Review Summary
Pros: close and comfortable shaves, improved shaving head, good ergonomics, powerful, versatile, feature-packed, easy to clean, good battery life, 7 years warranty
Cons: pricey, incremental improvements vs previous Philips models, no USB-C charging, some features only available via the smartphone app
In a rather surprising move, Philips quietly released a new high-end shaver, called the i9000 Prestige Ultra.
And considering its specs and price, it should also be the best one yet.
The current Philips (Norelco) flagship is the S9000 Prestige, a shaver that has been extremely well received by the community.
But its status as the best Philips rotary is now being disputed with the release of the 2025 i9000 Prestige Ultra.
I was lucky to buy one right after the launch and in this review I’ll tell you all you need to know about the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra.
I’ll also compare it to other Philips models like the S9000 Prestige and see if it’s worth the upgrade (and the extra money).
Availability and model comparison
The Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra was first available in several European countries (Germany, the UK, Ireland) in early 2025.
In the USA it became available in late April.
I purchased my review unit from Germany, but all the models are identical performance-wise.
The differences come down to color and accessories and you’ll notice that the prices vary a lot.
But what’s important to know is that regardless of which Prestige Ultra model you end up buying, it will shave exactly the same as the other ones.
There are many variations available, especially in Europe, and some of them come with some interesting accessories.
For example, there’s a new UV power case that uses UV light to kill bacteria and the case also charges the shaver.
In the USA, there are now 5 Prestige Ultra models to choose from.
Here are the main differences between them:
| Model | Accessories | Price |
|---|---|---|
XP9405/84 | Charging stand, beard trimmer, travel case, brush, USB-A cable | Check now |
XP9402/86 | Quick Clean Pod, charging stand, beard trimmer, travel case, brush, cleaning cartridge, USB-A cable | Check now |
XP9403/88 | Quick Clean Pod, charging stand, beard styler, nose trimmer, travel case, brush, cleaning cartridge, USB-A cable | Check now |
XP9400/89 | UV power case, beard trimmer, brush, USB-A cable | Check now |
XP9401/92 | Quick Clean Pod, UV power case, beard trimmer, cleaning cartridge, brush, USB-A cable | Check now |
XP9406/93 | Quick Clean Pod, UV power case, DeepClean massager, beard trimmer, cleaning cartridge, brush, USB-A cable | Check now |
Choosing a Prestige Ultra should come down to budget and the accessories you’ll bee needing.
Personally, I would get one that comes with a Quick Clean Pod as that’s the only must-have for me.
But you can of course save some money and buy the XP9405/84 which is usually the most reasonably priced.
Again, all variations will shave exactly the same.
The Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra: what exactly is it?
When I first heard about the Prestige Ultra, it wasn’t very clear where the new shaver would fit within the Philips lineup.
And the more I got to know it, the more difficult it was for me to justify its existence.
You see, the Prestige Ultra is a mashup between the regular Series 9000 and the current S9000 Prestige but with some specific tweaks and improvements.
So one would expect this new shaver to be better than both in every aspect.
But we’ll get to that as well.
The takeaway is that the i9000 Prestige Ultra is, given its price and features, the new flagship Philips shaver.
Later on in the review we’ll see how this translates into real world performance.
Fun fact: Alongside the flagship i9000 Prestige Ultra, Philips also launched two other sub-series in 2025:
- The i9000
- The i9000 Prestige
These non-Ultra variations cost less and lack the power settings of the Ultra that I’ll address in the next section.
Also, the, body of the i9000 are i9000 Prestige (non-Ultra) is taken straight from the existing Series 9000.
I will talk more about how these i9000 variations compare to the range-topping Ultra later on.
Features overview
1. Redesigned shaving heads
The i9000 Prestige Ultra uses a standard setup for a rotary razor with three cutting heads.
However, the main thing that sets it apart from the current S9000 Prestige and the standard Series 9000 is that the shape and size of the heads has been tweaked.
Specifically, I am referring to the three slab-like, angular holders that house the actual cutters.
On the Prestige Ultra (and on the other non-Ultra i9000), they are now slightly smaller, rounder and they taper down toward the edges.
In my opinion the reduced thickness of the i9000 heads is actually what will have the biggest impact while shaving (more on that later on).
The size and shape of the Series 9000 (Prestige) heads was one of the main points of criticism and it appears that Philips has listened to user feedback.
As a result of the redesign, Philips says the i9000 Prestige Ultra is now 20% more effective at catching hairs on the neck and directly below the nose.
Also, according to Philips, the surface of the plastic holders has been improved as well and it now offer superior gliding.
It uses a hydrophilic coating made out of hundreds of thousands of micro beads.
The three heads move independently and the entire head unit swivels as well thanks to a flexible strut.
In that regard, there are no changes vs the current Series 9000 (Prestige).
Interestingly, Philips explicitly markets the Prestige Ultra as suitable for shaving the head as well. So that’s a first.
But because the actual changes are only related to the size of the heads, this is probably just a strategic/marketing decision.
Any of the previous 9000 variations would also work just fine as head shavers (provided the hair is short).
2. Lift & Cut blades for improved closeness
One of the most bold claims about the new Prestige Ultra is that it can cut the hair up to -0.08 mm root-level — that is below the skin.
It would supposedly do that thanks to a Triple Action Lift & Cut system.
The Lift & Cut is essentially a blade design with two offset edges, the first one lifting the hair and the second one doing the actual cutting.
Philips doesn’t make it clear how is the Prestige Ultra any different from the i9000/Series 9000/S9000 Prestige that use the exact same SH91 blades.
As always, these statements regarding the closeness must be taken with a grain of salt.
The SH91 blades have two tracks, hence the NanoTech Dual Precision name.
Philips says the i9000 Prestige Ultra can effectively cut even a 7-day beard, though not everyone will be able to get away with so many days between shaves.
3. Five shaving modes
While the current S9000 Prestige offers 3 custom settings to choose from, the Prestige Ultra comes with two extra modes for a total of five:
- Sensitive
- Regular
- Intense
- Foam
- Custom
I’ve always found these settings to be of little to no use in practice, with most users only benefitting from the most powerful one.
However, the two new modes (Foam, Custom) do sound intriguing and I was really looking forward to see how effective and useful they are.
In addition to these 5 user-electable modes, there’s a beard density sensor that reads data 500 times a second and varies the motor output accordingly.
This is a seamless process that you’ll probably never notice while shaving — I surely didn’t.
These 5 power settings are specific to the i9000 Prestige Ultra.
The non-Ultra i9000 and i9000 Prestige have only one standard mode, slightly slower than the most powerful setting on the Ultra.
4. Active Pressure & Motion guidance system
This is a feature taken straight from the regular Series 9000/i9000 and is essentially a light ring that tells you if you’re applying too much (or not enough) pressure.
There’s also a companion smartphone app called GroomTribe where you can track your progress and see some other more or less useful metrics.
For example, the it can show you if you’ve been shaving using circular motions or if you need to tweak your technique.
I will review the app in great detail later on.
These two features, the active pressure monitor and motion guidance are also available on the more affordable Series 9000 (like the Shaver 9500 or 9800).
As you’ll see later on, there are other quirks of the i9000 Prestige Ultra that are reminiscent of the regular Series 9000.
5. Wet & Dry, cordless-only operation
As expected, all i9000 Prestige Ultra variations are fully waterproof for easy cleaning and you can also shave wet.
The shavers will only work cordless and are fitted with a fairly large Li-Ion battery that can last up to one hour on a single charge.
6. Quick Clean Pod
Several i9000 Prestige Ultra models come with the now well-known Quick Clean Pod.
This is a very simple and compact device that allows you to clean your shaver automatically.
Unlike the previous Pods, the i9000 Prestige Ultra Pod has a different design, but functionally it’s exactly the same.
To my surprise, the actual cleaning chamber is also identical, so you can clean an i9000 Prestige Ultra shaver in the older Pod if you already have one.
That means you can buy an i9000 Prestige Ultra without a Pod and just use the old one.
You should also save some money doing so.
7. Feature-rich OLED display
The i9000 Prestige Ultra is without a doubt the shaver with the most complex display out there.
The way you interact with it, as well as the info it can show may even feel a bit overwhelming at first.
While most shavers will only display the battery level and maybe an icon for the selected shaving mode, this one goes way beyond that.
We have different screens you can cycle through via a dedicated button: battery, light guidance, travel lock, app connectivity, language and so on.
I’m a fan of simpler, intuitive design, so I think this approach makes the whole experience a bit convoluted.
Many of the options can be set via the companion app as well (more on that later on).
8. Hair trimmer attachments
Surprisingly, the i9000 Prestige Ultra doesn’t have an integrated (pop-up) trimmer like the standard Series 9000.
Instead, you’re getting either a basic click-on Precision Trimmer or a Precision Beard Styler with 5 length settings (1-5mm).
My review unit (XP9401/38) came with the Precision Beard Styler and even though I prefer integrated trimmers, this one appears to be of very good quality.
It’s heavy and sturdy, the plastic doesn’t feel flimsy and you can also remove the adjustable comb completely.
9. Up to 7 years of warranty
If you register your Prestige Ultra on philips.com within 90 days of purchase, you will get 5 extra years of warranty on top of the standard 2.
That is really impressive and could be enough to tip the scales in favor of the Prestige Ultra vs the S9000 Prestige.
You also get a money-back guarantee clause, so you’ll have 45 days to try the shaver in the USA or 30 days in Europe.
Included accessories
When it comes to accessories, the kit varies a lot, especially in Europe where there are so many Prestige Ultra models available.
Some of these extras are genuinely useful, other not so much, but it’s really up to you to decide which ones would make sense.
In my case, I wanted a Prestige Ultra that included the cleaning Pod and the charging stand.
And the only one available (at the time) that offered them was the XP9401/38.
In the USA for example, the equivalent model would be the XP9402/86 that includes both the Pod and the stand.
Here’s everything that was included with my Prestige Ultra (XP9401/38):
- Quick Clean Pod
- 1 x cleaning cartridge
- Beard styler with 5 length settings
- Nose trimmer attachment
- Charging stand
- Travel case
- Cleaning brush
- USB-A cable
- User manual
This is quite an extensive bundle and the only thing missing is a protective cover for the shaving head.
Oddly, Philips only includes those with entry-level shavers like the Series 2000 or 3000.
Again for me personally the Pod and the charging stand seem to be the most useful accessories.
You may however not need the Pod if you prefer to clean the shaver manually or you already have one.
Or you may want the UV charging case that comes with the XP9400/89 in the USA.
Just keep in mind that it’s quite heavy (~500 grams or 1.1 lbs), so not exactly travel-friendly.
I got the basic textile travel case with my Prestige Ultra.
It is of good quality, pretty sturdy and protective and can accommodate the shaver, trimmer and charging cable.
Build quality and ergonomics
With the word Ultra in its name and a premium price tag, you would expect this shaver to be at least as impressive as the current flagship models.
It turns out however that things aren’t quite like that.
As I hinted earlier, from a design and features point of view, the i9000 Prestige Ultra is more similar to the standard Series 9000.
Here’s a side by side picture of the two:
The proportions, weight and shape of the handle are extremely similar.
The two shavers even have the same menu button right below the display.
That said, the i9000 Prestige Ultra does come with a couple of improvements that are immediately noticeable, both visually and during use.
The first one is of course the redesigned shaving heads: rounder, thinner and a bit smaller.
This makes shaving easier, especially below the jawline and below the nose.
It’s not however a radical improvement and the head is still rather large vs the old, conventional design.
The second difference vs the regular Series 9000 (and non-Ultra i9000) is related to the body.
The Prestige Ultra has a more ergonomic shape of the handle and the reduce girth really does make a difference during use.
The Prestige Ultra feels more comfortable to grip despite being heavier (225g vs 187g).
Compared to the current S9000 Prestige generation, the i9000 Prestige Ultra is also heavier (198g vs 225g) but noticeably larger.
But to my surprise, I didn’t feel the extra bulk while shaving with the Prestige Ultra.
I think the smaller heads, as well as the ergonomics of the handle and the excellent thumb rest shape make up for the weight.
Holding and using the i9000 Prestige Ultra is again surprisingly comfortable and easy on the wrist.
As for the perceived quality, I wouldn’t necessarily say the Prestige Ultra is better than the current S9000 Prestige.
In fact, my unit with the glossy finish doesn’t look as refined and classy right next to it.
And it’s definitely not better than the original Prestige with its impressive metal build.
But it is nevertheless solidly built and mine doesn’t have any uneven gaps or rough panel edges.
The buttons do feel a bit mushy and not as clicky, but without impacting the functionality.
We have the same flip-open shaving head which is really useful when cleaning the shaver manually.
The guard and cutter pairs are secured with individual metal-reinforced locking rings.
I really like them vs the single bracket as I can remove them individually and the rings are also less finnicky to operate.
The LED display of the i9000 Prestige Ultra is a clear improvement over the basic, fuzzy screen of the S9000 Prestige.
The resolution could have been a bit sharper, but the graphics are still very legible and the brightness is adequate.
The menu button is located below the screen and you can interact with it via a short or long press.
A short press would advance to the next screen, while a long press would select/modify the current screen.
For example, in the locking screen, a long press would activate the travel lock and prevent accidental operation of the power button.
In addition to these functions, when the shaver is running, pressing the menu button will cycle through the 5 shaving modes.
If you’re coming from a very basic shaver, all these functions, along with the Bluetooth connectivity may seem gimmicky or unnecessary.
I did get used to operating it very quickly though.
Takeaway
Overall, despite being larger and heavier, the i9000 Prestige Ultra is in my opinion a small improvement over the current S9000 Prestige when it comes to ergonomics and ease of use.
The smaller shaving heads plus the comfortable grip and the larger thumb rest area are in my opinion the things that stand out (in a good way).
I wouldn’t say however that it’s a step up when it comes to aesthetics and build quality.
In that regard, we can safely say it’s the same (at best).
Shaving performance
Let’s now see how well the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra shaves and if it’s actually better than the S9000 Prestige or even the Series 9000.
The new redesigned shaving heads
For me, the shaving experience with the Prestige Ultra was overall slightly better vs an S9000 Prestige or Series 9000 with the larger heads.
Because the unit on the Prestige Ultra is more compact, but especially because the heads are rounded and tapered at the edges and the whole surface has this curved profile, it just feels easier to use and more natural.
It resembles the older, conventional round heads and that’s a positive thing.
Switching back and forth between my Prestige Ultra and S9000 Prestige made me appreciate the design tweaks of the Ultra head.
Especially when shaving below the jawline and the neck area, it took less work and felt less cumbersome.
Shaving below the nose requires some tweaks as the three heads still have this pretty large notch (red arrow) between the edge and the actual cutter:
It’s only slightly shorter vs the Series 9000 (Prestige), so getting it in position at the very base of the nose is challenging.
You would need to rotate the shaver 90 degrees so that the smaller side of the head (blue arrow) does the cutting.
I also use that part when I shave below my sideburns as this allows me to get closer to the sideburn edge.
Closeness, comfort and the 5 shaving modes
In terms of performance, the i9000 Prestige Ultra was top notch and extremely similar to the S9000 Prestige overall.
Despite some claims from Philips, I can honestly say that most users won’t notice any differences in terms of closeness, comfort or effectiveness at capturing difficult hairs.
And it makes sense: the motors have the same specs (although they sound different) and the Prestige Ultra uses the same SH91 heads.
But the Prestige Ultra also comes with more shaving settings.
While we only got 3 with the S9000 Prestige, the i9000 Prestige Ultra adds two more, one specifically designed for wet shaving and another custom mode.
These 5 different modes alter the Prestige Ultra’s motor speed.
I’ve used them all and just like with the previous Prestige, I think most users should just use the Intense or Custom modes and ignore the other ones.
The shaver feels slower and less effective when using any of the remaining three modes.
And one of the main reasons why you would buy a Prestige Ultra is the power upgrade, so you should take advantage of it.
Otherwise you might as well save money and just buy a regular Series 9000/i9000 or even 7000.
Just like the S9000 Prestige, the i9000 Prestige Ultra feels slightly faster than the regular Series 9000 when using the most powerful setting.
And if you think that’s the Intense mode, you’d be wrong.
It’s actually the Custom mode with the Blade speed slider set to the highest position inside the GroomTribe app:
By default, the Custom mode is set to the lowest speed setting, so you would absolutely need to install the app in order to take advantage of this.
I think Philips really got it wrong with this approach and should have made the setting available on the shaver itself.
The Custom mode with the maxed out speed is slightly more powerful than Intense, so I don’t think you’re losing a lot in terms of performance.
But nevertheless, I would still want all the power the shaver is capable of providing.
I’ve tried both and the shaver feels a bit more lively and bitey with the Custom mode enabled.
You’ll get the maximum 2300 RPM in Custom mode, while the Intense setting is probably capped at around 2200 RPM.
The comfort is about as good as it gets from a rotary and apart from the occasional sting and a bit of post-shave itching and redness, the shaver was constantly gentle and enjoyable.
I do have very sensitive skin, especially on my neck, but if the pressure is not excessive, it’s perfectly fine.
I recommend the use of an oilier pre-shave lotion, like Speick, Lectric Shave or Lab Series.
The ones that are extremely drying (like Tabac) will make the shaving head too draggy.
A foil Braun Series 9 or 2024 Panasonic Arc 6 are probably safer options for most users, especially for those who have never used a rotary before.
And the same goes when it comes to closeness.
Despite the Lift&Cut design which does seem to work, the aforementioned foil razors will have better odds of providing a closer shave in most cases.
I’m a foil guy, so my results will not be relevant for everyone.
So if you know from past experience that rotaries work better for you, then you should stick to them.
Finally, I have to say that the larger handle of the Prestige Ultra was not an issue.
I thought it would be, knowing how my Series 9000 felt in hand.
But the Prestige Ultra is better balanced, a bit easier to grip with that scalloped body and the thumb rest is angled just right.
In fact, I think I prefer it to my S9000 Prestige, even though the latter has a smaller circumference.
That, plus the redesigned compact heads make the i9000 Prestige Ultra easier to use.
The actual performance, as I already mentioned above, is to me identical to the S900 Prestige.
Wet shaving
The wet shaving performance of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra was outstanding.
When using the Jack Black Beard Lube foamless gel, I got one of the closest and more comfortable shaves of any razor.
I was really curious about the new Foam shaving mode but I also didn’t think it would be anything spectacular.
And unfortunately I was right.
As it turns out, it’s just like any other shaving mode and it’s somewhere between the Regular and Intense in terms of power (and thus effectiveness).
I tried shaving half my face in Foam mode, the other one in Intense, and the differences were essentially non-existent.
So you might as well just use the Custom or Intense modes as those are a bit faster than the dedicated setting for wet shaving.
Shaving less often
As expected, a powerful and advanced rotary razor like the Prestige Ultra was really good at catching difficult hairs.
I intentionally didn’t shave for 4 days just to put it to the test and it passed with flying colors.
Even though I have lots of flat-lying hairs that grow in swirls on my neck, the shaver was still very effective.
Philips says you can shave up to once a week and I think that’s doable, although you will need to go slower to avoid any hair pulling.
Hair trimmer
Because the i9000 Prestige Ultra has that scalloped handle, Philips couldn’t fit an integrated pop-up trimmer.
As such, we get either a basic trimmer attachment or a Beard Styler with an adjustable comb.
My unit came with the latter and it’s a very solid, hefty and well made attachment.
Previous Philips trimmers would seem flimsy and poorly made, but not this one.
The rotary dial allows you to set a hair length between 1 and 5mm or you can remove it completely and used the exposed blade for a closer trim.
I think this is a useful too for men who alternate between clean shaven and a stubble beard.
But it’s a bit wonky and cumbersome to be used as your main and only beard trimmer if you need to use it often.
In that case, a very inexpensive beard trimmer would work better.
Unfortunately, because it’s quite large and bulky, the Philips Beard Styler attachment is not ideal for grooming that requires more precision.
Edging, trimming and shaping your sideburns will be more time consuming and annoying.
It also can’t cut the hairs as close to the skin as I would like.
A slim, small pop-up trimmer like the ones on most Panasonic shavers will work a lot better.
Also, both the trimmer attachment and the head unit have a plastic fitting and I’m not entirely at ease with constantly removing them as they are friction fitted.
So I personally won’t be using this trimmer much, mainly because I shave regularly and I need a smaller, nimbler (integrated) trimmer.
One nice touch is that the shaver can detect when the trimmer is fitted so it won’t mess up your statistics inside the app related to pressure and the correctness of your circular motions while shaving.
However, it doesn’t seem to detect the nose hair trimmer attachment, so the whole detection mechanism is probably very simple.
My guess is that the shaver estimates the type of attachment based on how much force it takes to move/spin the blades.
GroomTribe app and light guidance
The i9000 Prestige Ultra comes with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to pair it with your smartphone for some additional features.
You would first need the official Philips app called GroomTribe that you can download from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Once you’ve install the app and created an account (if you don’t already have one), turn the shaver on and follow the steps in the app to connect it.
Side note: You may not always see your exact shaver model in the list. If that’s the case, just select a different one with a Pod or charging stand (if yours came with one).
With the shaver connected to your phone, you will now be able to tweak some things and also see a few interesting stats about your shave, like duration or how correct is your technique.
I won’t be reviewing the app in detail as I think that’s a bit beyond the scope of this article, but here are in my opinion the four most useful things you can do with it.
1. Setup a custom shaving mode
The Custom shaving mode can be tailored to your liking inside the app.
By default it is set to the lowest speed, so pretty much on the same level as the Sensitive mode.
I cranked the speed to the max so I can get the best performance out of the shaver.
However, I kept the pressure light warning to a medium setting.
This means the light will shine green as long as I don’t press too much and will turn orange if the pressure is too high.
As I mentioned previously, I don’t like the fact that I’m forced to use the app to enable a performance setting.
2. Disable the charging stand light
The charging stand that comes with several models (like the XP9402/86 and XP9405/84) features some bright LED light action.
It’s eye catching but can be too intrusive.
Luckily, you have the option to turn it off or even select a different light pattern.
Again it’s not ideal that you can only do this via the app, but at least we have this option.
3. Personalize your shaver
You can choose if the light ring will offer you pressure, motion or pressure+motion feedback.
You can also do this on the shaver itself via the dedicated menu screen:
As a side note, I wouldn’t get too hung up on this metric or try to obtain a perfect score.
Oftentimes you’ll need to perform less than perfect strokes, maybe even up and down motions or to press harder.
The brightness of the light ring can also be adjusted inside the app:
4. View some useful stats about your shave and your shaver
The GroomTribe app offers some insights on the duration of the shave and shows you if your pressure and circular motions were on point.
Again I don’t think these are extremely relevant and shouldn’t prevent you from adjusting your technique in a way that works better for you.
For example, I often have to use an up and down motion when I shave below the nose and right below my sideburns.
This means my Motion score will take a hit, but that’s totally fine.
The app will also show you how many times you can shave before needing to charge your razor and the state of the shaving heads.
There’s a Battery saving mode as well that turns off the light guide and reduces the motor speed.
Overall, I think some of these smart features are practical and will enhance the experience of using an i9000 Prestige Ultra.
They are however also available with some of the more affordable Philips (Norelco) models, like the Series 7000, 9000 or the newer i9000 and i9000 Prestige (non-Ultra).
The above shavers however do not have user selectable speed settings, so you won’t have any related stuff inside the app like setting up a custom mode.
One big drawback of using the app is that it will drain the battery of your shaver pretty quickly while the shaver is connected to your phone.
My guess is that the app still needs to be optimized and hopefully this will be addressed in a future update.
To avoid the battery drain, you have to manually close the GroomTribe app on your phone.
Battery life and charging
All Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra variations are wet/dry, cordless-only shavers.
They come with a rechargeable Li-ion battery that will provide around 60 minutes worth of cordless shaving on a single charge.
I can confirm that the battery life is excellent and Philips also has a great track record of reliability.
In my case, the charge drops approximately 8% per shave in the Intense mode, which is really good.
There’s a 5-level battery indicator, but fortunately also a precise percentage reading.
When you need to charge the shaver, it will also do a short chirp to alert you in addition to the orange bar on the display.
Just like other more recent Philips shavers, the i9000 Prestige Ultra comes with a special Philips-to-USB-A cable.
There’s no charger included, so you will have to use your own USB-A charger.
Feel free to use any such charger, including fast chargers.
Fun fact: Older Philips wired chargers will not work as the charging port on the Prestige Ultra is slightly different. So if you already have one from an older Philips shaver, you won’t be able to use it.
Charging from 0 to 100% takes less than one hour.
You can plug the cable directly into the shaver or into the charging stand if your Prestige Ultra came with one.
The stand looks good and it’s very compact, but I don’t like the white light that glows brightly and swirls around the stand by default.
If you charge your shaver overnight in your bedroom you will probably find the light a bit too strong.
As mentioned previously, you can disable it in the GroomTribe app.
I think it should have been off by default as some users don’t want to install an app just to be able to turn off the charging light.
Interestingly, there’s no wireless charging option for the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra.
The previous S9000 Prestige models were available with a Qi Pad and could be charged wirelessly.
Overall, the battery life of the Philips Prestige Ultra is excellent and I personally don’t mind the lack of a charger.
However, I think a USB-C instead of the Philips port would have been a lot more practical.
Panasonic for example finally switched to USB-C with the latest revision of their Arc 5 and Arc 6 shavers.
Cleaning and maintenance
Quick Clean Pod
As mentioned earlier, I think the Quick Clean Pod is one of the more useful accessories but it’s not necessary.
You can also clean the shaver manually as you’ll see next.
The i9000 Prestige Ultra variations that include the Pod generally cost only a bit more, so they’re worth considering.
Also, if you already have a Quick Clean Pod from a previous Philips razor, you can safely buy a Prestige Ultra without a Pod and use the one you got.
It will be 100% compatible even though the top part of the new one is more sculpted to accommodate the hump of the i9000 Prestige Ultra.
I checked this myself with two original Pods I had from a Series 7000 and 9000 and it still fits fine.
The new one that comes with the Prestige Ultra only looks different, but it’s otherwise the same.
The tub of the new Pod is now glossy, semi-transparent and the lid has a silver rim.
Moreover, the tub of the Prestige Ultra Pod has thinner walls and feels flimsier in the hand.
I’m pretty sure the high gloss finish will also scratch and tarnish in time.
Personally, I prefer the understated looks of the original Pod, with its matte black color and cylindrical shape.
The inner part of the cleaning chamber is however almost identical, therefore the old Pod is still compatible with the i9000 Prestige Ultra.
Using the Pod to clean the shaver is very straightforward.
You must first unscrew and remove the lid (which contains all the important stuff, like the pump — driven by the shaver itself).
You would then place the cleaning cartridge inside the pod after you’ve removed the cap and seal.
Carefully place the Pod lid on top, inserting the protruding tube into the cartridge and turn the lid clockwise to lock it.
The Pod is now ready to clean the shaver. Make sure it’s always placed on a flat surface to prevent the solution from spilling.
Once you’ve finished shaving, you can just put the shaver inside the pod, but I like to first pop-open the head and remove most of the clipped hairs.
You can even give it a quick rinse, but you should shake off the excess water and pat it dry so the water won’t end up in the cartridge.
With the shaver placed inside the Pod, you can now press the power button.
After a few seconds, your Prestige Ultra will determine that it’s sitting inside the Pod and enter a special Cleaning Mode:
The shaver will turn on and off, powering the Pod’s pump that flushes the fluid through the shaving head.
If you’re wondering how it does that, there’s a metal piece at the very center of the head that turns in sync with the blades.
The piece splines into a plastic shaft at the center of the Pod which turns an impeller inside that protruding tube.
This pumps fluid from the cartridge and into the shaving head.
It’s a simple and quite ingenious system.
The cleaning process lasts approximately one minute, then the shaver turns off automatically.
Philips says you can leave the shaver in the Pod to fully dry.
But from personal experience, I think it would be best to remove it and let it air dry on the counter with the head open.
Otherwise it will be very difficult for the moisture to evaporate completely.
There are two things I really like about the Pod:
- it’s small
- it’s practical
And by practical I mean you can remove the cartridge, screw the cap back on and store them safely for future use.
You can’t do that with a full-fledged Panasonic or Philips automatic station.
The Pod does a fine job cleaning the shaver, but you will still find some hairs inside the head.
Even though the dirty liquid flows back into the cartridge via a separate cutout and into a section that has a filter, some cross-contamination still occurs.
Also, the solution foams a lot and when the cartridge is new and full, it could even overspill a bit.
The Pod cartridge can last a long time depending on how often you use it.
Normally you should get a few months of moderate use and replace it when the fluid level gets too low or too murky.
The level indicator is very basic it but does the job.
There’s a red viewfinder that turns black-ish if there’s enough fluid. When it stays red, it’s probably time to change the cartridge.
But since the Pod is not electrically powered, the cleaning process will always start no matter how low the fluid level is.
Philips recommend changing it once a month, but you can definitely go longer than that, especially if you shave less often or you also clean the shaver manually from time to time.
Buying the cartridges in packs of multiple pieces is usually more convenient.
The cleaning solution is detergent-based and will also lubricate the blades.
The Philips Prestige Ultra display will show a cleaning notification, but it’s a timer-based warning, not an actual evaluation of how clean the shaver is.
So you may choose to ignore it.
All i9000 Prestige Ultra models, including those that didn’t come with a Pod, are fully compatible with the Pod.
So if you already have one or decide to buy one later on, be it this redesigned pod or the original one, it will work 100%.
And that’s because all these shavers are fitted with an accelerometer that detects when the shaver is upside down and still, so presumably sitting inside a pod.
In fact, you can easily fool it as you can see in the image below:
If you hold the shaver perfectly still and upside down and press the power button, it will enter the Cleaning Mode.
The accelerometer also allows the i9000 Prestige Ultra to have a lift-to-wake function for the display.
With the previous Philips shavers (Series 5000, 6000, 7000, 9000, S9000 Prestige), the models that didn’t come with a Pod lacked the accelerometer.
So those weren’t fully compatible with a Pod and would run continuously during cleaning.
Manual cleaning
If the Pod sounds like too much hassle or you don’t want to use it after every shave, you can clean your Prestige Ultra manually.
Since the shaver is fully waterproof and the head pops open with the press of a button, the process is very straightforward.
If done properly, a manual cleaning is effective and you shouldn’t experience dirt buildups. But we’ll deal with that part as well.
Here’s how a quick manual clean goes.
After you’re done shaving, turn the razor off and open the shaving head.
Almost all the hair clippings will be contained inside, which is something rotary shavers are generally very good at.
This means there will be minimal mess on your shirt and forearm — the exact opposite of using a foil shaver.
With the head open, give it a generous rinse with tap water, making sure to wash both the inside and the outside of the top unit.
Rinse the bottom part as well, gently shake the excess water and let the razor air dry with the head open.
For an extra thorough clean, you can also use a bit of liquid soap.
In fact, if you shave wet (with shaving gel/cream), it would be ideal to use soap.
You would apply a few drops of liquid hand soap on the shaving heads, then turn the shaver on and use your finger to spread the lather evenly.
You can add a bit more water if needed.
After 10 to 20 seconds, with the shaver still running, rinse the head under the tap.
Turn it of, open the head unit and give everything one final rinse.
And that’s pretty much what a standard cleaning looks like.
Once a month, especially if you don’t use a Pod regularly, Philips recommends a more thorough, deep clean.
This involves removing each of the three shaving heads and cleaning each guard and blade pair.
For this you would first remove the top part of the shaving unit.
With the head open, gently grab it and pull it straight off the shaver.
You would then remove each shaving head, but only one at a time in order not to intermix the guards and blades.
As mentioned earlier, these are matching pairs and it’s best to keep them that way.
To remove a head, twist the locking ring counterclockwise and it will pop right out.
You can now access the guard and rotary blade and clean any hardened dirt or grime.
You can rinse them with water or even carefully use a wooden toothpick if there’s still some stubborn dirt left.
But you should never use any metal tools like a screwdriver as the blades and guards can get damaged.
Once you’ve cleaned a pair, put them back in the plastic holder, making sure they sit properly in place.
Place the locking ring on top and turn it clockwise while pressing down on it until it locks with a clear click.
You can now do the same with the remaining two heads.
As a side note, from personal experience, if you use a Pod regularly or even if you clean the razor manually after every shave, there should be minimal to no buildups.
Replacement parts availability
The i9000 Prestige Ultra is fitted with the most advanced rotary blades that Philips currently makes, the SH91.
These are dual-track, Lift-and-Cut heads that also come on the standard Series 9000 and S9000 Prestige.
In theory, you would need to replace them every two years.
That will of course vary depending on how often you shave, how coarse is your stubble and so on.
I would only buy new heads when my shaver can’t give me a decent shave anymore, and not necessarily when a notification shows up on the display.
For example, the closeness isn’t as good and it takes a lot of time to complete the shave.
When you do change them, it’s extremely important not to intermix the new guard and blade pairs as the performance of your shaver can take a hit.
Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra vs S9000 Prestige vs Series 9000/i9000
Let’s say you’re considering a high-end Philips rotary, or you already own a Series 9000 or S9000 Prestige.
If you wonder whether you should upgrade to the i9000 Prestige Ultra, here are my takeaways that will hopefully help you decide.
If you already have an S9000 Prestige, I think you should hold on to it.
The Prestige Ultra shaves the same: same motor peak output achieved via the Custom mode (2300 RPM) and the same blades (SH91).
If you absolutely hate the large heads, the Prestige Ultra is an improvement, but probably not as significant as you’d expect.
In that case I think you should rather try and find a good deal on the original S9000 Prestige with the classic round heads.
If you own a standard Series 9000, a Prestige Ultra does offer a bit more power, shaving settings and of course better ergonomics.
In this case I think you should wait a bit more until the entire head unit of the i9000 and i9000 Prestige Ultra becomes available.
It fits the basic Series 9000 perfectly and you’ll essentially have an i9000 Prestige (non-Ultra) after the head unit upgrade.
Because that’s what the non-Ultra i9000 and i9000 Prestige is, a Series 9000 with the tweaked, smaller head.
The head unit of the i9000 Prestige Ultra will NOT however fit the S9000 Prestige.
This again confirms my assumption that the Prestige Ultra is based on the regular Series 9000 platform, and not on the S9000 Prestige.
Overall, the i9000 Prestige Ultra is arguably the better rotary razor, but on par with the S9000 Prestige for closeness, comfort and effectiveness.
I would only put the Ultra slightly ahead because the ergonomics of the shaving head are better.
Another noteworthy detail is that the motor of the i9000 Prestige Ultra is louder and sounds less refined vs the S9000 Prestige.
Have a listen to it yourself:
The effectiveness of the shave is however the same since both max out at 2300 RPM.
Again, for the Prestige Ultra, you will need to install the app and select the highest Blade speed in the Custom mode.
On the S9000 Prestige, the 2300 peak power is reached in the Intense mode that you select on the shaver itself.
With the i9000 Prestige Ultra, Philips merely tried to correct an issue that they themselves created with the introduction of the large angular heads.
So you may ask yourself why didn’t they just revert back to the tried and tested round heads — why stop in the middle with the squircle-shaped heads?
My guess is that this is the best they can do and still maintain compatibility with the Quick Clean Pods.
As noted earlier, the new Pod of the Prestige Ultra is in fact identical to the old one (ie the cleaning chamber).
If you were to choose between the three — Series 9000, S9000 Prestige and i9000 Prestige Ultra, I think the latter is probably worth getting, but mainly for the ergonomics of the heads and if the price is somewhat reasonable.
I personally wouldn’t pay a lot more on it vs an S9000 Prestige with similar accessories.
Takeaway — are there better alternatives?
Well, the first obvious one would be the S9000 Prestige, the former undisputed rotary top dog.
The latest i9000 Prestige Ultra is not better in terms of pure performance — both shave the same — but it is more user-friendly with the redesigned heads.
But even so, the S9000 Prestige remains a great option in the high-end segment, especially if you can buy one for significantly less money than a similarly-specced i9000 Prestige Ultra.
And if your budget is even more limited, the standard Series 9000 or the i9000/i9000 Prestige are worth checking out as well.
The Series 9000 is only slightly less powerful than the i9000 Prestige Ultra and it is larger — both the handle and the shaving heads.
The i9000 does however come with the more ergonomic head of the Prestige Ultra.
The performance is still really good and you get some of the quirks of the Prestige Ultra (LED lights, feature-rich display, app connectivity etc).
The cost is on the other hand a lot lower and it undercuts the Ultra by a hefty margin.
In the foil camp, we have the Braun Series 9 (Pro, PRO+) that is just as versatile as the Prestige Ultra.
As such, it works great on both short and longer stubble and if you’ve never used a (rotary) electric shaver before, I think the Braun would be a safer pick.
I think most users would get a shave that is at least as close, comfortable and enjoyable vs using a Prestige Ultra.
Finally, if you tend to shave often and you want a very close shave, then in the same price range as the i9000 Prestige Ultra we have the Panasonic Arc 6.
I would actually recommend it over the Prestige Ultra in such a use case.
This is a very powerful, smooth, close-shaving foil shaver that works incredibly well on short stubble.
It also has the best integrated trimmer and the cleaning station (available with the ES-LS9A) is the most advanced and feature-rich out there.
This concludes my review of the latest Philips (Norelco) i9000 Prestige Ultra.
If you have any questions or you’d like to share your experience, make sure to leave a comment below.
Ovidiu, you’ve hit another homerun with this excellent review. Owning, as I do, several Norelcos along with one Prestige, I’m perfectly content to let this one go by, given its minimal shaving improvements. I will, however, toy with the idea of acquiring an ultra-head for my older Prestige, when one becomes available. Thanks for all your work.
Hi Wayne,
You’re too kind, thank you for the comment and feedback.
I think the vast majority of users who own a Prestige should probably overlook the Prestige Ultra.
Regarding the head unit of the Prestige Ultra, it is only compatible with the Series 9000, not with the Prestige, be it the original or the new one with the angular heads.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Another great detailed review, Ovidiu, thank you!!! I am happy to see Philips continues the development and advances new features. I will not buy this shaver as I see no new features that could surpass the Panasonic ES-L690U. I will be waiting for your review of the new Braun shaver when it finally comes into existence, sooner rather than later.
Kind regards, and thank you for your great job!
Vasyl,
Thank you for the kind comment, much appreciated.
I think that’s the right call. I’m also eagerly awaiting for Braun’s next move in the high-end segment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a Series 9000 (9985/84). I use it for wet shaves and it does an outstanding job. Not so much shaving dry even with Speick Preshave. I use a Panasonic arc 3 for shaving dry but I don’t like it shaving wet.
When I need new shaving blades for the Phillips next January I like the idea of purchasing the i9000 prestige head.
I wish Philips had gone down the path of keeping the completely round heads.
Hey Mike,
I think it’s great idea to buy the entire i9000 head unit when it’s time to change the blades and give your Series 9000 an upgrade. There’s a good chance Philips will make it available by then and I think you’ll like it more than the one on your shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, fyi I finally header back from Philips on purchasing a new Prestige Ultra head for my S9000 and they said
“Hello, Michael! This is Isty. We appreciate your interest in Philips Norelco i9000 shaving head assembly. Unfortunately, at this time, the full snap-on shaving head or the head assembly for the Prestige Ultra i9000 is not available to purchase separately. We totally get that you’re looking for the newer, less angular design but right now, it’s only included with the complete shaver set.”
So it might be a long while before it is available.
Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for the info, that’s useful to know. Hope they will eventually sell it separately, even though it might not be ideal for them — for example, S9000 owners would simply buy the head unit instead of a new i9000 shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I see the trimmer is not an integral part of the unit. I had one like that about fifteen years ago and, no matter how carefully I shaved, the head kept flying off. Is that a problem with this type of head or is it just me? I do have mild cerebral palsy so my fine motor skills are not that great.
I have not had any issues with this one and it stays in place very securely. In fact, I’d say it’s better than the older ones in that regard (maybe because of the longer fitting/strut). I guess it can pop out but only if you exert a lot of uneven pressure, way more than needed for a safe and effective trim.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great review as always.
I currently use a Skull Shaver on my head but only getting around to doing it every 4-7 days, it does it but takes awhile.
Would you recommend any of these that would do a quicker and closer bald head shave?
1. Braun S9 Pro + 95xxcc
2. Phillips Norelco i9000
3. Panasonic Arc 6
4. Others
Look forward for you advice so I make the best purchase. ;^)
Hi Ken,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
If you decide to try a foil shaver, I think shaving your head every 4-5 days would be ideal for the best performance. You can definitely do it more often than that, but one week between shaves will probably be a bit too much.
I think the S9 PRO+ is the most enjoyable shaver you can buy and use on your head, but I don’t think it’ll be quicker than a rotary like the Skull Shaver. Closer yes, but not necessarily quicker. Same for the Arc 6 which is actually a bit more cumbersome to use than the S9 since the foils don’t flex as smoothly.
The i9000 will probably do it quicker despite having only 3 heads, but the size, weight and shape of the handle work against it when used as a head shaver; it will probably be straining on your wrist.
Compact rotaries like the Skull Shaver or the Remington Balder Pro are still in my opinion the best picks for ease of use and effectiveness.
I personally would get the S9 PRO+ or even the Arc 5 ES-PV3A-K if I were to shave more often but otherwise I would stick to one of the rotary head shavers like the aforementioned Skull Shaver or Remington.
The ES-PV3A-K is a very interesting one as it was intended as travel shaver, but because of its form factor it’s actually a great option as a head shaver. But again, you would need to use it more often for the best results. Definitely one to consider in that case.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have head shavers but generally use my S9000 presitige instead due to the closer shave. It takes longer but is much closer. The quiteness of it is nice fort head shaving too.
The trick for wrist comfort is when shaving the back of the head is to invert the shaver with your thumb in the finger knotch. Angles the shaver perfectly.
Hold normal for side of head and face.
Back of head, invert the shaver, thumb in notch
Top of head, either.
Hi,
Thank you for the comment — that’s a great tip with inverting the shaver. The Prestige feels a lot better to me than the Ultra when held in this manner because the notch is a lot deeper and the thumb wraps around it perfectly.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I find the Norelco 9000 series insufferable. The pads drag on my face, and they tend to pinch my chin when one pad depresses and the ajoining one stays up. It doesn’t hurt- it’s just annoying. And worse of all the shave closeness sucks compared to my Braun 9. What to do..toss it in the dumpster or give it a undignified death with a 3 pound drilling hammer? Neither…use it wet with a thin lather. You’ll be amazed.
Agreed, a wet shave is the solution. I have a 30 dollar Philips1000/2000 series Aquashave. Dry shaving is hard frustrating work but, euraka, with lather from any cheap shaving foam dispenser it gives an excellent close shave with minimal/zero discomfort and irritation.
Hi Mike,
Many thanks for the comment. It does work incredibly well with shaving cream, so you probably made the right decision on what to do with it. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Fantastic site Ovidiu with great reviews, The electric shaving bible and encyclopedia.
Best wishes,
Mike (One of many it appears. A baby boomer name.)
Hey Mike,
Thank you for the kind comment, I’m glad the info was useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great review, but sheesh…absurdly overcomplicated, overpriced and apparently built in polystyrene (rather than metal).
One wonders in what world the Philips design team lives. Which customer cohort could possibly be demanding this type of new shaver rather than a shaver with higher material and build quality that foregoes all the unnecessary superfluous features?
Hey,
Thanks so much for the comment.
I’m definitely with you on this one and I guess we’re in the minority since Philips went the other way with this release. The original Prestige with its compact round heads, metal body and simple operation is still my favorite Philips shaver in recent years (alongside the discontinued Series 6000).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
“One wonders in what world the Philips design team lives. Which customer cohort could possibly be demanding this type of new shaver rather than a shaver with higher material and build quality that foregoes all the unnecessary superfluous features?”
Hi,
I find the customizable guidance features in the Prestige Ultra very useful. I’m expecting Panasonic and Braun to add similar features to their next shaver models.
These features are not gimmicks or overly complicated to use, but they help improve shaving time and avoid any skin irritation. During unguided shaving with the old Prestige, I tend to shave carefully (the equivalent of the blue light being on all the time) to avoid accidental skin irritation and injuries. As a result, shaving takes more than six minutes to complete. With the Prestige Ultra, I can finish in 3 minutes and 30 seconds with the same shaving results and smoothness, consistently without any irritation.
With the high sensitivity setting in custom mode, the optimal green pressure range is very narrow. There is not much difference between the insufficient pressure and the too-much-pressure (amber warning light). I find it difficult to maintain this optimal pressure during unguided shaving.
Hey Emil,
Many thanks for the insightful comment. I guess it’s ultimately a matter of personal preference and certain features can be more or less useful for each of us. Seems like the Prestige Ultra was a winner, 3 minutes and 30 seconds for a smooth shave is fantastic. I think the smaller heads might have also had something to do with that.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What great observations. I’ve been using Philips shavers for many decades. In my view, Philips hit its peek with the James Bond model many years back. I had that shaver and miss it to this day. It was solidly built with excellent ergonomics, providing close, comfortable shaves. The latest flagship models have been disappointments. I don’t need apps. I don’t really require a pressure sensor. Who would want to cart along a separate trimmer while traveling? Do we honestly believe that men care about customizing their shavers? As you write, many if not most of these features are unnecessary and downright gimmicky. And yet, here I sit with four Philips shavers on a shelf in our walk-in closet, wondering if someday I can ditch them for a truly retro shaver based upon the best of Philips illustrious past. Probably won’t happen, eh?
Hey, I really like your review. I got the XP9405/84 last week. I really like the way it shaves. It is not suppose to be out until May 1 in USA, but I was able to find one at Best Buy. I have many of these razors. I collect them. I have 4 8894Xls and they still shave after nearly 25 years. I put hq9 triple track heads in one of them and in all my AquaTouch, PowerTouch razors and in my 5000X. I have old 9000, S9000, Prestige, S9000 Prestige Space Grade Steel, Star Wars Dark Side and most impressive The 9000 Marvel Iron Man razor that was only released in Asia. Well, I love this new razor in my collection and I use my old cleaning pod with it. Well, the only problem that I found with it that right now I’m not able to pair it with the app. I have the Groom Tribe App on my phone and when I connect to it the i9000 Prestige is not in the line up. I get the message no such model found. I called Philips Norelco and they told me that the XP9405 was not due out until May 1 and it would be added to the app, so I’ll see. I’m a pastor and 63 years old. I look 45. I was in Walmart and the girl checking me out told me that your face is so smooth! I told her that I am 63 and she oh no you have got to be kidding! I told her that my secret is that I have always shaved with a Philips Norelco Electric Razor all of my life and a blade has hardly ever touched my face. Anyway the i9000 Prestige Ultra is a great shave! Again, thanks for the review!-Michael
Hi Michael,
Thank you so much for the insightful comment, much appreciated.
That is an impressive collection, wow! The XLs were such durable shavers and I loved the form factor as well.
I hope Philips will update the app soon enough so you can enjoy all the extras.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu. I ordered the shaver. It is back ordered on Amazon.
Hi Jay,
Awesome, hope you’ll like it and won’t be too long until it arrives. Let me know your thoughts on it if you have the time.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
thank you as always for another excellent review.
I bought the shaver as well and have it since the beginning of March.
And to my surprise, I am very happy with it. I got the XP9402/31, which looks nicer than your model (it doesn’t have this glossy look), and also comes with the Quick Clean Pod. But it “only” has a basic trimmer and doesn’t come with a nose hair trimmer. But since I don’t use those at all, I don’t mind.
I also found a small error in your review regarding the custom mode.
You write:
“I cranked the speed to the max, essentially turning it into the Intense mode.”
That’s not right, because the max speed in the custom mode is faster than the one from the Intense mode. Philips mentions this on the box of the shaver (at least on the box of my shaver, but I don’t have that anymore).
So if you want the most powerful shaving settings, users have to use the GroomTribe App and configure the custom mode accordingly. I wish Philips would allow this using just the shaver, but I guess every accessory has to have an app nowadys. But that’s another story…
Hi Nico,
Thanks so much for the comment.
I think you are right, the Custom mode does seem to sound a bit faster than Intense mode, it’s a shame Foam is right between them, so the difference in sound is not as noticeable when you cycle through them. I will do some more tests and update the article.
Thank you again for the heads-up, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for this article. It’s complete and easy to read—much appreciated.
I’m still on the lookout for a good rotary shaver to replace my old Philips HQ8150 and the somewhat underwhelming Xiaomi S500. I find the new large heads cumbersome, and a pop-up trimmer is incredibly convenient. Nevertheless, I’m hopeful that one day you’ll present the perfect product for my needs in a new article.
Thanks again!
Tom
If you want a Norelco, I doubt your wishes will be met in subsequent shavers.
Thank you for the kind comment, Tom, much appreciated.
I think the original Prestige with the rounded heads would probably be the most palatable compromise. It doesn’t have an integrated pop-up trimmer though and lately these older Prestiges are getting difficult to source.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
A lifetime Braun user, with a few years of a Panasonic Arc5 and a OneBlade thrown in, I recently tried the Philips 9000 and was stunned by how close and comfortable it shaved overall, but especially my neck, which has always been problematic. I have a tough beard and usually wait 3 – 5 days between shaves.
The Prestige Ultra doesn’t look to be available on Amazon until June and, since the Prestige series might work a little better than the 9000 on longer, tougher beards with the faster motor speed, I might buy it in June. In the meanwhile, I’ll continue to work on my technique with the 9000.
The shaving closeness and comfort of the various systems (ie, Braun, Panasonic and Philips) has been covered extensively here, but there are a few minor things as well I do like about the Philips system: the 9000 captures more hair internally, so I can dry shave with a shirt on; the pod is inconspicuous, there’s not another large device and charging cord to take up real estate on my counter; there’s less need to be precise with strokes (foil shavers work best against the grain) and the ability to push a shave 5 days out is a revelation for me.
Great write up as always, I was eagerly awaiting this article as the marketing speak I saw for the Prestige Ultra was difficult to unpack.
Interestingly, there are two models currently available on the US Amazon (the XP9405/84 with a stand and the XP9400/89 with UV charging case), the latter being $100 more expensive than the former. But I also noticed that the XP9400/89 comes with up to a 7 year warranty (versus 5 years for the XP9405/84), so some of the extra price could be due to a lengthier warranty.
That’s very interesting as the initial packaging renders I saw didn’t show anything about extending the extended warranty.
It does seem odd to only get 5 years for the XP9405/84; usually shavers in the same range (the i9000 Prestige Ultra in this case) are offered with the same warranty and only the ones in a lower tier, like the i9000 or i9000 Prestige (without the Ultra), come with a shorter warranty. I’d say there’s a good chance the listing for the XP9405/84 isn’t accurate and we’ll have to wait for the official product pages on Philips Norelco’s website.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Matt
You might try BestBuy.
Hi Matt,
Thank you so much for the insightful comment.
I totally agree with you on how unobtrusive the pod is and how well the shaver manages to contain the hairs inside the head unit.
A powerful rotary can work incredibly well on coarse and thick neck hairs. Some of these hairs can’t poke through the perforations of certain foil shavers, whereas a rotary with wider slots in the guards can capture them easily.
The Prestige is just a bit more refined and punchy than a Series 9000 so I hope the wait will be worth it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dedicated rotary guy here who has used the regular 9000 and S9000 prestige current models. One thing to consider is if this new release causes the price on the current Prestige to drop? In my opinion, the Prestige is a big improvement over the standard 9000 due to increased RPM and lack of annoying light ring; so you might consider skipping the new i9000 Ultra for the current S9000 which might be at least $100 less! Enjoy!
Absolutely, in that case the S9000 Prestige would definitely be the better pick. I don’t think the Prestige Ultra is worth buying if it costs (a lot) more than than similarly specced S9000 Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the great review Ovidiu. Will the shaver automatically turn off if used with the old style QC Pod?
I appreciate it, Jay. Yes, it will turn off and it is 100% compatible with the old Pod.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for alerting us to the new review via email and for this great review itself! Cannot tell you how helpful this review was to me. I’m always first in line for the latest and greatest shaver but the improvements here don’t compel me to change from my S9000 Prestige. The app, display, shave modes all feel too gimmicky. Only the smaller shave heads tempt me but not enough. It’s so easy to just use my current rotary on highest speed; so with same SH91 heads and no RPM boost, I can definitely hold off.
Thanks, as always, for doing the review work and helping me make an informed decision!
Hey Andrew,
Thanks so much, really glad the review was useful. I think holding on to your Prestige is the best option, all things considered.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent, really though review – no wonder it took you a few weeks to post it!
Am I the only one sceptical about the inner track with the ‘dots’ that are supposed to cut stubble? I suspect they are just there to look cool and are useless at doing any cutting whatsoever, so there is only one blades track per head of any use, but I’ll be happy to be proved wrong…
Thanks so much, James.
Philips generally uses slots alone on the lower-end shavers, while the more advanced ones get both slots and holes. In the past the same track would feature both or a third track would only have holes (like the discontinued HQ9).
The punch holes still capture hairs — although the type of stubble that usually gets cut is different. Longer and flat-lying hairs get cut by the outer track that has wide slots and the short stumps poke through the small holes and get cut. But the bulk of shaving is indeed done by the outer tracks.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, thanks for yet another great review!
I bought my XP9405/11 in early March and I’m super happy with it! Especially the ergonomics are great, it’s easy and comfortable to hold while shaving. It might look a bit glossy and plastic, but the overall impression is good materials and high quality. As a watchmaker I was pleased to take a close look at the well built shaver with its clever technical solutions.
I’m very satisfied with the shaving experience, it gives a quick, close and effortless shave. My expectations are within limits anyway: since the beard will grow back within a few hours, i don’t mind if the result isn’t as perfect as a foil or razor blade might provide.
I poured the cleaning liquid into a glass jar and then simply held the shaver upside down, the cleaning works perfectly well! I then rinsed the shaver in water and dried it. Maybe a rather time consuming process, but as a good cleaning every now and then it works fine.
The shaver uses Bluetooth 5.0 and the battery is a rather small 3,6 V LiPo cell at 900 mAh. After 4 hours and 40 minutes of total usage, the “Shaving Head Status” provided in the App says (only) “54%” left. Since the total lifespan should be about 2 years, this status feature sadly seems to be more or less useless.
There is a tiny but rather sharp edge on the lower portion of the shaving heads (from the moulding process i guess) that in some particular spots could get stuck onto my skin. Not a big deal, but I like to make improvements, so I took my tiny watchmakers file and ever so gently grinded the edges away. It really made a difference, now the shaving heads can move smoothly all over my face. Nice! :-)
Thanks again!
/ Örjan.
Hi Örjan,
Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with the new shaver. Seems like a perfect fit. I would absolutely ignore the shaving heads health score, it clearly doesn’t reflect the reality.
Enjoy shaving with your Prestige Ultra! :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, how important is the Groom Tribe App to the use of the shaver? We can’t get my iPhone to pair. Nor could Norelco support.
Ovidiu. There is a huge problem that people can’t pair their Bluetooth devices with their iPhonre 16PM do they cannot use Groom Tribe. Apply discussion forum has lots of people with this. People can pair their Apple Watch and nothing else
Hi Jay,
It might be because the model of your shaver is yet to be added to the app, so that will hopefully be fixed with an app update. To me the most important part about the app is the ability to set the maximum motor speed for the Custom mode. With the rest of the app features I could do away.
As a side note, I use an Android phone, so I’m afraid I can’t recreate the issue.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
No Ovidiu. The model number is listed.m in the app. You The App cannot locate the shaver b/c it is not paired with my iPhone Pro Max. When the phone tries to search for devices to pair, the shaver does not come up. According to the Apple Forum. Many have this issue. Only the Apple Watch can be paired. Not multiple BT devices.
Is it something that you would find irreplaceable, Jay? As Ovidiu states, the only worthwhile feature that he has found is the ability to set the maximum motor speed. With sensitive skin, is this something that would be desirable or undesirable? I’ve had apps with both my shaver and my toothbrush and invariably I turn them off for a simple reason: they’re gimmicky and over time they become bothersome. In both cases I discovered that they interfered with the function of the device (shaving and brushing my teeth). Oftentimes, these apps are there to upsell the user to other products and services. It’s your call but from what I can regarding the Groom Tribe app, it just strikes me as being a relatively irrelevant, bothersome waste of time.
Thanks Wayne. Good points. I shaved this morning with the i9000 Prestige Ultra shaver. Intensive mode is fine. I don’t need the custom mode which would require the app.
Regarding the shave quality? I found it superior to the prior Prestige. Glides easier. Shaved closer.
I found it very comfortable. Easy to hold. Easier to do my neck, jaw line and under nose.
However the longer handle hit our built in toothbrush holder when placed in the pod. I had to reposition the pod which makes it more likely the shaver will remain in the pod until my next shave. Phillips advises this.
Overall very pleased.
That’s great, Jay, the most important thing is that the shave itself is better, even without the Custom mode. I’m still confident the app issue will eventually be sorted. I’ve hardly used it after setting my Custom mode and turning off the stand light.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu Can you turn off the stand light without the app?
Unfortunately no. But it does turn off after the shaver is fully charged.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Just sharing. The cleaning cycle seems to run longer with the new shaver and old pod.
The cleaning cycle on the i9000 is tweaked a bit compared to the previous shavers (Series 9000/Prestige). Mine gradually slows down to a halt toward the end instead of the two short bursts (there’s a video I recorded in the article as well). This however doesn’t have anything to do with the pod (old or new) and it will do the same even when I just hold it still upside down.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Do you use the charging stand when you are not charging to air dry the shaver?
I don’t use charging stands that much, Jay, mainly because I constantly switch between shavers from different brands that require different cables. If I were to use one consistently, I would probably take advantage of the stand.
The one that comes with the i9000 does have a dripping drain hole, so you could leave the shaver on it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu. It’s easier just to leave it in the Pod. Have you tried the new QC refills yet?
You’re welcome, Jay.
I have and it’s still the same — hairs end up in the clean section of the cartridge and on the shaving head. So my guess is that the inner part, with the filter and all, is the same. Haven’t cut one open, but from the outside it looks identical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
OK They are not available in the USA except at a premium. I will stick with what is available on Amazon at regular pricing. BTW I spoke to Norelco and it is ok to leave the shaver in the pod.
Definitely buy the available ones, Jay. You can of course leave it in the pod if that’s more convenient.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Jay, it’s okay to leave the shaver in the pod but if you shave daily, you’ll likely find the shaver still a bit wet the following morning. If you shave dry, it will likely bother you but if you shave wet, then it’s no big deal. I generally remove the shaver from the pod about an hour later to air dry it open on the counter (or window sill). That way it is good and dry the next day.
Hi Wayne
I am sort of wedded to the shaver remaining in the pod. My bathroom has a ceramic toothbrush holder which is part of the tile work. I don’t use it, but it can’t be removed. The handle of the new shaver is slightly longer which prevents the pod from being placed under the toothbrush holder as it used to be.
The only viable solution now is to place the pod in the corner and keep the shaver in the pod. I tried putting the shaver in the charging stand with the head open but it is not that stable snd I don’t trust myself.
I meant counter OR window sill. Sure wish we could edit our posts.
I had that enabled in the past, Wayne, but unfortunately it caused some spam issues. Some users would come back later on (after the initial comment was approved) and include links to spammy/gambling sites. I only noticed that by pure chance. So I had to disable the editing feature again.
I took the liberty of correcting the typo in your previous comment, hope that’s ok.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu. I completely understand. :-)
Hi Ovidiu, and thanks for another terrific review! XP9402 inbound – will be interested in the comparison between my standard Prestige and the S9000. Enjoy both, but the QI charger takes up a lot of counter real estate, and the S9000 head is just a bit too bulky. Sounds like this one hits the sweet spot!
Hey Allan,
Thanks so much. I think you’ll like it at least as much. Eager to hear your thoughts on it if you have the time. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
A word of thanks and a word of caution: Ovidiu, one of the things that all of your readers remark upon is the thorough review you bring to each shaver (i.e. you painstakingly go over each and every detail of the shaver’s features). Recently I watched a review on Amazon for the latest XP9402 and all that was remarked upon was the wonders of this phenomenal shaver; evidently it has no negatives according to this reviewer. It does take long to notice the length of this shaver and frankly, I would find that a pit off-putting. I well remember the beauty of the Norelco Spectra 8894XL shaver. It fit into my hand like a glove due to the way in which it was molded/shaped. It was considerably shorter than this latest flagship and it had everything built into it so there was no need to carry an extra part.
I have to add that I’m still happy with my latest Norelco shaver(s) (since I have several) but I also recognize that compromises were made, largely to save money on the part of Philips. They know a rounded head will outperform the current pentagonal head but they’re constrained to this newest head due to the cleaning pod. This could be overcome “if” they would make a real cleaning station with built-in motor/heater but they refuse and it’s my belief that money is at the bottom of this.
Anyway… thanks for the thorough review. I’m still awaiting a truly retro flagship shaver but…
Wayne I doubt highly that Phillips will ever restore the complete cleaning system you want. One of the major issues is size. Many years ago I had a full fledged cleaning system for another brand and I had to clean the shaver in another room. It would not fit on the bathroom sink. I was constantly moving the shaver every day. It was a real hassle. The pod had its virtues.
I also think it’s unlikely, Jay. The small size of the Pod is definitely a welcome “side effect” of a simpler cleaning system. I also appreciate the screw cap cartridge, but I do switch between shavers a lot and it’s really useful that I can reseal the cartridge in the meantime. I would tape the opening of the old SmartClean cartridges and the liquid would still spill or evaporate, it was a not fun. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wayne, thank you so much, I truly appreciate it. There’s a lot to cover with these expensive, complex, high-end shavers and it’s a big investment, so there’s almost always a lot to cover. I know some of the negatives could be deal breakers to some users, so I try to always mention anything relevant.
It is a large shaver, and even though the ergonomics are surprisingly good (I thought I would not like it the first time I saw it in the flesh), it’s objectively large and also heavier than the other 9000 variations. In hindsight, putting it right next to a Series 3000 would have been helpful to get an idea of the size, but I guess I didn’t think of that since the two belong to completely different price categories.
Money and manufacturing costs are almost always a big part of these decisions. Maybe the full-fledged stations didn’t sell so well or were not economically feasible, costing more than the pod to manufacture.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu sometimes the handle length is a bit too long, but I am for the most part not bothered by that.
Same for me, Jay, the ergonomics are really good, despite the size (and weight) increase vs the Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I get it. Granted, I don’t want to get it… but I do. Hey, we can wish for something even though we know the unlikelihood of it ever materializing. But, you never know what might happen. Maybe a limited edition run priced high enough to make it a feasible option for Philips to produce for the few who have deep enough pockets just as collectors. What I might do is check out Ebay for that elusive James Bond shaver that I’m still pining for all these years later. Anyway, I’m sure the newest flagship is a dazzling performer but with its size I’ll have to give it a pass given my own requirements and the fact that I have a Prestige already. For those who now have and enjoy it, all the best.
A mint 007 would be really nice, I must admit (and I’m team foil). :-)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/267217534519?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1Tc9Qjft0TKSRZgnny_PHcg39&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=267217534519&targetid=2320093655185&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9024593&poi=&campaignid=21222258394&mkgroupid=164713660992&rlsatarget=pla-2320093655185&abcId=9408285&merchantid=113578902&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21222258394&gclid=CjwKCAjwiezABhBZEiwAEbTPGCAI3aNh2XRATUYKux4QqOHSdeEMpveA9ulhpH8S0P_tRr4O6xHBFxoCUS8QAvD_BwE
$315, open box! :-) Mine would be an original Braun Series 7 that wouldn’t lose paint in the cleaning station….
Does not ship to Romania, unfortunately.
The S7 with the white cleaning station just looked stunning, I always wanted one myself.
@Wayne, definitely check it out. :-) A bit pricey in my opinion, but open box should mean unused.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ll take a look and read the fine print; maybe even talk with the seller. Thanks, Allan, for the tip.
You’re welcome! Didn’t pay attention to the ratings since I wasn’t buying, but it did strike me as pretty steep – probably a pass on this one. I have found the recent Philips shavers to be pretty solid performers – like Ovidiu I go through a lot of electrics, foil and rotary (as well as bladed razors) – and the gimmicks like GroomTribe don’t necessarily add or subtract from performance for me. The new i9000 is interesting to me because of the head modification, which was definitely a minus as far as the old S9000 because of the size and Pythagorean configuration. :-)
Dear,
Thank you for the detailed review.
You put a lot of work in this review and i appreciate you re effort.
I m thinking of buying this shaver.
At the moment i have the old model with the round heads. The shaver is 8 years old and i suspect the razors don t turn as fast anymore as 8 years ago. I replace the razors every 1,5 year.
Do you have any experience when you should replace the shaver?
Thanks for the feedback.
Regards
Hi Michael,
There’s no definitive answer I’m afraid; as long as you’re getting a decent shave, there aren’t any unusual noises or vibrations and the battery still holds a decent charge, you should probably hold on to the shaver. If you’ve noticed a performance drop, it’s usually the battery or some wear between the motor and the three shafts turn the blades. If you really feel it’s gotten slower, even with new heads, you should probably think about upgrading your shaver.
If you were happy with your old Series 9000, I think you would really like the Prestige Ultra.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
With a 93% approval rating and a refusal to accept returns, I’m reluctant to drop over $300 US. I would definitely pull the trigger if returns were allowed. If you read some of the negative reviews and responses (i.e. buyer’s remorse), I find that a bit off-putting. It seems as though any time a buyer has had issues, the seller gave that response which seems a bit flippant to me. I’m going to have to give this a pass but continue to watch.
I agree, Wayne, those are some red flags. I didn’t notice the rating, I personally overlook anything below 95% unless I really have no choice and I really need something.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I have a question regarding your shaver’s cleaning behavior, when using the Quick Clean Pod:
Does your i9000 Prestige Ultra also display a “Replace Cartridge” message after every clean? Mine does it all the time, even after using a completely new (and therefore full) cartridge and resetting the cleaning cycles in the GroomTribe app.
It’s not a big deal for me, I’m just curious.
Thanks again!
Best regards,
Nico
Hi Nico
I can’t get the GroomTribe app installed but if you are using the latest Pod, then the color in the front of the pod should change to red. I am using the older pod which changes from clear to white when it’s time to change.
Hi Nico,
That looks like a glitch with the app. I haven’t seen the message on my shaver yet (I am using an Android phone). Will reply here if the notification shows up before the cycles counter gets low.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it.
Just to clarify: The message appears on the display of the shaver itself, not within the App. I’m on Android as well.
But even though it looks like a glitch, I’m not bothered too much by it.
Anyway, thanks again for replying to me!
Best regards,
Nico
You are very welcome, Nathan.
I figured that from your comment, but I mentioned the phone/app because that message would be pushed from the app to the display of the shaver. I just figured that the most probable culprit would be something related to the app, and not the shaver.
Removing and adding the shaver in the app again might fix it, but it’s probably a long shot. Hope it gets sorted later on with an update.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Who is this Nathan? :D
Just kidding, no worries.
I just learned that other users face the same issue.
It’s good to know it’s not my unit. I will keep an eye out for a potential firmware update, which might fix this issue.
Really sorry for that, Nico. :-) I had just replied to this Nathan on another article and I guess I just carried on with it. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, if I use the QC pod every day, do I still have to do a thorough clean?
Hi Jay,
Normally, that shouldn’t be necessary. After a few months of shaving you could remove one head and inspect the guard and blade for any hardened dirt.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, hope you are doing well.
I am trying to decide between the i9000 Prestige ($249) and the Ultra version ($329) and it has been difficult to find any comparisons of the two.
According to the Philips site the non Ultra loses SenseIQ Pro for just SenseIQ but if using the app I’m not sure this matters much, mostly just want the pressure led ring which both have.
The other main difference I can spot is the NanoTech Dual Precisions Blades for the Ultra vs the Dual SteelPrecision blades on the non-Ultra model. This results in a -0.08mm shave to a 0.00mm shave however they do use the same SH91 blades. What I am curious about is if the shave for the non-Ultra might end up being a little better for sensitive skin since it’s not a below the skin negative mm shave like the Ultra is?
At then end of the day the ultimate question becomes is the Ultra worth $80 over the regular Prestige?
Thanks for any input!
Hi Todd,
In my opinion the NanoTech Dual Precisions Blades and the Dual SteelPrecision Blades is pure marketing. As you’ve mentioned, the SH91 blades are the same in both shavers.
What can have an impact on the performance though is the motor speed. Precisely, the Prestige Ultra can reach 2300 RPM in Custom mode, while the non-Ultra Prestige doesn’t have any user selectable modes and it will run at a constant 2100 RPM. So it will feel a bit slower and probably take you a bit longer to complete the shave, but with minimal differences in terms of closeness if any at all. I think this is the only feature/spec that Philips can use to make that -0.08mm claim in favor of the Ultra which again doesn’t really mean much.
Everything else, like displays, accessories, app features can’t impact the performance.
Also, you can think of the i9000 Prestige (non-Ultra) as a regular Series 9000 (the one I’m referring to in the review above) but with the head unit of the Prestige Ultra. The body of the i9000 Prestige is identical to Series 9000. So the i9000 Prestige is essentially a Series 9000 with rounder, smaller heads.
If your stubble is coarse and dense, I think you can benefit from the power bump of the Prestige Ultra. Otherwise, and if you only want the pressure sensor, I think you can go with the non-Ultra.
I would personally spend the extra money, but mainly because I really like getting the most powerful motor and I prefer the body of the Prestige Ultra. The i9000 Prestige (non-Ultra) doesn’t have that ergonomic, sculpted back, so it can get a bit straining on the wrist as the handle is quite thick.
Hope this will help you with your decision.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
“If your stubble is coarse and dense, I think you can benefit from the power bump of the Prestige Ultra. Otherwise, and if you only want the pressure sensor, I think you can go with the non-Ultra.”
Hi Ovidiu,
After reading your review of the Shaver 9500, it looks like the non-Ultra model lacks the sensitivity setting, where you can adjust the light ring sensitivity from level 1 (highest pressure and efficiency) to level 8 (low pressure, highest sensitivity, and still relatively efficient shave). I find only the sensitivity level 8 useful and comfortable. I tried a few shaves with level 7, but it was already not as comfortable and caused side effects on my skin, so I moved back to 8.
The non-Ultra model only has a yes/no type selection for sensitivity, and if the sensitive setting corresponds to 5, 6, or 7 on the Ultra, then it is not suitable for people who want a comfortable shave and are not accepting any side effects on their skin. Then it would be better to turn off the light ring on the non-Ultra and rely on more careful manual pressure while shaving.
Can you give any estimate of which sensitivity setting in the Ultra is similar to the 9500 pressure ring?
Hi Emil,
Just to make sure we’re using the same scale, when you say sensitivity level 8, the sensitivity slider is set all the way to the right. Right? :-)
If so, and this may not be the most scientific or precise measurement, I’d say it corresponds to a level 7 or 8 when using the 9500. I assume the non Ultra i9000 Prestige would be the same (I have not tested one yet).
Also, the pressure measurement works reliably only while pressing and moving the shaving head against something (face or palm). If I simply press it, without swirling the head, the orange light will come up almost immediately with very little pressure applied. This means I can’t simply press them against a kitchen scale and try to match the 9500 to a sensitivity setting on the Prestige Ultra. That would definitely be a more precise way of measuring.
Hope this makes any sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The other (potential) advantage of the non-Ultra i9000 is the popup trimmer, if that matters. I personally like it in the standard S9000 Philips because it doesn’t require swapping heads, but it does add bulk to the razor. Conversely, one advantage of the removable trimmer in the older Prestige and the Ultra is that it’s easily (and cheaply) replaceable if it breaks.
Great observation, Allan, and something to consider if the trimmer will be used frequently.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Help! Now the shaver flashes the change cartridge icon on the shaver, after cleaning. I changed the cartridge. Still happens. What can I do? I am getting tired of issues.
Hi Jay,
Please ignore the message and don’t change the cartridge, it’s just a glitch that some users experience. Mine doesn’t do it and I can’t recreate the issue. Have you managed to add the shaver inside the app in the meantime?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
No Still can’t find the shaver when it searches
Hey, Jay. Sorry to hear about the issues but as Ovidiu says, it’s a glitch that will likely be addressed in an update. In the meantime, just enjoy using the shaver and forget the Groomtribe app. The thing is, it has a slimmed down head so you should be experiencing enhanced shaving under your nose and sideburns and that’s a huge plus. As for the other things, don’t find them both gimmicky and distracting? When I had my s9000 six months ago, I got so sick of the silly pressure light and the nonsense about how I was shaving according to feedback from their app, that I literally turned it all off and just enjoyed the shave… period. I only gave it up because of my arthritic hand and the lack of ergonomics on the thick handle. Otherwise, I enjoyed the shaver. You’re going to have many good years of shaving the this new flagship shaver. Enjoy it. :-)
Hi Wayne. Resetting the shaver did not eliminate the change cartridge icon. Norelco said it might. Oh well. I hope it does not require a firmware upgrade. A firmware update might require the app which does not find the shaver.
Pairing has always been a challenge with the GroomTribe app. One thing thar Philips doesn’t make clear is that you need to remove any previous pairings on your phone – in an Android you need to go to Details in BT and unpair any other razors (including the new one if it shows up), then do a reset on the razor you want to pair – generally by holding down the power button for at least 10s, then attempt to add the new razor.
Good points, Alan.
I really have to wonder about all of these apps for shavers and now for toothbrushes. My Oral b toothbrush has a pressure ring around the top of the handle. It has an app that tracks the way I brush my teeth and frankly – I’m sick of all of this. I dumped the stupid app after a couple of days because I didn’t want to bring my phone into the bathroom to track my brushing. Seriously… what are these designers thinking? And now all of this nonsense about tracking how you shave? As I mentioned above, when I had the s9000 I found the pressure sensor distracting and so I turned it off. As for the gimmicky Groomtribe app, who honestly engages with that on a regular basis? I want to shave without thinking and be on my way. I’ve been shaving with Norelcos for close to 50 years so I don’t need some app telling me how to shave with one. If Philips only spent more time working on the physical aspects of the shaver (head shape, integrating the trimmer, a better cleaning solution with a drying element, etc), I’m sure we’d benefit more than this Groomtribe feature.
And an Amen from the choir! :-) I’ve used (or have installed) GroomTribe since it came out and I’m all about innovation, but it’s utility is limited – for me – to recording shave time and how many cycles on the cleaning pod (the shaving time is of academic interest only, and the pod has an indicator). If I followed the app recommendations for pressure or rotation I’d be needing a skin graft in a couple of weeks. In the medical profession, the first thing we generally should ask ourselves when ordering a test is “Will I do anything different when I have the results?” If the answer is “No,” you can save the patient time and expense by not ordering it. If an app doesn’t improve your shave (or your teeth), maybe not needed?….
Good points. It may be that these apps (teeth and beard applications) are beneficial for new users. I think for most men who have been shaving with a Norelco (or brushing their teeth with an Oral B) would find the apps relatively useless after a few days. When I shave, I actually wander away from the bathroom and gaze out our bedroom window at the construction of a new house across the street. I have no clue about pressure and shaver motions other than what I’ve used almost all of my years of shaving experience with a Norelco. I don’t want feedback. I don’t want to be tracked. There have actually been times that I’ve completed a shave and taken my older Braun Series 9 out and finished under the sideburns. Why? Because I can and it just feels good. Granted, this is a rarity but it’s indicative of the fact that I’m shaving the way I want to shave and not following slavishly some app from Philips. I suppose the GroomTribe program might be of some use for a select group of men who are new to shaving and/or obsessed with their new shavers and want to test out its features but over time it’s my guess that they’ll jettison these programs and kill the distracting pressure sensor.
Hi Allan and Wayne,
This seems to be the initial opinion of any long-term rotary user. I have also been using Philips shavers for more than 30 years – my first shaver was the Philishave HS 840 in 1992. Initially, I didn’t care about the pressure ring in Prestige Ultra and thought that it was a feature intended for beginners. Since my shaving technique has been fine-tuned for more than 30 years, there could be nothing to learn from pressure guidance.
After a few first shaves, I also thought that the guide was faulty and way too aggressive, with the blue light being on all the time. Then I tried to see what happens if I follow the guided shave as recommended by Philips engineers, and my shaving time in wet shaving dropped instantly from more than 6 minutes to less than 4 minutes for the same shaving results and smoothness, while avoiding any skin irritation. I’m using custom mode with max speed and sensitivity (8/8). Without the pressure guide, it is very difficult to apply optimal pressure and avoid overpressure that could lead to skin problems.
I was forced to change my initial opinion. Now I think the customizable pressure ring is beneficial not only for beginners but also for long-term rotary users, if they adjust the sensitivity setting to suit their skin and decide to use it to improve shaving time and results. Obviously, it won’t help those users who disable the light ring during the initial device setup.
Hi Emil,
I probably stressed my opinion a bit too harshly. I can see from your comments that the new features on this flagship are beneficial for you and likely for many others. For me, they would probably not matter and I’m not saying that flippantly. I had the i9000 and I turned off the sensor ring light because it irritated me. I think it’s sort of an imprecise measure given our different skin sensitivity and frankly I know I would have to press harder to achieve the green light. For me, I know how hard to press from years of experience. I don’t want or need that very smooth feel. Granted, I don’t want stubble but the shave I achieve has a slightly stubble feel without it being noticeable. This is why I often use my 3900 Norelco with the SH30 heads that give a very comfortable and reasonably close shave, albeit not quite as close as what I would get from the Prestige or the 9700 and 8900 shavers. My reason for choosing this is because of the ergonomically designed handle which helps my sore hand on some days. None of the GroomTribe features are of interest to me. But I say all of this by adding that this is just my personal feeling and I completely appreciate what you’ve described. :-)
Hi Emil! I definitely agree with your assessment when using a CUSTOMIZABLE app/shaver. I actually applauded Philips in their initial efforts of providing a BT training app for their razors. One immutable fact in shaving is that everyone has a period of adjustment for individual beards, faces, tools and techniques (and experience). With an electric in particular, in my experience, it may take a novice several weeks for their skin (and technique) to adapt to a new or different razor. This is where the Philips app can walk them through “How to shave with our razor,” as long as they use it as a general guide and not gospel. The GroomTribe app, as a reference, came out with Philips’ first BT razor, the S7000 in 2016 (and it’s still a good razor). At the time, there were no specific comfort settings on the razor itself – they were customizable (somewhat) in the app. There were customizable shaving guides to solve specific problems (“I have irritation” for instance), and the app modified its actions (and the razor settings) to accommodate that, somewhat successfully – this carried over to the updated S9000. Other Philips razors prior to GroomTribe had comfort settings on the razor itself (as the more recent non-“i” Prestige does), and I actually find those useful, particularly when shaving “dry” (with just a pre-shave). Not useful to everyone, though it’s nice to have the option, but the most recent version of the app essentially just seems to have one mode for the earlier razors like the S9000 with no internal settings – full speed and maximum pressure – hence my comments. Often the “gee whiz” features in an app or product are just marketing fluff, as Ovidiu has observed: sometimes useful, sometimes not. I’m looking forward to the i9000 with its own modifiable settings, so excellently reviewed here by Ovidiu, and to see if the app works better with this razor.
I’m probably the only shaver on the planet that changes razors ALMOST as often as Ovidiu (no idea how he does it!)! I shaved today for example with an AC blade in a titanium razor because I needed a break – tomorrow maybe a Panasonic or Braun. I just enjoy the challenge (and I have the time), and it’s good to see Philips moving forward, even baby steps, with its rotary electric models.
Hey Allan,
Fantastic insights and great catch on the GroomTribe app & the older razors. About four years ago when I first got the updated Series 9000 there was a wizard that walked you through and modified some settings just like you said. No such thing anymore and you can’t customize anything with regards to performance or pressure settings. Well, you can modify the light ring in the sense that it will only turn orange when you press too hard and stay completely off otherwise.
PS: I think this is more of a niche hobby and it can get a bit out of hand. :-)
I do have a few shavers that are mainstays in my rotation (a Series 9 variation, an Arc 5/Arc 6 with newer foils and more recently the Prestige). These also serve as a benchmark for other shavers I’m reviewing, especially if the price difference isn’t too high.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much for the detailed review which lead me to buy this model.
I’m very happy with it, but there are 2 odd thing:
I noticed my phone stays connected to the shaver when i keep the app open.
However this drains the battery pretty fast (abt 20% in 6hrs) . (when i cut the connection, no drain occurs) –
Would you say this is normal ?
Also; sometimes when i pick up the shaver the screen comes on by itself, other times i have to push the menu button first.
It’s not a big deal, but seems to be a bug ?
What should normally happen when you pick up the shaver ?
Hey,
Thank you for the comment, glad the info was useful.
That is true, the battery drains quite fast while the shaver stays connected. I think this can definitely be improved with a future update of the app.
The display should come on when you pick up the shaver, but (at least) on my unit it doesn’t always do that if the shaver has been sitting idle on a shelf for a long time. It’s like it’s in a deep sleep/hibernation state, possibly to improve battery life. I recon there are still some electronics that are always on and wait for a certain input from the accelerometer, and that also drain a few percentages of battery over one day.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thansk for putting my mind at ease as i was almsot ready to send it back :-)
I will just have to remember to completely close the app on the phone (which then disconnects the Bluetooth)
Thanks again Ovidiu.
All the best
Egon
A FW came out 2 days ago . The screen now always come on when you pick up the shaver, but it did not address the battery drain
Hey,
Thank you for the info. Excellent, fingers crossed they’ll fix that as well. No update available for mine yet.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I would like to report a battery issue.
I could not take the ultra with me on an international trip because of the battery readings. That problem has remained since returning home.
Yesterday I did a full charge. Less than 24 hours later the reading is 69%. The GroomTribe app is closed. However, I noticed my iP16 Pro seems to always report a BT connection regardless of my location in the house.
What may be in play here? Could Best Buy help me? What about Norelco support in this case?
Hi Harold,
I think the problem you’re having is still related to the app. You can try contacting their support, maybe they are aware of an iOS specific issue that causes the battery to drain.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I contacted Norelco who told me to use the return/exchange warranty provided by Best Buy. I did this and my initial impression is that the replacement device is doing better in terms of battery drain.
I leave for an international trip this weekend so will not be able to complete a careful analysis until I return. I simply do not yet trust this device enough to take it with me outside the USA.
Ovidiu
I finally got the shaver to pair. The whole oair process was less than intuitive. It found my model XP9405 but it paired as XP9400 on my iPhone. That is the model with the charging case. On the subject of the charging case—is there any benefit to that model. I don’t travel. Thanks.
Hi Jay,
Great, shouldn’t matter that it’s not the exact same model inside the app. The charging case is more of a niche accessory, it’s quite large and heavy and I personally would not carry it in my luggage. UV light is indeed effective against bacteria, but so is cleaning your shaver with the Pod or water + soap.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
You said you put the pressure sensitivity to medium. Your illustration suggests a little more than medium. Can you explain pressure sensitivity?
Hi Jay,
I’ve been playing around with it quite a lot since taking the screenshot. When I set it to a little more than medium, I have to press a bit too much to get a green light, and that causes some stinging on my neck (it’s perfectly fine on the cheeks though). So I’ve now lowered it to 25% and for me this works better, although I sometimes get some orange flashes from the ring. :-) But I don’t really mind it and I simply shave in a way that id effective and doesn’t cause discomfort.
Our tolerance is different, so feel free to play around with the pressure slider. I am quite sure that my setting won’t work for everyone as my neck is very tricky.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, I had the previous Prestige model and I didn’t like the fact that every time I picked up the shaver, the battery percentage came on automatically to show me the battery level of the shaver.
I assume that’s because of the accelerometer that it is used when cleaning the shaver in the pod.
I9000 Prestige Ultra XP9405/84 is the only model that doesn’t have this feature because no cleaning pod included?
I would love to get the model you have here with all accessories including the nose trimmer if it didn’t had the feature mentioned above. Many thanks.
Hi Danny,
It appears that the i9000 Prestige Ultra models, regardless if they come with a Pod or not, are actually fitted with an accelerometer. So it will show the battery level when you pick up the shaver regardless of the model you choose. If that’s a deal breaker I think the i9000 Prestige (non-Ultra) doesn’t have the accelerometer, but I cannot say that with certainty as I haven’t used one. That one may be an option if you’re ok with the fewer features (no speed settings and a slightly slower motor being the main ones).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
A question relating to Philips design choice:
Ovidiu, you said (and I quote): “With the i9000 Prestige Ultra, Philips merely tried to correct an issue that they themselves created with the introduction of the large angular heads.
So you may ask yourself why didn’t they just revert back to the tried and tested round heads — why stop in the middle with the squircle-shaped heads?
My guess is that this is the best they can do and still maintain compatibility with the Quick Clean Pods.”
——-
As I look at my 3900 with its round heads and the manner in which it flips up for cleaning as well as its integrated trimmer, I have to wonder why a better Quick Clean Pod cannot be developed to work with this type of design. It would not be the first time that Philips made former accessories incompatible for the sake of a new and better design. And there is no way under the sun that even the redesigned slimmed down angular heads are as efficient as the original rounded ones; it’s a physical impossibility. Whereas I can appreciate the fact that Philips does not want to revert to a full-fledged cleaning station, given the costs and the inherent headaches they caused, surely their designers can come up with a pod that would work with rounded heads.
Hi Wayne,
That’s a great observation.
I think bundling a Pod with a budget shaver like the Series 3000 would probably increase its price too much. And apart from that, it would require some other changes as well to the shavers. For example, the Series 3000 lacks the tiny turning shaft that powers the Pod and the accelerometer. This would require a complete redesign and would cost more to manufacture. And Philips sales loads of Series 1000, 2000 and 3000 which share the same framework and are very reasonably priced. And the low price is what makes those shavers very appealing.
I agree that the slimmed down head of the Prestige Ultra is still a compromise but I think it’s the best they could come up with without needing to modify the Pod. It just makes sense for them financially and logistically to use the same Pod across different series (from the 5000 all the way to the S9000 and i9000). I think it might be possible to get rounded heads on high-end Philips shavers again, but probably not in the near future. I would be very surprised should that happen.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu: I think I misrepresented my observation by mentioning the 3900. I was thinking along the lines of an up-and-coming flagship shaver that would perhaps revert to rounded heads with a newly designed pod to work its magic. I still use my 8900 and 9721 fitted with the latest blades and I can tell you that the ease of shaving under the nose (equal to the Series 3000 shaver) is still the best. I’m wishing for something that is likely not going to occur, I know. (sigh) Even the handle on the new Prestige(s) compared to the older Norelcos, seems a bit unwieldy and less ergonomic. If that James Bond shaver were “returnable” (should things go south), I’d spring for it, but at $350 for a shaver that old, I’m reluctant.
Anyway, thanks for the response. I’ll have to be content with sitting on what I currently own.
Hi Wayne,
Oh I see — I was only thinking of a budget, entry-level Philips with a Pod. Unfortunately a flagship with rounded heads and a new Pod would be unlikely as well, but not inconceivable. Still rather skeptical it will happen in the near future.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Good points Wayne! I wondered the same thing myself (what happened to the – very functional – round heads) after I got my first S7000, so have put some effort into examining the engineering of the pods – I currently have four of their razors using the Quick Clean pod system. Philips in currently on their third iteration of these – the first version was (and is for some current models) the short cylinder version – flat top, flat bottom, straight sides, the second has a top with a rear “hump” to accommodate the ergonomic cutout on the back of the Prestige, and the third (newest) has a flat top, tapered base, more closely adapting to the smaller head of the “i” series razors and the newly-designed tapered base of the cleaning cartridges.
I’m not an industrial engineer, but I can see their design constraints. In order for the pod to secure the razor, it needs at least one angled side to counteract the torque of the razor motor in the process of running the blades during cleaning. The lozenge-shaped heads accomplish this. If the heads were simply rounded on the current razors, they would slip out of the pods with a modified round well in the current pod design under load. You could likely counteract this with a deeper well in the pod, or adding an active pump in the pod like earlier cleaning stations (also requiring power to the pod), but this would require increasing the height and size of the pod and consequently redesigning the cartridges. Essentially an entire rework of their cleaning system (even excluding razor design) rendering it no longer compact and portable (or cheap). I’m guessing Philips is far enough down the road on this system they aren’t about to go back for what they likely assess as a minor compromise in head design. Their direction will depend on their market success, but they pretty much stand alone as far as market share for rotary razors. Time will tell, but they’ve obviously had (and heard) feedback on the heads, no doubt resulting in the thinner and smaller design of the “i” razors. A good start….
I did not consider the shaver’s torque produced during the cleaning sessions which you described. I immediately wondered about a deeper well but in reading on you evidently covered that as well. You’re quite a bit ahead of the curve here, Allan. I’m disappointed but it’s yet another example of having to live with trade-offs.
Wayne
I don’t see Phillips ever returning to the Prestige round heads as long as they keep the QC pod. Nor do I see them ever returning to a full cleaning and charging system. That ship has sailed.
Jay,
You’re probably correct. It’s the reason that I’ll likely never buy another Norelco flagship shaver. When the four Norelcos I currently own go south, I’ll haunt eBay to see what I can find at a reasonable price (with Returns as an option). Sometimes they have Open box items that are nearly new with what I’m looking for. My old cleaning station still works so I’m treating it with kid gloves.
“Did you know that the sp9887/36 sPrestige model was released with a smaller head size?”
Hey,
I did see it listed on a few websites and honestly I thought it was a render error/mix-up — something wrong with the product photo. That shaver doesn’t make sense as the smaller head of the i9000 Prestige Ultra does not fit my S9000 Prestige. I will try to source one because it’s a very intriguing model. I’m still not convinced that I won’t get a shaver with large heads.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
I see there is a battery saving mode. The default is off. Do you know anything about this?
Hi Jay,
When enabled it will lower the motor RPMS (to a level similar to Sensitive mode) and will disable the light ring in an attempt to save battery. Unless you can’t plug in the shaver for a few minutes and get just enough charge to complete the shave, it might be useful to switch it on. But not so much otherwise. With my beard and shaving technique I seem to benefit from a high power setting (Intense or Custom) so I personally won’t be using the Battery saving mode.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
A most complete and accurate review of the new Norelco shaver.
You and I share the same shaver collection. Agree also on your comments on them as well. Although only a year old, my Norelco Prestige 9000 seems to be an older model without the lights but with the larger pads. My objection to the shaver is only the lack of closeness compare to the Braun and Panasonic. But nothing compares to a good wet shave with a new five blade Gillette and cream. I usually shave with one of the electrics while waiting for the shower to warm and then wet shave again in the shower. I’m retired so time is usually not an issue.
That said, I’ve now learned to use the rotary with not as much pressure and circular motions. No, not as close, but an extremely comfortable smooth feeling. It’s so quiet I can shave while watching TV. Nice not to have that motor noise. Love the cleaning pod. Brush out the shaver and its quick and complete every time. Much less expensive per cleaning that the Braun.
Really looking forward to receiving the new i9000 Ultra in the next day or so. Ordered from the Phillips website store and they shipped the same day. Found a discount and free shipping. Good service there.
Thanks again for your good work on the review.
Best,
Bob Coppersmith
Hi Bob,
Thank you so much for the kind comment.
I’m confident you’ll like the i9000 Ultra at least as much as your Prestige; the smaller and rounder heads are definitely an improvement, even though I wouldn’t call it revolutionary. Also, if you like the extra features — the pressure guidance and app connectivity — this is the shaver to buy. I’m glad you got a great deal and I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Prestige Ultra.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Received the XP9402/86 and first shave! First impression is it’s a nice looking razor – not blingy, sort of understated, but there IS lots of hard plastic on it – with seams to catch soap debris. Time will tell. Very similar form factor to my S9000 – the same OAL just visually, and just slightly heavier (220g vs 218.5g), which was surprising considering the 9402 doesn’t have an integrated trimmer. It does balance nicely, and the ergonomic cutout in the back feels more natural than the slab-sided S9000 (similar to my standard Prestige). The softer rubber on the back provides some extra purchase for wet hands (most of my electric shaving is with the same prep and follow-up as my blade shaving – soap, brush and scuttle with WH and aftershave). The included trimmer is more robust than Norelco’s previous versions and just seems more substantial. The head is very easy to remove and swap for the trimmer, and like Ovidiu guarded optimism on how well it lasts with frequent removal if you use the trimmer every shave. The system does seem pretty solid. Ovidiu has covered the redesigned heads very well – and it doesn’t just include the re-shaped bezel but the overall design: more rounded, with the individual cutters more acutely angled and the overall head more compact. It seems to fit my face better and is definitely more maneuverable and easier to get into tighter spaces like under the nose. The noise level – to me – seems similar to the S9000 (and maybe a little noisier than the old Prestige), but certainly orders of magnitude quieter than any foil. I like the ability to adjust shaving modes from the razor and the app – their utility remains to be seen, but the “Foam” mode did work well even with thick lather, with no slow-down or hesitation when shaving with artisan soap.
The cleaning system has also been covered in excellent detail. Differences I noted in this Gen 3 system are that the pod holder itself is slightly taller (about 1/4″) than the previous version, the well is slightly deeper (accounting for the increased height of the pod) and more angled at the back (probably improves drainage), and that the opening is slightly narrower side-by-side (for the more compact head). All of the Quick Clean pods use the same cartridge, and as Ovidiu observed all of the pods are interchangeable with any of the shavers (including, surprisingly, the old Prestige whose own pod has a “hump” in the back to accommodate the cutout). Good of Philips to ensure backward compatibility. Ovidiu has also covered the action of the system with advantages and disadvantages, and I’ll say it has become one of my favorites – compact, requires no external power, portable and effective.
As far as the GroomTribe app, if you choose to use it, this shaver seems better integrated into its features, and the app/shaver interface allows adjustments on the razor itself and does provide some useful feedback, for novices and experienced shavers. The rotation and pressure measurements seem more accurate with this razor, and are actually useful in adjusting your shave. You don’t really NEED the app, but it seems to be now more of a nice adjunct rather than just eye candy.
And as far as the shave itself – superb. Closer and more comfortable than any of my previous Philips’ rotaries, including vintage models. I’ll caveat that, because of brand new blades, but even considering that this shaver just delivers a great shave, and I suspect will continue to do even after some wear. Haven’t tried it dry or with a pre-shave, but the shave quality is after all the bottom line, and this razor even after just one shave is clearly capable of providing it. Thanks to Ovidiu for his excellent review and introducing me to this one!
Hey Allan,
I was eagerly waiting for your review — fantastic as always. Great observation about the steeper angled well on the revised Pod.
I have been using my Ultra more often than other rotaries and the shave is superb.
Enjoy yours, glad it lived up to the expectations. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for a fantastic review.
I am getting the prestige ultra with the UV charging case.
There is scant information on it and wondering if you will review it?
Thank you for the kind comment, David.
When I bought mine all the models that included the UV case were out of stock, unfortunately. I will try to buy the case when Philips will decide to make it available separately and I will of course update the review as well.
Hope you’ll enjoy using yours.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
May i ask something? I have the Model SP9863 (with the round heads) and i am happy with it. Unfortunately the head started making some noise. I changed the blades etc and there s no change. The motor works well according to philips where i sent it for repair, but they say that they will not repare the head and i can not find it anywhere to buy it.
I was wondering if i could replace it with the head of a newer model like this:
https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/CP2004_01/philips-skiniq-9000-prestige-shaving-unit-bottom-assy?clickref=1100lArjZnqk&origin=2_uk_uk___1011l105038_____linkbux20_____Subaffiliate___pz&utm_source=1011l105038&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=partnerize&utm_content=Subaffiliate&utm_term=linkbux20
are they compatible?
Thank you!
Hi John,
It will actually fit (even though it will stick out more than the original). The part in your link is however just the bottom of the head unit, you will also need the top that actually holds the three guard & blade pairs. For example, this one also from philips.co.uk. You will be able to use the three locking rings you already have from your shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you!!
I’ve been using a Philips Series 9000 (the S9031) for about seven years now, and even though I’ve tried to upgrade to newer or supposedly better shavers — like the Braun Series 9 Pro+ and the Panasonic ES-LV9U — I keep coming back to the Philips.
Honestly, shaving with the Philips just feels quicker, smoother, and overall more comfortable to me. The others are OK in their own way, but they somehow don’t match the ease and feel I get from the Philips, for me….
That’s why I’m wondering: would it make sense to replace my old S9031 with a newer Philips model, or is it still worth sticking with the one I’ve got a bit longer?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi Olivier,
Thank you for the comment.
From what I can tell, a rotary Philips just works better for your beard and technique. Having also tried two of the best foil shavers out there (the S9 PRO+ and the ES-LV9U), the conclusion is quite clear.
I think you should still hold on to your trusty S9031, maybe give it an upgrade to the SH91 heads when it’s time to replace them. You can of course plan for a complete upgrade in the future; maybe you can get a great deal on one of the S9000 Prestige or the i9000 Prestige Ultra. I think the latter would work better since the form factor of the heads resembles your shaver more than the larger slab-like heads of the S9000 Prestige.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent review.
I missed the possibility of firmware updates when paired to the GroomTribe app.
Cheers
Thank you, Michiel, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
My shaver was”a lemon”. Too much if a hassle. I purchased the 9402/86. No problem pairing with the app. The previous one would not pair for weeks. The new one provided the serial number when paired. The prior one had no serial number. I got a seven year warranty when I registered as opposed to two years. Hopefully if will not have glitches.
Hi Jay,
Wow, that was unfortunate, but I’m glad it got sorted out and you can fully enjoy your new shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Can I leave the shaver in the pod? Phillips says it is ok, as per the manual. I really have nov choice. Because of its increased length there’s not enough room on the sink counter otherwise.
Certainly, you can leave it in the pod without any worries.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
I just threw out the defective one. Unfortunately I did not retain the boxes so I could not send it back. Phillips refused to replace the shave unit, saying i had to return it to the merchant. They were also clueless about diagnosing an obvious problem. If their shavers were not the right choice for me, I would have switched brands.
Hi Jay,
To me it’s just outrageous to demand the packaging just so you can return a defective product. I totally understand your position.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Today I had a long discussion on the serial number seen in the app and visible on the shaver rear side.
The serial in the app is the bluetooth key generated after pairing.
The real serial is at the back side below the type number.
In my case it starts with a letter/YY/MM/number. related to the production week in 2025.
Hope this helps
The rotaries never quite did it for me as compared to the foil shavers. For me the ultra should have a smaller head/frame and the 3 round blades should be slightly bigger/rounder.
Hi Seth,
That would have been ideal, but pretty much impossible to accomplish and also maintain compatibility with the Pods. At least the i9000 series are heading in the right direction with the redesign of the head.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
I have mixed feelings about the charging stand. I am not bothered by the light. However i find the shaver shaky when on the stand. Can the charging stand be used for any other reason ? B/C the shaver is shaky when on the stand, I am reluctant to use the stand to air dry the shaver. Any thoughts?
Hi Jay,
The shaver is indeed a bit wobbly inside the stand, it’s not very deep and there’s some wiggle room. But I would still say it’s secure and it would take a lot for it to topple over. The sole purpose of the stand is to have the shaver standing upright, and it has a small footprint, so it would be ideal if you don’t have a lot of space on the counter. I think you can continue using it without any worries if you find the stand useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Thank you for the review. I now have a Braun Series 9 and a Philips 1260. I get a better shave, quicker, from the Braun, but I don’t like the noise. Shaving with the 1260 is much quieter, but it takes longer to get a good and complete shave. Do you think the i9000 series might give a quiet shave that also be a better shave than the 1260?
Hi Mike,
The i9000 will also be significantly quieter than your Braun S9 and I’d say the shave will also be better vs your current Philips. I think yours uses the discontinued RQ12 heads, so just the fact that you’ll have a new high-end rotary with fresh blades should provide a performance boost. I would get the Prestige Ultra variation for the extra power and the more ergonomic handle (vs the non-Ultra i9000 Prestige).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What is best, the braun serie 9 pro plus or philips i9000 prestige ultra? I use it for shaving each two or three days (with foam or dry) and my skin is sensitive.
Hi Carlos,
The Series 9 PRO+ is generally a safer pick for most users unless you know from previous experience that a rotary works better for you.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Carlos
I find the Prestige Ultra to be better for less frequent shaving (less than daily) and more gentle. YMMV
After receiving a notification of a 25% price drop, I used the ShaverCheck link to purchase the i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9403/88. I’ll try to touch on a few minor points because the main ones: great build quality and rotary shave performance have been covered extensively elsewhere on this site. It was no surprise to see that the shaver didn’t come with a charger and I thought I could use the Philips charger plus cable for my 9000 series with the new Prestige Ultra. I was wrong. The cable doesn’t fit the Ultra stand and I received an error message when I tried to mount the Prestige Ultra directly on the 9000 stand. Not a big deal, but something I noticed. Also, after having charged to 94%, I left the charger uncharged overnight and the next day, it looked to be around 74%. When I travel, I’ll disable all of the pairing functions and electronic assistance to save battery life. I was unable to obtain higher than a 35% rating for shaving motion on the 9000 on GroomTribe, but the Ultra seemed to like my motion more and I had an 86% on the first shave with an 88% for pressure. All in all, it’s a great shaver that’s very well built and seems very premium in the way that a Braun 5567U felt in the 80s or 90s … top marks.
Hey Matt,
Thank you so much for the comment. Existing Philips chargers won’t work, unfortunately. The shaver on the other hand seems to work great for you — I’m glad it met the expectations. Definitely a good idea to disable the app related stuff when traveling.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
If I keep the shaver in the pod overnight and then shave, the whiskers all bunch up to the front ring after having opened to see. The other two rings have no whiskers to speak of. Is this OK?
When I air dry the shaver, and then shave, the whiskers are more evenly distributed. What can explain this? Thanks.
Hi Jay,
I think it’s because of the angle at which the head sits and the liquid and some hairs drain toward that front ring instead of being evenly spread across all three. It’s not anything serious though.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
I’m talking about before i clean the shaver with the pod. After i shave and before I clean the shaver, the whiskers like up in the front ring.
Sorry, I thought you meant after cleaning the shaver and leaving it in the pod.
Well, the front head may be doing more of the cutting because of its positioning and how you use your shaver. Gravity could play a part as well because that front head is usually lower than the other two, even though cross-contamination with clipped hairs is difficult given how the three heads are separated when the head unit is closed.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Should I be concerned?
Definitely not, Jay, enjoy your shaver. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, great review of the Philips shaver – I bought one for myself after reading it!
I was wondering – in the app on my phone, the ‘shaving heads’ life left seems to drop by 1% on each shave (I’ve used it 3 times so far, so the life is on 97%). This seems too quick because it suggests that I’ll only get 100 shaves from the blades, nowhere near the 18-24 months they suggest. Do you know if this will stop going down/go down slower after a few more uses?
Also, I saw there’s no reset button in the app to tell it that you’ve replaced the blades. I know on my old Philips shaver, I had to hold the power button for a few seconds to reset it, but I can’t find anywhere that says how to do it on this shaver! Do you know how it’s done?
Thanks again for the awesome review!
Hi Harry,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
The shaving heads status in the app is merely informative, and I would not rely on it. It can’t assess the actual condition of the heads and it’s a simple time-based assumption. Even Philips explicitly mentions 24 months in the instructions leaflet as the replacement interval. The countdown might slow down along the way, but again, it won’t necessarily reflect the actual condition of the heads.
There’s no explicit procedure to reset the counter, and the shaver won’t know that the heads have been replaced. So my guess is that it will probably reset itself after a few shaves.
Enjoy your Prestige Ultra. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have used electric shavers for 40 years. First all of the top of the line Brauns. The lasr shaver was the Japan market Arc 6 which was great, but left behind in a cross country move. After reading your review, I purchased the i9000 ultra prestige with the cleaning pod and UV charging case. I find the the i9000 cuts longer and swirling hair better for me than others i have used. I get an exceptionally close baby skin shave as good or better than the Arc6. I do not like a missing driver, although the cleaning pod is smaller and easier sealed if going on a trip. I have to air dry bc if left in the pod it does not fully dry. The charging UV pod is well made and kind of cool. It also maintains power for many chargers. Like another poster stated, the app only shows 60% blade life left after 2 weeks of use, although my first shaves were long as my learning curve went up. Because of the close shave and not missing the cut on difficult to shave parts of my face, I highly endorse this shaver. Nothing has given me a more complete and closer shave. Thank you for your reviews which are the best and I have been reading them for years.
Steve,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. Looks like the switch to a rotary was totally worth it. Just ignore the shaving heads status in the app and enjoy your new Prestige Ultra.
I hope to be able to buy the (standalone) charging case soon, it wasn’t available as a bundle when I bought my shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just got the Prestige Ultra and so far, it’s very good. It gives a very comfortable shave for both my head and my face. The shave is also pretty darn close, although maybe a whisker (no pun intended) less close than my Panasonic Arc 5 or Arc 6 or my Braun Series 9 Pro; that said, when it comes to shaving the neck, the Prestige Ultra is far superior to either of my Panasonics or my Braun.
The bells and whistles on the GroomTribe app are probably not necessary, but they certainly are a fun addition to the shaving experience.
I do have a question about technique with a rotary shaver. I know we’re supposed to use circular motions, but are these small circles? Larger circles? Also, it’s a little bit of a challenge to use circular motions in parts of the face where there’s less surface area, like around the ears. Any tips for navigating those spots?
There are areas that are a challenge to do in circles such as the jaw line. I accept that.
Hey Brian,
That’s awesome, glad you’re enjoying the new shaver. My experience has been similar regarding the closeness vs the foil shavers you’ve mentioned and how well it deals with the hair on my neck.
Regarding the circles, the extremes are usually not the most effective, so I would try not to use very large or extremely small circles. If there’s not enough space, try using straight, up and down strokes instead of circles, focusing on going against the grain. I find those more useful when shaving below the nose or below the sideburns where these back and forth, straight strokes work better. Even if that means a lower score in the app.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
I’m getting frustrated with my new Prestige Ultra i9000. The latest quirky behavior is the number of shaves left before needing to change the cartridge changed from about 10 to 29 randomly. I used groom tribe to track when I needed to change the cartridge. Now it is no longer reliable.
Hi Jay,
I would simply ignore what the app says about replacing the cartridge (or the blades, for that matter). These are not things that can objectively evaluated by the app, so it’s very unreliable.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Anything I can do to improve battery life. I only get about 8 shaves. Any suggestions?
Hi Jay,
How long does a shave usually take? Depending on that, 8 shaves could actually be very decent. But right off the bat I can tell you that the app connectivity is the one that drains the battery when the shaver is not being used.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
How do I break the app connectivity? Shave is about 5 minutes. Between 4 and 5 minutes
On the iPhone I think you would need to Forget the device from Settings -> Bluetooth. This will prevent the shaver from automatically connect to the app.
When you do want to use the app you will probably have to turn the shaver on, open the GroomTribe app and follow the instructions. The app should prompt you to connect and if not you can go to the My shaver or Connect section in the app.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Super brilliant review! My friend recently got the ultra to replace his Braun series 9 and he says it is much better.
I had foil Panasonic then Braun S9 and find the S9 not the closest of shaves over the Panasonic but overall a much better machine I also find after shaving I got lots of small bumps on the skin.
Would a rotary solve these bumps and would the rotary provide a closer shave ?
Hi Mark,
Thank you so much, you are very kind.
Generally, a rotary is worth considering in two situations:
– when you know from previous experience that rotaries work at least as good as a foil machine on your beard
– when you’ve hit a plateau regarding the quality of your shave (with a foil razor) and you’ve tried pretty much everything
Actually there are other cases as well, but these two are particularly relevant here.
The Braun Series 9 and the 5 and 6-blade Panasonic models are undoubtably some of the best foil razors out there, so we can say that you really couldn’t get a (much) better one, not at this movement anyway. The latest Arc 6 is in my opinion a lot gentler than the older Arc 5, but you may still get some bumps as the shave is very close. As a side note, cutting the hair very close (regardless of the shaver) can increase the likelihood of bumps if your skin is prone to that.
All things considered, and especially since Philips offers a 45-days money-back guarantee for the Prestige Ultra in case it doesn’t work out, you might give it a try. If you’ve never used a rotary and you’re switching from a high-end foil razor, the difference will be quite significant, from noise, to the perceived speed of the motor and even the feel of the shaving head on the skin. But again, sometimes a capable rotary can be just what you’re missing for that great shave.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu, inhibits time for a change lol
Spot on with your observations and recommendations Ovidiu. As a medical professional (not a dermatologist, although my recommendations mirror most of theirs), my recommendations for sensitive or problem-prone skin and faces:
1. Wash your face daily – especially at night. Any product will do, except for harsh, exfoliating washes. Sometimes a “bump fix” product like Jack Black’s also helps.
2. Keep your shaving implements scrupulously clean (made easier by cleaning stations) – even consider a barber’s disinfecting/lubricating spray after your razor dries.
3. Use an electric razor for face shaving (as most dermatologists recommend) – type is not so critical, but as Ovidiu observes, ingrown hairs are the result of the hair shaft curling under and penetrating the skin under the follicle, creating a nidus for infection. This is reduced by using a razor that cuts the shaft at or above the level of the skin (rotaries are better at this, because of the thickness of the comb). A foil may work, but depends on your hair growth and skin type.
4. Use a pre-shave or at a minimum, foam or gel to reduce friction on the skin (with a wet shaver). Rarely, a dry shave works better for some problem faces, so if wet shaving doesn’t work it’s worth a try.
5. Use a witch hazel splash and a good aftershave post-shave, or at a minimum a soothing aftershave that contains an astringent (like witch hazel) and non-irritating ingredients.
6. Shave intermittently, as in every other day or even weekly, if daily shaving continues to cause problems. Take it easy – don’t press too hard, don’t shave too fast.
7. Not kidding here – grow a beard as a final solution if nothing else works, or use a shaver like Philips’ OneBlade that just works as a trimmer and go for the “Brad Pitt” look!
Just some suggestions from over 50 years of shaving with everything sharp and otherwise, and from over 40 years in the practice of healing humans.
This is worth bookmarking, Allan, thank you so much for sharing. I agree 100% with every point.
As a side note, and I know this is rather a hot take and I may be in a minority here, but an alcohol pre-shave was, in my case, the final piece of the puzzle for becoming completely free of razor bumps — something I never thought would happen in my early shaving days.
Alcohol is not an option for everyone (witch hazel is a great alternative) and even though my face is dry and sensitive, alcohol can still work well in a product that’s been properly developed to mitigate some of the side effects.
For example the Tabac Original After Shave Balm (not the Lotion which can be a bit too drying). This one has been working like a dream for me. And the fragrance reminds me of the Tabac hard soap, a complete departure from the classic, spicy, barbershop-smell of most aftershaves. I do think it’s a bit pricey though and difficult to source outside of Europe.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
Absolutely spot on again, and I should have highlighted – many electric pre-shaves contain isopropyl alcohol (the 70% kind), which itself can be soothing and healing to intact skin. Same applies to aftershave. The other advantage of alcohol is that it’s antibacterial. “Razor bumps” or ingrown hairs are essentially an inflammatory response of the follicle, initiated by the hair shaft penetrating the skin and acting as a foreign body irritant (pseudofolliculitis barbae). This progresses quickly as bacteria on your skin (about a thousand species, along with other organisms) take advantage of the broken barrier and set up housekeeping where they don’t belong, so anything that kills bacteria is a good thing, as long as it isn’t too drying or causes irritation itself. Hence the recommendation for daily washing and using clean shavers. The addition of an astringent in your regimen – like witch hazel or alum – on clean skin tightens and closes the pores and also helps to maintain that barrier against infection. Wiih some faces and skin (and technique), an aftershave splash works best, with some a balm, and you may need to experiment to see what works best for you, and it may vary with the season.
You can never completely eliminate organisms on the human body that ride around with us every day as passengers (and some are even beneficial), but the goal is to prevent them from being where they aren’t supposed to be. A good shaving regimen and the right razor (that works for you) will help this.
Wonderfully explained, Allan. Thank you again for all the useful insights.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi all, Super excited as Ive just bought my first ever rotary shaver. I have been a wet shaver for over 50 years and i feel its all getting a bit of a fuss at 62 so I’ve treated myself.
Ive just purchased a i9000 Prestige Ultra package 9402/31 direct from Philips at a 50% discount !!! @ £290. WOW!!! It comes with all ultra accessories and a 7 year guarantee.
What’s not to like!! Just hope I like the rotary experience.
Thank you for your insight and recommendations.
Regards
Nick
Hi Nick,
That’s awesome, hope you’ll enjoy the new way of shaving. Great deal also — UK prices for the Prestige Ultra tend to be really high.
Thank you for taking the time to share this in the comments.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/articles/2025/philips-wins-52-red-dot-awards-including-best-of-the-best-for-i9000-prestige-ultra-series.html
Thank you for the link, Emad.
To quote Jerry Seinfeld who had a great line on the show with the same name (one of my all-time favorites): I don’t know how official any of these rankings really are. :-)
Jokes aside, it is an excellent shaver, objectively the best rotary you can buy. Philips deserves props for the use of recycled materials and also for the industry-leading 7-year warranty.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu. Yes it is a great shaver with frustrating glitches. It keep saying on the shaver to replace the cartridge. I could change the cartridge and the next shave it says to replace the cartridge. Same nonsense for the shaver heads. I have been using the shaver for 45 days and it says I gave 66% head life left. I coukd ignore both things. That avoids the issue. Phillips needs to fix their firmware.
Hi Jay,
I totally understand, especially the part with the cartridge notification. Mine has been free of that one, but the shaving heads status is way off.
I agree both issues should (and hopefully will) be fixed.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu:
I have to leave my question here since it’s old and no longer reviewed. My s9721 has a rubberized grip that mysteriously developed a sticky feel. How can I remove that without damaging it?
Hi Wayne,
That can happen with the rubberized grips on many shavers, luckily it tends to occur after many years of use. Basically the vulcanization of the rubber, the process that make it non-sticky and durable, kind of goes away. Isopropyl alcohol is probably the safest while also fairly effective and easy to get. Pour some on a cloth and give the rubber sleeve a wipe down, it should remove most of the stickiness. Just make sure you don’t go over the plastic bits as some can become opaque/matte when exposed to alcohol.
The rubber will unfortunately continue to age, that can’t be stopped from happening.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you, Ovidiu. I’ll give this a try. I’d really like to keep the shaver in my starting lineup since I love it so much and the motor and cutters are fine.
Sadly, it didn’t work. I think it has passed some point of deterioration. I have a medical tape that is soft on one side. I’m going to try carefully cutting it to cover only the back where the rubberized part is located.
Yeah, I think so too. Nail polish remover/acetone is a much stronger solvent that might work, but you would really need to be careful not to go over the plastic trim.
If you happen to have some at hand, maybe try wiping a small area to see if it makes any difference. If not, covering the rubber grip with tape should work.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
I also have sticky rubber on the S9041 handle, and wiping it with acetone didn’t help. Applying baby powder removed the stickiness, but it also changed the color of the rubber parts to grey.
Hi Ovidiu, great review as always. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.
I’ve been using the Ultra (with UV Charger) for a few months now and have to say that this is the poorest quality made shaver from Philips in a long time (if not ever). I am on a 3rd unit after claiming the warranty twice for different reasons.
Unit 1 – purchased in late April 2025. I experienced similar issues that others have highlighted here: incredibly fast battery drain when shaver is not in use, shaver blades % in the app depletes ~1% per use which means it will go down to 0 after 100 shaves and then recommends a replacement of blades, and a buggy shaver display issue of asking for a pod replacement after each cleaning cycle which is at odds with the in-app counter. I called Philips to genuinely inquire about these issues and/or when the fix is coming but was surprised when Philips told me that they will send me a replacement unit and to use a permanent marker to cover model and serial numbers. They also instructed me to discard the faulty unit. This was the first time ever claiming a warranty on a shaver in over 20 years I’ve been using different ones.
I was hoping that I got a lemon unit with an isolated issue.
Unit 2 – replacement unit arrived in mid-May – but the same bugs and battery drain issues are there. However, on the top of that, within days of usage one of the 3 movable petal parts of the shaving head stopped working – e.g. the petal stays down even when the shaver is turned on and blades don’t spin within it. Called Philips and they again sent me a replacement unit.
Unit 3 – arrived in early July – works but the same issues with the display and battery drain persist.
I find this really odd – the shaver is clearly designed to be connected to the app. In fact some features are only available via the app. Same with the old S9000 and S7000 which also pair via the Bluetooth to the app however never utilised ~1% of battery overnight which is a normal battery drain of a device in a sleeping mode. The cleaning cycle also utilises only about 1% of the battery.
The new i9000 Ultras seem like they don’t go into sleep mode at all and continue to try to connect to the phone/app which keeps using Bluetooth – depleting the battery (~20-25% overnight). Some of the implied calculations are incorrect, e.g. if blades are supposed to last ~2 years then blades should be depleting 1% every week (i.e. every 7 shaves or so). I agree that there is no special sensor for this metric so it must be some sort of estimated calculation. 1% per shave is just wrong.
Yes, one can argue not to pair the device to the phone and use it like any other shaver that doesn’t connect to the app. But, I find that somewhat unacceptable for a device that is (at least in Australia) more than 2x price of the original Prestige ($649 in 2018 on release vs Ultra $1,399 with a UV case). Yes most people don’t pay full recommended retail price – but even at 50% discount this shaver is more than original Prestige at full price… While it is the best version of a rotary shaver ever made – it is not 2x better than previous versions including the original Prestige.
A premium product like this should not be released with bugs like this – it’s literally a shaver with pretty limited use cases of being connected to an app so testing these well ahead of the release shouldn’t be difficult in ensuring 100% quality control.
I do wonder if the issues are bigger than a software fix as one would imagine that by now Philips would have fixed these via an in-app firmware update. But that then also puts those that don’t pair their shaver with the app to have a potentially ‘faulty’ shaver without them even knowing.
Until Philips fixes these issues (hardware or software) with i9000 Ultra series – it’s a hard pass from me. Not all features are able to be used and may cause a feeling of frustration/disappointment. A real pity as most deficiencies of previous Prestige and S9000 versions have been resolved with the Ultra.
Hope someone finds this useful and is aware of what they are getting for their hard earned $$$. You are better off getting a previous Prestige version with updated blades – literally you get the same quality shave. Or even getting an original Prestige with rounded heads if the edgy head is not your preference (and buying new SH91 shaving blades).
At the end of the day – for the money in the current buggy state it’s hard to recommend the new Ultra Prestige.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve been feeling this way about a lot of devices, from shavers to toothbrushes. It seems as though we’re in a state of diminishing returns given the advancement in many of these devices. Close is close. How much closer do we expect our shavers to shave us without doing damage to our skin? My old 9721 and 8900 both of which are fitted with the new SH91 blades provide identical shaves to my newer S9000 (SP9841/84) with the added bonus that their rounded heads make it easier to shave under my nose and my jawline. I gained nothing by purchasing the newer Prestige shaver in terms of shaving performance. The truth is, I don’t care about software being tied with my shaver or my toothbrush. As I near 80 years of age I know a thing or two about shaving and brushing my teeth and I don’t need some software app to tell me otherwise. Companies have over-complicated their devices for marketing purposes and the end result is not a device that performs significantly better. Who actually uses the app results on a regular basis? Who has the time to even bother with this information? And at my age where I have all the time in the world, even I can’t be bothered with these gimmicky advancements.
I also have a 3900 with SH30 blades that provides an adequate shave and I find that 50% of the time I reach for it for two reasons: comfort (the ergonomics of that shaver are a step above the ones mentioned earlier) and simplicity of use (when finished I rinse it under the tap and open it to dry… simple stuff. The shave (which is the important thing) is good enough. I don’t obsess over it since it’s close enough to the pricier shavers in my line-up and the truth is: I like it. It’s a simply designed shaver without any bells and whistles. I want to get a decent shave in move on with my day and the shave with the 3900 averages out to 5 minutes. No app. No lights. No reminders to do this or that. It just shaves and that’s all I want it to do. And it’s cheap enough so that I can replace it without wringing my hands in indecision.
Philips needs to get back to the basics and quit over-thinking their products.
Hey Miki, Wayne,
Thank you for the comments, those are great points.
I could definitely do away without the app. In fact, after setting a few things in the GroomTribe app (Custom mode speed, disabling the light effect on the charging stand), I disconnected the shaver to avoid the battery drain issue (to be honest it wasn’t that bad on my European unit). But doing so is definitely not an acceptable workaround, because you are paying a premium for precisely those features, otherwise you would simply spend less on a different Philips shaver.
The new i9000 head unit, if and when it will be sold separately, will only work on the non-Prestige Series 9000. So the smaller heads, one of the few features that makes the Prestige Ultra more appealing than the existing S9000 Prestige, will only be available as an upgrade (if at all) to Series 9000 owners.
There is of course a limit to what can be fixed via a firmware update and we’ll just have to see if it can be done.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for the great detailed review. very informative.
I have the Philips S9980/74 and I hate the squarish shape of the head. as you said, it is very annoying for under the nose. I wish it had round heads.
I have a question though, if I get a entire top head unit like the one shown in the link below, is it compatible and will it fit on mine?
I know that the company won’t necessarily write explicitly if it is compatible, probably for marketing.
Again, thank you so much for your comprehensive review.
https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/SH98_70/shaver-s9000-prestige-replacement-shaving-heads
Hi Benji,
Thanks so much for the comment.
The product in the link is just a set of SH98 heads, meaning just the guard and blade pairs, not the entire head unit with the rounded heads. But even if you manage to find the entire head unit of the original Prestige (with rounded heads), it will not fit on your shaver because the plastic shaft is a lot shorter.
The only upgrade possibility would be to buy the head unit of the i9000 series, with the squircle-like heads (so not perfectly round) like the one in the review above. However, for the time being, Philips does not sell it separately.
So right now I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do about the angular heads on your shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for your informative and prompt reply.
so in other words one of these units (Links below) will not fit on my shaver?
https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/CP0264_01/bottom-shaving-unit
https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/CRP361_01/bottom-shaving-unit
forgive me for my ignorance, but is the reason because the s9000 and s9000 prestige are not compatible or is there a gen 1 and gen 2?
Thanks
Benji
Hi Benji,
You are very welcome.
The units in your links (discontinued Series 9000 and 7000) will also not fit your shaver for the same reason I mentioned in the previous comment — the shaft is too short and will simply not reach far enough into the recessed fitting your shaver. I actually have them from my old shavers and I took this side by side photo. You can clearly see that the head on the left (with angular heads) has a much longer strut.
It’s the same story for the head of the gen 1 Prestige (with rounded heads): it has a much shorter shaft (here is a side by side photo as well).
Again the only upgrade option for your shaver would be the head of the new i9000 (with the squircle heads) if Philips decides to sell it separately in the future.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ok. wow, so thorough and detailed.
Thanks, Ovidiu!
Ovidiu
You reviewed the latest Brain. Your email gives a link to the review. However the email link brings you back to the Norelco. Just letting you know.
Hi Jay,
Thank you, unfortunately I didn’t double-check the link and by the time I noticed and fixed the error, the initial newsletter had already gone out to a few hundred subscribers. Fortunately the majority did get the correct link.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can you send me the email again with the correct link.
Done. :-)
Hi did the previous prestige cleaning pod have a filter inside for hairs collect? Philips once told me no filter as such, think braun cleaning system better against new philips pods. Im always tempted to try philips much quieter, but no integrated trimmer on top line shaver, and not ideal clicking on and off,also with a foil being straight i can just place it straight underneath sideburn , rotary wouldnt feel same doing that .
Hi Ian,
The cartridges themselves (not the actual Pod container) do have a filter, but it’s not as effective as the ones in Braun cartridges. I often see hair clippings on head of the shaver after the cleaning cycle.
The i9000 Prestige for example (not the Prestige Ultra) has an integrated trimmer. It doesn’t have the speed settings and the advanced display of the Prestige Ultra though.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wait. Did I miss something here. Ovidiu, did you say that the i9000 Prestige has an integrated trimmer… not a detachable accessory but an actually integrated one?
Hi Wayne,
That is correct. The i9000 and i9000 Prestige are essentially Series 9000 shavers but with the rounder, thinner heads. So they have the same large (and not very ergonomically-shaped) body as the Series 9000 that makes it possible to integrate a pop-up trimmer.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ive had a number of shavers in 37 years , my first was just a battery braun, then just kept upgrading, once had a philips battery one that i just used for under chin after first shaving using an early braun one, always found battery twin rotary finished off under chin good at the time , my late father had a few shavers too , he once had a philips one that dispensed nivea conditioning cream as u shaved .
Thank you for the very detailed review – it’s a great read.
I have the non-pro Braun series 9 (92M foils) and I love it but it’s always been an average-to-poor performer for me below the jawline – it’s fantastic above it. I guess I have flat laying neck hairs that grow in different (sideways) direction and I end up coming at them from all directions to do a half decent job but then I end up with skin irritation and still need a blade or fine trimmer to clean the area up.
Your review made me want to try the prestige ultra. In Canada, Philips gives us a 30 day trial where we can return for full refund if it doesn’t work well.
It’s been out of stock more often than in stock, but luckily it came back last week so I ordered one. Thankfully it was also discounted so ended up being $260 CAD plus tax (normal retail is $399CAD). The model is not one you mentioned so might be country specific – it’s XP9402/31 – comes with cleaning pod and the larger case that fits the trimmer and charging cable.
Can’t wait to try it out – thanks again for the detailed review.
Rob,
Thank you so much for the comment, glad the review was useful.
A rotary might be just what’s needed for that part below the jawline. It could go either way to be honest, it’s always a bit of a gamble switching to a rotary, but when everything clicks, the shave is usually great. Hope it will be the case here as well and if not, the money-back guarantee should come in handy.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Im considering purchasing a philips 3000 series , just to see if i can adapt to a different shaving technique after many years., also ots the noisenissue with foil that am not enjoying these days , also when i did use a rotary many years ago side of my neck was red after using, but that was an older philips shaver.
The SH30 used on the Series 3000 are among more gentle heads, so normally there shouldn’t be much irritation. The noise is on the other hand a lot less vs any foil shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi so the i 9000 prestige has a pop up trimmer, same heads as the prestige ultra ? 2100 speed ? Less modes ? Always found philips models bit confusing especially lately .
Hi Ian,
That is correct — same heads, pop-up trimmer, a single (standard) shaving mode (2100 RPM). I address these differences in great detail in the Philips buying guide.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have four Norelcos and have to admit that my favorite is the 3900 because of its comfort SH30 blades, the overall quietness of operation and the beautiful ergonomics. Once finished it’s a simple rinse under the tap and I’m good to go. Does it shave as close as my Prestige? Not quite BUT it’s close enough. I’m always amused by the closeness factor we all bring to the table. The truth is within a few hours it’s no longer close regardless of the shaver used. So what is the big deal? I’ve said this countless times, close is close. I shaved an hour ago and I’m now rubbing my chin and cheeks. I can feel a bit of stubble but I look good and I feel good and that’s all that really matters, right? I have an Arc 5 (old style) shaver and two Brauns all of which deliver great shaves. But again, within a few hours there is some stubble so why the worry about extreme closeness in the first place? My attitude has become this: if the shave delivers a “good” shave (reasonably close, quiet, comfortable), why should I continue to seek the holy grail when it doesn’t (and never will) exist? Granted, it’s taken my decades upon decades to finally arrive at my current position and in questioning my wife she tells me that she actually prefers to see and feel a little stubble. Evidently it reminds her that I’m male and she apparently likes that! Go figure! haha
Hi Ovidiu,
Thank you for once again for another great product review.
I own a Braun Series 9 Pro and I am very unhappy with the result. Whilst it performs great at 60% of my face, the neck line and some spots where my stubble grows in weird -almost ingrown- patterns, it’s no good. I am not talking about scratchiness, but looking ridiculous when going out. I am literally lifting the hair with my nail to give it a good angle, so the shaver can get it.
I also have sensitive skin and in my attempt to clean the neck, I mostly end up with razor burns. Sometimes even applying no pressure could end up in razor burns, depending on my skin’s humidity.
I have tried Speck and Tabac pre-electric lotions, I found Speck helping a lot. I have also tried Braun’s lift up accessory, which I found helpful as well.
I am considering trying a rotary razor and especially this one, do you think I should give it a try? I worry I might end up with another top of the line electric razor that I ‘ll end up not using. What are my chances?
Hey Stathis,
Thanks so much, I appreciate it.
My default recommendation for most men is usually a foil shaver. There are however certain aspects that might tip the scales in favor of a rotary. For example, after you’ve tried a capable foil shaver that in theory should work great with your current routine (shaving frequency, type of facial hair, sensitive skin etc.). From what I can tell, the Series 9 Pro should be just right, but for some reason it isn’t. So a decent rotary like the Prestige Ultra might be just what you need.
If you’ve never used one, it will feel (and sound) quite odd at first and there’s of course the risk you won’t get along with it. Again, I think in most cases foil shavers are the safer pick, but sometimes it’s worth taking a chance. In many countries Philips offers a money-back guarantee and you can get a complete refund if you’re not happy with it. I would inquire about this and if you can take advantage of that clause, it’s probably worth trying.
Also, I would not use the Tabac pre-shave with a rotary razor, it’s extremely drying and with the large head of most rotaries, it can actually be detrimental to your shave and cause the head to get stuck and the motion will be very jittery. Speick on the other hand is fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thank you for your reply.
Yes, you are right about Tabac, it has not helped at all, it’s actually worsening the result. Speick is good, but sometimes using no pre-shave at all has the best result irritation wise. Sometimes not. Very strange skin I got.
The only electric shave that is consistently good is the day after a DE wet shave with pre-shave oil. The oil effects are still protecting the skin but the oil is not there.
I ‘ll give Philips it a try, thank you for the consultation. I feel my grain direction would be a good fit, at least for the neck and for the cheeks I already have Braun
Ovidiu
New firmware. Improved but not perfect. Shaver head calculator still off but much better. New cartridge after each shave not an issue.
Jay,
Many thanks for the info. It’s definitely a step in the right direction. My European unit has been mostly free of these issues (except for the occasional battery drain), which is why I think I didn’t get this update.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ok used it today. On balance it is much better. I remain concerned about the shaver head replacement prompt. However, even that is better.
Excellent, glad it’s gotten better. Maybe with the next update, though I would never rely too much on these notifications to tell when to replace the blades, regardless of the shaver brand or type.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks. I have been using the shaver for 80 days. It says I have 83% head left. That won’t get me to two years.
Thank you for this review, Ovidiu, which indicates I should stick with my Philips Series 9000 Prestige that is the best electric shaver I have ever used (as foil shavers do not do a good job on my neck). The Series 9000 Prestige for me shaves pretty close, very uniformly, and quickly (not really requiring more than one pass).
When might Philips come up with its next generation top-of-the-line rotary shaver? If it is better than what they have now it will be quite something to behold.
Thank you for this website.
Hey,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated. I think it’ll be a while (i.e. a few years) and it’s likely we’ll see some incremental updates in the meantime to the i9000 sub-series. But nothing too major, as I think a complete redesign would also imply new shaving heads, new accessories/pods and so on. The i9000 series is a very extensive one and is now available worldwide and the feedback has been mostly positive, so I personally don’t expect a completely new generation very soon.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Norelco advises replacing the heads for the i9000 Prestige Ultra after two years, on average. Any idea what frequency of use that is based on? Will shaving daily reduce the time? Thanks.
Hi Jay,
It’s commonly assumed that it’s based on shaving daily, but there are other things that matter as well. For example, the stubble density and thickness and also how long it takes someone to shave. Could be 5 minutes or 15 minutes and shaver manufacturers (Braun for example) make these claims based on a 3-minute daily shave which let’s be honest, is not realistic. Most of us need a lot more than that for a clean shave.
Also, shaving less often might allow you to use a set of blades for longer, but I don’t think it’s worth it, especially if you’re getting the best results when shaving daily.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu. My shaves are about 5 minutes—give or take.
hello thanks for your fantastic review, it helps me a lot!
my skin is sensitive and i always worry about flushing due to shaving.
I am thinking about braun9 proplus and this phillips i9000 prestige ultra
how do you think which one should i buy? or should i consider other options for my skin?
I really appreciate your time for this question and wish you have a good day
Hi Tylor,
Thanks so much for the comment.
If you’ve never used an electric shaver before, I would lean more toward the Braun S9 Pro+. It’s a gentle foil shaver that should be a safer buy for the majority of users.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your review. I’ve always used a rotary razor and I have a Norelco Series 9000 that needs new heads. I saw the Prime Days price on Amazon for the i9000 Prestige Ultra. It was 30% off and included the charging stand, cleaning pod, Beard trimmer, and nose trimmer. It was only $26.00 more than the S9000 Prestige so I bought the i9000 ultra. It was just too good of a deal to pass up.
Hi Lenny,
Thank you for the comment, glad the review was useful.
That was indeed a great deal. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Prestige Ultra.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
I had my first defective QC pod cartridge. We could not get the paper top to come off in such a way as to break the little seal tab.
The whole upper part of the plastic cartridge structure came out, rendering it unusable.
Hi Jay,
It’s the first time I’m hearing about something like that. Hope it’s a one-off though.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, Ovidiu Nicolae! Could you please tell me if the i9000 Prestige Ultra needs to be oiled like foil razors?
Hi Alex,
I’d say no, it won’t normally be necessary. Philips also doesn’t say you need to oil it. You could do it from time to time, but only if you’ll be cleaning your shaver with water and soap. Otherwise you don’t need to.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much for your answer!
Hi Alex
Are you using the QC pod and cartridge that often comes with the shaver. If so, the cartridge has a built in lubricant.
Thank you for this very informative article. I’ve used rotary razors all of my life (I’m 50) and thinking about switching to foil razors for the first time as I’ve read it gives a closer shave. But I’m also hesitant since I’m so used to rotary, and I know rotary is also easier on the neck which is sensitive for me. I also don’t shave for 3-4 days most of the time, and I’ve read foil razors are not as good for less frequent shaving.
Between the Braun S9 and Panasonic Arc6 or 7, which one do you recommend for a first time foil razor buyer?
Hey,
Thank you for the comment. Sticking to rotaries would definitely be the safe route. If you were to try a foil shaver, I think the Braun S9 would be he best option in this case. Panasonic can’t handle very well longer stubble, and with the large and wonky head of the Arc 6, I think you would find it quite disappointing especially when shaving the neck.
Braun does offer a money-back guarantee in several countries, it would be great if you could take advantage of that in case you won’t be happy with it. Foil shavers are also much louder, so that’s another aspect to consider when switching.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, Ovidiu Nicolae! The razor display shows the number of shaves, charge, and shaving time. Does anyone know how to reset it?
Hi Alex,
I don’t think you can reset any of those. Also you cannot reset the shaving heads health status manually, that one will probably reset by itself. You can only reset the cleaning cartridge counter via the app.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the really detailed review. I’ve shaved with Norelco practically forever, and have never seen as careful an analysis as what you provide in all your shaver reviews. I’m especially impressed with how thorough your rotary review is considering that you’re Team Foil.
Two general observations about Norelco shaver development:
Comfort. Norelco made a light-speed advancement in comfort years ago and has never looked back. I used to be a regular victim of neck hair grabbing, just enough to be a painful nuisance. Then I upgraded, I think when the Series 8000 was brand new, and it’s been great ever since.
Ease of Use. I really, really like my current Norelco with two exceptions. As you noted, the change to a larger head made it more difficult to get a close shave under my nose. And I know you prefer an integrated trimmer, but to me it feels flimsier and less stable than the click-in trimmer.
I’ve been ready to upgrade my 9000 for a while now. I’ve had it for a few years, and the battery just doesn’t hold a charge very well any more. Once I saw the great Black Friday prices for the Prestige Ultra on Amazon, your model comparison really simplified my selection process. (Why does Norelco’s model nomenclature have to be so confusing?) As a thank you for your work providing this information for all of us to consider, I made sure to use your affiliate link for the XP9403.
Thanks again!
Don,
Thank you so much for the kind comment.
I absolutely agree with you on the massive step forward Philips has made with regards to comfort. I can now get a comfortable, decent shave with a rotary, while previously I would end up with lots of tiny nicks and an itchy and red neck.
Integrated trimmers on Norelcos are indeed flimsy — unfortunately no other brand gets them right except Panasonic. Panasonic integrated trimmers are just outstanding, there’s really no comparison.
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Prestige Ultra!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Can you please help me, I have exactly the same shaver as you. Every time I clean it in the pod at the end I get the message ” replace cartridge”. My cartridge is brand new, so I have enough in there. The shaver gets cleaned more or less I suppose, but I don’t like to see that message.
Am I am doing something wrong?
Also I bought brand new SH91 replacement blades, but some said on the box for 9000 series, where the other one mentioned especially the i9000 prestige ultra.
Thank you and Happy Christmas.
Levi
Hi Levi,
You can try to reset the cartridge counter in the GroomTribe app (here is a screenshot). It’s just a simple counter — the app, or the shaver can’t tell how much liquid is in the cartridge.
The SH91 (guards and blades) are all the same, there are differences between the outer coating of the plastic holders (of the shaver) which can be specific to the Series 9000 or i9000. But those have nothing to do with the SH91 replacement heads.
Happy Christmas to you as well. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi. It could be the poster’s shaver is defective in some way. I had the same problem before. The problem went away with a new shaver for me.
Hi Jay,
That is possible as well, hopefully it’s just a matter of resetting the counter.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Merry Christmas, Ovidiu!
Not much to add regarding shavers these days. I’m still a confirmed rotary shaver. I tried my Braun series 9 for a few days and was reminded why for me, it just “doesn’t cut it”! (haha)
As for the Philips round up here (9721, 8900, 3900 and the S9000), they’re all used and appreciated although I must admit that the 9700 and 8900 are easier to use with the round heads but do not give any closer shave than the S9000. And let’s face it, I’ve said all this multiple times before so forgive me for repeating my nonsense.
Anyway, I hope you (and the rest of the regulars here) have a wonderful Christmas. As we Orthodox say, “Christ is born! Glorify Him!”
Wayne,
Thank you so much for the comment. An update is always appreciated, even when the pecking order of the shavers has remained unchanged. :-) I still think it’ll be a while until Philips will again use round heads for the top-of-the-line models.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Happy holidays. On the i9000 Prestige Ultra, is there much difference between the “Intense” speed and the Custom speed.
Hi Jay,
Happy Holidays!
Not much of a difference, around 100 RPMs more in Custom mode with the speed slider set to the max inside the app. I still find Custom mode to be just as comfortable, so I always choose it, even though the performance gain over the Intense setting is rather subtle.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks
FYI for those contemplating this razor, or who use the app, there’s a new version (v9.3.0) of the GroomTribe app that seems to more accurately measure the shaving parameters (pressure and rotation). There may also be a firmware update to the i9000 series if you currently own one, which may differentiate the automatic settings more, but TBD from my own use. The “Sensitive” setting does seem to be more comfortable, but just a couple of runs so far. This really does seem to be Philips’ top rotary so far though, both from a feature standpoint and actual performance.
Many thanks for the comment, Allan. For my European model (XP9401) there was also a firmware update, but I can’t really tell how much it has been improved. The Regular still seem to be identical to Foam mode and I also only use the Custom setting. Even before the update my unit never showed any of the common glitches except for the drain issue, so I’ll keep an eye on the battery level.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu. I just upgraded my firmware. I am skeptical that it will make much of difference.
Hi Jay,
I would keep an eye on it for the next few days/weeks — the battery drain issue for example is completely fixed for my shaver with this firmware update. The app now only sips 1-2% per day. I use an Android phone, so I can’t confirm the improvement on iOS.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks. What is the battery saving mode? Should I use it?
You are welcome, Jay. Unless you’re on vacation for example and can’t charge your shaver and want to save as much of the battery as you can, then probably not. It basically puts the shaving mode into Sensitive (the slowest) and disables some features (light ring).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much.
Ovidiu, you are going to laugh yourself silly. After saying I’d just stick with my older 9000 Prestige, Costco when and dropped the price on the ultra by $100. Geeze, I couldn’t pass that up. Plus, if I find it just doesn’t measure up, I can return it under their generous return policy. I’ll get it on Wednesday. It includes an extra set of blades, the UV power case and the light ring charging stand. It did not include the cleaning pod but I’m assuming I can use the one I currently have. Yes?
Wayne, that is a fantastic deal.
Even though the old pod is a bit different, it works perfectly fine with the Prestige Ultra. I’ve cleaned mine many times with my old Pod and never had any issues.
Congrats on your newest addition to the collection, and I hope you’ll enjoy it. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hope you like it. Be mindful of the UV power case. There are some reports on Amazon that it stops working early on.
I’ll give you a once I’ve had it for a few weeks. Thanks, Jay.
Update… I meant I’ll give an update
Can you just purchase the charging case separately?
Hi Jay,
At this moment the part doesn’t seem to be available as a separate accessory (maybe in the future, though I doubt it).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Is it worth getting a new shaver do that I can get the case. Does that model shave better then my Prestige I9000 Ultra?
Hi Jay,
I’d say no, it’s not worth getting a new shaver for the case alone (you would still need to properly clean the shaver after every use). The shaving performance is identical, no changes at all on that front as the shaver itself is the same (same motor, same blades, same battery and design of the shaving unit).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu:
First update: Pros: smooth, close shave. Really what more needs to be said? It’s a shaver and that’s the long and short of it; it gives me a decent shave.
Cons: battery life is no where near as good as my older Prestige or my other Norelcos. The handle is almost as comfortable to hold as my older Prestige but almost is not the same as… the same. The older Prestige is slightly tapered and the dimple in the top of the handle gives a slight more grip. Is this important? Depends, I guess, on the user’s circumstances. I have some arthritis in my hands and there are mornings that holding the shaver is a bit of a chore (i.e. I wonder if I’m going to drop it at times). Most mornings it’s not an issue but there are those other times.
As for the GroomTribe app: I’m going to delete it “if” it will extend the battery life. The app is unnecessary for me. I don’t need Norelco telling me to shave such and such a way. Honestly, I don’t care what Philips has to say about this since I’ve been shaving with Norelcos for decades and decades now. I know how I like to shave – period. That includes the pressure light. I’m left it on for the first shave and discovered (as I knew would be the case) that it was almost green the entire time. Why? Because I know how to shave with a Norelco. Therefore, I can safely turn. that light off and hopefully regain even more battery life.
Lastly: I have no idea about this UV case nor how to use it. I didn’t particularly want it but that is the way it was bundled with Costco and the $100 price reduction was attractive. The manual gave no indication how to use the UV. I charged it and promptly shoved it onto a shelf. I know it will charge the shaver but so will the stand so there is no gain there. I know it purports to sanitize my shaver with UV light but I suspect it’s more gimmick than anything else. Besides, it’s heavy and I would never travel with it. Frankly, it’s more of an oddity than anything else. What would you do with it if you had one? How would you make use of it?
As for the lack of a cleaning pod. I used my old one this morning and it worked like a charm; no issues whatsoever.
Conclusion: so far I like the shaver even though I’ve whined a bit in the above post. I’m still undecided as to whether it’s a keeper or not. I’m committed to keeping it at least three … maybe four weeks and then make a final decision.
Any input from you would be appreciated.
Hi Wayne,
I can totally understand your stance. I mostly use the GroomTribe app to set the maximum speed for the Custom shave mode and for firmware updates. I had the same issue with the battery drain and it was completely fixed with the last firmware update from a couple of weeks ago.
I didn’t buy a variation with the UV case included because, just like you, I knew I wouldn’t use it much. I would never take it on a trip with me and I like to clean my shavers with water+soap or in this case with the Pod. It’s super effective and the UV light that kills the germs is rather redundant, to put it lightly.
My advice would be to keep using the shaver (you probably have a generous return window) and then decide if it’s a keeper or not. It may grow on you, maybe enough to justify its place in the rotation.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu. And now for the continuing saga. Read on…
Honestly, I don’t use the GroomTribe app. When I did install it initially, it tried to update to the current firmware but failed multiple times so I simply cancelled out of it and went with the older version. And of course, disastrous battery results followed thanks to the constant communication with my phone. It’s ridiculous. Today I decided to just delete the GroomTribe app. I don’t need it. I would never bother to check it since I honestly don’t care what information it might give me. It’s sort of like the crazy app for Oral-b and Sonicare (yeah… I have both… one for the morning and one for the evening…why? Just because I can I guess). Anyway, both toothbrushes have apps to show you how to maximize your brushing and all sorts of other oral care tips. After being bugged by these apps (i.e. who carries his phone into the bathroom to brush his teeth? lol) I finally dumped the apps and I don’t miss them. I brush my teeth the way I know is recommended. End of story. Well, the same goes for shaving. I’ve been shaving with rotary blades for years (more than I care to remember) and I don’t need an app to make suggestions on my technique.
I can understand the value of such an app for someone new to rotary shaving as well as someone who wants to customize the intensity beyond intense. I generally don’t shave beyond regular speed so the app provides nothing of value… so… it’s gone.
As for the UV case: I decided that since my shaver was down a bit in battery I’d plop it into the case and let the case charge it. The purple, pulsing light came on the top and within a short time the shaver was fully charged and sanitized (I guess). So… I suppose it’s fine for that, albeit I would never have bought it intentionally.
Will I keep the shaver? Don’t know. I will say that it does provide a good shave but substantially better than the older Prestige? Better yes but not substantially. Oh, my long-suffering wife! haha
I’ll shut up for two weeks and let you know the outcome. Thanks.
Wayne
You will need the app for the firmware upgrades.
But Jay, I don’t want to upgrade the firmware. Unless the shaver will cease to work, I don’t really need it (I think) unless you can enlighten me on this. Won’t the shaver still work its sensitive and regular modes? Maybe it won’t in which case I guess I will “have” to put the app back on.
Okay, Jay. Tell me how much battery you have regained by the upgraded version to the app, if you don’t mind. I like the shaver and I’m inclined to keep it but I don’t want a shaver that is constantly bleeding battery because it is trying to connect with my phone. I would never use the app, Jay. So, unless the shaver will deteriorate without that upgraded app, I’m inclined to just leave it off. I wish I knew the answer to this question. Jay, help!!! ;-)
Hey Wayne,
That makes perfect sense. My stance on the usefulness of the GroomTribe app (not just for this particular shaver, but as a concept) has changed a bit, not because I found it more useful for my personal use, but after reading comments/emails from users who did. And their reasons were solid, so I’m not as critical of the app as I used to be. Personally, I’d still rather have all the settings on the shaver itself, easily accessible via a button, especially the ones that relate to performance (like the Custom mode). But it is what it is.
If you have the time, maybe give me quick update if you do decide to keep it after the trial period. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wayne
In the morning I just shave. My shaver is on the intense mode. I don’t even look at the app. I just shave and put the shaver in the pod abd run the cleaning cycle. I look at the app once a day to see how many cleaning cycles I have left. I shave every day. I use the pod every day. I leave the shaver in the pod until I shave the next day. I don’t air dry it. I keep the firmware upgraded. I don’t see any appreciable battery drain on my iPhone due to the shaver.
Wayne
My life with the shaver is simple. Once I updated the firmware, the shaver has no effect on the iPhone battery. I don’t use the app to shave with. I shave. I put the shaver in the pod. I clean the shaver and leave it there overnight. I don’t air dry. I keep the firmware updated.
Wayne
I use the app to see how many shaves I have left on my current battery charge. I also use it to track head life and how many cleaning cycles I have left. That is it. I also have phone chargers throughout our apartment. I also rely on the colored rings and not the app.
Wayne
My shave is set to intense mode.
Thanks for all your replies, Jay. If I’m understanding you correctly, the app provides information (i.e. battery level, blade life, ability to customize the shaver itself) and what I was trying to say was this: isn’t all of that information readily available on the shaver handle itself? When I pick up the shaver it tells me the battery level. I’m guessing that when it is time to change out the blades, the shaver will beep at me like my older Prestige does. As for intense mode, all the modes (intense included) are available on the shaver body itself. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems like none of that information is therefore being lost by avoiding the app altogether. However ….
On the other hand, and this is where I’m genuinely confused, I know that the app allows for increasing the motor speed from intense to a sort of super intense. Therefore, since the app actually affects the shaver’s motor speed (and not just provides information) that means I have to rethink my current position of not allowing it and listen to you. ;-)
BTW: following your description it would seem like you and I are operating our shavers almost identically (i.e. shave, quick pod cleaning, leave to dry… although I do remove mine after an hour or so and open the head to let it dry). Other than my not using the light rings (I just don’t need them and they help deplete the battery), we’re pretty much in the same boat. The truth is, I’m really enjoying the shaver and in all likelihood, I’ll be keeping it. :-) I’m just currently going through that “making it mine” stage.
Wayne
Much of what you said is available on the shaver, but it’s harder for me to see there. I prefer looking in the app. You still will need the app to keep firmware updated
Hey Wayne,
That is correct, with the exception of the Custom mode: you can only set the maximum speed (which is a bit higher than Intense) via the app. I don’t think it makes a big difference to my shave, but I guess it’s more of a psychological thing, at least for me.
@Jay I think that’s a valid point too, some of the stuff is a bit fiddly on the shaver vs the app.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu and Jay: What does it mean by an updated firmware? In what manner would (or could) that affect the shaver itself? I’m not talking about information because by and large, I don’t really care about the information (i.e. my motions, the shave’s duration, the pressure exerted, tips and tricks.. none of this matters to me). And given that I almost never take the shaver past “regular” in terms of the motor’s speed (and certainly I’d seldom if ever go into an intense setting), I can’t see that the app is providing anything necessary to my shave. But… I’m willing to admit that I could be wrong “if” a firmware upgrade did something to the shaver body apart from information. So, I’m willing to learn.
Update: Man, I love this shaver and I love the UV case. Yeah.. the very thing I thought I’d never use. Having turned off the pressure lights and uninstalled the app, I use approximately 3% per shave and I like that. Secondly, the shave is better than my first generation Prestige 9000. As for the UV, this is how I’ve been using it. Once the shaver has cycled through the cleaning pod and then aired to dry (usually good to go by noon), I’ve popped it into the UV and it’s fully charged and sanitized within an hour. I’m figuring going forward I’ll probably do this once a week, say on a Sunday. Hey, they bundled it (I would not have bought it otherwise) and I’m now liking it so why not? :-)
Hey Wayne,
That’s awesome :-) and I’m not surprised you like the shaver, it really is a fantastic rotary despite some of the flaws.
Regarding the firmware, you can think of it as a piece of software residing on the shaver’s memory that controls everything about it, including the way your shaver interacts with your phone. When paired, the shaver remains in a state of partial wakefulness (probably not the best term), so it’s not completely off as it must constantly scan for data packages sent via Bluetooth. If this is not done in an efficient manner, it will drain the battery, just like it happened with your shaver. The updated firmware most likely improved this protocol, maybe even addressed some bugs and the shaver stays asleep a lot more.
And while the firmware also controls other aspects of the shaver, the updates are almost certainly related to the app and the way it communicates with the phone. And since you won’t be using it, you’re not missing out on anything, as the shaver itself (ie the way it shaves) won’t be improved after a firmware update.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu: I think we’re finally on the same page. All this time I’ve been reading “past” what you’ve been communicating. Whereas firmware updates are important for those who want to be able to adjust speed levels on the motor (something I don’t want) and for those who want updates on their shaving stats (time to replace blades, time to replace cleaning pod cartridges, etc), for someone like myself, it really isn’t necessary and I can safely forego installing the app.
I’m really very happy with the shaver and as mentioned previously (and surprisingly) the UV case. It’s definitely a keeper. Thanks for your patience in communicating this information to me.
You are very welcome, Wayne. You summarized it perfectly.
Glad you’re enjoying the new shaver and complimentary case.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Final Update: I’ve been using the shaver now on intense mode (which is new for me) for the past few days and on average my battery usage is between 3 and 4% depending, of course, on the time of my shave (which is generally 5 minutes). In other words, the battery usage is on a par with all of my other Norelcos. And given that it provides a very good shave, came with an extra set of blades as well as the UV case and that Costco had knocked off $100 (sadly the sale has now ended), it’s a definite keeper. I’m very happy with it.
Glad You like it. Hope it becomes your default.
Glad you like it.
Thank you, Jay. It is definitely my default shaver. With the exception of the older s9000 Prestige and the much older 9723 that I still love, the other shavers have been packed away and will ultimately make it to family and eventually Goodwill. Three rotaries are still plenty (actually, a bit ridiculous that I have so many shavers) but I have them so I’ll use them on occasion. But for most days it’s the Ultra and yeah… I really do love this shaver.
That was a great buy in every aspect, Wayne. Enjoy your Prestige Ultra. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu. Whenever I get a guilty feeling I blame my shaver purchases on you. My wife just rolls her eyes but the truth is, she has countless hair irons and blowers etc etc. :-)
Haha, no worries, happy to take the blame. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, I shave every two days for a clean-shaven look. I recently bought the Philips 5887; it works great on my cheeks, but it struggles with the chin area and leaves some hair behind. Would upgrading to the Philips 9000 Prestige or the Braun Series 9 Pro solve this issue? I’d appreciate your help.
Hi Ezi,
A 9000 Prestige or Prestige Ultra will come with better dual-track heads and a bit more power, but that won’t necessarily solve the problem if the issue is shaving the chin area that has this rectangular/pointy shape. The head unit of the Prestige is very similar to that of your shaver, so it might struggle as well. In my case, using a rotary on my chin is more tricky vs a foil shaver simply because of the shape of the area I’m trying to shave (my chin), and not because of the actual stubble.
Try to tackle the chin area in smaller bits, keeping the skin taut and using for example two of the three heads and using short, controlled circular and linear strokes. There’s a big area at the center of the shaving head that doesn’t do any cutting, and if your chin is a bit more bony, it will leave some hairs behind. That’s why using one or two of the heads might work better.
Have you used other shavers before you got your Philips Series 5000? If so, can you tell me the model and if the results were any better?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have found this shaver causes small red dots all around the chin area whether dry shaving, using Cremo sensitive shave cream , or using Speick pre electric shave. Even after about 10 weeks getting used to it, it has improved, but still a plateau of irritation around the chin area. Previously was using a Braun 7 series 360 flex, which provided a great shave, but was tired of the whiskers ending up everywhere. Was between this and a Braun series 8. Should have known better as I had a Philips mid range rotary shaver with the built in Nivea cream about ten years ago that did the same to my skin.
At this point should I just go back to the 7 series and save for the 8? Rotary just does not seem to agree with my skin type.
By the way thank you for this website. By far the best shaver website out there.
Hey Daniel,
Thank you so much for the comment.
That specific pattern of irritation is probably an indication that your skin, facial hair and even technique don’t get along well with a rotary. Less pressure and slower strokes could improve the results, but probably not to the point where you’ll be satisfied with the shaver. A rotary blade spins slower and with the wider gaps in the guard, this can lead to those tiny nicks, especially if your skin is thinner (I now it sounds a bit odd, but I have the same problem, though I can still get a good shave with a mild rotary).
Aside from the Series 8 which should be an upgrade from your S7 360 Flex, check out the Series 9 as well, maybe you can get a great deal on the Sport+ models. Those can sometimes cost even less than the Series 8.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I’m reaching out because I could use your expertise regarding my experience with the Philips Prestige Ultra shaver. I’ve been a regular on this website and have really appreciated the helpful posts. As a shaver enthusiast, I have used the Braun Series 9 Pro for years, the Panasonic Arc 6 for about a year and a half, and I recently purchased the Philips Prestige Ultra just a few months ago.
While I’ve had smooth experiences with both the Braun and Panasonic shavers no biting and cuts and I’ve been encountering a burning sensation and cuts after using the Philips Prestige Ultra. The burning sensation can last until the evening, which is quite uncomfortable. I’ve also been using Speick preshave, which has worked well with my other shavers, so I’m unsure why I’m experiencing these issues with the Philips.
Any insights or advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!
Best regards,
Vishal
From India
Hi Vishal,
Thank you so much for the comment.
While there’s a small chance you could improve your shave with the Prestige Ultra, I think that your skin, facial hair and technique just don’t get along well with rotaries. Less pressure and slower, more controlled strokes could (partially ) alleviate some of the discomfort and razor burn, but it’s unlikely you will get rid of it entirely.
I had similar issues with most of the rotaries I’ve used in the past, and it’s mainly the result of having very thin, dry and sensitive skin (in my case). The current rotaries, especially the ones with a single-blade design and even the double-edge ones like the Prestige Ultra are more forgiving and milder than the older generations, so I’m able to get a good shave with minimal irritation. But I always have to be more careful and mindful of pressure than I would be when using a Braun foil shaver, for example.
I wish I could have given you some better news, but the issue is caused by the very way rotaries work. Slow rotational speed, wider slots/gaps in the guards and the innate grabby nature of rotary blades cannot be completely overcome by a few tweaks if your skin is very prone to irritation when using this type of shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
I am having some issues with my shaver. I9000 Ultra. I changed my cleaning cartridge and it suddenly sounds much louder when cleaning.
The other issue is a build up of white gunk in the well of the QC pod. Surrounding the pin in the center. How do I clean the top? Just rinse it?
Lastly there is now a bit of a grinding noise when I shave. Almost clicking. Time for a new shaver? It still shaves close.
My shaver is the Prestige I9000 Ultra. C
Hi Jay,
I would rinse the pod lid and maybe use something like a small brush/toothbrush to remove all the buildup around the center shaft.
Does the shaver still make a grinding noise when you just turn it on and let it run (without shaving)? What about when you turn it on with the head open, so the three shafts spin freely without driving the blades?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
The grinding seems to be refused. The change cartridge icon still appears with a new cartridge.
Ovidiu
I keep getting a change cartridge icon on my shaver. This is a new icon. What is the issue? Can I ignore it?
Jay
The grinding is markedly less.
When I open the head, things spin freely with no grinding.
Hi Jay,
This would point to a potential issue with the three heads, not with the shaver. Maybe they don’t sit right in the holders, or there’s somewear on the plastic hubs etc. For how long have you been using them? Did you ever take them out to clean them?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
I havr been using the shaver for a year. I clean it daily in the pod. I have never taken the heads out yo clean.
Absolutely, you can ignore, and it should eventually disappear anyway.
Ovidiu
The new cartridge icon keeps coming up after a clean.
This is a new cartridge
Wayne
Do you like your new shaver? Mine is dying and I just ordered the model with the charging case. The latest part of the fiasco is my shaver lost its cartridge count.
Hi, Jay. I’m very sorry to hear about your shaver. I hope you can get something for it from Philips, particularly with their warranty. Hopefully the new one with the charging case will fit your needs better. Yes, Jay, I like my shaver. I pretty much use it every day but remember… I also have an older 9721 and the newer S9000 Prestige so I try to work them into my routine as well. There is no question in my mind but that the i9000 Prestige Ultra is the best electric shaver Philips currently makes. Mine has delivered great shaves so far so I’ve no complaints. As for the charging case, I like it but I would not have purchased it as an accessory. It came with the Costco bundle so I had little choice. I use it about once every other week. It’s far too heavy and cumbersome to take on any trip but it sits under my sink until I need it and then I put it on the counter and let it do its thing which I guess is sanitize and charge. I’ve had to charge the case twice now. I’m thinking that going forward I might just pull it out when needed, plug it in and then drop in the shaver but who knows… probably not necessary. I think you’ll like the set, Jay.
Ovidiu
When I put the shaver in the pod, it goes through the motions but nothing happens. It comes out dry as a bone. No fluid moves through.
Hi Jay,
This is actually very relevant. So when the shaver is in the pod and goes through the cleaning process, there’s that loud grinding sound and there’s no fluid coming through? That would point to the a failure of the pod shaft, that tiny piece in the center of the pod that splines into the small metal piece on the shaver head. Maybe it’s worn out or there’s something wrong with the inner impeller. Since the shaver is still under warranty, I think you should contact Philips support, they’re usually very helpful and would send you a replacement pod.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
New shaver arrived. I set it up and updated firmware. It has the UV case. Hopefully it will have no problems.
Hi Jay,
Glad it arrived already, hope you’ll enjoy using it. I think the old one still viable, maybe with a new pod or new heads. You could try it with the new pod and see if the grinding sound is gone.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks. I went through 3 pods. I have no room for extra shavers. Thanks for all your help.
The grinding sound vanished a few days ago. Just no fluid going through.
Wow! You’re quick on the replacement. Is there a chance that Philips might give a partial re-imbursement or repair the shaver so you can use it as a backup. I hope you’ll find the new shaver and charging case to your liking.
Wayne. I have no room for backup shavers, so I would just as soon throw it out.
Do you let your shaver air dry before putting it back in the QC pod? Have you used the UV case?
Wayne
I purchased from Amazon
Hi, Jay. I see your problem with a lack of space. You have to find what works best for you. I have the room so what I do wouldn’t be helpful in your situation. Ovidiu’s answer of just leaving it in the pod seems like the best. I use the UV case every other week to sanitize and charge it. Since I have no intention of using it while traveling, I leave the UV case plugged in. It usually takes an hour and then I’m good to go. Between you and me, I still think it’s sort of gimmicky but I use it since I have it.
Ovidiu
Should I air dry the shaver before putting it back in the QC pod?
Hi Jay,
Air drying the shaver after cleaning it with the pod? So you would run the cleaning program, remove it and air dry it and then put it back in the pod? That would be ideal, although seems a bit of a hassle. You could just let it sit in the pod if that’s more convenient.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks
Any idea if one can purchase a spare QC pod?
I’m fairly certain Philips do not sell the pod as an accessory, Jay. I checked this out on FB with Philips and was told this. There are 3rd party pods available on Amazon that essentially do the same thing. You might want to take a look there.
Phillips does cell it through their parts supplier but they make the transaction almost impossible to complete. I gave up. The easiest thing is for me to keep it in the pod as Ovidiu suggests.
Ovidiu
Keeping it in the pod would be more convenient, but would it harm the pod? I don’t want to “gunk up” the pod as I did with the last one.
Hi Jay,
Normally it shouldn’t damage the pod, and even the gunk can be cleaned. But because the head is large, and the fluid foams up a lot and there’s no alcohol, it would take a lot of time for the moisture to evaporate completely. If that’s not a major inconvenience (the head isn’t too damp the next time you shave), you can leave it in the pod if there’s no alternative.
I don’t think you can buy the pod directly from Philips, but I have seen them sold on eBay for example. Maybe even on Encompass, though they may not sell them to final users (only to suppliers).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
Will letting it just sit in the pod w/o air drying, damage the pod?
My guess is, no… it shouldn’t damage the pod. But it will not allow your shaver’s head to completely dry out by next morning. I usually leave it in the pod for the first hour and then remove it to air dry with the head popped open to the air. That way it is nice and dry by morning. If there’s no room in the bathroom, what about laying it to rest on a bedroom table?
Wayne
To do what you suggest requires repeated moving stuff around like the water flosser and toothbrush. Keeping in the pod is easier. Thanks for all your help.
Hey Jay.
I’m a bit confused about the QC pod, when you mentioned that you wondered whether it was available as an accessory to be sold from Philips. I have the older QC pod from the S9000 Prestige and it works fine with the newer i9000 Ultra. I wondered, myself, whether the newer QC pod would be available as a separate purchase through Philips and was told that it was not “at this time” with an emphasis on the probability that it would never be made available outside of purchasing it through a bundle. Seems sort of stupid to me, but hey… what do I know. What I DO know is that since Philips is unlikely to make it available, the third-party purchase from Amazon should work just fine…and it runs about $25.
Correction: the seller claims it will not with the Ultra.
My initial battery life was not great on my new Ultra was not great. Setting it up and doing the firmware upgrade took its toll. I hope it improves.
Wayne
I am confused. So the Amazon option won’t work with the Ultrs?
Here’s my belief, Jay, regarding the Ultra and its accessories. First off, in spite of my previous statements regarding my love for my older 9721 (or is it 9723, I can’t remember) and my first version Prestige s9000. In comparison to the Ultra, they’re good but not “as good” and do not deliver quite the same shave (but close). So your Ultra is as good as it gets in terms of a rotary shaver. As for the Quick Clean pod, it’s obvious that Ovidiu is correct and not the seller (I was just telling you what the seller “claimed” was the case… that it would not work with the Ultra). Both Ovidiu and I are here to tell you that the original Quick Clean pod most certainly “does” work with the Ultra.. we’ve both tested it out and it most certainly works. So, you can rest assured that you can always buy a backup QC pod from Amazon as I originally stated and ignore what the seller claimed. I’m guessing he simply consulted a manual which stated such and such and did not test it out as we did. Finally, as for battery life, I guess you have to do what you have to do… install the app. I have tried the app on two separate occasions and that includes its updated version and in both instances found that my shaver’s battery drained faster than I wanted it to drain. There is nothing about the app that I want or need. I don’t play around with settings… I don’t want or need a pressure sensitive light ring… I don’t want or need to bump the shaver’s speed up to super intense (I’m fine with what the shaver’s handle allows… regular or intense)… I don’t need the shaver’s app to track my motions since I know how to shave… and I don’t want or need Philips to store my information (yeah, it’s a privacy issue and Philips don’t need to know me that well). I don’t want or need the app to tell me when to change the blades… I will know based upon feel and based upon time (i.e. I should get 18 months or close to it so I’ll know when to swap them out). The app provides absolutely nothing of value to me and at the same time the app drains my battery in spite of what Philips claims to the contrary and that, as I’ve said, includes the updated version of the app. It’s like my Sonicare toothbrush and my Oral-B toothbrush. I don’t need their apps to tell me how to brush my teeth. And yes… that app discharges the toothbrush battery faster than it would discharge without the app. That’s my two cents, Jay. :-)
Many thanks for the extensive write-up, Wayne — great info as usual. I can again confirm that the original Pod does work with the Prestige Ultra. It is a bit different than the new one (the inner part of the well/lid), so it would accommodate the new squircle heads of the Prestige Ultra perfectly, but the shaver still fits fine in the old one. As long as it’s stable and the Pod shaft fits nicely into that tiny piece at the center, it should work just fine. It is after all a very basic device, not a fully automatic cleaning system.
@Jay after the firmware update the battery life should be improved as well, in my case it made a huge difference as the app would drain the battery while the shaver was idle.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
The battery on my new Ultra is so far not great. I charged the shaver yesterday morning to 100%. This morning, it was at 78%. It just sat in the QC pod.
Hi Jay. This is what mystifies me: why deplete the battery on your shaver for an app that is essentially duplicated in the handle of the shaver itself? Almost everything the app brings to the table, the shaver itself can provide. And for the few things that only the app can provide, is this really a deal breaker (i.e. that the user absolutely has to have the app)? When I charged my shaver last night and went to bed it read 100%. This morning when I picked up my shaver it read 100%. When my shave was finished it read 97% (about a four minute shave which is standard timing for me). There’s no unnecessary light ring show. There’s no feedback on motion or pressure and frankly, other than a newbie, who needs it? There’s no indication of how many more shaves before I need to change the cartridge in the QC pod. I have eyes and can see by its level and cloudiness when I need to change it out. I don’t need an app to inform me of when I need new blades. The shaver’s handle will tell me and besides that… I can feel if the shave is not as close and comfortable as it once was along with the fact that I know when I bought the shaver and how long I’ve been shaving with it. All of this information that is provided by the app is essentially redundant with a few minor exceptions (i.e. super intense custom setting that very few would benefit from). If I were you I would uninstall the app and try it for a few weeks to see what it’s like. The first thing that is going to stand out is the simple fact that your shaver’s battery will last much longer on its charge and that’s a very good thing.
Hi Jay,
So it just went down from 100% to 78% without being used at all? If so, that is indeed not great. The firmware versions vary (for different models and different regions/countries) and updates aren’t rolled out at the same time. For example, I had to wait for more than 1 year to finally get the fix (I have a European shaver model). It might just be that the firmware you got didn’t include the battery fix.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
The updated firmware that got installed, evidently did not include the battery fix. Can I do anything?
Hi Jay,
I don’t think so, I’m afraid. Hopefully the next update won’t take too long until it drops.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
I spoke to Norelco support. They acknowledged the issue and had no idea when the next firmware will be.
I’m sorry about this, Jay. I think Philips didn’t manage the whole situation very well, as there is a lot of fragmentation with these updates. You really don’t know when you’ll be getting it as it varies for every model and region. Some got a fix right after the Prestige Ultra was launched, while others (like myself) had to wait for another year. But the updates do seem more frequent for the USA models, so hopefully you won’t have to wait that long.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wayne
With my vision, I find it difficult to read what is on the shaver. Not impossible but very difficult. The app makes things easier. I regret the toll on my battery but such is life.
BTW, one of the reasons I am drawn to the Norelco Ultra, beyond its shaving quality, is that the QC pod, fits on my limited counter space. The Braun cleaning system does not fit. Even the former wireless charging Norelco pad fit.
I’m on your side, Jay. Just hoping that you’ll find what works for you. Sometimes I may make a suggestion but obviously my suggestions are based upon a lack of knowledge of your circumstances. We live in different surroundings and we have varying physical issues, in my case my hand is somewhat arthritic but I don’t mean to be complaining, just explaining. I “get it” now that you’ve described your vision and the difficulty of reading the icons on the shaver’s handle. The truth for me is actually this: I don’t bother even looking at those icons. I never change the settings… Regular setting for me all the way. I charge the shaver once a week regardless of what the percentage bar says… I simply don’t care. I toss the shaver into the UV case once every 2nd week just because I have it… and as I’ve said previously, if the bundle had not included it I wouldn’t have cared since I view it as a gimmick but since they sent it, I use it gimmick or not. I don’t even stand in front of the mirror but walk down to the guest room and gaze out on the morning sun rising; in other words, I shave more or less by feel since I’ve been shaving for close to 60 years now. An app for me would be a joke given that I don’t even bother with the shaver’s handle on a regular basis. I just don’t care. Like Ovidiu, I acquired a bunch of shavers more out of curiosity and boredom than anything else. Now they sit in a box gathering dust since I never use the foil shavers anymore. Lastly, I see most of this as marketing anyway. While the Ultra gives me the best shave out of all of my Norelcos, the truth is that any of my Norelcos give me an adequate shave and that should be good enough. My brother-in-law who has now passed, never shaved with a Norelco beyond the entry level model and he was perfectly satisfied. And money was no issue for him. He just found contentment in the entry level and that was the end of it. In fact, the shaver he had when he passed was an old one that he had repaired and bought blades from a hardware store when he bothered to remember. That’s what I’m hoping will eventually happen to me (i.e. to not care one iota about new models). Take care.
Thanks so much. The battery drain bothers me, but other than that, I am fine keeping it in the pod. I use the mirror in the “larger” bathroom. Larger is relative. Our coop is a sixty year old building when large bathrooms were not in fashion.
Not sure where you are (other than somewhere in New York) so I would imagine that housing is expensive and somewhat confined. A number of years ago daughter lived in New York.. the Burrough of Queens to be exact. Although I never visited her when she lived there, she informed me that her apartment was small and expensive for what would cost far less in a city located elsewhere. So again, I can imagine that given room restrictions your needs are different than mine. I hope the battery issue resolves itself for you.
Ovidiu
Reinstalling the app. Accepting all its defaults and re-pairing the shaver with the phone and app, seems to have solved the serious battery drain.
Also resetting the shaver helped
I am now losing about 7% a shave, with the battery holding steady between shaved. Much better than before.
Hi Jay,
That is great news! This type of fix is usually a long shot (in my case it didn’t work at all), so I’m glad you’re able to fully enjoy the new shaver. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m still mystified by the battery’s charge loss due to the app. Even at 7% this is more than double what I lose without the app installed. I would have thought that Philips would address this in a more comprehensive manner across the board (all countries and all models for which the app is used). I will also say that from my standpoint, I cannot see why the app is even important, particularly to an experienced shaver. I posted a few days back that everything I require is indicated on the shaver’s handle LCD screen. But truthfully, I don’t even bother with that since I don’t need it. I shave every day and I clean the shaver every day. I drop the shaver into the charger once a week irregardless of how much battery charge I have for the simple reason that I don’t car how much I have. Once a week I charge it and I’m good to go and therefore the percentage readout on the handle is unimportant to me. Even if I were traveling, it would be relatively meaningless to me since I’d toss a charging cord into my bag and charge it “once a week” anyway. As for the other information provided, none of this is necessary (blades are good for 18 months so I don’t need an indicator and furthermore, my face would tell me if the blades were growing dull). And as mentioned previously, the light show (pressure and motion) is completely unnecessary for an experienced shaver so its battery usage is superfluous. The shaver does one thing well – it shaves beautifully (close, comfortable and quiet) so what more could we want? Ovidiu… Jay… I’m sorry but I don’t get why you would want the app at all. Other than some information for a newbie, it’s more or less a gimmick. And bear in mind that Philips collects your information and what they do with it is questionable. I hope you opt out of their information collection if you are using the app. As I also mentioned some time back, both Oral-B and Sonicare have their apps as well. I would imagine that an inexperienced electric toothbrush user might find those apps helpful but in the long run I can imagine that they would discontinue the usage after an adjustment time due to the inconvenience. Watching a YT video on how to properly brush using an electric toothbrush is about all that is needed. It seems to me that most apps are of limited value, use up battery charge unnecessarily and can be overly distracting.
But all of this is just me expressing my head-scratching over why people still want to make use of these apps. One thing regarding app usage is to ensure that you read the EULA to familiarize yourself with what information is being collected (and possibly sold to others). We live in a world in which our privacy is very much in jeopardy. Given the control many governments are seeking to exert over the citizenry, the more we fly under their radar, the better as far as I’m concerned. And it starts with a thousand small cuts… as we give away more and more information and discover down the line that they “own” us.
Anyway… happy shaving.
Hi Wayne,
Those are all very fair points. I have however learned one thing after interacting with other users throughout years because of this platform (via tens of thousands of comments and emails): we sometimes perceive certain things very differently, case in point this app that many users find genuinely helpful. I personally use it just to set up my custom mode and to turn off the light show of the charging stand, but others, for example, enjoy the sensor/guidance.
There is a trend to ship a companion app with so many products nowadays and I can’t really blame Philips or any other brand for wanting to boost the sales because apparently it works.
Performance is fortunately great for this shaver, but some other aspects could be improved (price, a proper cleaning station, maybe even triple-track heads, USB-C). Again I think Philips takes advantage of its dominant position with virtually no competition in the high-end rotary segment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
These points that you bring up are certainly legitimate and I would concede that for certain groups of people, the app in question would be of benefit. As to the situation that you mentioned, I installed the app primarily to turn off the light show and check out the super intense setting. Then I uninstalled it a few days later and found that the light show remained “off”. A question for you: if I had left the setting as “super intense” and then uninstalled the app, would it have stayed in that setting in the same manner as the light show remaining off or would someone requiring the super intense setting be forced to keep the app permanently installed?
I follow trends in the automotive industry and have discovered that many options are now dependent upon subscription services and add-ons (i.e. “Oh, you want heated seats? We can turn that on for an extra fee.” The list is endless.). Cars, trucks, tractors are literally owner-unfixable due to the chips being placed in the vehicles. When there are software glitches, the vehicles will break down and cannot be repaired by the owner. It’s “planned” that way. Things are being marketed as “wonders” of technology but manufactured to either become obsolete or in need of repair/upgrade within a few years. You name any kitchen small or large appliance and you’ll find companies building in touch screens (i.e. refrigerators and “smart” toasters to name two). By and large, the appliances do not function as well as those with simpler, mechanical parts (i.e. Speed Queen clothes washers are simple and work without need for repair for decades as opposed to Samsung’s fancy, technological wonders that fail within a couple of years). Philips need to get back to building shavers with round heads which are far more efficient on the upper lip. They need to find a way to re-introduce the incorporated trimmer rather than have it as an add-on. And as you mentioned, triple track heads and a “real” cleaning station would be hugely beneficial to all shavers. Flashy apps may be useful for marketing but in the end they provide limited use for the typical shaver. Perhaps the only thing that would push Philips in this direction would be better competition.
Ovidiu
Do you leave the app on your phone after you set up the shaver?
This is essentially what I asked, Jay. When I installed the app, it was in order to check things out (and for the most part, I didn’t like what it provided) and also to turn off the light display. When I uninstalled the app, the shaver’s light show remained off, just as I had set it while having the app installed. I wondered what might have happened if I had set the super intense custom setting and then uninstalled the app. Would it have remained?
Hi Wayne,
Before I got the firmware update, the app would drain the battery very quickly, so I had to remove the shaver from the Bluetooth devices (same effect as uninstalling the app) and the Custom speed setting stayed, so that’s a good thing. The setting remains set in the shaver’s ROM until it’s updated again via the app.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Okay, Ovidiu. I guess I’m a little confused now (as usual, eh! haha). It sounded to me from the get-go that the only thing the app provided for you of value was the ability to customize the shaver’s speed setting (i.e. to super intense). And now you seem to be confirming the fact that once that setting is made, you can safely uninstall the app but keep that super intensity setting. If that is the case then my question would be: why bother keeping the app installed at all given the fact that some battery drain still occurs, albeit an insignificant amount?
Great observation, Wayne. Normally I would probably just uninstall it. But there are three main reasons why I’m still using it. First, I will probably be reviewing some other (newer) Norelcos and many of them have Bluetooth connectivity, so having the app already installed is more convenient.
Then there are the older Norelcos I already have, I like to check for new firmware updates, get an idea of the frequency and see if there are any new features, maybe something worth mentioning in an older review (for example, my Series 7000 which was the first model with the angular heads).
Finally, I sometimes get emails or comments about something that is app related, so it’s very convenient to have it installed so I can try and replicate the issue.
Having to install it repeatedly, sign in, set everything up etc. would be more annoying than the minor battery drain.
That’s pretty much it, but my use case is probably not the most relevant. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Jay,
Yes, now that the drain is marginal/insignificant (after the firmware update), I don’t have to mess with the app or remove the shaver from the Bluetooth devices.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
I lose about 8% when I shave and then clean the shaver. I don’t lose anything between shaves. Is this to be expected?
Ovidiu
When I refer to “cleaning the shaver” I mean with the QC pod.
Hi Jay,
8% is very reasonable for a complete shave + pod cleaning. In fact, it’s excellent, nothing to worry about.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
But, Ovidiu. At that rate of battery discharge you would lose 84% within a week. That doesn’t sound good to me. I want to be able to get three weeks out of my shaver and that can be done minus the app.
Hi Wayne,
From what I understand, Jay loses around 7-8% per shave + cleaning, without any battery drain while idling (between shaves). That would be ~56% per week which is actually very good (in the context of shaving every single day). None of my foil shavers for example would be able to achieve that. The consumption during the actual shave is not influenced by the app to a measurable degree, so it just comes down to the actual duration of the shave (the most important factor), stubble thickness, and speed settings and all these vary from one user to another. In some cases, especially when the shave takes longer, it would just not be possible to get 3 weeks on a single charge.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Got it. Thanks.
Ovidiu
If I shave every day, will the Regular mode be ok?
Regular setting for daily shaves, Ovidiu?
Regular is the only setting I ever use and the results are excellent.
Thanks Wayne
I am thinking of switching from Intense to Regular since I shave daily.
I shave every day as well, Jay. Intense would be overkill for me and would likely end in trouble for my skin. It’s at least worth a shot on your part. Take care.
Hi Jay,
Just like Wayne said, Regular would be perfectly fine for daily use.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Wayne and Ovidiu. I’ve switched to regular. Easier on the battery as well as my face.
Now if only “I” would install the app we’d be sailing the Norelco seas together, eh?! haha…
Happy shaving, Jay.
Wayne
One does the best they can. I find the app a necessity. In fairness, the more important issue for me is shaver longevity. I have never gotten more than two years from any electric shaver. Be it Norelco or Braun. I have found Norelco to be better than Braun regarding longevity. I also find the cost of operation to be better. If only the shaver would last. A big plus is their new 7 year warranty.
Good morning, Jay.
I guess you’ve been unlucky with your shavers and yeah, it can happen. I’ve mentioned my now departed brother in-law who only used Norelcos his entire life and always the entry or one step above entry level. He had his shavers for years… honestly, years before his wife (my sister) finally insisted that Santa bring him a new one. Right now I have a ten year old 9721 Norelco and it operates as well as it did on day one. The only issue I have is the sticky surface so I wrapped it in medical tape and it’s good to go. I also have a 8900 which is about five years (or six, I lose count) and it’s as good as new. This summer I’ll turn 80, Jay, (God willing) and I fully expect my new Prestige Ultra to last me (I hate to say for the duration so I’ll say… a goodly number of serviceable years ahead). Are you throwing your shaver at the wife? haha… C’mon, Jay… you’ve got to be doing something to your shavers unless you’re really unlucky. I get it that you need the app (sight) but I honestly don’t. And frankly, I don’t believe most men who know how to shave with a rotary shaver actually need (and would use) the app. And that’s how I feel about almost all apps (i.e. for electric toothbrushes). I find them to be gimmicky UNLESS the user honestly does not know how to use the device at hand. Even Ovidiu admitted that the difference between intense and super intense was negligible. He needs the app to keep forum users informed but my guess is that he would uninstall it as well if that were not the case. Why bleed battery (and yes, even with the upgrade you’re still losing twice the amount of charge that I lose in a day of shaving and cleaning). I guess this is an argument that won’t be settled since we have different needs. You (and Ovidiu) fall into a niche category of needs which I understand. I think that I’m more representative of the average guy… just wanting to get the shave done quickly and be on his way… no muss, no fuss and certainly no silly light show. Like I mentioned earlier, I don’t even look at the mirror half the time; I’m wandering down the hall to the guest room to look out the window towards the lake totally oblivious to the shaver itself, I suppose like the guy driving to work and shaving at the same time, eh? haha… Take care.
Wayne
My biggest problem has been with the QC pod. I am ok with the charging issue now. In fairness when a new Prestige model comes out, I am drawn to it. Even when I may not need it.
Okay… you’ve been caught, Jay. Like many of us, you want the latest and greatest. :-) Yeah… I definitely get it! haha… guilty as charged myself and I suspect many men here are the same. If you can afford it then why not. As for the QC pod, since Philips will not sell it as an accessory, why not order one of the third party ones from Amazon? They run about $25 and they should work just fine. I’m using the QC pod from the Prestige (not the Ultra) and it works just fine with my Ultra. This might solve your pod issue.
Wayne
If you read the reviews on Amazon. some say the third party model does not work. I can always buy and try. Not a big loss.
The one titled brand-ya should work. Plus there are free returns. It says it works with the 9000 series and I know mine works with my ultra. It’s worth a try in my opinion.
Ovidiu Thank you for such a comprehensive review – as a Braun 9 pro+ user, I decided to try the Ultra, having never used a rotary before I was sceptical. My first use using the suggested custom and fast blade speed gave me a superb close shave but took 13mins to achieve and some irritation and the basic trimmer is awful. Next shave I’ll try intense mode. I’ve tried arc 5 but find the Braun better, the ultra does shave close in fact closer than the Braun? Closeness on a par with the arc 5 I think – but I can’t have the irritation and I can’t use anything on my skin, maybe it’s a case of getting used to the rotary? Or am I fighting a lost cause
Hi Mark,
Thank you so much for the comment.
Seasoned rotary users or men with skin that can handle shaving with a more aggressive rotary are usually the ones that can get the most out of the Prestige Ultra. But I think the majority (myself included) would still need to deal with some issues, like the lengthy session or irritation. I am a foil guy and the Braun Series 9 and Panasonic Arc 6 are the shavers I use the most. If I were to try and get the same closeness with a rotary, I would definitely get some razor burn as I would have to be a lot more thorough and press harder. And in my casee, a rotary is a lot more aggressive in that scenario.
I think your experience with the Prestige Ultra can definitely get better, both in terms of comfort and how long it takes to shave (it’s only your first time using a rotary). It’s mostly about getting comfortable with the new way of shaving, learning about the subtleties of the shaver and making small tweaks (pressure, direction, straight and circular motions and so on). But to be perfectly honest, it’s unlikely it’ll get as good as your Braun at providing a close, fast and comfortable shave at the same time.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, Thank you for your honest and valuable answers, So I’m now a couple of shaves into ownership and …… I’m a fan! I tried “intense” mode and managed to get as good as the Braun in 7 minutes, used the trimmer in a different direct to the Braun and worked much better. Cleaning is easier and less time consuming so that’s the Braun in storage lol!! Have you any comment over battery charge? In five days I went from 100% to 39% with just two shaves – however in fairness it was connected to the app all the time, I’ve now set the travel lock each time I switch off and it “seems” better.
Hey Mark,
That’s awesome, what a major improvement! Glad you’re enjoying the new shaver.
The battery drain is quite significant for only two shaves, so I would blame it on the app. A complete reinstall and adding the shaver again might help, though the success of this fix seems to vary a lot. A firmware update should probably be available in the future to address precisely this issue. Different shaver models in different countries need specific firmware versions, so there’s a lot of inconsistency with the timeline of these updates.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Mark
I had the same problem. I uninstalled the shaver snd the app. I proceeded to answer all the Norelco default questions. I reinstalled the app. It then updated the firmware. I now lose 6-8% per shave. I shave daily and use the QC pod after each shave.
Always a great review! I appreciate the effort and honesty you put into these.
I’m curious if you had any thoughts of the i9000 performance vs. the (much older) SensoTouch 3D/1290x model. That was my gold standard for years and I used it until it could no longer function.
I switched to a Braun series 9 after that and now on my second Panasonic Arc5 (based off your reviews), but part of me really misses the shave I got from that SensoTouch 3D. Perhaps my memory is biased but I felt a rotatory always got my neck a little smoother than any of my foils.
My current Arc5 is still doing a good job, but I’m starting to check the market for replacements and considering trying a different style after 10 years.
Hi Colin,
Thank you so much for the comment.
That’s a great question but to honest I haven’t used a rotary fitted with RQ12 heads for years, so I can only offer a few insights from my recollection, not a recent side by side comparison.
To me, the SensoTouch 3D was always a bit too aggressive and grabby, but that was generally the trait that seasoned Norelco users appreciated because it was so effective at catching and cutting hair at skin level (SuperLift&Cut, with a wide gap between the double edges of the blade). The i9000 Prestige Ultra is (to my skin) much smoother, and definitely more forgiving and less irritating. The SH91 blades have a refined Lift&Cut system (smaller gap) which is a lot gentler. Most users, including long time rotary users, still find it very effective, though not as bitey as the SensoTouch 3D. I think it would still do a great job on the neck. And it is objectively the best rotary you can currently get.
Given your past experience with the SensoTouch 3D, I think the Prestige Ultra might be worth a try, especially if you can take advantage of that 45-day money back guarantee.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much! Yes the RQ12 were great (although aggressive) and when Norelco switched to the RQ12+, it just wasn’t the same. I recall seeing genuine replacement RQ12 heads selling for almost as much as the shaver.
I may give the i9000 a shot!
I love my i9000 Ultra. It’s great for the neck. I always did not like how the Braun handled my neck.
Colin
My comments about the neck
were intended for you
Thanks man! I had an earlier Braun series 9 that wasn’t really wet/dry (their idea of wet was water only and not with a cream) that honestly was bad on my neck. My Panasonic Arc 5 is pretty good dry, really good wet, but still leaves some to be desired. It’s been 10 years since I used a rotary shaver but they seem to get my neck better.
Ovidiu and Wayne
It charges slowly. About 1% a minute.
Wayne
How do I use the UV case?
Hi Jay,
To me that’s surprisingly good.
You just place the shaver in the case (make sure it’s dry) and close the lid. From what I know, the UV sanitation thing takes around 10 minutes, then the shaver simply continues charging. My unit didn’t came with the UV case, so there might be some other quirks that I don’t know about.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am also using the Norelco water flosser. Each had a cable and they seem to be identical.
I have the Norelco water flosser as well, Jay. Actually, I have both the regular Norelco water flosser with the reservoir that sits on top as well as the portable Norelco water flosser. My preference is for the portable since it does not take up much counter space. I use the wand with the quad tip rather than the classic tip. I like the way that wand splits the flow of the water into four little streams to pulse on my gums and the spaces between my teeth. I have the classic Waterpik as well but in truth, it’s too powerful for my sensitive gums so it sits on a shelf in the closet.
As for the UV case, Ovidiu pretty much described the manner in which I use it and always make certain it is perfectly dry. I generally use it once every second week to both sanitize and charge the shaver. I’m not sure how effective it is but since it came as a bundle, who cares. I like it. Glad you’re having success with your Norelco, Jay. :-)
Wayne
Can I use the same cable to charge the water flosser and the shaver?
Jay
Yes. The cable for the portable Philips water flosser also works with the Prestige Ultra i9000 and with the UV case. I did not check the regular Philips water flosser with the removable reservoir tank since I doubted that was the water flosser you’re talking about since you don’t have the counter space. So, that cable is interchangeable for you. :-)
Thanks Wayne
Wayne
I’m using the water flosser 3000. The cable works.
Jay
Well, a sad day for me and my i9000 Prestige Ultra. A few days ago it began making a strange noise and then it became apparent that one of the guards had slipped loose and allowed a blade to escape. I took it apart, replace it properly, cleaned it and then thought all was well. Not so much. Later that night I turned it on again and sure enough, the noise re-appeared. So, I removed the head and listened to the spindles while the shaver ran unhindered. There was a pulsing noise that I’d never heard previously. I thought… well, let’s check all the blades and guards again making certain everything is locked down and I’ll shave tomorrow morning which turned out to be – today. After about twenty seconds or so the noise returned. I removed the head and turned it back on and the handle sound had that pulsing noise. Conclusion? I’m done with it. I put in for a return to Costco for a refund rather than a replacement. I still have several Norelcos and the previous Prestige so I’m good to go. I’ll await the next re-iteration of Norelco however long that might take. Disappointed yeah… but not entirely surprised. I have to wonder whether the slight difference in the quick cleaning pod contributed to throwing something off over the past four months. Who can say? I find it odd (and frustrating) that Philips do not sell the proper QC pod as an accessory, particularly when some of the bundles (i.e. the one from Costco) do not contain that accessory. I did not want the UV charger… regardless of its value over the much cheaper QC pod. I wanted the proper pod. I’m wondering it the center spindle in the newer pod was just a tad different to screw things up over time. Who can say? At this point, I don’t really care. I’ll get my refund and resume shaving with the older Norelcos (with some extra change in my pocket). ;-)
Addendum: Amazon have a sale on right now for the silver i9000 Prestige Ultra which contains both the travel case and the QC pod at the exact same price that Costco had my returned bundle. So, why not? I ordered it (like a fool, no doubt) and it will arrive tomorrow. Hey, it’s what I do… right Jay? right Ovidiu? You’re both as crazy as I am with shavers so there you go. I also swapped out the bronze color for the nicer silver.
Right, Wayne! Buying another one is always the answer. :-)
In all seriousness, I’m sorry for the trouble you’ve had with that shaver. And just my 2 cents, I don’t think it had anything to do with the Pod you’ve been using. The only real difference between your Pod and the new one is the shape of the inside part of the lid that fits snuggly on the more rounded heads of the Prestige Ultra. Of course, the manufacturer can say that this qualifies as improper use, as it was not an official accessory. But in my opinion it was just bad luck that it failed prematurely.
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new silver Prestige!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
“Buying another one is ALWAYS the answer.” haha
My wife, thankfully, is both long-suffering and easily amused. She finds my predicaments bewildering but predictable. She knew, as did I, that I would not sit for several months to a year waiting for Philips to get its collective head out of its derriere and release a better flagship model. And twisting my older first generation Prestige 9000 in order to shave under my nose is a royal pain when you have arthritic hands, particularly made bad in the early morning. We older guys need time (and coffee) to limber up. So… tomorrow we’ll fire up the new one, complete with a QC pod and a travel case, which the Costco version did not provide. Go figure about these nutty bundles that Costco gets. Anyway, thanks for your support. :-)
Wayne, it’s always a pleasure to read your comments. This one made me chuckle. Btw, I too need coffee (lots of it) to limber up. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Frustrating news: My new shaver bundle arrived. Opened it and immediately loved the silver finish. Registered the shaver. Began the charging session. Meanwhile I opened the new QC pod and decided to open the cleaning cartridge to place into the pod for tomorrow morning’s shave. Problem! To quote Lost in Space: “Danger, Will Robinson.” Can you guess what I found? The cartridge was not sealed under its lid. In fact, the bottom of the cartridge was somewhat wet. Well, that’s a red flag if there ever was one. So I held the cartridge up to the light and sure enough, it was not only cloudy in appearance but there was a lot of sediment floating at the bottom. Obviously the cartridge had been previously opened and used (I’m assuming with this so-called “new” shaver) and then the Norelco bundle (for some reason) returned to Amazon for a refund or whatever. Amazon evidently did not check the contents but simply placed it on the shelf to send out as a new shaver bundle to the next unwary purchaser (me)! I contacted Amazon and they assured me a new one would be sent out tomorrow and to repack and return the one I had received. I also had to go onto the Philips site and remove that shaver which I had registered. All in all… not a good day. Whereas I’m thankful that Amazon immediately honored my request and corrected their mistake, I’m still left with doubts as to how much I can trust them going forward. I’ve read of this happening to others but it’s my first time experiencing it for myself. Can you believe that my wife had to calm me down!? She’s going to cook a good dinner tonight to soothe my frazzled nerves.
Well: “All’s well that ends well” eh? To quote Wm Shakespeare.
I can totally understand the frustration, Wayne. Amazon is however outstanding (personal experience) when it comes to returns or replacements. I know these things happen every once in a while, I guess it’s inevitable with that amount of orders and returns.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
If you thought the story was over, you’re in for a surprise. When I packaged everything up to be returned, I noticed this morning that my charging disk was missing. How did that come about? Here’s the simple truth: Amazon did NOT check the box that they sent out to me as a new purchase. They simply visually examined it without opening boxes inside and swapped out the shaver for a new one. That is why I found a dirty, open cartridge and why when I packed all the items, my charging disk/stand was placed in one of the empty boxes. It’s not such a big deal since they will be sending me a “complete” package today and after all, how many charging disks does a person need? But it “is” another black eye for quality control at Amazon. I should call them and let them know what a rotten job they’re doing in the warehouse.
Last update and explanation. You’ll recall that I also have the s9000 Prestige that is a year older. It came with the charging stand which I’ve mentioned above. I think that all Prestige models comes with this circular stand. When I opened my shipment yesterday I removed the shaver, registered it and then knowing that I had the charging stand upstairs in my bathroom I just took it there and began its charge. When I went back to the box of accessories, I pulled out a few (nose trimmer, sideburn trimmer, travel case but I failed to check the box that was supposed to contain the charging stand. When I discovered the open and dirty cartridge, it was at that point that I contacted Amazon and began repacking everything, including my old charging stand which I had forgotten was to the s9000. The fact that the box was empty for it only confirmed to me that it belonged with the new Ultra that was being sent back. It simply means that Amazon had sent to me a bundle containing used and missing accessories but had likely swapped out the shaver for a new one. This morning I spoke with a support person who offered a gift card to make up for the missing charging stand and my mistakenly giving them my old one. It was a nice gesture. And now… that hopefully is the end of the story.
Wayne
Sorry to hear your woes. FWIW, I never use the circular charging stand. I find the shaver very unstable on the stand. I kept mine just in case but again never use it. I don’t worry about air drying. I just leave the shaver in the QC pod. Also, I keep a few spare cartridges, incase one is defective.
Thanks , Jay. Still awaiting the delivery today. This is now the second Norelco i9000 that I’ve had to remove from registration and essentially start over. I don’t want to blame the Amazon workers since I don’t know the pressure they’re under to do things quickly. All of this may be the result of speed and resultant errors. I’ll keep you updated. Hey, it makes for an interesting story, eh?!
That is unfortunate, Wayne, I’m sorry about your charger. This new shaver has to be trouble-free.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The shaver bundle arrived yesterday evening and I carefully check each item inside. All appeared clean, new and in order. Shaver was registered. App downloaded (yes… I went ahead and did it) and it immediately asked to update which proved successful. I charged it and decided to see how things went overnight. This morning the shaver told me that “no” charge had been lost during the night hours. Yessss. Great shave this morning and the cleaning pod worked fine. It would appear, Ovidiu (and Jay) that all is well here. The end (I hope…haha). As for Amazon, I had a lengthy discussion with a supporter personnel (no doubt in Bombay from the sound of things) who understood my concerns. I tried not to lay blame on the workers since I don’t know their circumstances. But I emphasized that even large corporations can collapse by a thousand cuts so it doesn’t take something catastrophic… just negligence which eventually turns customers away to other pastures. Hopefully the message was passed upstairs.
Glad it all worked out, Wayne. The update must have fixed the parasitic battery drain too. Happy shaving! :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wayne
Glad it all worked out too.
Thanks, Jay.
:-)
Do not update the i9000 ultra to the latest firmware. It has a bug that disables the ability to set shaver speed or the light. I called Phillips support and they confirmed this is a firmware update bug (why they are still pushing out the firmware is odd).
Mark,
Many thanks for the heads up. Can you by any chance post the exact model of your i9000 Prestige Ultra? The thing is that different models in different countries receive different firmware versions at different times. For example, the latest firmware for your shaver is different than the latest firmware for my European Prestige Ultra.
Sincerely,
Ovdiu
Hi Ovidiu
Sometimes the top of the QC pod gets white coating. Can that be rinsed? I leave my shaver in the QC pod to drain. Is there a better way of doing things?
Hi Jay,
You can of course rinse the lid, there’s nothing really that can break since the pod is such a simple device. The white coating will continue to form as the liquid drains from the shaving head and evaporates and leaves that residue film. I think it’s a minor inconvenient overall. If you don’t leave the shaver in the pod it will probably form less often, but I understand it’s more convenient for you to just leave the shaver in the pod. I think you can continue to do that.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks very much
Hi Ovidiu,
Do you know anything about Philips SH93 shaving heads?
On the Dutch (Netherlands) Philips shop the SH93 is mentioned as replacement parts for some of the i9000 Prestige Ultra’s (strangely enough with some others from the same series the SH91 is mentioned)
Hi Thomas,
There’s actually an SH92 as well, so we have three part numbers for the same heads: SH91, SH92, SH93. From everything I’ve been able to find, these are just market- or region-specific references, so you can safely buy any of them for the Prestige Ultra as they are the same.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Ah that clears things up. Thanks!
KR,
Thomas
Hi Ovidiu
My shaver often spontaneously starts a quick clean cycle without my pressing the button. It happens when I access the app. It is very quick. However it lowers the cartridge count. What can I do?
Hi Jay,
When this happens, is the shaver in the pod, upside down and perfectly still? Or it doesn’t matter and the cycle would still be triggered anyway when accessing the app?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
It happens when the shaver is in the pod and upside down and I am in the bedroom and just happen to access the app. Thanks.
Ovidiu
Shaver is perfectly still.
Hi Jay,
This points to a software bug, so it will most likely be addressed with an app or firmware update in the future. In the meantime, you could try to remove the shaver from the Bluetooth settings and then pair it again with the GroomTribe app. It might fix the issue and it’s pretty much the only thing you can do until they patch the bug.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
A firmware update did not solve the problem. However it is happening less often.
Hi Jay,
Thanks for the follow-up; I guess it’s better than nothing. There will probably be further testing and user feedback and the bug will be fully addressed with another firmware release.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
New firmware update dis not address the issue.
Firmware upgrade did not solve the problem.
Hi Jay,
Sorry about that, there will probably be further testing and user feedback, and the bug will be fully addressed with another firmware release.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu