Otterbox Commuter Series case for Samsung Galaxy S9+ review: Built to last

Otterbox’s Commuter Series offers superior protection while maintaining a slim figure.

One of the first names you’ll think of when it comes to buying a quality protective case is OtterBox. The company has a whole line of cases for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. One of them is the Commuter, which offers a higher level of protection without adding a ton of bulk. Here are some thoughts after taking it for a spin.

Otterbox Commuter Series case for Galaxy S9+

Price: $49.99

Bottom line: It’s pricey, but the OtterBox Commuter Series case was built to perfection and has the quality to last.

The Good

• Easy installation
• Porthole covers
• Responsive buttons
• Two-piece design
• Raised edges

The Bad

• A little pricey
• Needs custom screen protector

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Otterbox Commuter Series case What I like

OtterBox cases have traditionally come in a fair bit bulkier than most others, with the company favoring toughness over brawn in most cases. But in recent years, OtterBox cases have struck a delightful balance between design, protection, and utility. The Commuter Series case for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ is no different.

What we have here is a two-part case that does all it can to protect the Galaxy S9’s sensitive curved edges. A silicon inner-shell fits around the phone like a worn-in glove, and the case is reinforced by a tough plastic outer-shell. This design makes for a case that feels well-protected, and despite there being two pieces it doesn’t add much bulk to the overall package.

The Commuter is a lot like a bumper case in that regard. In fact, I’ve had so-called bumper cases that felt much bulkier. It’s also just not ugly, something that tends to be an issue in this class of cases. OtterBox doesn’t do anything wild in terms of aesthetics, but that’s precisely why I like it. The case takes a backseat to let the Galaxy S9’s beautiful display shine through.

Regarding functional bits, the Commuter does well to offer access to all of the Galaxy S9’s buttons without much friction. Buttons feel satisfying to press and don’t take much force to register the action on your phone. At the same time, it has enough feel and tactile feedback to ensure you aren’t pressing the button any more or less than you need to, a boon for those who use gestures on a regular basis. Also, wireless charging works just as well as it would without a case.

One last thing: this case has port covers, and I love them. Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S9 is IP68 water and dust resistant, but that doesn’t mean other substances that aren’t purely dust or water can’t damage it. The port covers on the OtterBox Commuter give you a nice added layer of protection if you want to limit exposure as much as possible. The rubber covers have a snug and secure fit, and I don’t imagine they’ll get flimsy over time.

Otterbox Commuter Series case What I don’t like

There are a couple of annoyances to had, but they could be non-issues depending on your particular usage. For one, the raised edges on the front of the case may interfere with your screen protector of choice. You could use an Exacto knife to adapt your current screen protector if you don’t want to buy a new one, but if you want a perfect fit, then your best bet is to snag an Alpha Glass screen protector from OtterBox, an added $50 investment.

The porthole covers can also be a bit annoying to deal with at times. The covers bend back far enough for my various cables to fit, but it almost guarantees that cable swapping has to be a two-handed affair as the covers spring back into their natural position reasonably quickly. It’s not enough of a pain to ruin the case as a whole, but if you can’t stand to use two hands when you need to charge your phone or use wired headphones, it’s something to think about.

Otterbox Commuter Series case for Galaxy S9+

If you’ve always loved the protection of the OtterBox family but thought it was a bit too bulky for your taste, we encourage you to give the Commuter series a chance. It’s sleek, relatively thin, and provides toughness at every angle.

4.5
out of 5

You’ll pay a bit more for the OtterBox brand, but you’re getting a quality case that should stand the test of time and keep your Galaxy S9+ from certain doom if you’re ever unfortunate enough to drop it.

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Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

• Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
• Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
• Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
• Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
• Join our Galaxy S9 forums

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Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!

Samsung once again has a fantastic pair of flagships.

Samsung’s new Galaxy S9 and S9+ are definitely iterative updates over last year’s dramatically redesigned Galaxy S8 series, but that’s not a problem. Instead of going back to the drawing board altogether, Samsung focused on fixing a lot of the issues while making drastic improvements to the camera experience and retaining everything that made the last generation so great.

Whether you’re looking to buy or make the most of your new Galaxy S9, we have all of the information you need right here.

July 9, 2018 — The U.S. unlocked Galaxy S9 is now down to $699.95 on Amazon

An unlocked Galaxy S9 typically costs $720, but on Amazon, that price has been reduced to just $699.95.

A savings of $20 isn’t particularly huge for a phone this expensive, but this is one of the lowest prices we’ve seen so far for an official U.S. unlocked variant of the S9 with Samsung’s warranty.

It’s unclear if this new pricing is only temporary or will be sticking around for a while, but if you want to grab one for yourself, click/tap that button below.

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June 27, 2018 — The unlocked Galaxy S9 now supports FM radio

Way back in January at the beginning of the year, Samsung announced it was partnering with NextRadio to bring free FM radio to the Galaxy S9 in both the U.S. and Canada.

The unlocked version of the S9/S9+ has still been without this FM functionality, but after a software update began rolling out on June 25 that upgraded the version number to G965U1UES2ARF4/G960U1UES2ARF4, a few Redditors quickly noticed that this finally turned on the FM radio chip.

To use this, download and install the NextRadio app from the Google Play Store, enable the Basic / FM Only Mode to make sure you’re not using any data, and plug in a pair of wired headphones/earbuds as these act as the antenna for the FM signal.

What are the big changes over the Galaxy S8 series?

In a word, the camera. Samsung has kept the primary sensor at 12 megapixels, but that’s where the similarities end. The S9 and S9+ have adjustable apertures, switching seamlessly between f/1.5 and f/2.4, sitting in front of an all-new sensor that is great in low light. The Galaxy S9+ also gets a second 12MP sensor with a “telephoto” lens that provides 2X zoom and facilitates Live Focus, Samsung’s version of portrait mode that debuted with the Galaxy Note 8.

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs

In terms of specs, the Galaxy S9+ (but only the S9+) has two more gigabytes of RAM than last year’s models. And let’s not downplay the importance of the fingerprint sensor being relocated to a much more sensible place on the back of the phone — below the now-vertical camera module.

Samsung Galaxy S9 review: A fantastic phone for the masses

Samsung Galaxy S9 India review: As good as it gets

Samsung Galaxy S9 review, 3 months later: Holding the high standard

Should you upgrade to the Galaxy S9?

This is the big question — and as always, it depends. If you’re running a Galaxy S6 or S7, and want to move to something new in the Samsung world, the answer is absolutely. If you’re rocking a still-new Galaxy S8 or Note 8, the answer is no. While there are substantial differences that clearly make the Galaxy S9 a better phone, the S8 is just a year old at this point, and has most of the Galaxy S9’s features thanks to its Android 8.0 Oreo update.

Samsung Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?

Samsung Galaxy S9+ vs. Galaxy Note 8: Which should you buy?

Is the Galaxy S9 better than the competition?

There are so many great phones on the market right now — how do you decide which one to buy? Here are our looks at the new phones compared to some of the best devices on the market.

The Galaxy S9 is the smaller of the flagships, and here’s how it compares to some of the other major phones on the market.

Samsung Galaxy S9 vs. iPhone X: The best of metal and glass

Samsung Galaxy S9 vs. Google Pixel 2: Which should you buy?

Samsung Galaxy S9 vs. Honor View 10

And how about the larger Galaxy S9+?

LG G7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S9+: Which should you buy?

Samsung Galaxy S9+ vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: The true flagships

OnePlus 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy S9+: Which should you buy?

Should you buy the Galaxy S9 or larger S9+?

OK, so you’ve made up your mind to buy the Galaxy S9 — but wait, should you get the S9 or the larger S9+?

Unlike last year, the Galaxy S9+ feels like more of the “default” choice of the two. It has extra RAM and a secondary rear camera in addition to its overall larger screen and bigger battery — yet the price delta between the two hasn’t changed. If you can handle the size difference and would like the extra battery life, go for the Galaxy S9+.

Here’s why the Galaxy S9+ is worth the extra money over the GS9

What colors are available?

Like last year, there are multiple colors of the Galaxy S9 series to purchase: Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Coral Blue and Titanium Gray. U.S. buyers only get access to three of the four — silver is only available internationally — and both blue and purple are slight updates over last year.

A few months after the S9’s release, Samsung introduced two new colors in the form of Sunrise Gold and Burgundy Red.

Burgundy Red and Sunrise Gold are available around the world, and we took a look at the latter and it’s beautiful!

What color Galaxy S9 should I buy: Black, blue, purple, or silver?

Galaxy S9 and S9+ get Sunrise Gold and Burgundy Red color options; ARCore support

You can get as much as 256GB of internal storage

No matter where you decide to buy the Galaxy S9, 64GB is the default storage space that’s available with the phone. 64GB should be more than enough for most people, but if you want, you can always expand it with a microSD card.

However, if you’re someone who has a lot of local files and goes through GB like nothing, you may want to consider upgrading to a 128GB or even a 256GB model.

These larger configurations are sold exclusively on Samsung’s website and you’ll spend an extra $50 per each storage upgrade.

Samsung Galaxy S9: Which storage size should I buy?

Where can I get the best deal on a Galaxy S9?

The Galaxy S9 is now available worldwide, both from carriers and also unlocked.

In the U.S., the Galaxy S9 costs between $720 and $800, while the Galaxy S9+ goes for between $870 and $915. For all the details, take a look at our roundup of the best Galaxy S9 deals.

Where to buy the Galaxy S9: Best deals for your new phone

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Getting started with the Galaxy S9

Once you pick up your new phone, there are a few things you should do immediately. Here’s how to make your GS9 experience great!

The first 9 things to do with your Galaxy S9

The first 5 things to turn off in the Galaxy S9’s software

What’s this about bad battery life with the Exynos processor?

Samsung has regularly used both its own processors and Qualcomm’s latest chips in different markets, and it’s regularly been a point of discussion between enthusiasts as to which one is “better” overall.

In the Galaxy S9 and S9+, there’s a clear differentiation in that the Exynos versions of the phone have been getting much shorter battery life. To make things worse, the Qualcomm models are also outperforming Exynos in many synthetic benchmark tests.

So what can you do? Well, not much — Samsung doesn’t sell both versions of the phones in the same markets, so you can’t exactly cross-shop the two processors. The hope is that Samsung could update the firmware on the Exynos models to improve processor efficiency a bit.

Samsung Galaxy S9 battery problems, explained: Exynos vs. Snapdragon

Help me get started with accessories!

Once you have your Galaxy S9 or S9+, you’ll want to look into accessories like cases and screen protectors that make the phone even better. We’ve rounded up our favorites for you.

The best Galaxy S9 accessories

The best cases for the Galaxy S9

Four Great Quick Chargers for Galaxy S9

Spigen Rigged Armor case for Galaxy S9+ review: Low cost, rugged protection

Maxboost mSnap case for Galaxy S9 review: The only case you need

Having battery life problems?

The Galaxy S9 isn’t perfect —obviously, no phone is — but if you’re experiencing battery life problems, we have a guide on how to fix that.

How to fix Galaxy S9 battery life problems

Updated June 27, 2018: Added links to recent case reviews, accessory roundups, and information on new color options.

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

• Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
• Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
• Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
• Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
• Join our Galaxy S9 forums

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This may be the sexiest over-the-air antenna we’ve seen

Mohu Blade won’t break the bank — or make your living room look bad.

When it comes to your home entertainment system, nothing beats a good streaming box like Android TV or Apple TV, or even a Roku or Amazon Fire TV. But that’s not the end of the story. You need a good over-the-air antenna, especially if you want to fill out any gaps in your streaming coverage.

And the Mohu Blade ($39 at Amazon) is a good indoor over-the-air antenna. Better than good, in fact, because it looks great. And when it comes to antennas that are going to be mounted inside, for everyone who comes over to see, you’re going to want something that doesn’t look awful. And whether it’s mounted on the wall or standing alongside your TV, the Blade’s going to look good.

The only question, then is what are you waiting for?

Read: Mohu Blade OTA antenna reviewMore: The best over-the-air antennas

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• What channels are on which service
• FREE over-the-air TV
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This 50-inch Hitachi 4K TV is down to under $290 for Prime members today

So many pixels!

Amazon is offering the Hitachi 50-inch 4K LED TV for $289.99 today as part of its Gold Box deals of the day. This is a brand new model for 2018, so there isn’t much to compare the pricing too, but it does normally sell for $379.99, which means that you’re saving $90 today. It has 3 HDMI ports, 1 RF antenna input, 1 USB port, 1 optical audio, and 1 audio output, as well as a component and composite video input on the back.

While this may not be the best 4K TV on the market or have the most advanced set of features inside, at this price it’s hard to pass up. It gets you a solid picture with a lot of inputs for daily use. It works great in a spare bedroom, loft, basement, or even your family room. This price is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, so if you aren’t already a member, you’ll want to sign up for a free 30-day trial right now.

Prefer something with smart features like Roku built right in? Check out this discounted set from TCL.

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Anker Nebula Mars II portable projector review: The night comes alive

Makes your next camping trip or nighttime party worth attending.

Anker is probably a familiar company for most of you, thanks to loads of power banks, USB cables and other accessories they sell on Amazon and in some retail locations. Anker has been inching towards other accessories with its sub-brands, like Zolo headphones and Nebular projectors.

The Nebula projectors are all about portability: the small Capsule projector is the size of a soda can, while the slightly bigger Nebula series is about the size of a lantern. No matter which size you go for, they include a built-in battery to use when you’re away from power.

Anker Nebular Mars II projector

Price: $429.99

Bottom line: if you want a projector for movies nights outside, this is the one for you.

The Good

• Four-hour battery life lets you watch movies anywhere
• Uses Android as an operating system, letting you plug in a USB drive or download apps directly
• Includes an HDMI port to use other devices
• Automatic focus and keystone correction
• Lightweight and easy to pack
• Has built-in speakers that are surprisingly good
• Great images in low light

The Bad

• Proprietary charger
• Doesn’t include the Play Store
• Not bright enough to use during the day, or in a conference room

See at Amazon

Anker provided this projector for the review, and I’ve been using it off and on since it arrived on June 20. This includes using it inside my apartment during the day and at night, inside a workplace during the day, and outdoors at night.

Anker Nebula Mars II What’s included

Inside the box, you’ll find the projector itself, the remote with batteries, the manual, and a proprietary power adapter.

Anker Nebula Mars II Design

The design of this projector reminds me of a lantern; so much that I wish it came in green for my weekend cosplays. The front has a plastic piece to protect the lens; slide this down and the projector will automatically turn on. Right above this are four LEDs so you can estimate the battery level. While there is a remote included, all of the controls you would need are also on the top of the projector.

Around back, you’ll find the charging port, HDMI-in, USB and 3.5mm audio-out, as well as a reset button and infrared sensor. It’s a shame this projector doesn’t charge with USB-C, since competing projectors have included that. The fan and vents are also located on the back, and the speaker grills wrap around the other sides. Finally, the bottom has a threaded hole to place the projector on a camera tripod.

Anker Nebula Mars II Features

The Nebular Mars uses Android for its operating system, but it’s not Android TV or another familiar variant. Instead, it has been customized by Anker to provide a “big screen” experience with tiles instead of app icons, and other features similar to other TV operating systems. There’s no Google Play Store, but mainstays like YouTube, Amazon Video and Netflix are available from Anker’s app store. It appears most apps in the store are built for Android TV, so it won’t be like you’re using an application designed for a smartphone on a 100-inch screen.

The USB port on the back can be used to playback movies from a thumb drive (formatted as FAT32), but it can also be used to power a streaming stick that is plugged into the HDMI port. This will shorten the projector’s battery life, but you’ll still get hours of playback.

Anker Nebula Mars II Experience

The lamp clocks in at 300 lumens, which relegates it to only being used at night. I’ve tried using this during the day, both for watching movies and presenting materials in meetings. In both cases, it just doesn’t get bright enough to see the subject without straining your eyes. Anker isn’t really advertising this for business use, but it’s worth noting. They do show a photo of someone using it in a living room in the daytime, which would just be an unpleasant experience.

Let the sun go down, and it’s much better. This projector can produce a 100-inch image when it’s placed 10.1 feet from the wall or screen, making it perfect for a campsite or a backyard. There’s also automatic keystone correction and focusing, so all you have to do is just place the projector down and let it do the work of making the image look great.

So how’s the picture quality? Great, in relative terms. This is a 720p projector, which won’t blow you away, but it’ll work well enough with all of your media. The projector can accept sources up to 1080p resolution, so leave your UHD Blu Ray rips at home. One more trick up its sleeve: the projector can pair with your smartphone and act as a Bluetooth speaker. The speakers are great given the size, and should be enough to keep everyone happy during movie time.

Using the projector is a treat. It takes just a few moments to boot up, focus, and then start playing whatever media you have. If you’re somewhere you have an Internet connection, you can use your favorite streaming services. Otherwise, just plug in an HDMI device or thumb drive and watch your movies that way.

Anker Nebula Mars II Should you buy it?

Maybe. This won’t be a good replacement for a home theater system, but if you do a lot of camping or want an easy way to watch movies in your backyard, it’s hard to go wrong. I can’t overstate how easy it is to just turn on this projector and go — it will focus itself in an instant. Anker has most streaming services covered in their store, and you can sideload any apps that are missing since this is running Android.

4
out of 5

The Anker Nebula Mars II is a great portable projector with a couple of big caveats. If you stick to projecting in the dark, you’ll be very happy with it.

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Samsung just opened the world’s largest phone manufacturing plant

The factory is capable of producing 120 million phones each year.

In Noida, India, Samsung formally opened up a brand-new smartphone manufacturing plant on Monday, July 9. According to Samsung, it’s the largest phone factory on the planet.

The factory will be used to produce both flagship smartphones and budget ones that cost under $100, and during a single year, Samsung says it’ll be able to produce up to 120 million handsets.

Commenting on the plant’s launch, Faisal Kawoosa (a lead at research firm CMR Pvt.) said:

The opportunity is just massive. Such a large facility will help Samsung cater to the huge demand in a country of 1.3 billion people where there are only 425 million smartphone users.

Per numbers from IDC, India saw just 124 million smartphone shipments in 2017. That’s a lot of phones, but for a country as large as India, there’s still plenty of room to grow.

Speaking of Samsung phones, we’re just a month away from the Galaxy Note 9. Are you looking forward to it?

Sunrise Gold Galaxy S9 hands-on: Enjoy the view

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

• Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
• Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
• Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
• Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
• Join our Galaxy S9 forums

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Deals: Anker One-Day Sale, Exclusive RAVPower Portable Battery Discount, and More

Last week, Amazon announced that its annual Prime Day sale event will be held one week from today, on July 16. Ahead of the event, Amazon has begun Prime Day countdown discounts, which today includes a collection of solid deals on Anker power banks, chargers, wireless chargers, and cables.

As with the upcoming Prime Day event, these Anker deals require you to have an Amazon Prime subscription to see the savings. Today’s countdown savings also include a 50-inch Hitachi 4K TV for $289.99, down from $379.99, 30 percent discounts on Ecovacs robot vacuums, and more. For the Anker deals, check out the list below and be sure to place your order before they expire later tonight:

• Powerline USB-C to A 3.0 Cable (3 pack, 3ft) – $10.98, down from $14.99

• Powerline+ Lightning Cable (10ft, Red) – $12.59, down from $17.99

• Wireless Charging Pad With 12W Wall Charger – $12.59, down from $22.99

• PowerCore 5,000 mAh Power Bank – $13.99, down from $19.99

• Roav by Anker 30W Car Charger – $15.99, down from $21.99

• USB Type-C Premium 5-Port 60W USB Wall Charger – $24.74, down from $49.99

• PowerCore II 20,000 mAh Power Bank – $39.89, down from $56.99

• PowerCore+ 26,800 mAh Power Bank with Charger – $89.99, down from $119.99

Elsewhere on Amazon, RAVPower is offering a super low price on its 16,750mAh dual-USB battery pack for the iPhone just for MacRumors readers, dropping the price tag to the lowest it’s ever been.

To get the deal, enter the code RUMORS010 at checkout, which discounts the charger from $26.99 to $21.99. This discount code will be good through tomorrow, July 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

As a reminder, our full list of exclusive RAVPower codes are still live as well, through July 31:

• Dual USB Car Charger with 3ft Lightning Cable – $8.39 with code RUMORS025, down from $11.99

• Ultra-Slim Wireless Charging Pad – $8.49 with code RUMORS083, down from $11.99

• 2-Pack 3ft + 6ft MFi Certified iPhone Cables – $11.99 with code RUMORS003, down from $15.99

• 40W 4-Port USB Wall Charger – $13.99 with code RUMORSC26, down from $17.99

• 10,000 mAh Portable Charger – $20.99 with code RUMORS077, down from $29.99

• 10,000 mAh Solar Portable Charger – $23.99 with code RUMORS082, down from $29.99

• 10W Fast Wireless Charging Pad – $23.99 with code RUMORS066, down from $37.99

• 22,000 mAh Power Bank with USB-C – $37.49 with code RUMORS009, down from $49.99

• 10,400 mAh 7.5W Portable Charger – $49.99 with code RUMORS080, down from $65.99

• 27,000 mAh AC Plug Universal Power Bank – $99.99 with code RUMORS055, down from $129.99

For more deals, including four free months of Apple Music for new subscribers over at Groupon, head over to our full Deals Roundup.

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