Nostalgia is a powerful force, and compact phones are making a comeback. We're pitting the classic Samsung Galaxy S4 mini against the more modern Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact to see which offers the best experience for those seeking a pocket-friendly powerhouse. This comparison dives deep into specs, performance, and features.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is the clear winner. While the S4 mini holds a certain charm, the XZ1 Compact's significantly more powerful processor, superior camera, and modern features like fast charging make it a far more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, June. Released 2015, June | 2017, August. Released 2017, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm (4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 in) | 129 x 65 x 9.3 mm (5.08 x 2.56 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 107 g (3.77 oz) | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | To be confirmed | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~319 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.6 inches, 58.3 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1.5GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.9 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4, 18mm, 1/4.0" |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash Lite | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC3 |
| 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 2700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist | Black, White Silver, Horizon Blue, Twilight Pink |
| Models | GT-I9195, GT-I9195L | G8441, SO-02K |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 0.98 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 108h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1243:1 (nominal), 3.729 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 76dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 204581 (v7), 255140 (v8)
GeekBench: 5596 (v4.4), 1681 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 108h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1243:1 (nominal), 3.729 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 65dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 76dB |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 204581 (v7), 255140 (v8)
GeekBench: 5596 (v4.4), 1681 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini I9195I
- Compact size
- Affordable (used)
- Classic design
- Outdated processor
- Low resolution display
- No fast charging
- Limited app support
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
- Powerful processor
- Excellent camera
- Fast charging
- Modern features
- Compact size
- Older model (potential battery degradation)
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
The Xperia XZ1 Compact boasts a superior display with better color accuracy and brightness, despite having a similar contrast ratio. The S4 mini's display, while adequate for its time, shows its age with lower resolution and less vibrant colors. Sunlight readability is also noticeably better on the XZ1 Compact.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia XZ1 Compact's camera is a major upgrade. It captures sharper images with better dynamic range and low-light performance. The S4 mini's camera is decent for basic shots, but it falls far short of the XZ1 Compact's capabilities. Video recording quality is also significantly better on the XZ1 Compact.
Performance
The Snapdragon 835 in the Xperia XZ1 Compact absolutely demolishes the Snapdragon 410 in the S4 mini. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding games with ease on the XZ1 Compact. The S4 mini struggles with modern apps and can feel sluggish.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have excellent endurance ratings (108h). However, the XZ1 Compact's more efficient processor and modern battery technology likely translate to better real-world battery life, especially under heavy usage. The XZ1 Compact also supports fast charging, a feature absent in the S4 mini.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is for hardcore nostalgia fans or those on an extremely tight budget who prioritize a small form factor above all else. The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is ideal for users who want a compact phone with flagship-level performance, a great camera, and modern features without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini still usable in 2024?
Yes, but its outdated hardware means it will struggle with modern apps and games. It's best suited for basic tasks and nostalgia purposes.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact, despite being an older model, likely has slightly better software support than the S4 mini, although both are beyond their official update cycles.
