Since obtaining a Note 9 for review, I’ve been testing out a bunch of interesting accessories, the best of which I’ve (hopefully) compiled here. This is by no means an exhaustive feature, but it’s a decent sampling of what I’ve tried/what’s out there, and ideally a short list of peripherals that I think are worth your hard-earned cash. Enjoy—I’ll be writing up any other cool extras that come my way.
1. Wireless Charger Duo, Samsung, $119.99
Let’s be upfront: $120 is a whole lot of cash to spend on a charger, even an official Fast Charge Qi-enabled one. That said, the Charger Duo is one of the slickest smartphone peripherals I’ve used in a while. For starters, it’s an official Samsung product, so you don’t need to worry about weird compatibility issues or the worry that it’s filled with faulty electronics that might burn your house down while you’re not looking. Then there’s the fact that you’re getting two wireless chargers in a single setup—one angled front-facing phone pad and one flat smartwatch pad—though you can use either surface to power-up any Qi-certified device. Even when you’re charging say, two Note 9s at once, there’s no loss in charging strength or speed, a detail I was happy to discover.
The design of the accessory itself is, I think, pretty cool, looking like some kind of futuristic telecommunication gadget or teleportation controller. It’s got a built-in fan for continuous charging ventilation, two separate LEDs that go from red to green once charging has completed, rubber feet to secure everything in place on a desk or nightstand, and it works through most phone cases, both horizontally and vertically. After using the Duo for several weeks, it’s become part of my regular phone routine, and I’m honestly wondering how I ever got by without it. There are cheaper Qi chargers out there, even single-phone variants from Samsung, but if you want two-device versatility and total convenience (especially if you own both a smartphone and smartwatch that need to be charged at the same time), then this is an excellent, albeit pricey, option.
Note that you can buy the Wireless Charger Duo in either black or white, though I prefer the stark cleanliness of the latter.
2. PowerWave 7.5 Stand, Anker, $49.99
Coming straight off Samsung’s Wireless Charger Duo, this next entry is a dependable alternative for Note 9 users seeking Qi-certified wireless charging, but who don’t necessarily need a dual-device peripheral. I’ve voiced my admiration for Anker products in previous Forbes posts, and without a doubt, the love extends to the company’s convenient charge stand, which facilitates Fast Charge and possesses a notably diminutive desk footprint. You can charge your phone both vertically or horizontally, and you won’t have to worry about the stand overheating, as it has a built-in fan that whirs into motion as soon as you place your device down.
Really, the PowerWave does just about everything the Wireless Charger Duo does, including charging the Note 9 through a variety of cases, only it has a single slot for your phone and related gadgets instead of two. That, and it’s not an official Samsung product, though given Anker’s extensive pedigree (and my own positive experience with its products), I can say that this isn’t much of an issue. I’ve been using this charger for several months now and it’s yet to give me any problems, fast-charging my Note 9 and other Qi-enabled devices without a hitch. This stand is a solid choice if you have a more constrained space to work with, as it’s at least half the physical size of Samsung’s Duo. That, and it’s basically half the price as well, which is never a bad thing. The only drawbacks? The blue LED on the front of the PowerWave doesn’t change color once the Note 9 is fully charged, and the fan is slightly louder than the one inside the Wireless Charger Duo. Also, the fan doesn’t stop spinning once charging is complete. Small annoyance, but it’s there.
3. Monarch Case, UAG, $59.95
I’ve actually been using UAG cases on my smartphones for years now and they’ve never let me down. Basically, they’re rugged, well-built covers that offer long-lasting phone protection. Case in point: I’ve had my aging Note 5 protected with one of the company’s rust-colored variants for years now and it still looks practically brand new, with zero fading or loss of function. UAG’s Monarch, which sits at the top of the rugged case manufacturer’s Note 9 lineup in terms of build quality and price, boasts the expected UAG quality, but it’s also bolstered by several premium features. This includes stuff like 5-layer protection, passing the military grade drop-test (2X), an alloy metal frame and touches of real leather.
The Monarch, which comes in either black or an eye-catching crimson, is nicely textured with impact-resistant rubber (including on top of the oversized buttons, which I particularly like). It’s also super light while managing to feel incredibly sturdy and solid. Plus get this: Without even trying, I was able to test out all that drop protection marketing mumbo-jumbo on the box. To my horror, I inadvertently dropped my Note 9 from about 6 feet in the air onto a hardwood floor last week. Like the world’s most expensive dodgeball, it bounced once, then twice, sending the S Pen jettisoning out like a tiny Bluetooth missile, before finally coming to rest face-down at my feet. Besides the temporary accessory loss, there was no actual damage to the phone itself or the huge screen, for that matter. No cracks. No malfunctions. I simply popped the S Pen back in and thanked the UAG gods that I had the Monarch case installed before deciding to throw my Note 9 like an angry infant.
So yes, given my own clumsiness, I can personally vouch for the Monarch’s rugged functionality, which is mostly what matters with this kind of product. At $60, it’s not a cheap case, but I think you’re getting what you pay for here. The top grain leather smells great (don’t act like you won’t take a whiff), the industrial/military design is on point and all the cutouts/buttons work just as they should. My biggest (and only) complaint is that there’s no kickstand for watching YouTube and whatnot.
4. Rugged Protective Cover, Samsung, $39.99
This official Samsung case gives UAG’s Monarch a run for its money, and at a slightly cheaper price point. Similar to the Urban Armor Gear in concept but leaning more toward a no-nonsense personality-devoid design, this rugged case forgoes fancy elegance for a stylized no-frills toughness, in this case a kind of corrugated metal siding aesthetic. The texture is nice in a sterile, military sort of way and gives the Note 9 a significant feel, like you could knock it around without fear of cracking or other breakage. Like the Monarch, it’s been drop tested to military standards, though not to the Monarch’s advertised ‘2X’ extent.
While it can’t necessarily compete with the Monarch’s flashy outer aesthetic, Samsung’s rugged option does outclass UAG’s offering in one key area—the kickstand, which is entirely missing on the Monarch. It hides flush against the case when not in use and flips out easily when needed, never feeling flimsy or on the verge of snapping off. The rugged cover’s buttons, on the other hand, fall short when compared to the Monarch. While acceptably responsive, they’re not textured and somewhat stiff, making it slightly difficult to wake up the phone, change the volume or initiate Bixby. Overall though, this is a seriously decent case for the price, and if you don’t want to spring for something premium like the Monarch, this is a no-brainer, especially if you’re wanting to take your phone into more active situations that require more protection.
The Rugged Protective Cover is available in both black and silver.
5. S-View Flip Cover, Samsung, $59.99
If I had to say only one thing about Samsung’s S-View, it might be that it’s style over substance, which isn’t necessarily bad for users looking for a specific kind of functionality. The big draw of this case is the semi-transparent screen cover, through which you can answer phone calls, check the time and see the weather. And that’s a huge plus—being able to keep the infinity display protected while accessing basic features is definitely desirable. For that reason, the S-View is perfect for someone who might not want to purchase a separate glass screen protector. Additionally, if you do have to open the cover for any reason, the phone will wake up, and conversely, if you close the cover, the Note 9 will automatically go back to its rest mode/lock screen.
The S-View will also transform into a kickstand if folded out, which is convenient for watching Netflix and other content. However, it’s all of this extra material real estate that makes the case rather inconvenient for gaming. Sure, you could fold the S-View back on itself to hold the Note 9 in an acceptable landscape gaming position, but it just ends up feeling awkward, and also like you’re damaging the flexible plastic. It also doesn’t feel nearly as smash-proof as Samsung’s own Rugged Protective Cover. That’s not to say it doesn’t feel premium or look incredible; with the opaque screen overlay, it’s one impressive-looking accessory. It’s just that for $60, I think I’d rather spend my money on something that will for sure keep my Note 9 safe during a serious fall. On the other hand, if you want something that’s more of a conversation piece, this could be your pick, as it’s as close as you’ll probably come to an extraterrestrial phone skin.
The S-View is available in violet, blue, brown and black.
Disclosure: Review product was provided for coverage purposes.
