Samsung galaxy s4 mini message set. Review of Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini: what's in my name

Just 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 that's not the point technical specifications, but in unimaginably large dimensions of the apparatus. 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 the thirty-first of May 2013, a presentation of the new model took place cell phone, produced by a famous Korean concern. 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 an adapter, a cable for connecting to a laptop and a computer - all this is also in the box. It is noteworthy that the Korean concern has been practicing the use of 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. Rear panel made of polycarbonate smoothly flows into a edging made of the same material, but painted in the color of metal. 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

On the body of the model there are various elements management. These include a speaker, 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, appearance 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 (equivalent 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 general characteristics two Korean-made options: 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 there 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 film 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 using 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 current versions 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 letter by letter - just swipe across the keyboard from the first to the last element of the word and the program itself will suggest 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 are Android platform"sick" with 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. Variety of colors, good technical support 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 phones a desirable purchase for many.

Samsung Galaxy S4 mini- this is a logical continuation of the “Galaxy” line, which is distinguished by a large number of relatively cheap, but very functional smartphone models. In terms of functionality, the smartphone is fundamentally different from its Samsung “brothers”; the difference is noticeable only in the size of the body and display. Closest competitors Samsung Galaxy S4 mini are the LG G2 Mini, Asus PadFone mini and some others that are on the same price level.

Smartphone characteristics

Galaxy S4 mini equipped with a full screen with a diagonal of 4.27 inches. By modern standards, the display size is average, but this has a positive effect on the size of the smartphone - it fits easily in a pocket, unlike many modern “shovels” with 5-6-inch displays. The display has safety glass, protecting it from scratches. Dual-core Krait processor with clock frequency 1.7 GHz provides excellent performance. On a smartphone Samsung Galaxy S4 Almost all modern 3D games for Android run smoothly.

The smartphone supports communication using GSM and 3G standards. There is support for the latest Wi-Fi standards, as well as Bluetooth and USB. Nowadays it sounds strange, but in Galaxy S4 mini There is an infrared port - a relic of the past. The gadget can work as a satellite navigator - there is support for both the American system GPS navigation, and the Russian GLONASS network.

A high-quality camera is one of the most significant advantages of this device. The photography resolution is 8 Mpx, video is HD quality 1080p, 30 frames/sec. The camera has automatic focusing. The camera resolution for video calls is 1.9 MP. There are graphic camera effects as well as a built-in image editor.

The device will please fans of multimedia functions. Firstly, a large screen that allows you to comfortably view HD video. Secondly - a multifunctional music player. Subtle sound correction will appeal to music lovers. There are built-in sound effects and a graphic equalizer. There is an FM receiver. The volume of the built-in speaker is quite high, but the sound quality is poor basic level. There can be no complaints about the sound quality in the headphones.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini appeared in the spring of 2013, immediately after the announcement of its older brother - I9500, rumors began to spread, but the announcement of the device took place only in the second quarter. The device is a smaller copy of the flagship with a much simpler filling and screen, while retaining all the charms of the design and the name of the top-end smartphone. Of course, the price category here is much more affordable.

Appearance

As mentioned above, the smartphone is largely the same as the Galaxy S IV; the body has equally high-quality plastic. At the start of sales there will most likely be 3 colors: white, blue and titanium grey. The weight of the smartphone is 107 grams and dimensions are 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.94 mm.

Video: Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

Characteristics

The smartphone has a simpler display and less powerful processor, which is typical for this category of devices. Volume RAM is 1.5 GB, and built-in from 8 to 32 GB. The Snapdragon 400 processor is new, dual-core, each of which operates at a frequency of 1.7 GHz. All wireless interfaces, including Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi with all standards. It is also worth noting that there is a Galaxy S4 Mini option with two SIM cards, it has the index GT-I9192. The developer also took care of autonomy by installing a 1900 mAh battery here.

Screen and camera

The screen diagonal is 4.3 inches with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, which gives a density of approximately 256 ppi. It is made using Super Amoled technology, so the picture looks simply great and is pleasing to the eye. The 8 MP main camera has autofocus and is capable of recording video in Full HD and taking pictures with a resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels.

Software

The smartphone comes out of the box with Android 4.2.2 and the proprietary Nature UX interface. In addition, the younger version of the flagship has almost all the features and applications that are typical for the 2013 flagship. This is a control function for WatchON equipment, S Health, and other programs. You can also additionally download from us:

Video: demonstration of games on Galaxy S4 Mini

As you can see, the smartphone behaves just fine in games and even Real Racing 3 works with virtually no brakes.

Additionally:

Scope of delivery:

• Samsung i9190
• Battery
• Wired stereo headset
• Network 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 flagship model, but significant capital investments are 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 also means smaller sizes(124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm) and weight (107 grams) fits perfectly 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 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. 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 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) on maximum volume with 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 works in cellular networks 2G (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (850/900/1900/2100 MHz), 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).

Present wireless communication 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 due to the fact that for efficient work systems and reduce the impact on the network operating power 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 here - 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

IN Samsung smartphone Galaxy S4 mini is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset, 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 - brief information and performance tests (CPU-Z, Quadrant Standard, Antutu Benchmark, 3D Mark):

General characteristics

Type

Deciding on the type of device (phone or smartphone?) is quite simple. If you need a simple and inexpensive device for calls and SMS, it is recommended to choose a telephone. A smartphone is more expensive, but it offers a wide variety of options: games, videos, the Internet, thousands of programs for all occasions. However, its battery life is significantly less than that of a regular phone.

smartphone operating system Android OS version at the start of sales Android 4.2 Case type classic Housing material plastic Control mechanical/touch buttons SAR level 0.3 Number of SIM cards 1 SIM card type

Modern smartphones can use not only regular SIM cards, but also their more compact versions micro SIM and nano SIM. An eSIM is a SIM card integrated into the phone. It takes up virtually no space and does not require a separate tray for installation. eSIM is not yet supported in Russia. Glossary of terms for the category Mobile phones

micro SIM Weight 107 g Dimensions (WxHxD) 61.3x124.6x8.94 mm

Screen

Screen type color AMOLED, 16.78 million colors, touch Type touch screen multi-touch, capacitive Diagonal 4.3 inches. Image Size 960x540 Pixels per inch (PPI) 256 Aspect Ratio 16:9 Automatic screen rotation There is Scratch-resistant glass There is

Multimedia capabilities

Number of main (rear) cameras 1 Main (rear) camera resolution 8 MP Photoflash rear, LED Functions of the main (rear) camera autofocus, digital Zoom 4x Recording videos There is Max. video frame rate 30 fps Geo Tagging yes Front camera yes, 1.9 MP Audio MP3, AAC, WMA, FM radio Headphone jack 3.5 mm

Connection

Standard GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G Interfaces

Almost all modern smartphones have Wi-Fi and USB interfaces. Bluetooth and IRDA are a little less common. Wi-Fi is used to connect to the Internet. USB is used to connect your phone to a computer. Bluetooth is also found in many phones. It is used to connect wireless headphones, for connecting your phone to wireless speakers, as well as for transferring files. A smartphone equipped with an IRDA interface can be used as universal remote control remote control. Glossary of terms for the category Mobile phones

Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, IRDA, USB Satellite navigation

Built-in GPS and GLONASS modules allow you to determine the phone's coordinates using signals from satellites. In the absence of GPS, a modern smartphone can determine its own location using signals from base stations mobile operator. However, finding coordinates using satellite signals is usually much more accurate. Glossary of terms for the category Mobile phones

GPS/GLONASS DLNA support yes

Memory and processor

CPU

Modern phones and smartphones usually use special processors - SoC (System on Chip, system on a chip), which, in addition to the processor itself, house graphics core, memory controller, input/output device controller, etc. Therefore, the processor largely determines the set of functions and performance of the device. Glossary of terms for the category Mobile phones

1700 MHz Number of processor cores 2 Video processor Adreno 305 Built-in memory capacity 8 GB RAM capacity 1.50 GB Memory card slot Yes, up to 64 GB Sensors illumination, proximity, gyroscope, compass There is a flashlight