Samsung launched the Galaxy S5 mini smartphone earlier today. The launch of a ‘mini’ version of the company’s flagship has become a staple in the calendar release schedule for Samsung. However, whereas Sony carefully chose the ‘Compact’ moniker to define a smaller flagship handset, Samsung’s S5 mini doesn’t share the same specs as its bigger brother the Galaxy S5.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 mini has a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED 720p display and is armed with a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB RAM and 16GB internal storage with microSD memory card. It also includes an 8MP rear camera, 2.1MP front-facing camera, a heart rate monitor and fingerprint scanner.
One of the most interesting features of the Galaxy S5 mini is IP67 certification for water and dust resistance. However, Samsung has found a way to leave the micro USB port open i.e. there is no flap covering the micro USB socket. We don’t know how this works in practice, especially in terms of what happens if you have to charge the phone after it has been soaked.
Compared to the Galaxy S5 mini, the Xperia Z1 Compact holds up very well. Specs wise, the Xperia Z1 Compact has a faster chipset, more RAM, better optics and a higher capacity battery. However the Galaxy S5 mini has a slightly larger display in a broadly similar chassis size. The Galaxy S5 mini also includes an IR port, which is absent on the Xperia Z1 Compact. We have compared the specifications of each handset below, so you can see which handset suits you best.
Specs compared: Sony Xperia Z1 Compact versus Samsung Galaxy S5 mini
| Phone | Xperia Z1 Compact | Galaxy S5 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Display size (inches) | 4.3 IPS | 4.5 Super AMOLED |
| Screen Resolution | 720 x 1280 | 720 x 1280 |
| PPI | 342 | 326 |
| Construction | Glass with metal frame | Plastic |
| Water Resistant | Yes (IP55/IP58) | Yes (IP67) |
| Infrared (IR Remote) | No | Yes |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 | Exynos 3470 SoC & Intel XMM7160 modem |
| Processor | 2.2GHz Quad-core | 1.4GHz Quad-core |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Quad core Mali-400MP4 clocked at 450 MHz |
| RAM | 2GB | 1.5GB |
| Android version | 4.4.4 | 4.4.2 |
| Storage | 16GB | 16GB |
| Expandable storage | Yes | Yes |
| LTE | Yes | Yes |
| Size (mm) | 127 x 64.9 x 9.5 | 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1 |
| Weight (g) | 137 | 120 |
| SIM | micro SIM | micro SIM |
| Colours | Black, White, Pink, Lime | Charcoal Black, Shimmery White, Electric Blue, Copper Gold |
| Rear Camera sensor | 20.7MP Exmor RS (1/2.3-inch) | 8.0 MP |
| LED Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Video Recording | 1080p Full HD | 1080p Full HD @ 30fps |
| Front camera sensor | 2 MP | 2.1MP |
| Dedicated camera button | Yes | No |
| Camera features: | G Lens (F2.0); BIONZ mobile image-processing engine; Camera apps | Shot & More, Virtual Tour Shot, S Studio |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 (aptX) | Bluetooth 4.0 LE |
| Location | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Other features | Battery STAMINA Mode | Ultra Power Saving mode, S Health, Private Mode/Kids Mode |
| Battery capacity (min) | 2300 | 2100 |
| Sealed Battery | Yes | No |
| HDMI | MHL | TBC |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (LTE version only) |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Proximity sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Magnetometer | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint | - | Yes |
| Heart rate sensor | - | Yes |
Samsung Galaxy S5 mini press pics
