Specifications samsung s5 mini. Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini - Specifications. Shooting in difficult lighting conditions
Colour
Determining the type of device (phone or smartphone?) Is pretty simple. If you need a simple and inexpensive device for calls and SMS, it is recommended to opt for a telephone. A smartphone is more expensive, but it offers a wide variety of options: games, video, Internet, thousands of programs for all occasions. However, its battery life is significantly shorter than that of a simple phone.General characteristics
A type
In modern smartphones, not only ordinary SIM cards can be used, but also their more compact versions of micro SIM and nano SIM. eSIM is a SIM card integrated into the phone. It takes up almost no space and does not require a separate tray for installation. ESIM is not yet supported in Russia. Glossary of terms by category Mobile phones
micro SIM Weight 120 g Dimensions (WxHxT) 64.8x131.1x9.1 mmScreen
Screen type color AMOLED, 16.78 million colors, touch Touch screen type multitouch, capacitive Diagonal 4.5 inches. Image size 1280x720 Pixels Per Inch (PPI) 326 Aspect ratio 16:9 Automatic screen rotation there isCalls
Light indication of events there isMultimedia capabilities
Number of main (rear) cameras 1 Main (rear) camera resolution 8 MP Flash rear, LED Main (rear) camera functions autofocus Video recording there is Max. video resolution 1920x1080 Max. video frame rate 30 frames / s Front-camera yes, 2.1 MP Audio MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA Headphone jack 3.5 mmCommunication
GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE LTE band support 800, 850, 900, 1800, 2100, 2600 Interfaces
Almost all modern smartphones have Wi-Fi and USB interfaces. Bluetooth and IRDA are less common. Wi-Fi is used to connect to the internet. USB is used to connect the phone to a computer. Many phones also have Bluetooth. It is used to connect wireless headphones, to connect the phone to wireless speakers, and to transfer files. A smartphone equipped with an IRDA interface can be used as a universal remote control.
Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, IRDA, USB, NFC Satellite navigation
Built-in GPS and GLONASS modules allow you to determine the coordinates of the phone using signals from satellites. In the absence of GPS, a modern smartphone can determine its own location using signals from the base stations of a cellular operator. However, finding coordinates based on signals from satellites is usually much more accurate.
GPS / GLONASS A-GPS system isMemory and processor
CPU
In modern phones and smartphones, special processors are usually used - SoC (System on Chip, system on a chip), which, in addition to the processor itself, accommodate the graphics core, memory controller, I / O device controller, etc. Therefore, the processor largely determines the set of functions and device performance - a glossary of terms by category Mobile Phones
1400 MHz Number of processor cores 4 Built-in memory 16 GB RAM size 1.50 GB Memory card slot yes, up to 64 GBNutrition
Battery type Li-Ion Battery capacity 2100 mAh Battery removable Music listening time 47 h Charging connector type Date of announcement 2014-07-01Before buying, check with the seller for specifications and configuration.
- Phone
- Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery
- Charger with USB cable
- Instructions
Positioning
For Samsung, as well as for other companies, it has become a good tradition to release lightweight versions of their flagships. As a rule, with a 30 percent discount, you get a more compact body with a flagship design, simplified specifications, but all the software chips typical of the latest generation of devices. For many people, such devices look interesting; one cannot say that they have a small audience. But you should always remember that they do not reach the sales volume of flagships, at best they approach them. And this despite the noticeably lower cost. Perhaps the reason is that in this price range, many people choose all or nothing.
An amazing situation has arisen - models with the Mini prefix from the point of view of hardware are clearly inferior to the latest generation of devices, they formally cost less. For example, the filling of the S5 Mini can be compared with the recently released Galaxy S3 Duos, these models are very similar, and the difference in price is staggering - 19,990 and 11,990 rubles. But on the side of the S5 Mini there is an IP67 case protection, a flagship design, as well as all the latest generation software chips, including a power saving mode. Perhaps the situation here is the same as when buying things - someone is satisfied with clothes with a 50 percent discount from the old collection, and someone is trying to buy only what has barely come out. Both are made of the same materials, have the same logo - design and price differ. In devices today, about the same thing happens.
I was very critical of the S5 Mini until I started using it, and within a few weeks my impression of the device changed dramatically. It really looks like a light version of the S5 Mini, and it is done quite well and does its job one hundred percent. In spirit, it is a very compact, productive device for those who do not need a large screen diagonal, but require a small size, rather long operating time. In fact, this is a device that acts in the iPhone segment, no matter how frustrating the fans of the Apple brand may be, everything is very similar in terms of sensations and positioning. The relatively small screen allows you to surf the web, chat comfortably, but not ideal for watching videos - the Galaxy S5 is much better in this aspect. In my opinion, for those who use a combination of a tablet and a phone, it is the S5 Mini that can become the golden mean. The device has clear advantages, each of which stems from its compactness. Surprisingly, a whole class of devices has emerged on the market that compete with the iPhone in terms of size, but offer similar characteristics, while the flagships on Android have gone far ahead.
Design, dimensions, controls
You look at the picture and you realize that you have in front of you a complete copy of the Galaxy S5 - the same backdrop with a hole, which was dubbed an adhesive plaster, the same body colors - black, blue, gold, white.
Compactness is the keyword for the S5 Mini. The phone measures 131.1x64.8x9.1 mm and weighs 120 grams. For comparison, the Galaxy S5 is 142x72.5x8.1 mm and weighs 145 grams.
Compared to Samsung Galaxy S5
Compared to Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo
This device lies very well in my hand, it sinks in my palm. The difference in size on paper is not very critical, in life it is noticeable with the naked eye. You can carry the phone as you like, it does not cause any problems.
Another important point is that the device has protection against water and dust, IP67 level, just like the Galaxy S5. The owners of the flagship know that there is a lid at the bottom that covers the microUSB connector. The S5 Mini dropped it, but it did not affect the level of protection. Which is good for everyday use. An attempt to keep the S5 Mini in a flask at a depth of one meter was successful, the device did not drip, and continued to work under water. Opening the back cover, you will see rubber inserts on it. Exactly the same protection in the S5 Mini.
On the left side there is a volume rocker, an on / off button, which also unlocks the device on the right side. As already mentioned, the microUSB connector is on the bottom end, but on the top there is a 3.5 mm connector, as well as an infrared port, it serves to control various household appliances.
On the front side, there is a light sensor, a proximity sensor, and a 2-megapixel camera for calls. The button under the screen is mechanical, the other two are touch-sensitive.
From the point of view of assembly, there are no complaints about the device, it is quite convenient and good.
Display
The diagonal of the screen is 4.5 inches (in the S5 - 5.1 inches), the resolution is 720x1080 pixels (326 dpi), the screen type is SuperAMOLED. In my opinion, this screen will appeal to everyone who has worked with an iPhone or a similar-sized phone, it is difficult to change to it from large diagonals, there is always not enough size. After the S5 it feels very strong, not to mention the Galaxy Note 3.
The screen quality is excellent, there is no reason to look for flaws. It works well in the sun, the picture remains readable. Indoors, excellent color reproduction, the ability to customize color profiles as you like - from bright, acid colors to muted and natural. Let me remind you that the number of settings that are in the screens from Samsung is maximum, as well as their characteristics, the company itself develops these technologies and does not sell them outside. Except for the resolution, the screen in S5 Mini is quite at the level of the latest developments, it is excellent.
As for the practical disadvantages - it was not very convenient for me to type the text, the screen width is not very optimal - but I can say the same about the iPhone, it is even more inconvenient on it. Therefore, you can ignore this statement, I am spoiled by phones with large screen diagonals, where everything is much more comfortable.
Fingerprint scanner
The implementation is completely similar to the S5, but due to the smaller size of the case, it is more convenient to work. In Note 4, for example, it is almost impossible to do this on the go and with one hand, everything is much more comfortable here. The comfort level is the same as on the iPhone, although there is no need to move. Right there you just need to swipe in the center of the screen and touch the center key. Up to 3 prints can be registered in the settings.
The scanner almost always works perfectly, detects the fingerprint quickly and unlocks the phone. During operation, several times I saw a message stating that the surface of the device is wet, I was asked to wipe it. It's difficult to say anything special about the scanner, everything works and raises no complaints.
Battery and power saving modes
The phone has a 2100 mAh Li-Ion battery (the S5 has 2800 mAh), the manufacturer specifies for the device up to 440 hours of standby time, up to 20 hours of talk time, as well as up to 10 hours of watching videos and about 60 hours of listening to music ...
On paper, the results are higher compared to the S5, but the battery capacity is noticeably smaller. In practice, I measured the video playback time, it turned out to be 10 hours, the same video on the S5 was played for about 9.5 hours. In most modes there is almost complete parity in operating time, but the main thing is how this device works in general. And here a big surprise awaited me.
The smaller screen size gives a noticeable increase in the operating time of the device, so with this device, with an hour of calls, about an hour on the network (3G / 4G / Wi-Fi), about an hour of listening to music, you can go for almost two full days. With a very intense load - a full day, at the same time, for S5 this time with a similar load is noticeably less - by eye the difference is 20-30 percent.
Miracles of this kind do not happen, therefore, delving into the reasons for this behavior, I found the answer - in most situations, the developers made the clock frequency of the quad-core processor minimum, that is, artificially limited its speed. This does not affect the interface in any way, you will not notice a noticeable difference, but the overall performance of the solution is almost 2 times less than in S5 in most situations. What does it mean? The answer lies in the fact that the developers considered this device aimed at a different audience - she does not constantly surf the web, does not keep a dozen bookmarks open in the browser, uses only typical applications (WhatsApp, Skype, and the like), calls and writes a lot. That is, something similar in terms of the usage profile to a regular phone, where you do not need frantic performance that is required in the same games. This phone is definitely not for games - you can run them, but a small screen won't make the experience great.
In the phone's settings, two more were added to the existing power saving modes, and also a quick power button was created for them. There is a usual power saving mode, in which you can limit the background work of applications, enable gray colors for the screen (for AMOLED, this is a chip - gray color consumes almost no energy). Moreover, in the gray scale you can work almost anywhere, even watch a video - but it will be gray, which is not very pleasant and convenient.
I was interested to see if you can live a whole day in this power consumption mode. I managed it calmly, we can say that the device will last for two days, but it won't give you pleasure. There are hardly any people who will use the screen in such a color scheme. There is also another limitation - in WhatsApp and other programs that use a background connection, work stops, you stop receiving messages. For social networks that know Samsung and the SNS program, as well as with the access permissions obtained on the phone (Facebook, Instagram, 4square, Twitter), you receive push messages from the Samsung service. That is, the power saving mode also has a software chip - instead of push messages from different services / programs, they come in a certain interval from only one. This interval cannot be configured, all settings are hidden from the user. Look at the graphs of using the phone in this mode.
This saver mode is good when your battery is low, but you need all the features of your phone. Then, on 10 percent of the charge, you can safely live for about two hours, practically denying yourself nothing. Two hours is an active use of the device, just in a pocket it can live much longer.
The maximum mode of limiting power consumption cuts almost everything, with 15 percent of the battery charge, the phone can work in standby mode for at least a day. But, of course, it all depends on how you use it. The gray scale also turns on, but all communications are cut off, the list of running applications is limited only to those that you allowed, all background processes are turned off. This is a very deeply revised procedure, since many system functions are disabled, you cannot take a screenshot in this mode, many built-in options will be unavailable (but you don't need them).
I liked this mode because when the battery runs out, activating this mode with one touch, you can safely live until the evening - SMS and voice will be available to you.
The device looks very, very good in terms of operating time, although everything is quite at the level of classmates. The power saving mode is different, which can be considered unique for the SuperAMOLED screen.
Camera
The phone has an 8-megapixel autofocus camera, LED flash. The camera is completely identical to the Galaxy S3, this is the same type of solution. Good image quality, albeit not the maximum resolution. You can find examples of pictures below.
Hardware platform, memory, performance
The phone uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8226 chipset, this is a mid-range solution, the quad-core processor has a maximum frequency of 1.4 GHz.
The amount of RAM is 1.5 GB (after loading half is free), built-in memory is 16 GB. The amount of memory occupied by programs is about 4 GB. Memory card - up to 64 GB.
In synthetic tests, it can be seen that the device's performance is about 1.5-2 times less than that of the Galaxy S5, this is due to the fact that such scenarios are embedded in this device. Fans of virtual parrots will be upset, but those who use such devices for work, on the contrary, will be delighted. In the interface, lower performance does not appear in any way.
USB, Bluetooth, communication capabilities
Bluetooth... Bluetooth version 4.0 (LE). When transferring files to other devices that support this technology, Wi-Fi 802.11 n is used, and the theoretical transfer speed is about 24 Mbps. Testing the transfer of a 1 GB file showed a maximum speed of about 12 Mbps within three meters between devices.
The model supports various profiles, in particular Headset, Handsfree, Serial Port, Dial Up Networking, File Transfer, Object Push, Basic Printing, SIM Access, A2DP. Working with headsets does not raise any questions, everything is routine.
USB connection... For some reason, Android 4 abandoned the USB Mass Storage mode, leaving only MTP (there is also a PTP mode).
The USB version is 3, the data transfer rate is about 50 Mb / s.
When connected via USB, the device is charged.
The microUSB connector also supports the MHL standard, which means that using a special cable (available from electronics stores), you can connect your phone to a TV (to the HDMI output). In fact, the standard describes the ability to connect via microUSB to HDMI. This solution looks preferable to a separate miniHDMI connector on the case.
The maximum data transfer rate in LTE is 150 Mbps.
Wi-Fi... Supports 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac standard, the wizard is similar to that for Bluetooth. You can remember the selected networks, automatically connect to them. It is possible to set up a connection to the router with one touch, for this you need to press a button on the router, and also activate a similar button in the device menu (WPA SecureEasySetup). Of the additional options, it is worth noting the setup wizard, it appears when the signal is weak or disappearing. You can also configure Wi-Fi to work on a schedule.
Also, for the 802.11 n standard, the HT40 operating mode is supported, which allows you to double the Wi-Fi bandwidth (requires support from another device).
Wi-Fi Direct... A protocol that aims to replace Bluetooth or compete with its third version (it also uses Wi-Fi version n to transfer large files). In the Wi-Fi settings menu, select the Wi-Fi Direct section, the phone starts looking for devices around. We select the desired device, activate the connection on it, and voila. Now, in the file manager, you can view files on another device, as well as transfer them. Another option is to simply find the devices connected to your router and transfer the necessary files to them, this can be done from the gallery or other sections of the phone. The main thing is that the device supports Wi-Fi Direct.
S Beam... A technology that allows you to transfer a file of several gigabytes to another phone in a few minutes. In fact, we see in the S Beam a combination of two technologies - NFC and Wi-Fi Direct. The first technology is used to bring up and authorize phones, but the second is already used to transfer the files themselves. A creatively redesigned way of using Wi-Fi Direct is much easier than using a dual-device connection, file selection, and so on.
Infrared port... It is necessary to use the phone as a control panel for various household appliances. Automatically adjusts for almost any vehicle model.
S5 Mini software features
Suffice it to say that there are none - this is a completely cast from the S5, right down to all programs and features - inside the Android 4.4.2 device with the latest version of TouchWiz. We have already described all the possibilities in several materials, so I will give links to them. From what has survived, it is also worth noting the heart rate sensor, it is also present here.
Impression
There are no complaints about the connection quality, this device is quite typical - a loud call, a well-discernible vibration.
The price of the phone is 19,990 rubles, which looks like a fairly typical offer for the Mini line, last year the same difference was between the S4 and S4 Mini. The only difference is that Mini appears faster this year, it has been on sale since July.
Among the competitors, it immediately comes to mind, it has the same screen in diagonal and resolution, a similar chipset, but a 13 megapixel camera, which subjectively shoots worse than the one in the S5 Mini. Completely the same cost of devices. The lack of protection as such, but the metal in the case - there is something to think about.
Another competitor can be called, it is second only to the camera, it is 5 megapixel, other characteristics are also very similar - the same chipset, support for LTE (version with LTE).
For a slightly higher price you can purchase Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, there is IP58 protection, there is a 20 megapixel camera, but a 4.3-inch screen with the same resolution. The price is in the range of 21-22 thousand rubles. Quite an interesting solution that will receive an update soon, but the model will be more expensive.
As you can see, this segment has plenty to choose from - mini-versions of flagships exist for each company. Against this background, the S5 Mini looks no better or no worse, the question is which design do you prefer, what functions do you need. The S5 Mini has a lot of new chips, but at the same time it is a compact device - it is possible that the model will suit those who need a phone mainly for calls, SMS, communication. As well as all other models of this class, which are positioned approximately the same. The model turned out, oddly enough, successful, much better than the S4 Mini at the time.
Another new release from the South Korean leader in the production of gadgets - Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini, cannot be unnoticed in this blog. It is this model that is gaining popularity that the review will be devoted to.
For those who are not in the know, I will make a short preface. So, the Galaxy S5 Mini, as just said, is the mini version of the Galaxy S5. The purpose of this product is to collect in itself all the best developments of the flagship, in a cheaper configuration. The model is more focused on modest lovers of functional gadgets who value functions rather than prestige. We will analyze the model itself in more detail at the end of the review, and now let's take a closer look at it.
Unpacking
The box with the device is made in the traditional style of Samsung: from recycled ecological paper, stylized as wood. As I always say in my reviews, packaging is not the main thing, but I would like to see something more beautiful, or at least something new in color, not to mention the models themselves. Well, okay, let's not dwell on the box, we will only see it during general cleaning or at the next revision in the closet.
Having unpacked the device, we can immediately contemplate the culprit of the review. Looking ahead, I will say that the model has not undergone revolutionary changes (as well as any visual changes). At the bottom of the package we have the following delivery set:
User manual - a brief guide to the smartphone, as well as a warranty card and brochures;
DATA cable (USB-microUSB) - for charging the battery and connecting the device to a computer;
Headphones and a set of attachments for them;
Charger.
There is also a separate battery in the box, but this is not a package, but a component. I highlighted this feature for a reason, since many, after reviews, take this battery as an additional one. Therefore, so that potential buyers of the model do not suffer a slight disappointment, I decided to mention this.
In general, the kit is sufficient, so right after the purchase you will be able to fully use your smartphone. The only thing you may need is a cover, but even then it is not for everybody.
Specifications
Before getting to know the device directly, we will find out its parameters, so that you immediately understand what we are dealing with and can analyze these characteristics by comparing them with past mini-models and the flagship.
Screen: 4.5 inches, with a resolution of 720 × 1280, 326 PPI (Super AMOLED, capacitive);
Parameters: 4-core 1.4 GHz processor, 1.5 GB of RAM;
Memory: built-in 16 GB + support for memory cards up to 64 GB;
Communication: GSM, 3G, LTE, GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IRDA;
Navigation: GLONASS / GPS;
OS: Android 4.4 (KitKat);
Camera: main - 8 megapixels, 30 frames per second Full HD video, front - 2.1 megapixels;
Battery: 2100mAh.
The device was stuffed with an LED flash, light and proximity sensors, and a fingerprint scanner. In addition, this miracle of technology has a heart rate monitor, does not sink in water, in addition, it is not afraid of shock and dust.
After reviewing the listed parameters, everyone made a conclusion for himself about this model. In principle, the smartphone is quite powerful in terms of parameters, but if we delve deeper into the analysis, then my opinion is rather ambiguous. Let's start with the fact that the fifth generation of the mini-version of the Galaxy was not an offshoot from the flagship, but an evolution of the previous 4th generation mini, you can read a review of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini on the blog. Yes, the mini of the 5th generation took over the innovations from the flagship model, but, nevertheless, this can be attributed simply to the evolution of the “minicom” family. Each of the parameters has improved, you can compare this from the reviews.
Another very interesting fact, old-timers draw deeper parallels that the Galaxy S5 Mini is the reincarnation of the Galaxy S3. But if you analyze, then the parameters are essentially identical, with the exception of a few minor nuances, you can compare them from the Samsung Galaxy S3 review. In general, if you think about it, the mini-versions have already caught up with the flagships of previous generations. Thus, it can be predicted that the Galaxy S6 Mini will become the reincarnation of the Samsung Galaxy S4, but this is a forecast, nothing more.
Speaking directly about the parameters themselves, it is worth saying that they are quite relevant today and will complete all tasks: communication, the Internet, programs and games, a camera, and useful gadgets. I was very disappointed by the lack of support for 2 SIM-cards, if earlier it was the crown feature of "minis", then this model became a disappointment, because 2 SIM-cards now are very convenient and profitable. At least before there was a choice: a mini model with 1 or 2 SIM cards. I was also surprised by the price, but more about it later.
Model Description
As I mentioned initially, the visual design of the S5 Mini has not changed at all, it is identical to the flagship, only slightly smaller in size. Unlike its predecessor, the model has become more rectangular, and this reminded me of its main competitor from Cupertiino.
I will not dwell on the design in detail, I have focused on it more than once in previous reviews, and there is nothing new either. I will only note that the back cover is made of plastic, which, as always, is made in leather style. Like the S5, the Mini's center key includes a fingerprint reader. Well, I think that it is not even worth talking about the fact that there are no creaks, backlashes and other things in the gadget, since this is not typical for such a giant as Samsung.
As for the operation of the device itself, everything is at the highest level. As soon as I turned on the device, I was immediately struck by the screen, it really became brighter and cooler compared to past mini-versions. The response is as always on top, playing games is a pleasure.
Speaking of games, it is worth noting that the latest GTA and Asphalt are running great, there are no freezes and slow down, the graphics are excellent. The same can be said for apps and Full HD videos - they work great.
Also migrated from the flagship to the mini is the modified Samsung branded shell - TouchWiz. She refreshed the look of Android, and changed the icons and elements of the desktop.
I've read a lot of complaints about the fingerprint scanner having some glitches, but I personally didn't notice them. In general, when you set up the fingerprint reader, you need to swipe your finger as you would in your day-to-day. Thus, you will not have any problems with the scanner. As for the function itself, I don't find it useful. You can learn more about all the migrated innovations from the flagship review.
The smartphone is comfortable and clear in the hand, compact and with a large enough screen in relation to the size of the device. If you also consider that the device is packed full of good stuffing and the latest chips - it's just great.
Now comes the fun part. The cost of a smartphone is about 17 thousand rubles, and this is for the mini-version. If you weren't too lazy and read the review about the S3, you probably wondered: wouldn't it be better to buy the third Galaxy worship, the model of which is almost 2 times lower !? And at the price of the S5, the Mini is only 3-4 thousand behind. For the sake of chips like: anti-shock, water resistance and a fingerprint scanner - there is no point in overpaying, and therefore, you can buy the flagship Galaxy S4, which is about 4 thousand rubles cheaper.
Conclusions of the review
Summing up the review, I still did not understand the goals and niche of this model. It turns out that the Galaxy S5 Mini is either a miscalculation of marketers and creators, or a subtly thought-out step of the South Koreans, which we will understand after some time.
In general, I still cannot resist and insert a remark about additional functions. Personally, as for me, these are "feathers". The smartphone is created in order to: make calls, correspond, surf the Internet, play games, watch movies and listen to music. Why are these "brahmauders" !?
I think no one will think of diving with their S5 Mini. Moreover, the manufacturers themselves stated that they do not guarantee the complete impermeability of the device at great depths. At most, it is protected from leaks in case you drop the device into a puddle, bathroom or bucket of water. Well, this should be the case for any flagship smartphone.
The shockproof properties of a smartphone should also, in my opinion, be characteristic of a smartphone in this niche. At least when falling on the asphalt from a height of human growth, a device for this price should be able to. But the anti-dust property - it caused me utter skepticism. You just need to think about it: South Koreans are proud of the fact that their device does not allow dust to pass through. I think that today even many "Chinese" are protected from dust between the glass and the screen.
In general, the significance of all these innovations is in question. Not to mention the fingerprints, which will be very interesting to NSA employees.
Despite the fact that the model is modern, functional and very good, having the money to buy it, I would think about it. If you need prestige and full functionality - I would prefer the Galaxy S5, if you don't really chase after all of this - Galaxy S4.
All calculations aside, the Galaxy S5 Mini itself is a good enough smartphone that will fully satisfy the needs of any user, including all the available additional functions and gadgets.
I wish you all good luck, until new reviews!
The idea of \u200b\u200breleasing mini-versions of flagships is definitely liked by most vendors, for several years now we have seen similar devices on the shelves. Today it's time to get acquainted with the mini-flagship from Samsung - GalaxyS5 Mini. We figured out the original model in great detail, except, we talked about how the flagship works with, how it can, and at the end we shared our impressions of the long one. The junior device has incorporated all the features of the senior model, you can read about them in these materials, and we will proceed to our review.
Design and usability
Externally, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini is a smaller copy of the Galaxy S5, the company did not come up with anything new and just used a well-known design.
This concerns both the location of the controls and body materials, as well as the available colors. If we ignore the difference in size and weight, we can find the only difference - the interface connector is represented by the usual MicroUSB 2.0 instead of the high-speed 3.0, it is not covered with a cap, although the protection class remains the same (IP67). In fact, one more difference is hidden under the cover - now there are two, rather than one, slot for Micro SIM cards.
When you take the S5 Mini in your hands, you immediately realize that he received the "mini" prefix quite deservedly. After the usual five-inch models, the 4.5-inch smartphone really starts to seem small. This feeling is facilitated not only by the diagonal, but also by the body weight, which is 120 grams.
Of course, this impression is somewhat misleading, because the true dimensions are comparable to their counterparts:
| Smartphone | Dimensions, mm | Weight, g |
| Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini | 131.1 × 64.8 × 9.1 | 120 |
| Samsung Galaxy S5 | 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1 | 145 |
| HTC One mini 2 | 137.43x65.04x10.6 | 137 |
| HUAWEI Ascend G6 | 131.2х65.3х7.85 | 115 |
| Motorola Moto G | 129.9 x 65.9 x 6.0-11.6 | 143 |
As for the assembly, it is at a decent level, the structure is rigid and does not give in to torsion. Yes, with strong squeezing, you can achieve a slight crunching of plastic, but this is forgivable given the fact that the design is completely collapsible, and in the review there was a sample that clearly passed through more than one hand.
Of the things that you pay attention to a little later, it is worth noting the comfortable mechanical keys, especially the Home key, which is good for turning on the screen, as well as the glossy frame. Its dimensions are slightly larger than average, in the sun it lets out "bunnies" and protrudes above the protective screen so that even the largest neat people can safely lay the smartphone down with the screen down.
Operating system and shell
The smartphone runs on the Android 4.4.2 operating system, uses the proprietary TouchWiz graphical shell, completely similar to that of the flagship Galaxy S5. In addition to the new "flat" design, a redesigned settings menu is striking, the items of which are located in a matrix, and not in a list. This arrangement is quite confusing, and some points are repeated in different groups. However, there is a search and the ability to collapse unnecessary groups of settings, after which it becomes much easier to find the desired item.
From the list of recently launched applications, you can go to the built-in program manager and clear the RAM. The notification panel contains shortcuts to quickly change settings and a slider for changing the screen brightness.
Hardware platform
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini comes in several versions. The first one, based on its own Exynos chipset, has the G800F index and works with one SIM card. The second, built on a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8226 (1.4 GHz, Cortex-A7, Adreno 305) chipset, index G800H, supports the simultaneous operation of two Micro SIM cards. Also, the G800H, unlike the G800F, lacks an NFC module. We tested the G800H version, which is presented in Ukrainian retail and online stores.
The rest of the characteristics are similar - they are 1.5 GB of RAM and 16 GB of built-in memory, a slot for memory cards, a fingerprint scanner, a heart rate monitor and an infrared remote control for controlling household appliances.
Of the 16 GB of ROM, about 11.3 GB is available to the user. From 700 to 500 MB of RAM available immediately after launch. In normal use, the performance of the smartphone is at a good level typical of most mid-range smartphones. This means normal launching speed of applications and generally quite fast operation. There will be no problems with games either - Real Racing 3 and Modern Combat 4 run smoothly. Compared to the average smartphone, 1.5GB of RAM seems like a small advantage. It should be understood that the TouchWiz shell is quite resource-demanding, so it “eats up” part of the memory, and micro-slowdowns are sometimes noticeable. But all the same, the increased amount of memory will allow you to observe reloading of frequently used applications less often.
There were no complaints about the work of the GPS and Wi-Fi modules. A “cold start” can take a minute or a half time, and a search with A-GPS turned on will take seconds. Wi-Fi is fast and has good sensitivity.
As a multimedia player, the smartphone performs well. The platform allows you to watch FullHD video in popular codecs, including high frame rate video, but does not play AC3 audio tracks.
Playing video files:
| Codec / Name | FinalDestination5.mp4 | Neudergimie.2.mkv | Spartacus.mkv | ParallelUniverse.avi | Gran Turismo 6.mp4 |
| Video | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1920 × 798 29.99fps | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1920 × 816 23.98fps | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1280 × 720 29.97fps | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1280 × 536 24.00fps 2726kbps | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1920 × 1080 60fps, 19.7Mbit / s |
| Audio | AAC 48000Hz stereo 96kbps | MPEG Audio Layer 3 44100Hz stereo | Dolby AC3 44100Hz stereo | MPEG Audio Layer 3 44100Hz stereo 256kbps | AAC 48000Hz stereo 48kbps |
| Built-in Player / MX Video Player | FinalDestination5.mp4 | Neudergimie.2.mkv | Spartacus.mkv | ParallelUniverse.avi | Gran Turismo 6.mp4 |
| Video | Yes Yes | Yes Yes | Yes Yes | Yes Yes | Yes Yes |
| Audio | Yes Yes | Yes Yes | No Yes | Yes Yes | Yes Yes |
The quality of music reproduction is at a normal level, the sound in the headphones is pleasant, without extraneous noise with a high volume margin. The built-in audio player has good functionality, it "understands" not all encodings of file names, but it contains a functional equalizer with the effects "Tube amplifier" and others.
The operation of two SIM-cards is implemented on the basis of one radio module, while talking on one of them the second becomes unavailable. Applications "Phone" and "Messages" contain two buttons for sending a call and sending a message, each SIM can be assigned its own name and icon. The ringer speaker of a smartphone is of medium volume, usually you can hear it well, but due to its location it easily overlaps, which greatly mutes the ringing sound. A sufficiently strong vibrating alert helps not to miss a call, it is well felt in the pockets. The earpiece speaker sounds intelligible and clear, it has a good volume margin. The ability to record a conversation from the line is not provided.
The smartphone is powered by a removable 2100mAh battery. With an average load, including a minimum number of conversations, reading Twitter feed throughout the day, several hours of listening to music and other activity, the Galaxy S5 Mini will last up to two days. In active operation, the charge will definitely last from morning to late evening. Below are the results of two-hour battery tests:
| Mode | Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini | LG G3 s | Lenovo S650 * | HUAWEI Ascend G6 * |
| Music | 66:40 | 81:49 | 50:00 | 40:00 |
| Reading | 11:46 | 10:31 | 9:31 | 11:46 |
| Navigation | 8:00 | 6:53 | 7:09 | 5:00 |
| Watching HD video | 12:30 | 8:20 | 6:27 | 6:40 |
| Watching HD Videos from Youtube | 6:54 | 6:27 | 4:49 | 6:04 |
| Antutu tester (points) | 7218 | 7117 | 645* | 384* |
| GFXBench (minutes) | 319 | 329 | 222 | 236 |
| GFXBench (points) | 588 (10.5 fps) | 614 (11 fps) | 478 (8.5 fps) | 606 (10 fps) |
In mode reading all wireless communications are disabled, including data transmission in the mobile network, and the display brightness is set to 200 cd / m2. While listening music automatic data synchronization and data transmission worked. Headphone volume at 12 out of 15 possible levels. All music files in MP3 format, bit rate 320 Kbps.Navigation includes getting directions in the Google Navigation app. The brightness is set to 200 cd / m2, all communication modules are disabled. During playback video data transmission in the mobile network is active, the display brightness is set to 200 cd / m2, the sound volume in the headphones is at level 12 out of a possible 15. Video file format MKV, resolution 1024x432 pixels, frame rate 24. Video playback from Youtube was accompanied not only by work in the Wi-Fi network, but also by active data transfer. Display brightness is set at 200 cd / m2, headphone volume at 12 out of 15 possible levels.
* - data obtained under similar conditions, but with brightness set to 50% and possible
As a separate reminder, the Galaxy S5 and, accordingly, the Mini have an advanced power saving mode. In a simple version, it allows you to disable background data exchange, limit the processor clock speed and screen refresh rate (number of frames), and enable gray display tones. In the "Extreme Power Saving" mode, the smartphone turns into a simple phone, allowing you to receive and make calls, write messages. The manufacturer claims that in this mode the smartphone will work up to a day at 10% charge.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini has retained the flagship's main features, which include a fingerprint scanner, heart rate monitor and water resistance. The fingerprint scanner is hidden in the Home button.
It allows you to save three fingerprints, use them to unlock the device, authorize in the Samsung branded store and make purchases with PayPal. To successfully read the fingerprint, you need to slide your finger exactly over the button, not quickly or slowly. If there were absolutely ten unsuccessful unlock attempts, you will have to wait thirty seconds before you can re-scan or enter the password.
To measure the heart rate, you need to put your finger on the sensor, while you need to remain motionless and not speak, which greatly complicates its use during sports, for example, jogging. The most useful feature of a smartphone is water resistance (IP67 standard).
Display
The smartphone has a 4.5-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. Similar to the flagship Samsung devices, the Super AMOLED matrix is \u200b\u200bused. Its minimum brightness is 2 cd / m 2, the maximum is 335 cd / m 2. Factory calibrated quality checks show a wide color gamut, well above the sRGB color space, and slightly elevated color temperature.
In the display settings, you can select the appropriate color profile and enable the high sensitivity mode, which allows you to operate your smartphone with gloves.
In real life, the display looks good.
A wide range of brightness adjustment allows you to comfortably use your smartphone both in the dark and in bright sunlight, readability on the street is good. Automatic brightness control works correctly and quickly, the sensor algorithm can be adjusted to your liking, so that it sets a higher or vice versa, a lower brightness.
You can talk for a long time about the features of color rendering of AMOLED displays, the presence of PenTile (which is in a smartphone), but they all usually come down to personal taste preferences. In my personal opinion, such displays are quite good in everyday life and are in no way inferior to high-quality IPS-matrices.
Cameras
GalaxyS5 Mini has two cameras: the main one with a resolution of 8 megapixels, autofocus and flash, and the front one is 2.1 megapixels. The camera interface is familiar from the company's flagship. The app offers a decent amount of settings and shooting modes.
The quality of images is average, it is highly dependent on lighting and is at the level of modern smartphones in the middle price segment.
Examples of photos taken with the main camera:
Examples of FullHD video:
Video review of the smartphone Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini
Outcome
In a way, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini is similar to the previous versions of the company's mini-flagships. As before, the model completely copies the design of its older brother, but this time it has retained all its distinctive features (a set of sensors, protection, energy saving modes). Unfortunately, the noticeably simplified hardware and the camera do not allow us to call it a real flagship - we are just looking at a good "average" with a number of interesting "chips". The hero of the review may be of interest to those who choose a compact A-brand smartphone with normal performance without regard to its cost.
Notify when on sale
Not only the flagships, but also their stripped-down versions are under close public scrutiny. One of these devices is the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini, which looks like a copy of the older model. The phone was released in 2014.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini appearance.
Specifications
The smartphone received an average hardware platform in terms of power. The technical characteristics are enough to perform tasks of average complexity. An incomprehensible decision of the manufacturer is the availability of 1.5 GB of RAM. Not 1 GB or 2 GB, namely 1.5 GB. This solution is repeatedly found in the J.
| Display | Screen diagonal: 4.5 Display Resolution: 1280 x 720 Matrix type: Super AMOLED |
| Manufacturer | Samsung |
| Model | Galaxy S5 Mini |
| Date of announcement | year 2014 |
| Dimensions | 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1 mm Weight: 120 g |
| SIM card | Dual SIM |
| operating system | Android 4.4.1 |
| Communication standard | GSM WCDMA LTE |
| Memory | OP: 1.5 GB; VP: 16 GB; Memory card support: Yes (up to 64GB) |
| Camera | Primary: 8 MP Flash / Autofocus: Yes / Yes Front: 2.1 MP Flash / Autofocus: No / No |
| CPU | Name: Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 / Exynos 3470 Video core: Adreno 305 Number of cores: 4 Frequency: 1.4GHz |
| Wireless technology | Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | Battery capacity: 2100 mAh Fast Charge: No Removable Battery: Yes |
| Connectors | Charger connector: micro-USB Headphone jack: 3.5mm |
| Navigation | GPS: Yes A-GPS: Yes Beidou: No GLONASS: Yes |
| Sensors | Illumination Approximations Gyroscope Fingerprint scanner Hall Sensor Accelerometer |
Completion and packaging
The smartphone comes in a cardboard box, which is decorated with inscriptions with the model name on the top and side edges. On the back there is information about the technical characteristics of the device.
Smartphone packaging.
- Power adapter.
- Micro-USB sync cable.
- User's manual.
- Paper documentation.
- Wired headphones.
- Spare ear pads.
The phone is on a cardboard lining. Under it are the elements typical of Samsung smartphones:
Video
Appearance and design
The developers decided not to reinvent the wheel and used a design that became successful in the "adult" version of the phone. The only difference is the size. If the dimensions of the flagship device are 142x65x10.6 mm, then the mini-version turned out to be narrower, shorter, but thicker - 131.1x64.8x9.1 mm. Samsung Galaxy S5 mini also weighs less - 120 g versus 145 g.
note
The phone is on sale in four colors. In addition to the traditional black, white and gold, the device can be found in an unusual blue color scheme.
The smartphone is assembled with high quality, but with strong squeezing, you can hear the crunch of plastic. However, we must make allowances for the fact that the phone has a collapsible design. From the flagship, the hero of the review received not only the design, but also protection against water ingress according to the IP67 standard. The device can be completely submerged under water for a short period of time to a depth of 1 m.
The bezel has noticeable bezels at the top and bottom. They are larger than the older model. Under the screen, the manufacturer placed touch control buttons that perform the following actions: right - "Back", left - "Call the menu of running applications". Between the touch-sensitive buttons there is a mechanical Home key, which has got another nice bonus. In the upper part of the front panel, you can see the earpiece grille, sensors, a peephole of the front camera and the manufacturer's logo, which was not without in the flagship.
The back cover is made of plastic imitating leather. The side edges are bent, so the smartphone is comfortable to hold in hand. The corners are also rounded, which also contributes to the comfort when using the phone. The rear panel contains the main camera lens, flash, earpiece grill, heart rate sensor and company logo and the inscription "DOUS", which means that the hero of the review supports work with two SIM cards.
It is important to know
The cover is removable. Under it you can see the battery, two slots for installing SIM cards, as well as a separate slot for a MicroSD memory card, with which you can increase 16 GB of internal memory.
The smartphone has got metal frames. They cool your hand pleasantly. The developers have separated hardware keys for volume control and on / off device on different side panels. So, the volume rocker is located on the left side, and the power button is on the right. Both elements protrude above the planes of the side faces and are distinguished by a tight stroke. The first feature allows you to quickly find the keys, and the second minimizes the risk of mistaken keystrokes.
At the bottom there is a Micro-USB port without USB OTG support. This is done so that the functionality of the device does not overlap with the capabilities of other phones of the same price category. In addition to the Micro-USB connector, there is a hole for the spoken microphone at the bottom end. On the upper edge, the manufacturer has placed a 3.5 mm audio output and an infrared port. None of the connectors have got protective caps.
Color variations of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini.
Display
Review hero received . And this decision is not a surprise to anyone. All phones of the Korean company are equipped with this matrix. The screen resolution is 1280x720 px, and its diagonal is 4.5 inches. With this specification, the pixel density is 326 dpi. The screen is located in the center of the front panel. The side bezels are 4.5 mm, while the top and bottom bezels are 1.6 cm. AnTuTu shows that the sensor responds to ten touches at the same time.
Will be useful
The presence of a light sensor enables the automatic brightness adjustment mode. It works quickly, but functions correctly.
In the settings, you can activate the control mode with gloves. Its disadvantage lies in the excessively high sensitivity of the sensor, due to which erroneous clicks cannot be avoided. Thanks to the proximity sensor during a phone call, the display dims and is activated when the smartphone is brought to the ear and after moving away from it, respectively.
Super AMOLED with a screen resolution of 1280x720 px and a diagonal of 4.5 inches.
The brightness range is sufficient both for using the phone on a sunny day and for operating at night. When exposed to direct sunlight, the picture fades, but remains readable. Practically all information is easy to parse. In conditions of complete darkness, the minimum brightness threshold is sufficient for comfortable work with the device.
The screen has wide viewing angles. The OLED display is characterized by true blacks, white uniformity and high levels of brightness when the gaze deviates from the perpendicular.
Software
The smartphone received Android 4.4.2. At the time of the release of the device, Google had already created a newer version of the green robot, but the developers decided to leave the version of "not the first freshness" to their brainchild. The internal interface is represented by the proprietary TouchWiz shell. It has a simple design. The settings menu has been redesigned. All elements are arranged in a matrix, not a list.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini received Android 4.4.2.
In addition to standard applications, the developers have added several proprietary programs. This is an application store called Samsung App, and the S Voice recorder, and the S Health application, which allows you to monitor your health. Three application icons are fixed at the bottom of the desktop: Phone, Messages, Google Chrome. There is also an icon for calling the program menu. There is a place for 10 icons in the Google folder:
- Play Market.
- Gmail email.
- Cards.
- YouTube.
- Games.
- Press.
- Disk.
- Music.
- Google Keep.
- Hangouts.
note
In the menu of running applications, you can close all programs at once. From there, you can quickly go to the phone manager. About 20 elements can be placed in the notification curtain, among which there are typical Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, data transfer, airplane mode and others. There is also a brightness slider on the panel.
Sound
Samsung Galaxy S5 mini delivers high quality sound. The smartphone received a loud speaker. The sound is clear, bright and rich. Low frequencies are also reproduced. At maximum volume settings, the sound is clear and without wheezing. The speaker is also of high quality. During telephone conversations, the voice of the interlocutor is not distorted, and the volume reserve is sufficient to hear everything said in a noisy environment.
Samsung Galaxy S5 mini delivers high sound quality.
Performance
The hero of the review is available in several modifications. The hardware platform of the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini may be based on a cheap and slower Snapdragon 400 processor or a similar chipset of Samsung's own production, which is called Exynos.
1.5 GB of RAM does not allow keeping a large number of applications in the background without unloading them from memory. In addition, this volume is not enough to quickly and smoothly switch between demanding games, since about 500 MB are available.
There are no problems with games. Real Racing and Modern Combat 4 work without brakes. but slight slowdowns can occur due to the fact that the TouchWiz shell itself is resource-intensive.
The actual performance of the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini matches the specifications of the device and the results shown by the reviewer in synthetic tests. So, in Vellamo, the phone is gaining 760, 100, 1570 and 1540 points in tests of hardware, cores, Google Chrome and the built-in Internet browser, respectively.
In AnTuTu, the device scores slightly over 19 thousand points. This is about the same as the mini version of the Galaxy S4 smartphone showed. gains 17 thousand points. Both competitors are also powered by Snapdragon 400.
GeekBench awards the hero of the review 390 and 1270 points in the test of one and all cores, respectively. The predecessor in this benchmark is gaining 640/1100 points, and the HTC smartphone - 345 in Single-Core and 1135 in Multi-Core.
