After seeing the review of the Samsung Galaxy S5, finally arrives on the market also the younger brother: S5 mini. After the success of the previous model, one of the best-selling Android device Mini, 2014 sees a revamp with new aesthetics funionalità, sensors and features that undoubtedly make this model better than its predecessor. That said, let’s find out in the review:
Hardware, Materials and Ergonomics:
As said earlier review, Galaxy Mini S5 still managed to improve a bit ‘all aspects of its predecessor: the display is a bit’ bigger, higher resolution and HD Super Amoled but always brighter; the Processor is a Exynos 3470 Cortex-A7 which is not very different from the Snapdragon to power 400; the battery is increased without breaking records; the camera has reached an even higher level and finally we find other hardware implementations such as the fingerprint reader and the heartbeat.
S5 Mini is basically a Mini S4 improved in all aspects, including the impermeability that is so fashionable in recent months, even in the European market.
The interior improvements are also associated to external variations. In this case, talk about improvements or deteriorations is very difficult and often subjective. S5 is greater than S4, not by much but it is a bit ‘wider and taller | S4 Galaxy Mini – 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.94 mm and weighs 107 grams / Galaxy Mini S5 – 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1 mm for a weight of 120 grams |. It has an aesthetic more rectangular and less rounded edges and around the display slightly thicker probably caused by the IP67 certification.
In his hand he held just as well and the back cover has a plastic finish that offers a perforated good grip compared to other colors. The situation is analogous to that of Note 3 Note 3 white vs black where the latter has a very different surface to the touch. Likes, dislikes? There are many colors to choose from and some variants are very nice.
Assembly finally analogous to S5 with the same feeling to the touch. Samsung remains the choices to leave expansion memory and battery replacement that we certainly can not criticize.
Display:
Samsung has become accustomed to the Super AMOLED display time in virtually all of the top range smartphone and phablet. Galaxy Mini S5 obviously no exception, and further improves the overall quality of the front panel of the middle class. Although the resolution is not Full HD, but “only” HD, the screen has increased in size going from 4.3 “to 4.5″ that allow you to have a density pixel equal to 326ppi and therefore very high.
In addition, the screen Mini S5 has a brightness greater than S4 Mini and a color calibration much more convincing that definitely emphasizes the contrasts and offers blacks but does not exceed the absolute blue patina, especially in the presence of whites, that always penalizes the Amoled technology. There are of course various control parameters with 5 different ways to calibrate the color range to our liking.
The viewing angle is virtually complete and there are no problems of legibility even in outside, especially if we set the Automatic brightness maximum that increases the values of illumination in the presence of strong light sources. Other important aspects of the display, but not in the strict sense of the panel, related to the presence of the fingerprint reader digital that allows you to unlock your smartphone with a vertical swype from the display to the center key. Reader that can also be used to PayPal and other applications. It also changes the arrangement of the front buttons that marries the Nexus with the multitasking instead of the settings (still accessible by pressing and holding the button for 2 seconds multitasking). Unfortunately, keys do not vibrate softouch.
No problem for touch, responsiveness, precision and feeling of use, including keyboard.
Battery, Audio and Reception:
With a capacity of 2100mAh, Galaxy Mini S5 certainly not challenge other manufacturers in seeking the maximum capacity possible. The battery has a new shape, very similar to the Galaxy S5 to better adapt to the new shape of the inside of your smartphone. In absolute terms, Mini S5 is not a champion of autonomy and aligns with the values of HTC One Mini 2 although Samsung has worked very well in software.
In addition to a good optimization, S5 Mini integrates two power-saving mode that allow you to extend the battery life significantly. The first mode is the most extreme and virtually any size connections and change the UI offering a smartphone very minimal for operation, program and use. Everything is transformed with a basic interface and the AMOLED panel only shows contrasting blacks and whites while eliminating the colors.
The second mode, less invasive, takes only did the colors of the display, leaving the UI unchanged and allowing the user to continue to use your smartphone in much the same way. Since the Amoled allows you to consume less energy having an absolute black, the savings are considerable when used in this way for a long time. Of course if you put this mode only 5% of the battery, do not expect miracles: the average indicates approximately 30.1 hours of use in most of about 10 total, compared to the normal mode.
As for the reception, Mini S5 is confirmed in a telephone line with his older brother. Very complete connectivity that, in addition to all the standard 2014 software features is typical of Samsung models that emphasize even more the possible shares with devices of various types.
Appreciable finally the audio. In a call does not have a problem with a good quality earpiece and through the rear speaker volume is in line with that of S4 Mini and not very tall.
Software:
We arrive at the software department. Samsung Galaxy Mini S5 is a Samsung in all respects and the Korean manufacturer has not misrepresented certain identity with this new model. Although the renewal and visual quality is undoubtedly present, impossible not to notice all the distinctive and characteristic of Touch Wiz. The work is there, you can see and it is clear to you, but perhaps more experienced and demanding that something extra “missing” | some theme? |. S5 Mini is obviously copying software S5 although it has some lack related hardware less powerful and the size of the display. It is appreciated more than S4 Mini in all conditions of use and the operating system is obviously Android 4.4.2 and everything responds well and promptly to commands. There is no delay in opening applications or excessive burdens within the interface of the system and everything flows well and improvements located virtually anywhere.
The new notifications section saw a more convincing and modern design, new options and a connectivity feature quick convenient and useful. The setting has a division in vertical sections with a round mode with icons or list over to a side of quick settings menu that allows you to manually customize also the sort of settings.
In the menu of programs Widgets are gone but at least you can download additional applications, Samsung is not present by default in the phone. There is the ability to create folders, hide programs and change the grid. Widgets are now included in the home, a little ‘as the launcher Google Now though in the end the system operation is virtually identical.
In place of Google Now, we find the “personal journal” a kind of Blinkfeed that uses Flipboard to work: convenient and practical. Samsung has also retained all the characteristics of air gesture, air view and air control. Manca (unfortunately?) Enhanced multitasking with the division of the applications on the screen, but you can find the new feature on screen to be a key favorite apps always available or the call control.
Many small improvements that pass for the pictures, now can recognize automatically whether to take pictures fruits, plants, people, places or more. A set of software features that makes it undoubtedly complete this Mini S5 and S5 comparable in almost everything to normal. Despite all these implementations, 1.5GB of RAM seem to be enough and I did not record any problems in using all the options. Unfortunately, the Samsung keyboard software does not have the vibration in the update installed on the phone under test.
Also good web browsing that convinces under practically all perspectives, including readability. The Browser Samsung is good though not up to the latest update of Chrome, and especially not converses well with the keyboard in text fields. With Chrome you do not have a problem with a really nice render.
I close by quoting the sensors: a software implementation level of the player beats is decent although currently limited to a few programs, and primarily in S Healt . There remains the problem of precision, especially if we have the finger sweaty after a run. As for the fingerprint sensor, excellent recognition and valuable choice to make “open” the use of this hardware to exploit it in other apps.
Multimedia and Camera:
Although there are no technology Ultrapixel and OIS image stabilizer, S5 Mini is able to offer a quality of shots and movies really excellent. With 8 megapixel resolution is half of the S5 but the quality and the management is still very good. The amount of software options is enviable and we could hardly expect more features. All this, however, because the immediate UI camera allows you to shoot without setting anything in particular .
Video in Full HD and capable of meeting:
The audio after the immersion is gone because the water into the headphone jack has simulated the headphone connection. A tip in the hole and everything is ok.
Excellent multimedia department can offer all the functionality and compatibility as possible. The gallery Samsung is always a bit ‘too heavy but still a bit’ better organized than the previous version of Touch Wiz. Side no problem gaming and the GPU works fairly well. Not all titles are perfectly optimized, for example, RR3 does not offer the best frame rate seen.
Samsung Galaxy Mini S5 is in effect a scaled down version in S5 and the sacrifices to be made are really very few and mainly see some customization software in less and little else. Sensors, good room, great display, water resistance and design are taken in toto, of course, all at a lower price.
As always, the official list is out of range in Samsung Italy and € 429 required are too many but it is already available online, always Italy, about 350 € which are undoubtedly a price more in line with the hardware offered . S5 Mini is a good choice if you want a Mini with famous producer. It remains unclear how the segment of the “Mini” has less and less appeal, and that the Compact are the smartest choice if you want a top range small. We look forward to Alpha Galaxy.
Rating 8.2
(update as at 08 August 2014, 13:44 hours)
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