Samsung Galaxy Note9
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until August 2021 · Buy-by August 2019
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy Note9 should be supported until around August 2021. Buying it today still gets you about -4.8 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 Note that introduced the Bluetooth S Pen and a big 4000mAh battery — beloved in its day, but fully out of support since 2021.
Pros
- First S Pen with Bluetooth remote-control tricks
- Large 4000mAh battery, headphone jack, and microSD support
- Variable-aperture 12MP camera that was top-tier for 2018
Cons
- Security updates ended around 2021 — well out of support
- Stuck on Android 10 with no path forward
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.4-inch Super AMOLED, 1440x2960 (QHD+), 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Snapdragon 845 (US) / Exynos 9810 (global) |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 512GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 12MP |
| telephoto 2x | 12MP |
| front | 8MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 4,000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired, 15W wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 161.9 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm |
| Weight | 201 g |
| Materials | Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, aluminum frame |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 8.1 Oreo with Samsung Experience 9.5 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB-C, Bluetooth S Pen, 3.5mm jack, 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 Note9 get updates?
The Note9 launched on Android 8.1 and received about 2 OS upgrades (to Android 10) and roughly 3 years of security patches, which ended around 2021. It receives no further updates.
What was special about the Galaxy Note9 S Pen?
It was the first S Pen with Bluetooth Low Energy, letting it act as a remote to trigger the camera shutter, control slideshows, and skip music tracks.
Is the Galaxy Note9 safe to use in 2026?
Not for sensitive tasks. With no security patches since 2021, it carries known unpatched vulnerabilities and should only be used as an offline or secondary device.
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.