Sony Ericsson Yendo vs. Samsung Galaxy S III Mini: A Clash of Eras

Remember the days of feature phones and limited internet? We're pitting two devices from different eras against each other: the iconic Sony Ericsson Yendo, a symbol of early 2000s mobile design, and the Samsung Galaxy S III Mini, a compact powerhouse from the Android revolution. Let's see how they stack up!
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S III Mini is the clear winner. Its dual-core processor, significantly better display, and longer battery life offer a vastly superior user experience compared to the Yendo's basic features and limited capabilities. The Yendo holds nostalgic appeal, but the S III Mini is the practical choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Ericsson Yendo Samsung I8190 Galaxy S III mini
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands-HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
EDGEClass 10-
GPRSClass 10-
Speed-HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps
TechnologyGSMGSM / HSPA
 GSM 850 / 1900 -
Launch
Announced2010, June. Released 2010, October2012, October. Released 2012, November
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions93.5 x 52 x 15.5 mm (3.68 x 2.05 x 0.61 in)121.6 x 63 x 9.9 mm (4.79 x 2.48 x 0.39 in)
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM
Weight81 g (2.86 oz)111.5 g (3.92 oz)
Display
Resolution240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density)
Size2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~43.1% screen-to-body ratio)4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT, 256K colorsSuper AMOLED
Platform
CPU156 MHz1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9
Chipset-NovaThor U8420
GPU-Mali-400
OS-Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
Memory
Call recordsYes-
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal5MB8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM
Phonebook1000 entries, Photocall-
Main Camera
Features-LED flash, panorama
Single2 MP5 MP, f/2.6, AF
VideoYes720p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single-VGA
 No-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX
NFC-Yes (Market dependent)
PositioningNoGPS, GLONASS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSStereo FM radio, RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANNoWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Features
BrowserHTML-
GamesYes-
JavaYes, MIDP 2.0-
MessagingSMS, MMS, Email-
Sensors-Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 TrackID music recognition MP4/H.263 player Walkman player Facebook, Twitter apps Voice memo Predictive text input-
Battery
Stand-byUp to 312 hUp to 450 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 3 h 30 minUp to 14 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 10 min (3G)
TypeRemovable Li-Po 970 mAh battery (BST-38)Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Silver, White, YellowWhite, Blue, Titan Gray, Amber Brown, Garnet Red, Onyx Black
Models-GT-I8190, GT-I8190N, GT-I8190L, SM-G730A, SM-G730W8
PriceAbout 70 EURAbout 130 EUR
SAR-1.03 W/kg (head)     1.28 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.07 W/kg (head)0.52 W/kg (head)
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 68dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB Voice 66dB / Noise 63dB / Ring 76dB

Sony Ericsson Yendo

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Nostalgic design

  • Extremely limited functionality
  • Slow performance
  • Poor camera quality
  • Small screen
  • Outdated technology

Samsung I8190 Galaxy S III mini

  • Functional Android smartphone
  • Decent performance for its age
  • Usable camera
  • Long battery life
  • Larger screen

  • Older device - limited app support
  • Performance not comparable to modern smartphones
  • Potential battery degradation due to age

Display Comparison

The Galaxy S III Mini boasts a significantly larger and higher-resolution display than the Yendo. While both claim a contrast ratio of 2.422:1 in sunlight (likely a marketing term), the S III Mini's screen is brighter, sharper, and offers a much better viewing experience for media and web browsing. The Yendo's screen is small and basic by today's standards.

Camera Comparison

Both phones have cameras, but the Galaxy S III Mini's camera is considerably better. It likely offers higher resolution photos and videos, and potentially features like autofocus and flash (though specifics are missing). The Yendo's camera is likely very basic and produces low-quality images.

Performance

This is where the Galaxy S III Mini truly shines. Its 1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor is a world apart from the Yendo's 156 MHz single-core CPU. The S III Mini handles apps and multitasking with ease, while the Yendo struggles even with simple tasks. The NovaThor U8420 chipset in the S III Mini provides a modern experience.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S III Mini's endurance rating of 42h is impressive, indicating a much larger battery capacity and more efficient power management than the Yendo. While the Yendo's battery life was likely decent for a feature phone of its time, it pales in comparison to the S III Mini's longevity.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Yendo is for collectors, nostalgia enthusiasts, or those seeking a very basic, ultra-compact phone for calls and texts. The Samsung Galaxy S III Mini is for budget-conscious users who want a functional Android smartphone with decent performance and a usable camera, though it's an older device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Sony Ericsson Yendo worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're a collector or specifically want a very basic, nostalgic phone. It's not a practical choice for everyday use.
❓ Can I still find apps for the Samsung Galaxy S III Mini?
Finding newer apps might be difficult due to its age and Android version. However, many older apps will still function.