Choosing a new phone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two Samsung devices against each other: the compact and classic Galaxy S4 mini and the rugged, work-ready Galaxy XCover 5. Let's see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy XCover 5 is the clear winner for most users. Its significantly more powerful processor, larger battery, and rugged design offer a substantial upgrade. While the S4 mini boasts a smaller form factor, its outdated specs make it a less compelling choice in 2024.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, June. Released 2015, June | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm (4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 in) | 147.1 x 71.6 x 9.2 mm (5.79 x 2.82 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 107 g (3.77 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | To be confirmed | - |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1.5GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.9 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, charging connector pins |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash Lite | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Music play | Up to 55 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 200 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist | Black |
| Models | GT-I9195, GT-I9195L | SM-G525F, SM-G525F/DS, SM-G525N |
| Price | About 190 EUR | £ 61.49 / € 74.89 |
| SAR | 0.98 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini I9195I
- Very compact and lightweight
- Super AMOLED display (vibrant colors)
- Relatively affordable (used)
- Outdated processor
- Low resolution display
- Poor battery life
- Limited storage
- Weak camera
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5
- Rugged and durable design
- Long battery life
- Powerful processor
- Larger and higher resolution display
- Good camera
- LCD display (less vibrant than AMOLED)
- Design is utilitarian, not premium
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
The S4 mini features a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors but limited resolution. The XCover 5 has a larger 6.5-inch LCD display with a higher resolution, providing a more immersive viewing experience and better readability. The XCover 5's display also has a tougher Gorilla Glass Victus+ coating for added protection.
Camera Comparison
The XCover 5 features a 50MP main camera, a substantial upgrade over the S4 mini's 8MP camera. While image quality on the S4 mini is acceptable for basic snapshots, the XCover 5 captures more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in good lighting. The XCover 5 also offers better video recording capabilities.
Performance
Here's where the XCover 5 truly shines. Its Exynos 850 chipset and octa-core processor deliver significantly faster performance than the S4 mini's Snapdragon 410. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the XCover 5. The S4 mini will struggle with demanding apps and modern games.
Battery Life
The XCover 5 packs a 5000mAh battery, providing significantly longer battery life than the S4 mini's 1900mAh battery. Expect all-day battery life with the XCover 5, even with moderate to heavy usage. The S4 mini will likely require charging before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is best suited for users seeking a very compact, lightweight phone for basic tasks and nostalgia. The Galaxy XCover 5 is ideal for those needing a durable phone for outdoor work, construction, or anyone prone to dropping their devices. It's also a good choice for those prioritizing battery life and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S4 mini still worth buying?
Only if you absolutely need a very small phone and are on a tight budget. Otherwise, the XCover 5 offers a much better experience.
❓ How durable is the Galaxy XCover 5?
The XCover 5 is designed to withstand drops, dust, and water (IP68 rating). It's built for demanding environments.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
The S4 mini supports microSD cards. The XCover 5 does not have a microSD card slot.
