according to a report out of South Korea. It will also offers stereo speakers just like the iPhone’s.
Apple will bring more Animoji options to iPhone X with iOS 11.3 this spring, but just as we predicted, the feature’s novelty wore off pretty quickly. It’s still a feature you can’t get on Galaxy devices, however, so Samsung is looking to change that for the Galaxy S9.
Animoji is coming to the Galaxy S9
Samsung’s new flagship, which is expected to make its big debut at the end of this month, will have the ability to create 3D emoji animations that mimic your facial expressions, according to ETNews. It’s not yet clear how many characters the Galaxy S9 will offer.
Without the iPhone X’s TrueDepth imaging sensor, which allows it to track your facial expressions with unprecedented accuracy, it’s likely the Galaxy S9’s animated emoji won’t be quite as good. But really, a traditional front-facing camera should be good enough.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The report adds that Samsung will also adopt the iPhone’s stereo speaker setup. In addition to a speaker on the bottom edge of the device, there will be another towards the top of the phone — likely alongside the earpiece above the display.
A separate report from SamMobile claims these speakers will be tuned by AKG, a brand now owned by Samsung following its acquisition of Harman.
Galaxy S9 will be cheaper than iPhone X
Following its unveiling on February 26, the Galaxy S9 will be available for pre-order on March 1, according to reliable leaker Evan Blass. Its official release date is scheduled for March 16.
The handset is expected to be more affordable than iPhone X, but more expensive than the Galaxy S8. Recent retail leaks have revealed prices will start at $850 in the United States, and £789 in the United Kingdom.
