Looking for a reliable and affordable Samsung phone? The Galaxy S III Mini, a relic from a bygone era, and the Galaxy J1 Mini Prime, a modern budget option, both offer compelling value. But which one is right for you? This comparison dives deep into their specs and performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S III Mini boasts a significantly better display and a more powerful chipset despite its age. However, the J1 Mini Prime offers a newer platform and potentially better software support. For performance and screen quality, the S III Mini wins, but the J1 Mini Prime is a more modern, budget-friendly choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - J106F/DS |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - J106F/DS |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - J106H/DS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, October. Released 2012, November | 2016, December. Released 2016, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 121.6 x 63 x 9.9 mm (4.79 x 2.48 x 0.39 in) | 121.6 x 63.1 x 10.8 mm (4.79 x 2.48 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 111.5 g (3.92 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | TFT, 256K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz - J106F/DSQuad-core 1.2 GHz - J106B/DS, J106H/DS |
| Chipset | NovaThor U8420 | Spreadtrum SC9830 |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali-400MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) - 3G modelAndroid 6.0 (Marshmallow) - LTE model |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.6, AF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (Market dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 29 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 450 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 10 min (3G) | Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue, Titan Gray, Amber Brown, Garnet Red, Onyx Black | Gold, Black, White |
| Models | GT-I8190, GT-I8190N, GT-I8190L, SM-G730A, SM-G730W8 | SM-J106F, SM-J106B, SM-J106H, SM-J106M |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.26 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -82.1dB / Crosstalk -80.7dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 42h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.422:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 63dB / Ring 76dB
| - |
Samsung I8190 Galaxy S III mini
- Superior Display Quality
- More Powerful Chipset (for its time)
- Excellent Battery Life (42h Endurance)
- Compact Size
- Older Software Support
- Potentially Slower Updates
- Outdated Camera Technology
- May be difficult to find new
Samsung Galaxy J1 mini prime
- More Affordable
- Newer Platform (potentially better software support)
- Easier to Find New
- Functional for Basic Tasks
- Weaker Performance
- Lower Display Quality
- Shorter Battery Life (likely)
- Limited Features
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S III Mini's display is a clear winner. While the contrast ratio figures are unusual (Infinite/2.422:1), it generally offered a noticeably better viewing experience than the J1 Mini Prime's likely lower-resolution and less vibrant screen. The S III Mini's Super AMOLED technology provided richer colors and deeper blacks.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is likely a win for the J1 Mini Prime, despite both being basic. The S III Mini's camera was adequate for its time, but modern sensors and image processing in the J1 Mini Prime would likely produce better results, especially in low light. Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but expect a noticeable difference in image quality.
Performance
The S III Mini's 1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 chipset, while older, often outperformed the J1 Mini Prime's Spreadtrum SC9830 quad-core. The Cortex-A9 architecture was more efficient for its time. The J1 Mini Prime's quad-core offered a slight clock speed advantage (1.5 GHz or 1.2 GHz), but real-world performance was often slower due to the chipset's limitations.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S III Mini's endurance rating of 42h is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. The J1 Mini Prime, with its smaller battery capacity, likely offered a shorter battery life, though still adequate for a day of light use.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S III Mini is ideal for users prioritizing a vibrant display and decent performance for basic tasks. It's a good choice for those nostalgic for Samsung's older designs. The Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini Prime is best suited for users on a tight budget who need a functional smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use. It's a good starter phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S III Mini still worth buying?
It can be if you prioritize a good display and decent performance on a budget, but be aware of its age and limited software support.
❓ Which phone is better for social media?
The J1 Mini Prime is likely better for basic social media use due to its newer platform and potentially better software optimization, though the S III Mini's display will make viewing content more enjoyable.
