Which Galaxy S9 color should I buy: Black, purple, blue, gray or gold?

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ have very subtle design differences compared to the Galaxy S8 and S8+, but one clear way to recognize them at a glance are their new colors. Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Coral Blue, Titanium Gray and Sunrise Gold are the color options, and aside from black they're all fresh hues we haven't seen before.
Here's a good look at all five colors, and some information on what you can expect from each one so you can make an informed decision when you go to order.
Galaxy S9 in Midnight Black
Samsung's been doing Midnight Black phones for a few years now, and the Galaxy S9's version is no different. This is a solid black color with no real extra shine or glimmer to it. The metal frame is now more of a gray color on account of its texturing, which differs from the high-gloss black finish on the Galaxy S8. It's very similar to the black Galaxy S7, in fact.
Who is it for?
If you want to play it safe, go for the Midnight Black color. It hides scratches better than the other lighter colors, and you won't be attracting any unwanted attention to your phone. If you plan on just putting a case on your phone anyway, black is probably the easiest color to re-sell later on when you're done with the phone.
See at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Galaxy S9 in Lilac Purple
Lilac Purple is a brand new color for Samsung, and it kind of picks up where Orchid Gray left off in the Galaxy S8. It's far more reflective and has a deeper color to it that's more susceptible to changing its look in various lighting conditions, which means it will range from a deep purple (in dark lighting) to almost a grayish pink color (in bright light). The metal frame is a dull purple or pink, depending on the light. Of all four colors, Lilac Purple stands out the most — partially because there just aren't many purple phones out there, but also on account of its reflectivity and pink accents.
See at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Who is it for?
If you're looking for a stand-out phone that'll get noticed and never be confused for anyone else's at the dinner table, Lilac Purple is the color for you. It's a good bet that even among Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners that Lilac Purple will be the lowest-selling variety, so you have the best shot at staying unique for a while when you choose it.
Galaxy S9 in Coral Blue
Having a name like Coral Blue is a bit of a misnomer — this isn't anything like Samsung's previous blues, but more of a powder blue instead. I'd consider it a gray-based phone with some blue to it when you get it in bright lighting. When it's in darker areas, you can't tell it apart from the Titanium Gray model. The metal frame is a little bit of a giveaway with its soft blue shade, but even then it still doesn't substantially stand out. It still has some of that reflectivity that Lilac Purple does, and that's really the only time that it shows off a lot of its blue tendencies.
Who is it for?
Coral Blue is a great balance between the simple Midnight Black and the overtly bright Lilac Purple. Most of the time it's quite simple and sleek looking, but in the right light it can show off its reflections and look far more blue. Coral Blue is a handsome, sophisticated color that you can't go wrong with.
See at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Galaxy S9 in Titanium Gray
Titanium Gray is a simple color, without much of the color-shifting tendencies seen in Lilac Purple and Coral Blue. It's just gray, and when you get it in brighter or darker lighting, it just looks a bit closer to white and a bit closer to black. In the right lighting, it'll look identical to Coral Blue. The metal frame is just a pure gray that looks like the most natural metal color, giving it more of an industrial look than the other three.
Who is it for?
Titanium Gray won't be available in the U.S., so strike it off of your list if you're buying it there. But if you have the choice, give it a look if you don't want Midnight Black but aren't interested in the shimmering color-changing feature of Lilac Purple or Coral Blue. Gray will always be gray no matter what, and if that sounds like a safe bet then you should go for it.
Galaxy S9 in Sunrise Gold
A few months after launch, Samsung rolled out a new color to the U.S.: Sunrise Gold. This is hardly Samsung's first gold-colored phone, but the company is making it clear that this is different from the golds of the past. Samsung's goal with Sunrise Gold was to give it more of a matte sheen around the entire phone, glass included, whereas the other colors still rely on a high gloss shine for their glass back.
Who is it for?
Well, Sunrise Gold is for someone who wants a classy phone and likes the idea of having something slightly more exclusive. The Sunrise Gold color option is available for both the Galaxy S9 and S9+, but it's only available from Best Buy and Samsung.com. Pair that limited retail availability with the fact that it launched months later, and you just won't see that many Sunrise Gold Galaxy S9s around — you'll be unique.
- See at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
- See at Samsung (opens in new tab)
Regional differences matter (a little less this time)
As ever, not all regions are getting the same colors of the Galaxy S9 and S9+. In the U.S., we have access to three colors: black, purple and blue. As far as individual U.S. carriers go, most are offering all three colors of both sizes of the phone — but depending on which store you go to or whether you order online, stock may be limited.
Unfortunately, Titanium Gray is only for international markets. Around the world, you can expect two or three colors offered depending on the individual country (and carrier) you're buying in. And of course this can change over time as exclusivity deals run out and new ones are made — and there's a good chance Samsung will end up changing its color strategy over the course of the year.
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Andrew was an Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central between 2012 and 2020.
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Color me purple, YIKES looks to be a great color. I may for the first time pre-order the 9+. Maybe!
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Where is the emerald green they teased for the S7? That's the one I really want. I'd even upgrade from my S8 just to get that color even though technologically there's basically no reason.
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This
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Blue or Grey
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How about buying the one you like best. That would be my approach.
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I shall be buying the purple one. Already reserved :)
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Yellow please
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Totally agree. Yellow would be awesome. On screen these colors outside of black and grey look to subtle for me. Google and HTC nailed color with really blue and fire red. Wish Google would do that blue again, with red and yellow as options. Apple did great with their product (red) iPhone 8(+).
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Well, I'm peeved. Here in Canada, my only choices are the grey and purple. But my preference is black. So, unless something changes, I'll be giving it a pass.
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I guess gold phones are pretty dead in 2018
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iPhone X to be coming out in gold according to the FCC
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Why no gray in the US? I hate boring black phones and don't need the ugly blue or girly purple. Gray is the sleekest color making the phone look like it was milled from a piece of metal instead of the cheesy plastic look the colors have. I guess it doesn't matter until Samsung fixes the location of the power button, which has been a disaster from day 1. When they figure that out, maybe I'll come back.
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Color doesn't make a difference for me. I always put my glass sandwich in a wallet case for protection!
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Does it really matter? Most users will toss it in a case on day 1.
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Apparently it does matter, because Samsung keeps making them in multiple colors.
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Been waiting for a red option for years. I got spoiled with bright, bold colors during my Nokia Lumia days. Now for the last few years I've been stuck with dull, metallic, finger print-prone color options. Thank god for cases.
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Bring back polycarbonates.
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I just use dbrand skins.
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Sony Xperia xz2 deep green
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I don't think I'll be upgrading from my S8 plus but being that black is not available in Canada I'd probably go with purple
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Got mine today. Pretty good so far.
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Purple, with a doubt!!
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I prefer either black or blue but those colors aren't available in Canada. I got a blue from elsewhere.
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The back of the Galaxy S9 is ugly. The S8 looked beautiful but the fingerprint scanner wasn't in a practical place. Looked better though.
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Disagree... I like the S9 much better!
It's all opinion and perspective:) -
Blue is nice
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I like the gray but am in the US. Purple not for me, and I'm a little tired of black. So I'd probably get the blue, which looks nice. I liked the mirror finish they had on the S7(?).
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You need to buy one of each color. That way you can match your outfit or mood for the day.
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Blue is my favourite. I chose the s9+ blue.
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Went with blue... Not disappointed
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Unless you are not gonna cover it with a case, any color will do but I love the blue
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What an useful article!
How would anyone choose a color for their phone without goint to the internet and researching it first? -
Orange... but dont care... otterbox would be on it.
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Colors are for the girly boys! Yikes!
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You go for Coral Blue.
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Grey, for me, but not available in UK.
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Because there's not an Arctic Silver option like my S8 plus, I'll pass. That's the prettiest color Samsung offered last year.
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I Got Blue... love the blue color
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I like the blue. My DIL bought the purple. I won't be buying one and I don't care which one you get.
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Lilac Purple all day everyday
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Coral blue is beautiful in the daylight!
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I picked up the blue this time after having a black Note 8 and s8. Then a silver Note 7 and S7 Edge. I didn't think I would like the blue, because I wanted the blue Note 8, but I am really enjoying it.
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I pre-ordered Midnight Black, prefer Coral Blue. Mostly because it reminds me of The Walking Dead.
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Grey
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Gold S6 edge then Silver S7 edge (wanted coral blue then but it wasn't available until several months after launch), Black S8+ and finally, I got the coral blue S9+. I really like the blue on the S9+, it stands out but is understated at the same time.
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Wish they would make a phone that doesn't need a case.. I love the look of my phone. But right after unboxing I stick a case on it and no more looking at my beautiful phone from all sides.
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Blue! Blue! Blue!
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Great piece of journalism. Seriously, who cares?
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I purchased the blue color but I don't know why it's called Coral Blue since it looks more like Midnight Blue to me because it's so dark. The Coral Blue color on the Note 7 was far lighter, I think if you're going to use the exact name as a previous color then it should be the exact same shade as well...still nice color overall.
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It's sooooooo difficult to answer this question which obviously could has serious implications concerning one's future physical and psychological wellbeing.
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Blue.
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I went with purple. Ordered it today.
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I bought my S9 in blue but only because purple wasn't in stock at the time and I wanted my S9 NOW! I wish I had purple because I think it's classy even for a guy.
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Got a coral blue S9 on the way....if the guy from swappa ships the correct device this time.
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Color me NOT, nice ad AC. Damn boring phones.
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Your comment was great! ... NOT! There, I colored you. Now fly away ... FLY!