Samsung Galaxy S9

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on Samsung Galaxy S9:

Apple lags behind its biggest rivals in mobile download speeds

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iphone x
The iPhone has a disadvantage compared to its rivals.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

When you take into account the build quality, design, hardware features and, of course, mobile operating system, the iPhone is our pick for the world’s greatest smartphone product line. But it’s not no. 1 in everything — as speed tests make clear.

In download speed tests carried out by Ookla LLC, the company behind the Speedtest app and website, the current-generation iPhones lag behind the top smartphones made by both Samsung and Google. This means slower website loading, movies starting more quickly, and higher quality video calls.

Weak Galaxy S9 demand cuts into Samsung profits

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Samsung Galaxy S9
This guy is running away from the Galaxy S9, like a lot of other people.
Photo: Samsung

A few months ago, Apple surprised everyone by announcing its latest smartphone was a huge hit, resulting in better than expected earnings and a big jump in company shares. That didn’t happen to Samsung.

Instead, the Korean company missed analysts’ profit expectations, partially because of sluggish demand for the Galaxy S9.

2018 iPhone really needs a feature you’ve never heard of

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6.5- and 6.1-inch 2018 iPhone models
The 2018 iPhone offerings supposedly will include these 6.5- and 6.1-inch models. Hopefully, a behind-the-screens feature will make them faster.
Photo: OnLeaks

The 2018 iPhone models are rumored to have larger screens, better processors, and other enhancements. But there’s one feature that, even though we’ve heard nothing about it, we should strongly hope is in Apple’s next smartphones: 4×4 MIMO.

This is a cellular wireless data technology that gives the Samsung Galaxy S9 a substantial speed advantage over the iPhone X.

iPhone X dethroned as world’s top-selling smartphone

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iPhone X laying down
The iPhone X isn't top dog any more. It remains Apple best seller though.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s flagship handset has passed its peak popularity. That’s not surprising, given that the iPhone X hit the market more than six months ago. Still, it once could boast of being the world’s best-selling smartphone.

The Galaxy S9+ took its place at the head of the pack. Samsung’s top-of-the-line model debuted early this spring.

Carriers are already discounting Samsung’s Galaxy S9

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Galaxy S9
The Galaxy S9 is one of the year's top handsets.
Photo: Samsung

The iPhone X is far from the only flagship handset to have reportedly suffered disappointing sales. Samsung’s Galaxy S9 may also be proving to be something of a disappointment, according to multiple reports.

One piece of evidence suggesting that this is the case? The fact that Verizon is already offering a buy one, get one free offer on Galaxy S9 handsets, while AT&T is giving customers a reduction of $595 off the price of handsets. That’s not something that’s typically offered for brand new iPhones!

Samsung Galaxy S9 is tougher than iPhone X, but still breaks with one drop

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Samsung Galaxy S9
Lesson learned: Don't drop expensive smartphones.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung says that its new Galaxy S9 smartphone has been designed for “enhanced durability,” but just how durable is it? And, perhaps more importantly to Apple fans, how does it stack up against the iPhone X?

Those question are answered in a new drop test video created by insurance company SquareTrade. In a variety of tests — ranging from back-down drops to tumbles — the new Galaxy S9 is put through its paces to test just how tough it actually is. Check out the video below.

Samsung takes shots at iPhone X ‘notch’ in Galaxy S9 debut

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Galaxy S9
Samsung hopes its new handset will be an iPhone X killer.
Photo: Samsung

Mobile World Congress 2018Samsung just can’t debut a new phone without taking shots at Apple in the process!

At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ flagship. And, as it was keen to point out in its presentation, “There’s no notch.”

(Although it does happen to feature an Animoji ripoff, better facial recognition tech, and iPhone X-style stereo speakers.)

Samsung is borrowing some big iPhone X features for Galaxy S9

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newchip
Samsung's new chip will offer features very similar to Apple's Animojis and Face ID.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s next Galaxy S flagship phone will reportedly make use of a new AI processing chip to offer features similar to the iPhone X’s Face ID and Animojis.

According to Samsung, its new chip will offer, “realistic face-tracking filters as well as stronger security when unlocking a device with one’s face.”  Remember that recent Samsung ad about how it beats Apple to every important smartphone feature? Well, you should probably forget about it temporarily.