The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo and S5 Mini were both budget-friendly options aiming to capture a slice of the Android market. But with different specs and target audiences, which one truly delivers? This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The S5 Neo generally wins due to its significantly more powerful Octa-core processor and larger RAM. While the S5 Mini is more compact and potentially easier to handle, the Neo's performance advantage makes it the better choice for most users seeking a smoother experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G903F | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G903F | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 29 - G903W | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2014, August. Released 2014, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) | 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1 mm (5.16 x 2.55 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 118 g (4.16 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~65.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz |
| Chipset | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | - |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 31mm (standard), AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide) | 2.1 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate |
| | ANT+
S-Voice | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 73 h | Up to 63 h |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (3G) | Up to 16 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Gold | Charcoal Black, Shimmery White |
| Models | SM-G903F, SM-G903W, SM-G903M, SM-S903VL | SM-G800H |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | 1.07 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) | 0.69 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
- More powerful processor
- Larger display
- Potentially better low-light camera performance
- Slightly better battery life
- Larger size may be less comfortable for some
- May be slightly more expensive (depending on market)
Samsung Galaxy S5 mini Duos
- More compact and portable
- Easier to handle with one hand
- Potentially lower price
- Less powerful processor
- Smaller display
- Slightly shorter battery life
Display Comparison
The S5 Neo boasts a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The S5 Mini has a smaller 4.5-inch Super AMOLED display, which is adequate but less immersive. Both have a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, so pixel density is slightly higher on the Mini.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 16MP rear camera. Image quality is generally comparable, though the Neo might have a slight edge in low-light conditions due to potentially better image processing. The S5 Mini has a 5MP front camera, while the Neo likely has a similar or slightly improved front camera.
Performance
This is where the S5 Neo shines. Its Exynos 7580 Octa-core processor and likely more RAM (estimated 2GB) provide a noticeable performance boost compared to the S5 Mini's Quad-core 1.4 GHz processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Neo.
Battery Life
The S5 Neo has a 2400mAh battery, while the S5 Mini has a 2100mAh battery. Given the Neo's more powerful processor, battery life is likely comparable, potentially slightly favoring the Neo due to better power management.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo is ideal for users who prioritize performance and want a slightly larger screen without breaking the bank. The S5 Mini Duos is best suited for those who value portability and a smaller form factor, and are less concerned with raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S5 Neo worth the extra cost over the S5 Mini?
Generally, yes. The performance difference is significant, making the S5 Neo a more future-proof and enjoyable device to use.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and likely more RAM.
