Nostalgia for older Android phones is real! The Samsung Galaxy S II Plus and S4 Mini represent different eras of Samsung's smartphone dominance. 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 S4 Mini edges out the S II Plus thanks to its faster processor, slightly better display, and marginally improved battery life. While the S II Plus boasts impressive endurance for its age, the S4 Mini offers a more modern and responsive experience overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | 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 | 2013, January. Released 2013, February | 2013, May. Released 2013, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm (4.93 x 2.60 x 0.33 in) | 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm (4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 121 g (4.27 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~63.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED Plus | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 |
| Chipset | Broadcom BC28155 | Qualcomm MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Broadcom VideoCore IV | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI 5 | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.2", AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 1.9 MP |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (I9105P model only) | Yes (GT-I9195, SGH-I257M) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | 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, 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 |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 49 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 549 h (3G) | Up to 300 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (3G) | Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1650 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chic White, Dark Blue | White Frost, Black Mist, Blue, Pink, Orange, Purple, Black Edition |
| Models | GT-I9105P, GT-I9105 | GT-I9192, GT-I9190, GT-I9195, GT-I9195L, GT-I9197, SGH-I257M, GT-I9195I, SGH-I257, SCH-I435, SHV-E370K, GT-I9192I |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.33 W/kg (head) 0.33 W/kg (body) | 0.33 W/kg (head) 0.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -83.3dB / Crosstalk -82.7dB |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -86.2dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 50h
|
Endurance rating 54h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.801:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.127 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 66dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB
|
Samsung I9105 Galaxy S II Plus
- Excellent battery life for its age
- Compact and lightweight design
- Relatively affordable
- Outdated processor and performance
- Lower camera quality
- Limited software updates
Samsung I9190 Galaxy S4 mini
- Faster processor and smoother performance
- Slightly better display
- More modern design
- Battery health likely degraded
- Still an older device
- Limited software support
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S4 Mini's contrast ratio in sunlight (3.127) is marginally better than the S II Plus (2.801), suggesting slightly improved visibility outdoors. However, both have 'Infinite' nominal contrast, which is a marketing term and not a measurable value.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are similar on paper (Photo/Video), but image quality is where the differences show. The S4 Mini's newer chipset and likely improved image processing algorithms result in better photos, especially in low light. The S II Plus camera is adequate for basic snapshots but lacks detail and dynamic range.
Performance
The S4 Mini's Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (1.7 GHz Dual-core Krait 300) significantly outperforms the S II Plus's Broadcom BC28155 (1.2 GHz Dual-core). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user interface on the S4 Mini. The S II Plus can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a respectable endurance rating of 50-54 hours. While the S4 Mini has a slightly higher rating, real-world battery performance will depend on usage patterns. Battery health on both devices will likely be degraded due to their age.
Buying Guide
The Galaxy S II Plus is ideal for budget-conscious users seeking a reliable, albeit older, Android device for basic tasks. The Galaxy S4 Mini is a better choice for those wanting a slightly more powerful and responsive experience, even with its age, and who appreciate a more modern design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still receiving software updates?
No, both the Galaxy S II Plus and S4 Mini are long past their official software update cycles. You may find custom ROMs available, but proceed with caution.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Galaxy S4 Mini is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and GPU. The S II Plus will struggle with even moderately demanding games.
