Should I Fix A Samsung S9+ in 2020 or Upgrade to the New Samsung Galaxy S20
Being in the phone repair industry has given me a unique perspective on phones. We have seen phones in the last decade go through some dramatic changes. Phones are no longer just a device to call and text. It has become an extension of our ourselves and our connection to the world.
For this new edition of “Should I” I want to use my knowledge of phones and the repair industry to answer the question “should I fix my samsung S9+ in 2020 or upgrade?”. I contemplated this question since December 25, 2019 when I dropped my phone onto the tile of the restroom while turning off the lights. Yes, IN THE RESTROOM!!!!
I had no intentions to upgrade before this happened. I had decided that yearly upgrades that typically gave 10-15% performance and feature upgrades were not worth the money. But breaking the screen on my Galaxy S9+ made me contemplate upgrading.
SPOILER ALERT!!! I decided to use my resources to fix my S9+.
With the release of the Samsung S20 series looming around the corner, many of you may be screaming at me through your screen.
I’m not going to lie, I got extremely tempted. Especially after seeing the promotions Best Buy had over the past few months. Then you have the new Samsung S20 Series being released within a month.
Side Note: If you’re patient with your upgrade, Best Buy typically has the best Samsung deals. In the past few months they have had deals where Best Buy gives customers purchasing Samsung phones up to $500 credit towards your line and a two year activation. This is how I originally got my Samsung S9 Plus.
My Reason for Fixing My samsung Galaxy S9 Plus in opposition to upgrading
My decision to repair my phone came down to two factors, my phone was paid off and I didn’t necessarily see the need for the extra features and hardware that came with a newer phone. Keep in mind that the Galaxy S9 was Samsung's flagship phone back in 2018.
Let us begin by comparing the specs of the Samsung S9 Plus, S10 Plus, and S20 Plus:
Samsung S9 Plus Specs
- Screen Size: 6.2 Inch
- CPU: Snapdragon 845
- RAM: 6GB RAM
- Storage: 64GB
- Rear Camera: Dual 12MP Camera
- Front Camera: 8MP Front
- Battery: 3,500mAh
- Waterproof: IP68 (which makes it water resistant not waterproof. But nothing out there is waterproof, this is the case with all three phones)
- Price: $699 New (they may stop selling these soon) but cost me $300 to fix the screen
Samsung S10 Plus Specs
- Screen Size: 6.4 Inch
- CPU: Octa-Core Chipset
- RAM: 8GB/12GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Rear Camera: 16MP, 12MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 10MP + 8MP
- Battery: 4,100 mAh
- Waterproof: IP68
- Price: $849 (new price)
Samsung S20 Plus Specs
- Screen Size: 6.7 Inch
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Rear Camera: 12MP Ultra Wide, 12MP Wide-Angle, 64MP Telephoto
- Front Camera: 10MP
- Battery: 4,100 mAh
- Waterproof: IP68
- Price: $1,119
I understand that every year you are getting better features and hardware upgrades. Just compare the specs above. The Samsung S20 Plus is an amazing phone, especially the Ultra version. All the Samsung S20’s models possess amazing cameras and processors.
But my decision to repair my phone came down to answering the question, “Did I need the upgrade?” and the answer was no. The Samsung S9 Plus still feels and responds like a brand new phone. Even though I don’t play mobile games, this Samsung phone can still handle anything I throw at it.
Keep in mind that the newly released Motorola Razr was released with the Snapdragon 710 processor (which I think Motorola could have added a better processor to future proof it) and 6GB of RAM. The Samsung S9 Plus also has 6GB of RAM and the Snapdragon 835 processor.
The only thing that would have convinced me to upgrade would be if I took advantage of the better camera and processor. Which I won’t. If you scroll through my phone gallery you’ll notice that it is full of pictures of random objects that work as a reminder to me. Even though the cameras on the new phones are much better, the Samsung Galaxy S9 plus camera is still amazing.
Furthermore, with the stronger processor and higher RAM memory on the new Galaxy S20’s would work absolutely amazing for mobile gaming, multitasking, and Dex mode. But I don’t foresee myself replacing my laptop with a phone. Well not yet….. I honestly believe that the idea Dex is the future of the mobile phones but that’s a discussion for another day.
All I use my phone for is listen to music, watch Youtube videos, listen to podcasts, tracking my stocks, check my bank account and credit cards, scroll through social media, and occasionally play Pokemon GO especially now that they added the new battling system. My phone can handle all of these tasks without any issues or lag.
One last thing I forgot to mention. I didn’t want to deal with signing into my accounts all over again.
Conclusion, Should you upgrade or fix it?
Trust me I understand that fixing the screen on any Samsung Galaxy S series can be expensive. The typical S9 Plus screen replacement costs roughly $250-$325. Therefore you may want to consider using that money towards a newer phone.
But honestly, that question depends on you and whether you think you’ll benefit from a better phone and your individual preferences.
If you’re constantly taking pictures and believe a better camera would improve the quality of your post then upgrade.
If you take advantage of the higher RAM memory and processing power, then you may want to consider upgrading.
If you loathe the idea of having an outdated phone, then upgrade.
Hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions feel free to email me at ricardo@invisiblearmorinc.com or leave a comment down below about your ideas.
Ricardo Gonzalez
Author