So you got your hands on the most powerful Samsung Android smartphone of 2018 with the all-new S9 or S9 plus. You’ve probably read early reviews that speak to modest improvements over last year’s S8 and S8 plus, but those improvements are “modest” due to the greatness of those devices from 2017. The S9 and S9+ manage to improve on things that were already best in class, like the gorgeous display. No matter what you think of Samsung devices, there is no doubt that its displays are king of the mountain. The S9 and S9+ keep Samsung’s reputation intact in the display category for 2018 and you may not be making the most of it.
Depending on how you set up your S9 or S9 plus, you may not have your resolution set to maximum clarity. Out of the box my S9 was set at FHD+ resolution which is still a great view at 2220x1080p. However the S9 is capable of pushing out WQHD+ resolution which is 2960x1440p, so if you want to see the most detail in your videos, pictures, games, and more, you need to update your settings.
Here’s how to change the display resolution on the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus
- Goto the Settings app (you can find the icon in the apps drawer or you can drag the notifications menu down from the top and click on the Settings icon at the top right of the display)
- Next click on Display
- Click on Screen Resolution
- Drag the slider to the right to WQHD+ resolution
- Click Apply
- If you want to drop the resolution, simply drag the slider to the left and click apply when finished
Why would you want lower resolution even though your phone is capable of outputting 570 pixels per inch? Lower resolution puts less strain on the processor and as a result, helps extend your battery life. So if you need a little extra juice to get you through the day, dropping the resolution is a great way to save on power while maximizing the performance of your phone.
However, I’ve been using my S9 for just over a week at maximum resolution and have no issues with battery life.