The smartphone landscape is dominated by large devices, but compact phones still hold a special place. Today, we pit the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, a budget-friendly option, against the Sony Xperia Z3+, a premium compact powerhouse. Let's see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Xperia Z3+ is the clear winner. Its superior processor, significantly better camera, and longer battery life outweigh the S4 mini's lower price. While the S4 mini offers basic functionality, the Z3+ delivers a premium experience in a compact form factor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, June. Released 2015, June | 2015, May. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm (4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 in) | 146 x 72 x 6.9 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 107 g (3.77 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | To be confirmed | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.9% 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 (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1.5GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 1.9 MP | 5.1 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash Lite | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | Up to 55 h | Up to 91 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 200 h | Up to 580 h (2G) / Up to 590 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h (3G) | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2930 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist | White, black, copper, aqua green |
| Models | GT-I9195, GT-I9195L | E6553, SO-03G, 402SO |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 0.98 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) | 0.74 W/kg (head) 0.41 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.8dB / Crosstalk -94.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 65h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1158 (nominal), 2.824 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1479Basemark X: 23334 |
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini I9195I
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Decent for basic tasks
- Outdated processor
- Weak camera
- Short battery life
- Low resolution display
Sony Xperia Z3+
- Powerful processor
- Excellent camera
- Long battery life
- Premium design
- Water resistant
- Higher price
- Snapdragon 810 thermal throttling (potential)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a respectable display, but the Xperia Z3+'s slightly higher resolution and potentially better color accuracy give it an edge. The S4 mini's display is adequate for its price point, but lacks the vibrancy and sharpness of the Z3+'s.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia Z3+’s camera is a major upgrade. It offers superior image quality, better low-light performance, and more advanced features. The S4 mini’s camera is functional but struggles in challenging lighting conditions and lacks the detail and dynamic range of the Z3+.
Performance
The Xperia Z3+ boasts a significantly more powerful Snapdragon 810 chipset with an octa-core processor, compared to the S4 mini's Snapdragon 410 with a quad-core processor. This translates to noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Z3+.
Battery Life
The Xperia Z3+’s battery life is considerably better, achieving an endurance rating of 65 hours, while the S4 mini's battery life is significantly shorter (estimated around 10-12 hours of typical use). The Z3+'s efficient processor and larger battery contribute to its impressive longevity.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is ideal for users on a tight budget who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light browsing. The Sony Xperia Z3+ is perfect for those who want a premium, compact phone with excellent performance, a great camera, and a long-lasting battery, and are willing to pay a higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini still worth buying?
Only if you're on a very tight budget and need a basic smartphone for essential tasks. Otherwise, there are better options available.
❓ Does the Xperia Z3+ have any known issues?
The Snapdragon 810 chipset in the Z3+ was known to experience thermal throttling under heavy load, potentially impacting sustained performance. However, this is less of an issue with software updates.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
The Sony Xperia Z3+ is more durable, featuring a water-resistant design (IP65/IP68).
