Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4 (KitKat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930AB
Adreno 305
1.5 GB / 8 GB
4.3 inch (540 x 960 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

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

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 / 1

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy S4 Mini
ModelSGH-I257
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight3.77 oz
Dimensions4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 inch
Colorsblack, blue, orange, pink, purple, white
SIM typeMicro 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.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4 (KitKat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930AB
CPUDual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300
GPUAdreno 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.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size4.3 inch
Resolution540 x 960 px
Multitouch supportyes

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.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini / 3

Memory, storage

RAM1.5 GB
Internal storage8 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

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.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera1.9 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.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes, with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 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

TypeLi-Ion 1900 mAh

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

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity
SpecialsCorning 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
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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