The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus do not come with FM Radio support in the US. This is apparently a mistake, and it will be fixed in a future software update.
Initial Oversight and Confirmation
It has been revealed that support for FM Radio should have been included on both handsets at launch. Samsung confirmed the reason for the error. The company mistakenly did not add the NAB FM API to the unlocked devices. Our team confirmed this with them a couple of days after release upon receiving reports that the app did not work. Samsung has said it will be included in the first update they do, but they have not yet settled on a date.
The model numbers affected are SM-G960UI and SM-G965UI, which do not currently support FM Radio. In contrast, the models SM-G960U and SM-G965U, which are sold through carriers, do support FM Radio. This discrepancy has caused some confusion among users who expected the same functionality across all versions of the device.
Importance of FM Radio Support
FM Radio support is more than just a feature for listening to music; it can be crucial in emergency situations where cellular networks might be down. Having access to FM Radio allows users to receive important updates and information during natural disasters or other emergencies. This makes the lack of FM Radio support in the unlocked versions of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus a significant oversight.
Samsung has acknowledged the importance of this feature and has committed to bringing support for FM Radio to both devices shortly with a software update. As of now, there are no details on when the update will land, but users can expect it in the near future.
Steps to Enable FM Radio
Once the update is released, enabling FM Radio on your Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus should be straightforward. Typically, users will need to download an FM Radio app from the Google Play Store, such as NextRadio, which utilizes the NAB FM API. After installing the app, users will be able to tune into local FM stations using their device.
It’s worth noting that using FM Radio on a smartphone usually requires a pair of wired headphones, which act as the antenna. This means that users who primarily use wireless earbuds or headphones might need to keep a wired pair handy for FM Radio functionality.
Global Perspective
Interestingly, FM Radio support is a standard feature in many smartphones sold outside the US. In countries where data plans are expensive or unreliable, FM Radio provides a free and reliable source of news, music, and entertainment. The oversight in the US models of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus highlights the varying priorities and market demands in different regions.
In conclusion, while the lack of FM Radio support in the US models of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus was an oversight, Samsung has committed to rectifying this issue with a future software update. This will bring the unlocked versions in line with their carrier-sold counterparts, ensuring that all users have access to this important feature.
Source Piunikaweb, Android Police
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