Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini: Size and build
The Mini remains identical to theSamsung Galaxy S3in design terms. Theres a slim plastic body and removable back panel for the battery, SIM and MicroSD card. On the surrounding edges, theres just the power button and a volume rocker.
Everything is smaller than the Galaxy S3, naturally. Samsung can claim an ultra lightweight body as the Galaxy S3 Mini clocks in at 111.5 grams, designed to undercut the iPhone 5 by just half a gram. It matches the body of theiPhone 5 for size and the screen is now 4 inches as opposed to 4.8 inches.
Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini: Features
Everythings been downsized from the original Galaxy S3. A dual-core processor replaces the quad-core one, a five megapixel camera replaces the 8 megapixel one and internal storage is now just 8GB, though theres the MicroSD expansion option.
Familiar Samsung apps like S Voice are Memo are embedded within the Jelly Bean OS and theres a decent pair of headphones in the box, offering a good upgrade from the poor headphones that accompany many Android smartphones (except those made by Sony...)
Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini: Screen
The four-inch display is a Super AMOLED screen but theres a drop in resolution compared to the normal Galaxy S3. Its 480x800 pixels which means a 233 pixels per inch density compared the the wunder window display of the 306 pixels per inch of the Galaxy S3.
Remember that an iPhone 4 now costs the same as a Galaxy 3 Mini and has 330 pixels per inch. Overall, the screen looks sharp and is responsive but we know theres better for the money and, really, we miss the 4.8-inch screen of the full fat Galaxy S3.
Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini: Performance
The Galaxy S3 Mini isnt slow and is able to handle multiple apps at speed with no slowdown. Yes, youll notice the dual-core processor struggle with the latest games aimed at high-end smartphones, but the presence of Jelly Bean out of the box and extra Samsung apps add value.
The camera looks woefully average in 2012 - its a five megapixel sensor under the bonnet but the results arent as convincing as cheaper rivals and a full step back from iPhone 4 or Motorola Razr i camera performance.
Images lack definition, shutter speed is slow and low light shooting is particularly bad. The 8GB is storage isnt great for music or app fans either and although you can use a MicroSD card, were surprised that the Galaxy S3 Mini doesnt offer 16GB as standard.
Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini: Battery
The 1500mAh battery lasts a day and half with heavy use which is commendable and matches rivals in the same price band.
Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini: Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini looks like a Galaxy S3 but has been stripped of all the things that made that smartphone the T3 smartphone of the year. The real killer is that it doesnt cost that much less than a Galaxy S3 which means, once youve seen one, its hard to accept second best, unless Samsung does the right thing by slashing the price, making this an acceptable proposition once more.
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