The benchmark scores aren't too different from before, suggesting Samsung isn't yet done optimizing things, which is par for the course as software finalization happens rather late in the development process. The company does seem to have finalized the design, however, as leakster Ice Universe has said on Twitter that the Galaxy Note 9 is 2 mm shorter than the Galaxy Note 8, along with posting a custom-made image of the device. He also says the phone doesn't have an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Galaxy Note 9 shorter than the Note 8? Not surprising
The shorter height can be expected, if Samsung brings over the same kind of changes as it did for the Galaxy S9 and S9+. The Galaxy S9+ is 1.4 mm shorter than the Galaxy S8+ (the regular S9, meanwhile, is shorter by 1.2 mm compared to the regular S8) thanks to smaller top and bottom bezels. If the 2 mm figure is accurate, it suggests Samsung has been able to shave off slightly more bezel from the Galaxy Note 9. The stronger metal and glass should also be part of the package, seeing as how they make the Galaxy S9 and S9+ more resilient to damage.
As for the in-display fingerprint sensor, Ice Universe had earlier said it would be present on the Galaxy Note 9 but has now backtracked on that claim. Not that it comes as a surprise, as the chances of an in-display fingerprint reader on the Note 9 have always looked rather slim. However, it would also mean that the larger battery rumored for the device may not be a part of the package, either, as it's unlikely Samsung would have a lot of space to offer a substantial increase in battery size alongside components like the S Pen and the dual rear camera.
Of course, unless we see some concrete evidence supporting any of these rumors, it's recommended to take them with a heavy dose of skepticism. The Galaxy Note 9 may end up being just a Galaxy S9+ with an S Pen and a few minor improvements thrown in, though even if that turns out to be the case, Note fans will still be getting a slew of new features such as stereo speakers and the Dual Aperture camera with Super Slow-mo recording.
