Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
Exynos 3 Quad 3470
Mali-400 MP4
1.5 GB / 16 GB
4.5 inch (720 x 1280 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy S5 Mini smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.5 inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 3 Quad 3470 SoC, and 1.5 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S5 Mini series was launched with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 4.5 inch phone comes with a high resolution AMOLED display (720 x 1280 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus).

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S5 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 S5 Mini / 1

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy S5 Mini
ModelSM-G800
Release date2014

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.23 oz
Dimensions5.16 x 2.55 x 0.36 inch
Colorscharcoal black, copper gold, electric blue, shimmery white
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini is about 4.23 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 S5 Mini / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
SoCExynos 3 Quad 3470
CPUQuad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-400 MP4

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (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. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size4.5 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 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 S5 Mini / 3

Memory, storage

RAM1.5 GB
Internal storage16 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 S5 Mini has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2.1 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Galaxy S5 Mini smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy S5 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 radiono
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 S5 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 S5 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 2100 mAh

The Li-Ion 2100 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, fingerprint, gyroscope, heart rate, proximity

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. The Galaxy S5 Mini phone has a fingerprint scanner.

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

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
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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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