MANILA - Samsung refreshed last year's aesthetics for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ while the rest of the Android pack placed iPhone X-like notches on their displays.

The design changes, though inconspicuous, coupled with upgraded internals, make the S9 line a definite upgrade from the S8 and S8+, according to the world's largest smartphone maker.

Since the S9 went on sale in late March, China's Huawei has released its triple camera P20 Pro and rumors about an early release for the Galaxy Note 9 have begun to simmer.

We revisit how the S9+ has held up over a month after its release in this long-term review.

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DESIGN

The most obvious design change is the location of the fingerprint scanner, now located below the dual camera lens. It solved the biggest gripe of S8 users, who had to avoid smudging the lens when reaching for the sensor beside the lens.

The sloping edges on the 6.2-inch "infinity display" are also less pronounced, making the device easier to hold and reducing image distortion. Grip is also improved with the matte metal frame, compared to the glossy material on the S8.

The bottom bezel is also smaller, reducing the height of the device, though it is not obvious unless the device is placed side-by-side with the S8+.

The dedicated button to summon Samsung's AI assistant, Bixby, still resides below the volume rocker. It is still prone to accidental presses and though it cannot be remapped, it can be turned off.

CAMERAS

Until the release of the P20 Pro and the P20, the Galaxy S9 was the highest rated camera by review website DxoMark.

While the S9+ doesn't have the triple lenses of the P20 Pro, its rear switches automatically between f/1.5 and f/2.4 apertures to adapt to low light and bright light conditions.

The S9+ photos are noticeably brighter compared to other flagship phone cameras, though at the expense of slightly softer details.

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Samsung cameras have been known for saturated colors but the S9+ has considerable restraint, producing images that are closer to the actual scene, but will require a filter if you want that too-polished Instagram effect.

Close up shots of food, flowers and animals are likewise clear and bright with more true-to-life colors.

In dimly-lit restaurants, the low light capabilities of the S9+ are particularly useful.

Like the face-mapped animoji on Apple's iPhone X, the novelty from the S9+'s AR Emoji wore off quickly. Samsung promised a tie-up with Disney and unlike its Apple equivalent, Samsung's version is shareable across messaging platforms.

PERFORMANCE

The AMOLED panel on the S9+ is still the best on a flagship smartphone. Sharper and up to 20 percent brighter than the S8, according to Samsung.

The display is also free from the blue tint that bedeviled the LG-made Google Pixel 2XL.

Out of the box, the display is set to full HD, with the option to adjust it to quad HD. This underscores the phone's biggest flaw -- its battery.

Higher resolution screens require more power and the S9+ with its 3,500 mAh cell, struggles to make it through a full work day with moderate to heavy use.

Keeping the display at full HD can extend battery life by a few hours, but at the cost of not seeing the gorgeous panel running at full power. The S9+ also offers "mid" and "max" power saving modes that dim and reduce the resolution of the screen and decrease CPU speed.

It's understandable for Samsung to be conservative with battery size after the recall of the Galaxy Note 7 in 2016. Since then, the company has tightened safety tests.

Another hardware tweak that might not be obvious, especially to those who did not use the S8+, are the Dolby Atmos speakers, which are noticeably louder.

Samsung's Experience 9.0 skin over Android 8.0 Oreo was fast as expected. Powered by the company's own Exynos 9810, the device didn't stutter even during extended use.

Useful though not immediately noticeable, a tap on the clock icon on the lock screen brings it to the middle of the screen and transform it into a timer. It also automatically adjusts to the color of the lock screen wallpaper.

CONCLUSION

With the S9 and S9+, Samsung stuck to its design guns and corrected the faults from last year's flagship, offering the best display and a camera that can compete with the iPhone X, the Huawei P20 Pro and the Google Pixel 2.

However, the pain of a mid-day charge or lugging around a power bank to make it through a full day could turn off power users.

There's also the price. The 128 gigabyte S9+ retails for P55,990 in official stores. It costs roughly P10,000 less in the grey market, but at the cost of warranty coverage.

The S9+ is among the best Android flagships available and is a solid upgrade from 2016's Galaxy S7 line and older models. Unless they want the latest and greatest, S8 and S8+ owners should wait for the 10th anniversary Galaxy S.