After using a Pixel xl with stock Android I expected a lesser experience with the Samsung (my last one was an S6). The latest Samsung skin is actually pretty good and there is no compulsion to use Samsung apps so it can be set up pretty much as you like.

Overall the Samsung Galaxy S9+ is a good upgrade to the Galaxy S8+. Even though it has the same display, it has slightly smaller bottom bezels, packs a faster processor with 6GB RAM, comes with a better dual-aperture and telephoto rear cameras, which is a huge improvement compared to the S8+, stereo...

Brilliant display; Good primary Dual Aperture and secondary Telephoto cameras; Good performance

Same old front camera; Bixby still needs improvement

The S9+ is the new bully on the block: it's big, strong, and fast. But 2018 just started, so the Korean company's rivals will certainly not just let it rule the market. The Huawei P20's release is just around the corner and the Xperia XZ2 already has a lot up its sleeve to try and oust the Galaxy...

Best display in the world; Excellent performance; Dual camera; Variable aperture in main camera; Quick recharge; 6GB of RAM

Battery life; Still runs on Android 8.0; Iris Scanner and Face Unlock

Samsung might not have gone for any big gimmicks, that is if you can forget and forgive, the AR emoji. But in the process, it has made the Galaxy S9+ a solid phone with top of the line processing, the best Android camera and the best iteration of almost every other feature that you want in a...

The Galaxy S9+, like its predecessor, is an excellent smartphone with a fabulous screen and great performance. It's also more power-efficient and can be charged all the way up to 100 per cent in around 80 minutes.

Gorgeous design and screen; excellent camera; blazing-fast performance

Average battery life; 'Intelligent Scan' is glitchy; duplicate apps - and Bixby still needs work

Amazing

6 GB / 256 GB; 2.8 ghz octa core; Android oreo; Super amoled display; Features; Big screen; Big battery; Gorilla glass 5 protection

Nothing

Every year the Samsung Galaxy flagship is the most anticipated Android device. And Samsung does enough every year not to disappoint hardcore fans and to show direction to the rest of the industry. This year it has launched the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+.

All of which brings this review of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus to a rather spongy, limp end. Don't get me wrong, I do like the S9 Plus. It's a great phone with two great cameras that shoot fabulous photos and video.

The Samsung Galaxy S9+ is possibly the most fully-featured smartphone on the market. It offers out-of-the-box functionality that exceeds most other devices. It's one of the leaders of a new generation of hardware, pushing one of the nicest quality designs with one of the best displays around.

New speakers are amazing; Great camera performance in low light; Great design and display; Out-of-the-box functionality surpasses rivals; 3.5mm headphone socket

You might never find all the features; Display can crush shadows in movies; Camera could be better with HDR; Price

Update: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is now available. Here's what we thought of the newest Android phone with a large screen.

Impressive low-light camera; Better-placed fingerprint sensor; Loud stereo speakers

Not all that different to S8 Plus; AR Emoji mode is overrated; Pricey for 0.4 in of extra screen