Updated Feb 25, 2018

A first look at the Samsung Galaxy S9

Ina Fried, Axios Video

Samsung is using a big event in Barcelona to introduce its latest pair of flagship phones, the Galaxy S9 and larger-screen S9+. The devices are similar in appearance to last year's S8 and S8+, but add a more powerful processor and an improved camera that packs a pair of fun features: AR Emoji and Super slo-mo. (This video shows the new camera and features in action.

Why it matters: Increasingly, Samsung and Apple are not only competing against each other, but also against the fact that people already have a pretty powerful smartphone in their pocket.

Here are some other key features:

  • U.S. models will be powered by Qualcomm's new top-of-the-line Snapdragon 845 processor.
  • The main rear camera has dual aperture for better low-light pictures, while the larger S9+ also packs a second rear camera for zooming in a bit.
  • The built-in Bixby assistant gains a couple new capabilities, including the ability to translate text the camera sees.

The details: In the U.S., pre-orders for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ will start March 2, with the devices available March 16. Exact pricing will vary a bit at U.S. phone carriers. Samsung is also selling an unlocked S9 for $719 and the S9+ for $839. Additionally, a trade-in program offers up to $350 off the device, while carriers will have their own promotions to lure new and existing customers.

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Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins, the CDC, and China's Health Ministry. Note: China numbers are for the mainland only and U.S. numbers include repatriated citizens and confirmed plus presumptive cases from the CDC

The novel coronavirus pandemic is the "greatest test" the world has faced together since the formation of the United Nations just after the Second World War ended in 1945, UN chief António Guterres said Tuesday.

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  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 10 p.m. ET: 857,957 — Total deaths: 42,139 — Total recoveries: 178,091.
  2. U.S.: Leads the world in confirmed cases. Total confirmed cases as of 10 p.m. ET: 188,547 — Total deaths: 3,899 — Total recoveries: 7,068.
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  4. Public health updates: More than 400 long-term care facilities across the U.S. report patients with coronavirus — Older adults and people with underlying health conditions are more at risk, new data shows.
  5. Federal government latest: President Trump said the next two weeks would be "very painful," with projections indicating the virus could kill 100,000–240,000 Americans.
  6. Coronavirus in custody: Inmates in all U.S. federal prisons are set to enter a 14-day quarantine on April 1. A federal judge on Tuesday ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release 10 detained immigrants who are at risk of contracting COVID-19 while in confinement.
  7. U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt: Captain of nuclear aircraft carrier docked in Guam pleaded with the U.S. Navy for more resources after more than 100 members of his crew tested positive.
  8. What should I do? Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
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Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

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