A little more than a month since the launch of the Galaxy S4, Samsung has unveiled its smaller brother in the form of the Galaxy S4 Mini, a new mid-range Android smartphone with a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display (16:9 aspect ratio).
The device is powered by a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, alongside 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory, of which only 5GB will actually be available to the user. However, Samsung is quick to emphasize that it will also offer a microSD slot for up to 64GB of additional storage.
Samsung’s new handset also comes equipped with a 1900 mAh battery, which is a far cry from the 2600 mAh version found in the original Galaxy S4. Given that the S4 Mini has a smaller display and less powerful processor, however, hopefully this won’t be too much of an issue when it comes to lasting the day on a full charge.
The new Galaxy S4 Mini is fitted with an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, contrasted by a 1.9-megapixel snapper on the front. It also comes with a plethora of camera features exclusive to new Samsung devices, such as ‘Sound & Shot’, which lets the user record up to nine seconds of audio alongside a still image, as well as Panorama Shot for creating an ultra wide-angle perspective.
The device runs on the latest version of Android – version 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) – and comes in at just 8.94mm thick, weighing 107 grams in the hand.
JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Communication Division at Samsung Electronics, said the device followed “unprecedented demands” for the original Galaxy S4.
The launch of the Galaxy S4 Mini should come as no surprise. The original Galaxy S4 has been a huge success, selling 10 million units in its first month. For comparison, the Galaxy S3 took twice as long last year to reach that milestone.
The Galaxy S3 Mini was announced in October 2012 with a similar premise; offering the design of Samsung’s flagship smartphone in a smaller and slightly less powerful handset. The Galaxy branding alone means that the S4 Mini will be a popular choice for Android users looking for a mid-range device with a sub 4.5-inch display.
The smartphone will be available in two color variants, White Frost and Black Mist, and will be launched officially at its ‘Premiere 2013’ event in London on June 20.
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