Following the success of its flagship handset, the Galaxy S4, Samsung announcedthat it will launch a smaller version of the device in the U.S. and U.K. Aptly named the Galaxy S4 Mini, the manufacturer will release 4G, 3G, and 3G dual-SIM models.
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While pricing and carrier information remain unknown, a few key specs were released. As you can see from the chart below, not only is the new device physically smaller, it also has some less powerful hardware features.
For example, it has an 8-megapixel camera (compared with the GS4’s 13-megapixel), a dual-core CPU, and a 1,900mAh battery.
That doesn’t mean the phone is at all entry-level, however. In and of itself, the GS4 Mini is a promising device. It would appear that after hearing gripes about the GS4 being “too big,” the Mini is a solution for users who want a GS4, but in a smaller, more easy-to-manage package. To learn more about the handset, including suggestions about which version would be right for you, be sure to check out Jessica Dolcourt’s first impressions.
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Spec | Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini     | Samsung Galaxy S4 |
---|---|---|
Operating system | Android 4.2.2 | Android 4.2.2 |
Dimensions | 4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 inches; 3.8 ounces | 5.38 x 2.71 x 0.31 inches; 4.6 ounces |
Display | 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED | 5-inch full HD Super AMOLED; 1,920×1,080 pixels, 441ppi |
4G LTE | Yes, in addition to 3G and 3G dual-SIM versions | Yes |
NFC | Yes (LTE version only) | Yes |
Rear camera and recording | 8-megapixel | 13-megapixel, 1080p HD video |
Front-facing camera | 1.9-megapixel | 2-megapixel |
Processor | 1.7GHz dual-core processor | 1.9GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 (U.S. version); or proprietary 1.6GHz octa-core Exynos 5 Octa |
Capacity | 8GB; 1.5GB RAM | 16GB, 32GB, 64GB; 2GB RAM |
Expandable memory | Up to 64GB | Up to 64GB |
Battery | 1,900mAh | 2,600mAh |
Price | TBA | Verizon: $199.99, 16GB with contract; AT&T: $199.99, 16GB with contract; T-Mobile: $149.99 down plus $20/month for 24 months; Sprint: $249.99, 16GB, new customers get it for $149.99. Unlocked GS4: $649*, 16GB |
Carriers | TBA | AT&T, Cricket, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon |
Available colors | Black, white | Black, white; blue, purple, and brown coming later this year |
* = starting base price
Credit: Lynn La/CNET