The Samsung Galaxy S4 was 2013’s top selling phone, but for many people both the size and the price tag were too high. Samsung thankfully brought out a version of the S4 with a more reasonably sized screen and cost, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini. The phone features the same design and many of the same features as the larger S4, but with a price tag around a third lower.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is a powerful little phone, even if the tech specs don’t match up with those on its bigger brother the Samsung Galaxy S4. The phone utilises a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 dual-core 1.7 GHz processor which really punches above its weight, especially when combined with the 1.5 GB RAM and Adreno 305 graphics. While these aren’t top of the range specs, they’ll run fast enough for almost any app to perform well.Next page
Display
Despite the ‘Mini’ moniker, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is actually bigger than the latest iPhone. Measuring 4.3 inches in diameter this screen is still big enough to watch movies or browse the web in comfort. The display resolution is 540 x 960, which is sometimes known as qHD, giving an adequate pixel density of 256 per inch. The screen is protected from scratches thanks to the Corning Gorilla Glass 2. The screen is highly regarded due to its vibrancy and brightness.
Hardware
The phone comes with 8 GB internal memory, which should be enough for many users. Those who feel they might need more can expand this using a MicroSD card. The phone accepts cards of up to 64 GB. The phone is charged by a powerful 1900 mAh Li-Ion battery which gives you great battery life – up to 12 hours of 3G talk time.
You’re able to connect to the latest 4G LTE networks on the phone, meaning if you are on a contract that come with 4G you’ll be able to download files as fast as on high speed home broadband. There’s also 3G, 2G, WiFi, Bluetooth 4, NFC, Infrared and the usual sensors.
Camera
The main camera on the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini measures in at 8 megapixels. This might be lower than the main S4, but the photos that come out are stunning. As well as just being able to take excellent point and shoot photos, there’s some amazing camera modes that make certain types of photos – for instance nightime modes or face close up modes. The camera can also take Full 1080p HD video at 30 frames per second and comes with auto-focus and LED flash. A secondary camera on the front is 1.9 megapixels.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini looks exactly like a shrunken version of the S4, which is precisely how it should appear. There’s an attractive metallic edge and glossy black bezel. The phone is thin – just under 9mm thick – and light – just 130g. The phone is available in both black and white.
Software
Samsung really adds value to their phones with their apps and TouchWiz interface. These added software features include S Translator, Group Play, S-Voice and ChatOn. Sadly a few of the software features and apps on the Galaxy S4 haven’t made their way onto the S4 Mini.
Verdict
If you’re after a smaller Android phone then the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is a great choice. It’s closest competitor is the HTC One Mini which offers similar features at a similar price, but for those who want more speed and don’t mind paying a little extra the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is a better option. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is perhaps the best mid-range smartphone currently on the market, combining a vibrant screen, superb camera, excellent performance and great software features.
