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Samsung Galaxy S4 mini review

8.1/10 AVG.
RATING
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Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
...


8.1/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini currently has an Informr score of 8.1 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 21 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Comfortable to hold.
  • Good overall phone performance.
  • Bright, easy to read screen.

What's bad

  • Awkward microSD card location.
  • Low screen resolution.
  • Small onboard storage.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is not just a smaller version of the company’s flagship phone, the Galaxy S4. While it does share many traits with the S4 - such as the polycarbonate structure and camera and button locations - there are in fact more differences than similarities.

The most noticeable difference of course is size. The S4 Mini is shorter, thicker and not as wide as the S4. Engadget’s Brad Molen notes that this difference leads to “more rounded edges and a stronger grip” as a result.

In terms of hardware, reviewers agree that while the specs are a general downgrade from the S4, the phone still performs well. The Mini comes with a 1.7gHz dual-core processor, 1.5MB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage. However, all reviewers found the 8GB of storage to be extremely low with PC Advisor noting that most of the memory is filled up by the operating system and Samsung’s heavyweight software. They go on to note that “Samsung now clearly states that the Galaxy S4 mini has 5GB available to the user.”

Despite the lack of onboard storage the S4 Mini does have an expandable microSD slot. Unfortunately, Thomas Thorn of TechRadar mentions that the location is awkwardly hidden behind the battery and the card itself is “very fiddly to put...in.”

Many reviewers were also not overly impressed by the screen resolution, although PC Advisor notes that a 540 x 960-pixel resolution and 256ppi pixel density is now “quite acceptable.” Despite the low resolution, the screen itself is reasonably sharp and easy to read, including at full brightness in direct sunlight.

Despite some issues, expert consensus is that the S4 Mini is a solid phone. Perfect, Engadget says, for consumers “who love the GS4 design and firmware but are looking for a lower price point.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.7 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.7 GHz
4.3"
Screen Size
Screen Size
4.3"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
1900 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is a perfectly competent mid-range smartphone, and its excellent battery life is definitely a bonus. However, it just doesn’t feel special enough. It loses out to the HTC One Mini for screen quality and operating system smoothness, and doesn’t have the Mini's g...

- Chris Finnamore, Expert Reviews
Android Community
Android Community

For fans of the Galaxy S4 who want a smaller device, this is one to look at. We like the smaller profile, and think the size has a lot to offer those who are looking for it. It’s not the monster some tech enthusiasts like to see, but it does pack a bit of a punch. Web surfing, email checking,...

- Nate Swanner, Android Community
GSM Dome
GSM Dome

We give this handset a 9 for design, a 7.5 for hardware and an 8 for OS and UI, for a final grade of 8.16 out of 10, of which we deduct a point for the exaggerated price and we get 7.16 out of 10. In most places this device is still priced higher than the Galaxy S III and it’s clearly not wort...

- James A., GSM Dome
SlashGear
SlashGear

The GALAXY S 4 Mini is a wonderful little cell phone, and is surprisingly reminiscent of the older Galaxy S 2, though bringing with it all the trimmings of a newer device. The smartphone sits well in one’s hand (the position of the power button aside), and is small enough to slip into just abo...

- Brittany Hillen, SlashGear
Phone Scoop
Phone Scoop

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini comes close to providing the full GS4 experience in a smaller package, but there are some notable omissions.The biggest disappointment to me is the screen. I understand that Samsung needed to reduce the size in order to shrink the phone's footprint, but it dialed the resol...

- Eric M. Zeman, Phone Scoop


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini user manual here.


Samsung backs up the Galaxy S4 mini with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Galaxy S4 mini has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
4.3"

The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini's screen size is 4.3 inches with 540 x 960 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.7 GHz

There is a Krait Dual core 1.7 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (Update Available: 4.4.2 KitKat) operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 8+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
8 GB

Internal memory is 8 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 64 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1900mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1900 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 720 minutes, 660 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy S4 mini Specs

Overview
Release Date June 28, 2013
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (Update Available: 4.4.2 KitKat)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Krait Dual core 1.7 GHz
Internal Storage 8 GB
RAM 1536 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.33 W/kg
Body: 0.32 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSPA+ 21.1
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Yes
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared Yes
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 64 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, ISO, Multi-shot, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer, HDR, Sound & Shot, Exposure value
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Video Recording Parameters
30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 540 x 960 pixels
Pixel Density 256 pixels
Size 4.3 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1900 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 600 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 660 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 540 minutes
Talk Time Up to 720 minutes
Standby Time Up to 12.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black Mist, White Frost, Purple, Orange, Pink
Dimensions [H x W x D] 12.5 x 6.1 x 0.9 cm (4.9 x 2.4 x 0.4 in)
Weight 107 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
DLNA Support: Yes
ECML / Digital Wallet: Yes
Audio Formats: AAC, AAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, eAAC+, MP3, OGG, WMA
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Radio: Yes (FM)
Viewable document types: XLS, PPT, PPTX, DOC, DOCX, PDF
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Samsung Galaxy S 4 mini, Galaxy S IV mini

LTE model has 2GB RAM
A dual-sim version is also available
NFC is only available for LTE model

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy S4 mini
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