Sugar

Sugar S9: Pros and Cons

Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940
Adreno 505
4 GB / 64 GB
5.5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus

Sugar announced the launch of the S9 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The S9 comes with Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) pre-installed. The AMOLED display provides deep blacks, vibrant colors, fast response times. This phone has only one rear-camera (16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Sugar S9 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Sugar S9 / 1

Sugar S9 specifications

BrandSugar
NameS9
ModelS9
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.71 oz
Dimensions6.08 x 3.02 x 0.26 inch
Colorsblack, blue, rose-gold
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Sugar S9 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

Sugar S9 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 505

The Sugar S9 comes with Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

Sugar S9 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeAMOLED
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

The S9's AMOLED display has deep blacks and vibrant colors. It also has fast response times and features like Always-On Display. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Sugar S9 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Sugar S9 comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage of the S9 (64 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera16 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The S9 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The S9 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your S9 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The S9 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The S9 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Sugar OS

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The S9 smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in S9 smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Sugar phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • AMOLED display
  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
Add Sugar S9 to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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