Nostalgia for older Android phones is real! The Samsung Galaxy S II Plus and S III Mini offer a glimpse into a simpler era of smartphones. But which one holds up better today? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S II Plus edges out the S III Mini thanks to its superior battery life and slightly better sunlight display contrast. While both are aging devices, the S II Plus offers a more enduring experience, making it the slightly better choice for those seeking a retro Android device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, January. Released 2013, February | 2012, October. Released 2012, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm (4.93 x 2.60 x 0.33 in) | 121.6 x 63 x 9.9 mm (4.79 x 2.48 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 121 g (4.27 oz) | 111.5 g (3.92 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~63.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED Plus | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz | 1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Broadcom BC28155 | NovaThor U8420 |
| GPU | Broadcom VideoCore IV | Mali-400 |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI 5 | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.2", AF | 5 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DPR, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes (I9105P model only) | Yes (Market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 549 h (3G) | Up to 450 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (3G) | Up to 14 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 10 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1650 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chic White, Dark Blue | White, Blue, Titan Gray, Amber Brown, Garnet Red, Onyx Black |
| Models | GT-I9105P, GT-I9105 | GT-I8190, GT-I8190N, GT-I8190L, SM-G730A, SM-G730W8 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.33 W/kg (head) 0.33 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -83.3dB / Crosstalk -82.7dB |
Noise -82.1dB / Crosstalk -80.7dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 50h
|
Endurance rating 42h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.801:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.422:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 66dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 63dB / Ring 76dB
|
Samsung I9105 Galaxy S II Plus
- Superior Battery Life (50h)
- Slightly Better Sunlight Display Contrast
- Potentially Slightly Faster Performance
- Older Chipset (Broadcom)
- Limited App Compatibility (due to age)
Samsung I8190 Galaxy S III mini
- Smaller Form Factor
- Cortex-A9 Architecture (potentially more efficient)
- Shorter Battery Life (42h)
- Lower Sunlight Display Contrast
- Potentially Slower Performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S II Plus boasts a nominal infinite contrast ratio and a slightly better 2.801:1 contrast ratio in sunlight compared to the S III Mini's 2.422:1. This translates to marginally better visibility outdoors for the S II Plus. Resolution is similar, likely around 800x480 on both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature standard cameras for their time, likely around 5-8MP. Image quality will be comparable, with limitations expected due to the age of the sensors and processing. Video recording capabilities are also similar, likely offering 720p resolution. Don't expect flagship-level camera performance from either device.
Performance
The Galaxy S II Plus has a 1.2 GHz dual-core Broadcom BC28155 chipset, while the S III Mini utilizes a 1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 NovaThor U8420. While the Cortex-A9 architecture is generally considered more efficient, the S II Plus's higher clock speed gives it a slight edge in raw processing power. Real-world performance will be similar for basic tasks, but the S II Plus might handle slightly more demanding apps a bit better.
Battery Life
This is where the Galaxy S II Plus truly shines. It boasts an impressive endurance rating of 50 hours, significantly outperforming the S III Mini's 42 hours. This difference in battery life is a major factor in the overall comparison.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S II Plus is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a slightly brighter display in sunlight. The Galaxy S III Mini might appeal to those who prefer a slightly smaller form factor and a marginally more modern chipset, though the performance difference is minimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
They offer a nostalgic experience and can be functional for basic tasks. However, app compatibility and security updates are limited. Consider them for novelty or as secondary devices.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives official software updates anymore. You might find custom ROMs available for both, but flashing them carries risks.
