Remember the days of early Android smartphones? Today, we're pitting two relics of that era against each other: the T-Mobile myTouch 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S III mini. Both offer a glimpse into a simpler time, but which one holds up better in a modern context?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S III mini edges out the myTouch 2 thanks to its dual-core processor, slightly better display, and comparable battery life. While the myTouch 2 boasts a faster single core, the S III mini's overall package is more refined and usable today.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, August. Released 2012, August | 2012, October. Released 2012, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 114 x 62 x 10 mm (4.49 x 2.44 x 0.39 in) | 121.6 x 63 x 9.9 mm (4.79 x 2.48 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 111.5 g (3.92 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 (~64.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.4 GHz Scorpion | 1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 | NovaThor U8420 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Mali-400 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| 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 | Yes | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | - | Yes (Market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | T-Mobile TV
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 186 h | Up to 450 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 10 | Up to 14 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 10 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Dark red | White, Blue, Titan Gray, Amber Brown, Garnet Red, Onyx Black |
| Models | - | GT-I8190, GT-I8190N, GT-I8190L, SM-G730A, SM-G730W8 |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 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 66dB / Noise 63dB / Ring 76dB
|
T-Mobile myTouch 2
- Faster single-core processor (on paper)
- Compact size
- Simple Android experience
- Single-core processor - slower than dual-core
- Smaller display
- Outdated camera
- Limited app compatibility
Samsung I8190 Galaxy S III mini
- Dual-core processor - better performance
- Slightly larger and likely higher resolution display
- Comparable battery life
- More modern (for its time) design
- Slower clock speed than myTouch 2
- Outdated camera
- Limited app compatibility
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The Galaxy S III mini's display is slightly larger (3.67 inches vs. 3.2 inches) and likely has a higher resolution, resulting in a sharper image. The contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite' for both, which is a nominal value, but the sunlight readability is reported at 2.422:1 for both, suggesting decent outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. Both are described as 'Photo / Video'. Given the age of these phones, expect low-resolution images and video quality that is far below modern standards. The Galaxy S III mini likely has a slightly better camera sensor, but the difference will be minimal.
Performance
The myTouch 2's 1.4 GHz Scorpion processor was impressive for its time, but it's a single-core CPU. The Galaxy S III mini has a 1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor. While the clock speed is lower, the dual-core architecture provides a significant advantage in multitasking and overall responsiveness. Expect the S III mini to feel noticeably smoother.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 42 hours. This suggests comparable battery life, though real-world usage will vary depending on usage patterns. The Galaxy S III mini's more efficient dual-core processor might give it a slight edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
The T-Mobile myTouch 2 is for nostalgia enthusiasts and those seeking a very basic, lightweight Android experience. The Samsung Galaxy S III mini is for users wanting a slightly more capable and modern (for its time) smartphone with a better display and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. They will connect to 2G/3G networks, but 4G/5G is not supported. App compatibility is also a major issue, as many modern apps won't work.
❓ Which phone is easier to find?
Both are rare, but the Samsung Galaxy S III mini might be slightly easier to find on used marketplaces due to its broader initial release.
