The Samsung Galaxy S4 was a flagship powerhouse, while the S4 Mini offered a more compact and affordable option. But which one holds up best today? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which of these classic Android phones is the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S4 (I9506) is the clear winner for performance and features, boasting a significantly faster processor and better camera. However, the S4 Mini (I9195I) offers a smaller size and potentially longer battery life due to its less demanding hardware, making it a viable option for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I9506 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I9506 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9506 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 5, 9 - SHV-E330S | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, Q3. Released 2013, Q3 | 2015, June. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) | 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm (4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | To be confirmed |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 306 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual video call | - |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 1.9 MP |
| Video | 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, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | - |
| Music play | Up to 62 h | Up to 55 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 370 h (3G) | Up to 200 h |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist (I9506)/ Arctic Blue, Red Aurora, rose gold white, rose gold black, deep black (SHV-E330S) | White Frost, Black Mist |
| Models | SHV-E330S, GT-i9506, GT-I9506, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330K, SHV-E300S | GT-I9195, GT-I9195L |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 0.93 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.98 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Performance | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 | - |
Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4
- Superior Performance
- Larger, Higher-Resolution Display
- Better Camera
- Wireless Charging (market dependent)
- More RAM (2GB vs 1.5GB)
- Larger Size
- Potentially Shorter Battery Life
- Older Software Support
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini I9195I
- More Compact Size
- Potentially Longer Battery Life (due to less demanding hardware)
- More Affordable
- Lighter Weight
- Slower Performance
- Lower-Resolution Display
- Less Capable Camera
- Limited Features
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S4 (I9506) features a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD), offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The S4 Mini (I9195I) has a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels (HD). While both are AMOLED, the S4's larger size and higher resolution provide a noticeably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy S4 (I9506) has a 13MP rear camera capable of capturing detailed photos and videos. It also features various shooting modes and image stabilization. The S4 Mini (I9195I) has an 8MP rear camera, which is adequate for casual photography but lacks the detail and features of the S4's camera.
Performance
This is where the S4 truly shines. The I9506's Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with a 2.3 GHz Krait 400 quad-core processor delivers significantly faster performance than the S4 Mini's Snapdragon 410 with a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 quad-core processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S4.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S4 (I9506) has a 2600 mAh battery. The S4 Mini (I9195I) has a 1900 mAh battery. While the S4 has a larger battery capacity, the S4 Mini's less power-hungry processor could potentially result in slightly better battery life in real-world usage, though the S4's larger screen and more powerful processor will likely negate this advantage.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S4 (I9506) is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a larger display, and a better camera experience. It's suitable for those who still want a capable Android device for everyday tasks and light gaming. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini (I9195I) is best for users who want a more compact phone, a slightly longer battery life (potentially), and a more affordable price point. It's a good choice for basic usage like calls, texts, and social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S4 still worth buying?
The Galaxy S4 can still be a decent option if you find it at a very low price and don't need the latest features. However, be aware of its age and limited software updates.
❓ What's the main difference between the Galaxy S4 and S4 Mini?
The main differences are size, performance, and camera quality. The S4 is larger, more powerful, and has a better camera, while the S4 Mini is smaller, less powerful, and more affordable.
