The smartphone market is dominated by large devices, but some of us still crave a phone that fits comfortably in our hand. Today, we're pitting two contenders in the compact phone arena against each other: the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini Duos and the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact. Let's see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact wins this comparison due to its significantly more powerful processor, superior camera, and impressive battery life. While the S5 mini Duos offers dual-SIM functionality, the Z1 Compact's overall performance and features make it the better 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 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, August. Released 2014, August | 2014, January. Released 2014, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1 mm (5.16 x 2.55 x 0.36 in) | 127 x 64.9 x 9.5 mm (5.0 x 2.56 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 118 g (4.16 oz) | 137 g (4.83 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) | IP58 dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~342 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~65.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~61.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.1 MP | 2 MP |
| 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 | 4.0, A2DP, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG, magnetic connector |
| 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 63 h | Up to 94 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 670 h (2G) / Up to 600 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h (3G) | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Black, Shimmery White | Black, White, Pink, Lime |
| Models | SM-G800H | 550, SO-02F |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | 1.07 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) | 1.43 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.69 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) | 0.74 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -41.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 65h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1819 (nominal), 1.772 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 60dB / Noise 58dB / Ring 66dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -41.7dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 65h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1819 (nominal), 1.772 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 60dB / Noise 58dB / Ring 66dB |
Samsung Galaxy S5 mini Duos
- Dual-SIM functionality
- Familiar Samsung UI
- Water resistance (likely, based on S5 lineage)
- Weaker processor
- Less impressive camera
- Unknown battery life
- Older model
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
- Powerful Snapdragon 800 processor
- Excellent camera
- Long battery life (65h endurance)
- Compact and durable design
- Older model (may lack latest software updates)
- Potentially aging battery (though endurance rating is high)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 4.3-inch display, but the Xperia Z1 Compact boasts a higher resolution (720x1280 vs. 720x1280) and a slightly better contrast ratio (though both are excellent at 1819 nominal and 1.772 in sunlight). The Z1 Compact's display also benefits from Sony's Triluminos technology for more vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia Z1 Compact's camera is a standout feature. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Z1 Compact's hardware and image processing are noticeably superior, resulting in sharper, more detailed photos and videos, especially in low light. The S5 mini Duos camera is adequate but lacks the Z1 Compact's quality.
Performance
This is where the Xperia Z1 Compact truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with a 2.2 GHz quad-core Krait 400 CPU is significantly faster than the S5 mini Duos's 1.4 GHz quad-core processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Z1 Compact.
Battery Life
The Xperia Z1 Compact's endurance rating of 65 hours is a significant advantage. While the S5 mini Duos's battery capacity is unknown, the Z1 Compact's efficient processor and optimized software contribute to its exceptional battery life.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S5 mini Duos is ideal for users prioritizing dual-SIM functionality and a familiar Samsung interface on a budget. The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is perfect for those seeking a powerful, compact phone with a great camera and long battery life, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact still worth buying?
Yes, despite being an older model, the Z1 Compact remains a compelling option due to its powerful performance, excellent camera, and long battery life. It's a great choice for those seeking a compact phone without breaking the bank.
❓ What is the difference between the S5 mini and the S5?
The S5 mini is a smaller, less powerful version of the Samsung Galaxy S5. It features a smaller screen, a less powerful processor, and a slightly reduced feature set.
