The quick answer

• Calls and data: yes for most US and unlocked versions
• Software: stuck on Android 10, no security updates
• Most apps still install
• Good as a budget or backup phone

Calls after the 3G shutdown

The S9 supports VoLTE and is on most US carriers' approved lists, including many unlocked versions. As with every older Galaxy, international models are the ones to double-check.

How to check yours

1. Find the IMEI: dial *#06# or look in Settings > About phone.
2. Enter it in your carrier's compatibility checker (every major carrier and most prepaid brands have one).
3. If it says the phone isn't supported, it usually means no VoLTE approval for that model. A different version of the same phone may still work.

The software limit: Android 10

The S9 stops at Android 10, and Samsung's security updates for it have ended. Apps still broadly support Android 10 in 2026, so it remains more usable than the S7 or S8.

Who it still works for

Anyone who wants a capable Android with a headphone jack for very little money. It's one of the better older phones to keep as a backup.

If you're replacing it

A new Galaxy A17 or moto g 2026 costs far less than an old flagship did, gets years of updates, and several carriers give them away when you switch. Pair it with a low-cost plan such as Mint Mobile ($15 a month for 6GB on a 12-month term) or Visible ($25 for unlimited, taxes included).