The newly released Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Samsung Galaxy S9+ come with the usual improvements you’ve come to expect when the next generation of devices comes along. One of the more peculiar promises with the Galaxy S9 was FM radio support. While supporting FM radio is not so odd in itself, Samsung devices have omitted the feature for years. This is because while the necessary hardware exists in most flagships, the FM radio chips themselves are locked down and unusable. Samsung had announced it was teaming up with NextRadio to bring back the functionality, but users of these two devices have discovered FM radio support isn’t present – not yet anyway.
Strangely, the radio works fine on carrier-locked units of the Galaxy S9 and S9+, making it seem like the company just simply made a mistake and forgot to add the feature. XDA Senior Member wolfgart flashed the T-Mobile carrier firmware on his unlocked device and FM radio worked. NextRadio later confirmed to PiunikaWeb that the problem is indeed a result of a software bug that Samsung accidentally included in unlocked variants of the devices. A software update will be released in the future fixing the issue.
FM Radio may be a novelty in the day and age of mobile data streaming. However, for many without a data plan or those who are subject to service outages, it can be a vital feature in a smartphone. The nostalgia factor aside, FM radio can also be a life-saving feature when in the event of an emergency. Important information is often transmit primarily over radio-waves. It’s not necessary in some cases as most smartphones don’t even support it anymore, but there are times where it can be useful. For those who wanted to use FM radio, let’s hope the update comes soon for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+!
Source: NextRadio Via: PiunikaWeb Via: AndroidPolice
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