We have seen the Samsung Galaxy S4 being compared with a lot of smart phones and I even compared it with the Samsung Galaxy Note II. But today I am going to compare the Galaxy S4 with another smart phone from the Samsung family, the Galaxy S4 Mini. I don’t really know whether the Mini was released to compete with the Galaxy S4 or is supposed to be a different class of phone in itself. But considering all the different variants of the Galaxy S4 that are being released nowadays I’m guessing Samsung is trying to grab individual sections of the market with each of its variants. The Mini seems targeted at the mid level customer who isn’t willing to spend money on the Galaxy S4 but wants round about the same functionality from a cheaper smart phone. But how much does a customer really lose while purchasing the cheaper smart phone? Let’s find out...

Phone Samsung Galaxy S4 Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Image The Samsung Galaxy S4 vs the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini-samsung-galaxy-s4.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S4 vs the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini-samsung-galaxy-s4-mini-render.jpg
Operating System Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Processor Quad Core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300 Dual Core, 1700 MHz, Krait 300
System Chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930
System Memory 2 GB 1.5 GB
Graphics Processor Adreno 320 Adreno 305
Display 5.0" HD Super AMOLED 4.3” Super AMOLED
Screen Resolution 1,920 x 1,080 960 x 540
Pixel Density 441 ppi 256 ppi
Storage 16 GB User memory + microSD slot (up to 64 GB) 8 GB User memory + microSD slot (up to 64 GB)
Primary Camera 13 MP 8 MP
Flash LED LED
Secondary Camera 2 MP 1.9 MP
WiFi WiFi 802.11 a / ac / b / g / n, HT80 WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5 GHz
Bluetooth 4.0 4.0, EDR
Battery 2,600 mAh 1,900 mAh
Weight 130 g 107 g
Dimensions 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.90 mm 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.94 mm
Announced 14th March 2013 30th May 2013


Size and weight

I can’t quite understand how a phone with the tag ‘Mini’ can be thicker than the original. Yes, the length and breadth of the phone is less, but it is more than 1 mm thicker. The Galaxy S4 measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm while the Galaxy S4 Mini measures 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.94 mm. I’m sure there is a reason behind the increased thickness but for me, this in itself is an absolute deal breaker. Even, in terms of weight the S4 Mini is a remarkable 23 g less than the Galaxy S4 at 107 g. This means it is also 5 g lighter than the iPhone 5. But the extra thickness is a deal breaker for me.

How can the Mini be thicker? I award this point to the Galaxy S4 for this reason precisely.

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - One / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Zero)


Display

Let’s be honest. There really is no comparison between both screen displays. The Galaxy S4 has an amazing 5.0” HD Super AMOLED screen with a pixel density of 441 ppi. The 4.3” Super AMOLED screen with a pixel density of 256 ppi doesn’t even come close. This is the first real difference between both phones. If you want a cheaper smart phone, there is no doubt you will have to compromise on something and in the case of the S4 vs. the S4 Mini, it is the display.

In my opinion the display on the Galaxy S4 is worth dying for and I didn’t believe for even a second that the ‘Mini’ would be better. One more point to the Galaxy S4.

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - Two / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Zero)


Memory & Storage

Finally, some respite for the Galaxy S4 Mini. In terms of memory the S4 mini has 1.5 GB of RAM which is just as good as the 2 GB RAM in the Galaxy S4. You will hardly notice a difference while performing the same tasks on both the smart phones. And even though the Galaxy S4 Mini has just 8 GB of inbuilt storage in comparison to the 16 GB of inbuilt storage on the Galaxy S4, both phones allow for memory expansion up to 64 GB.

It would be unfair to award this point to either smartphone.

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - Two / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Zero)


Camera

Along with the display, this is the other area where users will have to compromise if they purchase the Galaxy S4 Mini. Yes, it does have a wonderful 8 MP camera on the back which allows you to take nice pictures. But it is nothing close to the 13 MP camera on the back of the Galaxy S4. It’s a much closer competition in terms of the front camera though with the Galaxy S4 Mini having a 1.9 MP camera and the Galaxy S4 a 2 MP camera. The only difference between both front cameras is that the Galaxy S4 allows for video recording at 1080 p while the Galaxy S4 Mini doesn’t have that option.

Then again, if both phones had the same functionality, who would buy the flagship model anyway? The point goes to the Galaxy S4.

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - Three / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Zero)


OS & Performance

Both these smart phones run on the latest Android operating system, 4.2.2 (JellyBean). In terms of performance as well, the Galaxy S4 Mini has some pretty decent stats. It comes with a Dual Core 1700 MHz Krait 300 processor which can work as well as the Quad Core 1900 MHz Krait 300 processor on the Galaxy S4. Both phones have Adreno graphics processors and use the same system chip as well, the Qualcomm Snapdragon. But at the end of the day when you actually get down to using both smart phones, only an expert will be able to notice a difference, if there is any at all.

In all honesty, this point has to be a draw.

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - Three / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Zero)


Battery

I have always maintained that Samsung offers an excellent battery life for all of its smart phones. But what about when competing with one of its own? The Galaxy S4 has a 2,600 mAh battery while the S4 Mini has a 1,900 mAh battery. But considering the S4 Mini has a smaller screen and processor I’m guessing the battery life will be pretty much the same for both these smart phones. The Galaxy S4 advertises a stand by time of 15 days and we don’t have any details of the stand by time of the S4 Mini but I’m guessing it will be around the same.

Just because the Galaxy S4 has a bigger battery doesn’t mean it is better. This point too should be a draw.

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - Three / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - Zero)


Price

You can pick up a Galaxy S4 for $ 689.99 from the store while the Galaxy S4 Mini is rumored to be worth around $ 350. If that really is true, the Galaxy S4 Mini might even break all the records set by the Galaxy S4. But, if it is around $ 500 or anything north of it, I don’t think many people will be interested in the ‘Mini.’ Either way, I believe this to be the biggest difference between both the smart phones.

The point goes to the Galaxy S4 Mini.

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - Three / Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - One)


Conclusion

In the 7 categories we compared both smart phones the S4 Mini managed to draw with the Galaxy S4 in 3 categories while managing to pick up a victory in just one category, the price. This comparison can be used as a guide by any smartphone user to determine the best smart phone for him/her. If you want cheap, go for the Galaxy S4 Mini. But, if you want, display, resolution and camera, go for the Galaxy S4. Considering the release date for the Galaxy S4 Mini will be announced today in London though, you might have to wait a couple of weeks before you can purchase the ‘Mini.’



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