Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018)
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until November 2021 · Buy-by November 2019
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy A9 (2018) should be supported until around November 2021. Buying it today still gets you about -4.6 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
The world's first quad-rear-camera phone, a 2018 showpiece that has long stopped getting updates.
Pros
- First phone with four rear cameras, including ultra-wide and telephoto
- 8GB RAM option and a sharp 6.3-inch AMOLED screen
- Got two OS upgrades up to Android 10
Cons
- Security support ended around late 2021
- Snapdragon 660 and 3800mAh battery are modest by today's standards
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.3-inch Super AMOLED, 1080x2220 (FHD+), 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 24MP |
| ultra-wide | 8MP |
| telephoto 2x | 10MP |
| front | 24MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 3,800 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 162.5 × 77.0 × 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 183 g |
| Materials | Glass front, glass back, metal frame |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 8.0 Oreo with Samsung Experience 9.0 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB-C, microSD |
| Update policy | ~2 years of updates (our estimate from Samsung's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the Galaxy A9 (2018) get updates?
It is no longer supported. Samsung gave it two OS upgrades (Android 8 to Android 10) and roughly three years of security patches, ending around late 2021.
What made the Galaxy A9 (2018) special?
It was the world's first smartphone with four rear cameras, combining a main, ultra-wide, telephoto and depth sensor.
Is the Galaxy A9 (2018) safe to use now?
Only for basic, non-sensitive tasks. With no security patches since around 2021 it should not be a primary phone.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.