The HTC One mini 2 and Samsung Galaxy S4 mini were popular choices for those seeking a smaller, more manageable smartphone experience. Both offered flagship features in a compact form factor, but which one ultimately delivers a better experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini edges out the HTC One mini 2 thanks to its superior display contrast, more powerful processor, and slightly better battery life. While both are aging devices, the S4 mini offers a marginally more polished and responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA version | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I9190, I9195, I9197, I257M |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 - EMEA version | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9195 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | LTE 700 / 2600 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - I257M |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, May. Released 2014, May | 2013, May. Released 2013, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 137.4 x 65 x 10.6 mm (5.41 x 2.56 x 0.42 in) | 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm (4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 137 g (4.83 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~62.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD2 | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), Sense UI | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 1.9 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (GT-I9195, SGH-I257M) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS/ I257M model with no FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 49 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 556 h (3G) | Up to 300 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h 10 min (3G) | Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2110 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gunmetal Gray, Glacial Silver Amber Gold | White Frost, Black Mist, Blue, Pink, Orange, Purple, Black Edition |
| Models | One mini 2 | GT-I9192, GT-I9190, GT-I9195, GT-I9195L, GT-I9197, SGH-I257M, GT-I9195I, SGH-I257, SCH-I435, SHV-E370K, GT-I9192I |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.33 W/kg (head) 0.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.8dB / Crosstalk -93.5dB |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -86.2dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 50h
|
Endurance rating 54h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1196 (nominal), 1.940 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.127 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark X: 1650 | - |
HTC One mini 2
- Compact and lightweight design
- Good build quality (typical of HTC)
- Decent audio quality
- Slower performance compared to S4 mini
- Less vibrant display
- Older software
Samsung I9190 Galaxy S4 mini
- Brighter and more contrast-rich display
- Faster processor
- Slightly better camera (generally)
- More modern design (at the time)
- Aging hardware
- Software updates likely discontinued
- Plastic build (compared to HTC's premium feel)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini boasts a significantly better display. Its 'Infinite' nominal contrast ratio (likely a marketing term, but indicative of excellent contrast) and a sunlight readability score of 3.127 outperform the HTC One mini 2's 1196 (nominal) and 1.940. The S4 mini's screen is noticeably brighter and easier to view outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are missing. Generally, the Galaxy S4 mini's camera was considered slightly better in low-light conditions and offered more features. However, image quality on both devices is limited by their age and sensor size.
Performance
The Galaxy S4 mini's dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the HTC One mini 2's quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7. While both use the Snapdragon 400 chipset, the Krait architecture in the S4 mini is more efficient and powerful, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading.
Battery Life
Both phones have an endurance rating of 50h, suggesting comparable battery performance. However, the Galaxy S4 mini's more efficient processor might translate to slightly longer real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The HTC One mini 2 is a decent option for users prioritizing a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks and those who appreciate HTC's design aesthetic. The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is better suited for users who want a slightly faster performance, a brighter display, and a more modern Android experience (assuming it's been updated).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Given their age, these phones are best suited for users on a very tight budget or those needing a basic device for calls and messaging. Don't expect flagship performance or long-term software support.
❓ Which phone has the better design?
The HTC One mini 2 generally has a more premium feel due to its metal construction, while the Galaxy S4 mini uses plastic. Design preference is subjective.
