More recently, in public pages and on forums one could see caricatures of one of the models of the Samsung concern - the Samsung Galaxy S4. And the point here is not in the technical characteristics, but in the unimaginably large size of the device. Indeed, a “smart” phone should be convenient for work. But how to use a device that doesn’t even fit in your hand... There’s a problem. Many users were delighted with this model. The only thing that bothered me was the size. And in order to fully please its customers, the Samsung engineering team designed a similar, but smaller model, the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini. Customer reviews immediately made the company's management understand: this was a great move. To launch a model on the market that fully satisfies many customer requirements - this is a manufacturer’s dream! What shortcomings were identified after using the device? What is improved in the new Samsung Galaxy S4 mini? Instructions, price and much more - all these and various other points are covered in this article.
General information
On May 31, 2013, a presentation of a new cell phone model produced by a famous Korean concern took place. A smaller copy of its progenitor, the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, equipped with one SIM card, and the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini duo, but with two active SIM card slots, have characteristics that are quite competitive compared to their analogues. At the same time, the rational price also inspires positivity. All features of this mobile phone, including the size, are a high-quality smaller copy of the current Korean flagship. A dual-core processor instead of four, a lower screen resolution, and the amount of RAM reduced by 500 MB - these features distinguish the small Samsung Galaxy S4 mini from the “great” S4. Let's start the review of the model with the configuration.
What's included in the price
The new smartphone is delivered to the consumer in a small box. The inscription “Samsung Galaxy S4 mini” is engraved on it. Instructions, battery, headphones with various pads, charger with adapter, cable for connecting to a laptop and computer - all this is also in the box. It is noteworthy that the Korean concern has been using accessories in shades different from the color of the phone for quite some time. So, in the package with a black smartphone you can find white headphones. And vice versa. All components fit perfectly into the device and are easy to use. In addition, the price is also attractive: “Samsung Galaxy S4 mini” can be purchased from 13 thousand rubles. The option with two slots will cost several hundred more.
Appearance and characteristics of the case
At first glance, the model in question does not have any special differences from any other smartphones from this company. The exterior design is not unique. There are no bright colors or contrasting details. The polycarbonate back panel flows smoothly into a frame made of the same material, but painted in metal color. The front side of the model with the display is smooth and glossy. It is precisely because of the latter characteristic that any touch to the device leaves a mark. To protect your screen, you can use ScreenGuard, a thin film that prevents unwanted scratches. The advanced Gorilla Glass V2 also helps preserve the display. In general, the phone body is the same: no chips, no dents, no gaps of any kind. As already mentioned, the dimensions of this model are much smaller than its progenitor. But they are not so “mini” either: 12.46 cm in length, 6.13 cm in width, 0.89 cm in thickness. At the same time, the weight of the device is 107 g. In terms of its size, the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini will compete with the notorious iPhone 5 device.
Location of keys and buttons
Various control elements are located on the body of the model. These include an earpiece, front and rear cameras, an on/off button, also known as a lock, a connector for a charger, a headphone jack, a volume sensor, which also adjusts contrast and lighting, and some other functions. Like all Samsung smartphones, this “smart” device has a traditional “Home” key under the screen, which is adjacent to the “Back” and “Menu” touch buttons. In principle, the appearance of the device is quite nice. The manufacturer offers several body color options to choose from: black, purple, white, brown, blue, orange, red, pink and yellow.
Display and communication with the progenitor
The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is equipped with a screen with a diagonal of 10.9 cm (equal to 4.3 inches) and a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels - approximately 256 ppi. Feedback from owners about this feature of the model is twofold: some are satisfied with the size. Others are not happy with the low resolution. Unlike the flagship Samsung Galaxy S4, the screen of this version is slightly elongated in length. The number of colors in both models is the same and amounts to 16 million shades. Another noteworthy characteristic of the two Korean-made variants is the SuperAMOLED display. Brightness, saturation, and color contrast can be adjusted in the menu.
Battery and its characteristics
The back panel “grows together” with the phone due to sixteen fasteners. The battery is located under it. A small Li-ion with a capacity of 1900 mAh - these are the characteristics of the battery of the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini smartphone. Consumer feedback on battery capacity and lifespan is mostly positive. Of course, Android users have long been accustomed to the fact that a phone with the Internet on and continuous calls needs recharge throughout the day. Those who encounter a device on such a platform for the first time slightly blame the weak battery. The phone is active for 12 hours in talk mode (according to the manufacturer). If you switch to the “Standby/Airplane” function, the device remains on for twelve days more.
System platform, memory and other “internals”
Under the battery there are slots for a SIM card (depending on the model there may be two) and a memory card. Inside the smaller copy of the S4 is a dual-core processor called Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, the clock frequency of which is overclocked to 1700 MHz. RAM 1.5 GB may seem insufficient for the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini. User reviews about this characteristic also highlight the latter fact. However, it is convenient to be able to transfer data and programs from system memory to additional gigabytes of storage. A graphics accelerator called a graphics accelerator is responsible for the quality of images. Inside the device there is an 8 GB drive. You can increase the memory capacity by installing an additional Micro SD card. The device runs on the current version of Android 4.2.2, equipped with the proprietary TouchWiz shell.
We shoot video and take photos
Of course, many users are interested in the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini camera. Photos and videos can be taken using either the front- or rear-mounted device. Moreover, in the latter the number of matrix points is 8 megapixels, and in the first - 1.9 megapixels. When shooting video, the frame capture rate is 30 pictures per second. The maximum resolution for the resulting movie is 1920 x 1080 pixels, and for photos - 3264 x 2448 pixels. At the same time, in night shooting conditions, you can use an LED flash.
Setting up ringtones and other characteristics
Some users note that the ringing sound is too quiet. In addition, vibration, according to a small part of users, is a negative point: being in a noisy place, it is difficult to feel the phone working. It is noteworthy that in the model with two SIM cards it became possible to set ringtones for each operator separately. Data transmission can be carried out through digital technologies such as EDGE, high-speed packet data HSPA and its improved version HSPA+. Essential attributes of a modern smartphone are the presence of such wireless means of transmitting and receiving information as Bluetooth, infrared interface (IR) and Wi-Fi. All this is present in the model under consideration. It is noteworthy that you can control your TV using the infrared port. Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is equipped with the latest versions of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. There is also a 3.5 mm Jack audio output.
New additional features
It is noteworthy that in this smartphone the settings are divided into categories. Now, instead of a list, you can select the parameters you are looking for from tabs in a submenu. It should be noted that the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini also has some functions inherited from the Samsung Galaxy S4. For example, “tracking mode”: the device’s display will not go dark while your eyes are directed at it. In addition, after reading a received message, there is no need to press the call key to connect with the sender: now you just need to bring the device to your ear and the device itself will perform the necessary operation.
Some users note that the new smaller model is not very convenient for typing messages using the keyboard. There is an excellent solution for this problem: an application from GooglePlay called TouchPal X. This program implements the “Swipe-a” technology. What does "sliding through the alphabet" mean? Now there is no need to enter terms via T9 or by letter - just swipe across the keyboard from the first to the last element of the word and the program itself will prompt you with the required concept.
Finally
As a conclusion, I would like to say that the smartphone in question is quite convenient. It has well-developed functionality. The phone is easy to set up. One of the main disadvantages users highlight is the low-power battery. However, I would like to note that almost all mobile phones on the Android platform suffer from this problem. The second disadvantage for many potential consumers is the price. The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is a little expensive compared to similar models. Although, in accordance with the declared functions, the cost is very justified. Everything is decided by a matter of taste and, of course, the wallet. A variety of colors, good technical support from service centers, the presence of all possible functions, ease of use, application support and the ability to install two SIM cards at the same time make the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini and Samsung Galaxy S4 mini duo a desirable purchase for many.
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini VE Duos a compact smartphone with powerful characteristics and support for 2 SIM cards in a stylish case. Thanks to its compact size, the smartphone is easy to operate with one hand and can be put into any pocket without getting in the way. here are some main characteristics Samsung Galaxy S4 mini VE: powerful 4-core processor with a frequency of 1200 MHz, Android operating system, support for 2 SIM cards, 4.3-inch diagonal screen, removable 1900 mAh battery, main 8 MP camera, 8 GB built-in and support for MicroSD memory cards up to 64 GB. Take clear photos and videos in Full HD format with 8 MP cameras, and the smartphone also has a front camera for selfies and free video calls over the Internet. A powerful 4-core processor and 1.5 GB of RAM should be enough to open Android applications and games without lags or freezes. Support for 2 SIM cards on the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini VE is the ability to simultaneously use SIM cards from different mobile operators on your smartphone, which opens up opportunities for saving on communication services. Choose from which SIM card you want to use high-speed 3G Internet and watch online movies on the Super AMOLED screen without waiting for constant reloading. The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini VE battery with a capacity of 1900 mAh provides up to 11 hours of standby time and up to 11 hours of work on Wi-Fi networks. You can share the Internet via Galaxy S4 mini VE to another phone, laptop, computer or tablet via a Wi-Fi hotspot, and you can also transfer files to another device at high speed via Wi-Fi Direct.
Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 61.3 mm (millimeters) 6.13 cm (centimeters) 0.2 ft (feet) 2.41 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 124.6 mm (millimeters) 12.46 cm (centimeters) 0.41 ft (feet) 4.91 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 8.94 mm (millimeters) 0.89 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.35 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 108 g (grams) 0.24 lbs 3.81 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 68.28 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 4.15 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | Black White Orange Pink Purple Blue |
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds
Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
SoC (System on Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930AB |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 28 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | Krait 300 |
| Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors. | 32 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv7 |
| Level 1 cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and works much faster than both system memory and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 16 kB + 16 kB (kilobytes) |
| Level 2 cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory. | 1024 kB (kilobytes) 1 MB (megabytes) |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 2 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 1700 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc. | Qualcomm Adreno 305 |
| Number of GPU cores Like a CPU, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle graphics calculations for various applications. | 1 |
| Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 1.5 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR2 |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data. | 533 MHz (megahertz) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.
Memory cards
Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends. | Super AMOLED |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 4.3 in (inches) 109.22 mm (millimeters) 10.92 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 2.11 in (inches) 53.55 mm (millimeters) 5.35 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 3.75 in (inches) 95.19 mm (millimeters) 9.52 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.778:1 16:9 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail. | 540 x 960 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail. | 256 ppi (pixels per inch) 100ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 66.95% (percentage) |
| Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics. | Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance |
| Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.
Rear camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its back panel and may be combined with one or more secondary cameras.
| Sensor type Information about the camera sensor type. Some of the most widely used types of sensors in mobile device cameras are CMOS, BSI, ISOCELL, etc. | CMOS BSI (backside illumination) |
| Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photosensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with larger sensors and lower pixel densities offer higher image quality despite the lower resolution. | 4.54 x 3.42 mm (millimeters) 0.22 in (inches) |
| Pixel size Pixels are usually measured in microns. Larger pixels are able to capture more light and therefore provide better low-light photography and wider dynamic range than smaller pixels. On the other hand, smaller pixels allow for higher resolution while maintaining the same sensor size. | 1.391 µm (micrometers) 0.001391 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the dimensions of the full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the dimensions of the device's photosensor. The indicated number represents the ratio of the diagonals of the full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) and the photosensor of a particular device. | 7.61 |
| Svetlosila F-stop (also known as aperture, aperture, or f-number) is a measure of the size of a lens's aperture, which determines the amount of light entering the sensor. The lower the f-number, the larger the aperture and the more light reaches the sensor. Typically the f-number is specified to correspond to the maximum possible aperture of the aperture. | f/2.6 |
| Focal length Focal length indicates the distance in millimeters from the sensor to the optical center of the lens. Equivalent focal length (35mm) is the focal length of a mobile device camera equal to the focal length of a 35mm full-frame sensor, which will achieve the same viewing angle. It is calculated by multiplying the actual focal length of a mobile device's camera by the crop factor of its sensor. Crop factor can be defined as the ratio between the diagonals of a 35 mm full-frame sensor and the sensor of a mobile device. | 4.6 mm (millimeters) 35.02 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame) |
| Flash type The rear (rear) cameras of mobile devices mainly use LED flashes. They can be configured with one, two or more light sources and vary in shape. | LED |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of cameras is resolution. It represents the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image. For convenience, smartphone manufacturers often list resolution in megapixels, indicating the approximate number of pixels in millions. | 3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum video resolution that the camera can record. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| Video recording speed (frame rate) Information about the maximum recording speed (frames per second, fps) supported by the camera at maximum resolution. Some of the most basic video recording speeds are 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about additional software and hardware features of the rear (rear) camera. | Autofocus Digital zoom Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition |
Front-camera
Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - a pop-up camera, a rotating camera, a cutout or hole in the display, an under-display camera.
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.
| Version There are several versions of Bluetooth, with each subsequent one improving communication speed, coverage, and making devices easier to discover and connect. Information about the Bluetooth version of the device. | 4.0 |
| Characteristics Bluetooth uses different profiles and protocols that provide faster data transfer, energy savings, improved device discovery, etc. Some of these profiles and protocols that the device supports are shown here. | A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile) HFP (Hands-Free Profile) HID (Human Interface Profile) HSP (Headset Profile) MAP (Message Access Profile) OPP (Object Push Profile) PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile) PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile) SAP/SIM/rSAP (SIM Access Profile) |
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
| Browser Information about some of the main characteristics and standards supported by the device's browser. | HTML HTML5 CSS 3 |
Audio file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital audio data.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.
| Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours. | 1900 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries being the most commonly used batteries in mobile devices. | Li-Ion (Lithium-ion) |
| 2G talk time 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network. | 12 h (hours) 720 min (minutes) 0.5 days |
| 2G latency 2G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 2G network. | 300 h (hours) 18000 min (minutes) 12.5 days |
| 3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 12 h (hours) 720 min (minutes) 0.5 days |
| 3G latency 3G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 3G network. | 300 h (hours) 18000 min (minutes) 12.5 days |
| Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery. | Removable |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.
| Head SAR level (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device close to the ear in a conversation position. In Europe, the maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices is limited to 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by CENELEC in accordance with IEC standards, subject to the guidelines of ICNIRP 1998. | 0.298 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR level (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices in Europe is 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by the CENELEC Committee in compliance with the ICNIRP 1998 guidelines and IEC standards. | 0.361 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Head SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are regulated by the CTIA, and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values. | 1.21 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest permissible SAR value in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA monitors mobile devices' compliance with this standard. | 1.49 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
Contents of delivery:
- Samsung i9190
- Battery
- Wired stereo headset
- AC adapter and USB cable
- User guide
- Warranty card
Introduction
After the announcement of the Galaxy S4, it became clear that Samsung, by tradition, will begin to produce a huge number of seemingly identical (as they have recently begun to be called) “pieces of soap”: the only difference is that some are smaller, others are larger. The filling, as is correct, is much weaker than the flagship model, but significant investment is not required. However, the cost still remains around the 20 thousand rubles mark.
Obviously, if there is a version of S3 mini, then there must be an S4 mini. Unfortunately, both gadgets received, perhaps, only part of the name and appearance from their older brothers, although people have long been demanding powerful devices with small dimensions. Alas, the manufacturers don’t hear us and continue to reason logically in their own way: since the phone is small, it means the hardware can be cut down.
The review will focus only on the main points, since this is a typical example of the South Korean giant's products.
Design, dimensions, control elements
As was already said at the beginning of the text, as soon as Samsung’s new creation sees the light, expect offspring in the form of dozens of identical-looking smartphones and phones. Therefore, naturally, the S4 mini almost completely copies the original Galaxy S4. Nevertheless, from my point of view, the appearance of the current flagship is quite successful: thin, light, despite the plastic, durable, although glossy. The S4 mini evokes absolutely the same emotions. It is worth adding that the device, due to its even smaller size (124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm) and weight (107 grams), fits nicely in the hand! Really convenient, you don't want to let it go out of your hands. In fact, the experience of “communicating” with the S4 mini is very interesting: similar appearance, functions and menus, but operating with one hand is more comfortable. I think this will be appreciated by those who clearly dislike spade-shaped phones.
The front side, as always, is protected by glass. It’s unlikely to be Gorilla Glass (although perhaps the first generation), but not a single scratch appeared during a month of active use. Under the glass there is dark gray plastic (there is also a white color), on which small black diamonds are applied. The back panel is also made of plastic, but here the pattern is slightly different, i.e. light gray diamonds on a black background. In my opinion, it looks cool, at least the previous version of S3 mini did not evoke any emotions in me.
The assembly is excellent, as if the case is not dismountable: nothing plays, does not creak.
A thin edging along the perimeter of the front part forms a small side, the sides of the device are semi-gloss plastic, painted to resemble metal.
On the top of the front side there is a camera for video calls, two sensors (lighting and proximity), a speech speaker covered with a metal mesh. The speaker volume is very high, in a quiet environment it is worth turning it down. The interlocutor can be heard clearly and intelligibly, the timbre is pleasant, and the mid frequencies are mainly heard. During a call, you can adjust the level not only using standard means, but also activate the special “Additional Volume” function. Almost all new Samsung devices have a similar function.
Below the screen there are two touch buttons “Back” and “Menu”, and between them is the unforgettable mechanical “Home” button. The tactile sensations regarding the Galaxy S4 are approximately the same: the travel is minimal, the pressure is firm. The touch buttons have a backlight; it is white, dim, but quite noticeable during the day.
At the bottom there is a microUSB and the main microphone, at the top there is an IR port (inherited from the flagship), a second microphone (used for recording sound in stereo and noise reduction), and a 3.5 mm audio output.
On the left is the volume control, and on the right is the power key.
At the back there is a camera that rises slightly above the body, and a flash, as well as a speakerphone.
To open the cover, you need to pry it at the notch at the top left. Under the battery are slots for a microSIM card and microSDHC.
Samsung S4 mini and Samsung S4
Samsung S4 mini and HTC One
Display
Unlike the previous model, this one has a 4.3-inch diagonal screen (physical size - 53x94 mm). If earlier 4 inches was considered a “shovel”, now even a slightly larger size evokes affection: they say, what a small and cute phone it is. In S3 mini the resolution was 480x800 pixels, in S4 mini it was slightly increased - 540x960 pixels (qHD). In both cases the matrix is SuperAMOLED. Let's not argue how good or bad it is, since all this relates to taste. Personally, I love bright colors and maximum “depth” of black, and even though the SA matrix fades more than IPS in the sun, but, for example, my work does not involve constantly being under the direct rays of the sun. By the way, in the previous article (S4 Active test), I experimentally found out that the SA matrix on the S4 in sunny weather displays even a slightly better picture than the PLS matrix on the S4 Active. Below is a comparison of the screens of S4 mini (left), S4 Active and S4 (right):
Matrices under a microscope:
In the “Display” settings, the “Screen mode” item is preserved:
- optimize display
- dynamic
- standard
- professional photography
- movie
Battery
A removable lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery with a capacity of 1900 mAh, 3.8 V, 7.22 Wh is installed. Despite the seemingly not the largest battery capacity, the operating time was generally pleasing!
The developers claim that the device will operate for 300 hours in standby mode, and up to 12 hours in talk mode.
With 15-20 minutes of calls a day, 4-5 hours of 3G, a couple of hours of Wi-Fi, an hour of watching videos and the same amount of listening to music, the Galaxy S4 mini managed to squeeze out a little more than 10 hours of work from a single charge.
More numbers:
- Only in talk mode the device works up to 8 hours
- Only when playing video (720p) at maximum volume in headphones and maximum screen brightness - just over 5 hours
- Only playing music in headphones at maximum volume – about 45 hours
- Games only – just over 3 hours
Communication capabilities
The smartphone operates in 2G (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (850/900/1900/2100 MHz) cellular networks; LTE is present only in the i9195 model. Speed HSDPA – up to 42 Mbit/s, HSUPA – up to 5.76 Mbit/s. Available Bluetooth version 4.0 HS (A2DP, LE, EDR).
There is a wireless connection Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (Dual band). The device can be used as an access point (Wi-Fi Hotspot) and file transfer (Wi-Fi Direct).
High-speed USB 2.0 is also used for file transfer and data synchronization. When connected to a PC, the mini is defined as a USB Flash device (MTP) or camera (PTP).
SAR value
Your phone is manufactured to comply with EU Council guidelines for exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy. These standards prohibit the sale of mobile phones whose radiation levels (called specific absorption rate, SAR) exceed 2.0 watts per kilogram of body weight. During testing (information provided by Samsung), the maximum SAR for this model was: 0.298 W/kg near the head, 0.361 W/kg near the body.
When in use, the actual SAR values of the device are significantly lower than the values stated above. This is because, in order to operate the system efficiently and reduce network impact, the operating power of the mobile device is automatically reduced if the call does not require full power. The lower the device's power output, the lower the SAR value.
Memory and memory card
The developers decided not to skimp on RAM, so they installed the most optimal amount for such a device - 1.5 GB. Therefore, the device does not slow down at all and has no difficulties launching applications. On average, about 900 MB are free - a huge amount for such a smartphone.
Flash memory – 8 GB. A little more than 4 GB is allocated for application installations and data storage. Of course, there is a slot for a microSDHC memory card, the maximum capacity of which can be 64 GB.
Camera
Two cameras are used here: the main 8 MP (F2.6, 33 mm) with autofocus and the front 1.9 MP without autofocus. There is a single-section LED flash. The maximum photo resolution is 3264x1836 pixels, video - 1920x1080 pixels at 30 frames per second.
The quality of photographs is similar to those taken on the S4 Active, i.e. slightly better than the Galaxy S2, but slightly worse than the Galaxy S3. I don’t understand what prevented me from using the same module as in the Galaxy S3.
Video and sound are recorded clearly, there is no pixelation.
Video file characteristics:
- File Format: MP4
- Video codec: AVC, 17 Mbit/s
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080, 30 fps
- Audio codec: AAC, 128 Kbps
- Channels: 2 channels, 48 KHz
Sample photos:
Effects:
Panorama:
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini smartphone is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset and a dual-core Krait 1.7 GHz processor (28 nm, ARMv7). Adreno 305 is used as a graphics accelerator.
The device operates smoothly, there are no interface slowdowns or glitches, and there are no lags. Almost all toys are suitable.
Below is brief information and performance tests (CPU-Z, Quadrant Standard, Antutu Benchmark, 3D Mark):
