The Samsung Galaxy S5 series offered a range of options, and the S5 mini Duos and S5 Neo are two of the lesser-known models. Both aimed for the budget-friendly market, but with different specs. This comparison dives deep to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo generally wins due to its Octa-core processor and newer chipset, offering noticeably better performance. While the S5 mini Duos is compact and affordable, the Neo's improved speed and efficiency make it the superior choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G903F |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G903F |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 29 - G903W |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, August. Released 2014, August | 2015, August. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1 mm (5.16 x 2.55 x 0.36 in) | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 118 g (4.16 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~65.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), TouchWiz UI | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 16 MP, f/1.9, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.1 MP | 5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate |
| | - | ANT+
S-Voice |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 63 h | Up to 73 h |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h (3G) | Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Black, Shimmery White | Black, Gray, Gold |
| Models | SM-G800H | SM-G903F, SM-G903W, SM-G903M, SM-S903VL |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 1.07 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.69 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy S5 mini Duos
- Compact and lightweight
- Dual SIM support
- Affordable price
- Lower performance
- Smaller battery
- Older chipset
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
- Better performance (Octa-core)
- Longer battery life
- Slightly newer chipset
- Improved camera (potentially)
- Slightly larger than the mini
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. Resolution is similar (720 x 1280), so visual differences will be minimal. The S5 Neo *might* have slightly better color accuracy due to its newer chipset, but it's not a significant advantage.
Camera Comparison
The S5 Neo likely has a slightly improved camera sensor and image processing capabilities thanks to its newer chipset. Both phones likely feature a 16MP main camera and a 5MP front camera. Expect slightly better low-light performance and more detail from the Neo's camera.
Performance
This is where the S5 Neo shines. Its Exynos 7580 Octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM (likely) provide a substantial performance boost over the S5 mini Duos's Quad-core 1.4 GHz processor and 1.5GB of RAM. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness on the Neo.
Battery Life
The S5 Neo has a larger battery capacity (2400 mAh vs. 2100 mAh in the S5 mini Duos), which translates to longer battery life. Expect the Neo to comfortably last a full day with moderate usage, while the S5 mini Duos might require a midday top-up.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S5 mini Duos is ideal for users prioritizing a smaller form factor and basic functionality on a tight budget. The S5 Neo is better suited for those needing a smoother experience, better performance for multitasking, and a slightly more modern chipset, still within a budget-conscious range.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S5 Neo worth the extra cost over the S5 mini Duos?
Yes, the S5 Neo's improved performance and battery life generally justify the slightly higher price. It offers a more modern and enjoyable user experience.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
Both phones are older models and are primarily available through used marketplaces like eBay or Swappa. Availability will vary.
