Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ Microsoft Editions announced

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Microsoft Edition will operate on Android. (Source: Microsoft)

Microsoft is now offering customized versions of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ for pre-order through their store. The Microsoft Editions of the smartphones will operate on Android OS and will look identical to the flagship devices sold on Samsung’s website. Microsoft’s customizations will come in the form of software additions, such as Cortana, Skype, Microsoft Launcher and apps from Office 365.

Microsoft and Samsung have teamed up before when it comes to customizing the South Korean’s flagship devices. The Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition offered services like Office, OneDrive, and Cortana, and it featured other well-known Microsoft products. Now it’s time for the S9 and S9+ to receive their Microsoft customizations.

The latest Microsoft Editions of Samsung’s high-end smartphones will feature customizations that are apparently activated when the device is first connected to Wi-Fi (they are not preinstalled). This will then give the user access to Cortana, Excel, Skype, OneNote, PowerPoint, Word, and Microsoft Launcher. The phone will use Android, not Windows 10 Mobile, as OS.

Microsoft has not tinkered with the hardware; the devices still offer the same base specifications: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 845, 12 MP Dual Pixel camera, and 64 GB of storage. The S9 comes with 4 GB RAM and has a 5.8-inch super AMOLED display, while the S9+ delivers 6 GB RAM and features a larger 6.2-inch super AMOLED screen.