Like the look of the Samsung Galaxy S5, but not sure you want a phone with a big 5.1 inch display? Samsung’s got a new, slightly smaller version: the Galaxy S5 mini.
But it’s not just the size that’s been reduced… it’s also the specs.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 mini features a 4.5 inch, 1280 x 720 pixel display, a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a 2100mAh battery. It features an 8MP rear camera and 2.1MP front-facing camera, 802.1n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, an IR port, and support for HSPA and 4G LTE networks.
In other words it’s smaller, has a slower processor, less memory, a lower-resolution rear camera, and a smaller battery than the bigger model. Samsung’s smaller S5 also lacks 802.11ac WiFi.
The Galaxy S5 Mini does pick up a few tricks from its big brother. It has an Ip67 water and dust resistant case, a fingerprint sensor, heart rate sensor, and Android 4.4 KitKat software. It supports HSPA and 4G LTE networks and has a microSd card slot.
It feels strange to call a phone with a 4.5 inch screen “mini.” There was a time when 4 inch smartphones were considered enormous. But it’s nice to see Samsung offering its phones in a variety of sizes… it’d be even nicer if its smaller phones had more of the high-end features reserved for its flagship devices.
The Galaxy S5 mini will launch in Russia in early July before expanding to other markets.
I fear with the size bump inflicted on the next iPhones (Jobs must be turning in his grave, having been insistent until the last that 3.5″ was the perfect size), the days of the sub-5″ powerhouse are even lower numbered than before. Why do manufacturers continue to assume that anyone wanting a small phone also wants a cr*p one?