Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini: Pros and Cons
Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy S4 Mini smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.3 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930AB SoC, and 1.5 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S4 Mini series was launched with Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 4.3 inch phone comes with a high resolution AMOLED display (540 x 960 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus). Let's dive into what makes this device unique.
Table of Contents
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini specifications
Brand | Samsung |
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Name | Galaxy S4 Mini |
Model | SGH-I257 |
Release date | 2015 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 3.77 oz |
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Dimensions | 4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 inch |
Colors | black, blue, orange, pink, purple, white |
SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is about 3.77 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) |
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SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930AB |
CPU | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 |
GPU | Adreno 305 |
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini comes with Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. This CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | Super AMOLED |
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Screen size | 4.3 inch |
Resolution | 540 x 960 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 1.5 GB |
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Internal storage | 8 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
1.5 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Galaxy S4 Mini has only 8 GB. You can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus |
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Flash | LED |
Selfie camera | 1.9 MP |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Galaxy S4 Mini smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP, LE |
GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
NFC | yes |
FM radio | yes, with RDS |
USB | microUSB 2.0 |
Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy S4 Mini smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The Galaxy S4 Mini comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
Type | Li-Ion 1900 mAh |
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The Li-Ion 1900 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.
Features, sensors, specials
Sensors | accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity |
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Specials | Corning Gorilla Glass 2, Dual SIM |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- Super AMOLED display
- microSD slot
- Dual SIM support
- Corning Gorilla Glass shield
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient memory
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.