International version of Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro gets Bluetooth certification

Back in March Samsung released the Pro version of its Galaxy A9 (2016) in China. It features a 6-inch Full HD (1920X1080) Super AMOLED display with a 1.8GHz octa-core Snapdragon 652 SoC, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of on-board storage. It also has a 16 megapixel rear camera and 8 megapixel front camera plus a very healthy 5,000mAh battery. It supports Dual SIM, microSD expansion, an embedded fingerprint sensor in the home button, and runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The model number of the A9 Pro is SM-A9100 and it is what gives us a clue about an international version of the device.

If you take a look at the official Bluetooth certification page for the Chinese version of the A9 Pro (the SM-A9100), you will see that a new model number has been recently added to the “product list.” The new model is the SM-A910F/DS. The same model number was spotted a few weeks ago earning its Wi-Fi certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance.

The “DS” most likely stands for Dual SIM and does raise the interesting question about a single SIM variant. Dual SIM support is important in lots of countries, however it is frowned upon by some carriers as it opens the door to customers using a rival’s service in a relatively seamless way, and as you know carriers are all about locking customers in, not letting them out! If there isn’t a Single SIM version then this particular device could have a limited international release.

The A9 Pro is different to the standard Samsung Galaxy A9 in that it has more RAM, 4GB rather than 3GB; more internal storage, 32GB up from 16GB; a 16MP camera compared to 13MP; and 1000 extra mAh in the battery.

The Chinese version of the Galaxy A9 Pro is available in three colors: White, Pink, and Rose Gold, and retails for 3,499 Yuan, which is roughly $540. However we will have to wait and see what price Samsung will set for the various international markets.

As for a launch date, that isn’t known as yet, however with Wi-Fi certification and Bluetooth certification both ready then it would seem that the release will be soon!

Are you looking forward to the international variant of the Galaxy A9 Pro?