The Samsung Galaxy S5 mini Duos and S4 mini were popular choices for those wanting a smaller, more manageable Android experience. But which one holds up better today? This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which mini-phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S4 mini edges out the S5 mini Duos thanks to its slightly faster processor and impressive battery life. While the S5 mini Duos offers dual SIM functionality, the S4 mini's overall performance and endurance make it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I9190, I9195, I9197, I257M |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9195 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | LTE 700 / 2600 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - I257M |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, August. Released 2014, August | 2013, May. Released 2013, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1 mm (5.16 x 2.55 x 0.36 in) | 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm (4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 118 g (4.16 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | 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 (~65.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.1 MP | 1.9 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (GT-I9195, SGH-I257M) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS/ I257M model with no FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 63 h | Up to 49 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 300 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h (3G) | Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Black, Shimmery White | White Frost, Black Mist, Blue, Pink, Orange, Purple, Black Edition |
| Models | SM-G800H | 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 | 1.07 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.69 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) | 0.33 W/kg (head) 0.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -86.2dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 54h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.127 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -86.2dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 54h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.127 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB |
Samsung Galaxy S5 mini Duos
- Dual SIM functionality
- Compact size
- Android OS (likely KitKat/Lollipop)
- Slightly slower performance than S4 mini
- Unspecified battery life
- Older software support
Samsung I9190 Galaxy S4 mini
- Faster processor
- Excellent battery life (54h endurance)
- Compact size
- Super AMOLED display
- Older software support
- Limited storage (likely 8/16GB)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a Super AMOLED display, likely around 4.5 inches, offering vibrant colors and good contrast. However, the S4 mini's contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite (nominal)' which is a marketing term and not a true measurement. Sunlight readability is listed as 3.127 for both, suggesting similar performance in bright conditions. Resolution is likely 720x1280 for both, providing a decent level of detail.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a standard camera setup for their time, likely around 8MP for the rear camera and a 1.9MP front camera. Image quality will be comparable, with decent results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be average for both devices. Video recording capabilities are likely 1080p for both.
Performance
The S4 mini boasts a dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 processor, while the S5 mini Duos has a quad-core 1.4 GHz CPU. While the S5 mini Duos has more cores, the S4 mini's higher clock speed and Krait architecture generally provide slightly better performance in real-world usage. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the S4 mini.
Battery Life
The S4 mini shines in this category, boasting an endurance rating of 54 hours. The S5 mini Duos' battery life is likely shorter, though specific figures are unavailable. The S4 mini's superior battery performance is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini Duos? Users needing dual SIM functionality and a compact phone. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini? Those prioritizing battery life and a slightly faster processor in a small form factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Both phones are quite old and lack modern features. However, they can be a budget-friendly option for basic tasks if you need a small, functional Android device. Be aware of limited software updates and potential security vulnerabilities.
❓ What Android version do these phones run?
The S5 mini Duos likely shipped with Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) and may have received an update to Android 5.0 (Lollipop). The S4 mini likely shipped with Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) and may have received an update to Android 4.4.2 (KitKat).
