Microsoft has now started taking pre-orders for the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+. That's not surprising as the company does sell Android-powered smartphones through its stores. It sold the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 last year as well and they were initially perceived as being “Microsoft Edition” units of the flagships until Samsung set the record straight. So while Microsoft is now taking pre-orders for unlocked units of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, bear in mind that there's no Microsoft Edition of this year's flagship as well.
Microsoft Edition Galaxy S9
There's nothing different about the units that Microsoft is selling through its stores. They don't even come with apps like Cortana and Microsoft Launcher pre-loaded. However, when this Microsoft Edition label started being widely reported last year, Samsung issued a statement saying “There is not a ‘Microsoft Edition’ brand of any Samsung Galaxy products.”
It's not like there's a need for a Microsoft Edition of Samsung's flagship smartphones anyway. Some of Microsoft's Office apps already come preloaded on these handsets and apps like Cortana and Microsoft Launcher are readily available for download from the Google Play Store for any and all Android smartphones.
With the company opening pre-orders for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ on its website, some outlets have reported that this is the Microsoft Edition Galaxy S9 when it really isn't. Even Microsoft itself isn't using the term on the listing page for the device.
Microsoft will ship the pre-orders by March 16 and that's also when the handset will be available in its stores. It's charging $719.99 and $839.99 for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, the same as Samsung. It's the Snapdragon 845-powered model that comes unlocked out of the box.
The only difference will be that when customers purchase the Galaxy S9 from a Microsoft store, employees at its brick and mortar locations will then offer assistance on how to get Microsoft apps and make the most out of them on Samsung's latest flagship.
