Looking for an affordable smartphone? The Vodafone Smart N10 and Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini are both contenders in the budget market, but which one offers the best value? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini edges out the Vodafone N10 thanks to its surprisingly enduring battery life and generally more polished software experience, despite the N10's newer chipset. However, the N10 might offer slightly better availability depending on your region.
| 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, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9195 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | LTE 700 / 2600 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - I257M |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2013, May. Released 2013, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 148.8 x 69.9 x 8.4 mm (5.86 x 2.75 x 0.33 in) | 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm (4.91 x 2.41 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1500 pixels (~293 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.67 inches, 80.9 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761V/WA Helio A22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8930AB Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 1.9 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (GT-I9195, SGH-I257M) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS/ I257M model with no FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 49 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 300 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2920 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue Borealis | White Frost, Black Mist, Blue, Pink, Orange, Purple, Black Edition |
| Models | VFD 630, 5048Y | GT-I9192, GT-I9190, GT-I9195, GT-I9195L, GT-I9197, SGH-I257M, GT-I9195I, SGH-I257, SCH-I435, SHV-E370K, GT-I9192I |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.33 W/kg (head) 0.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -86.2dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 54h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.127 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB
|
Vodafone Smart N10
- Newer Chipset (potentially better future compatibility)
- Potentially larger display
- Likely more modern software features (depending on OS version)
- Limited specs information
- Unknown battery life
- Performance may not be as smooth as the S4 Mini
- Availability may be limited
Samsung I9190 Galaxy S4 mini
- Exceptional battery life (54h endurance rating)
- Familiar Samsung interface
- Compact size, good for one-handed use
- Generally smoother performance for everyday tasks
- Older chipset
- Outdated software
- Smaller display
- May lack modern features
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini boasts a respectable display for its time, with a reported infinite contrast ratio (nominal) and good sunlight visibility (3.127). The Vodafone N10's display details are scarce, but we can assume it offers a modern resolution and potentially a larger size, though quality is uncertain without more information. The S4 Mini's smaller size might be preferable for one-handed use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' cameras, but specifics are lacking. The Galaxy S4 Mini's camera, while older, benefited from Samsung's image processing expertise. The N10's camera likely has newer sensor technology, but image quality will depend heavily on software and lens quality. Expect decent results from both, but don't expect flagship-level photography.
Performance
The Vodafone N10's Mediatek Helio A22 chipset, while newer, is generally less powerful than the Snapdragon 400 found in the Galaxy S4 Mini. The S4 Mini's dual-core Krait processor, paired with Samsung's optimization, often delivers a smoother experience for everyday tasks. The N10's quad-core might offer a slight advantage in multi-tasking, but real-world performance will depend on RAM and software optimization.
Battery Life
This is where the Galaxy S4 Mini truly shines. Its endurance rating of 54 hours is exceptional, even by today's standards. The Vodafone N10's battery capacity is unknown, but it's unlikely to match the S4 Mini's longevity. Battery life is a significant advantage for the S4 Mini.
Buying Guide
The Vodafone Smart N10 is a good choice for users prioritizing a newer chipset and potentially a larger screen (assuming it has one - specs are limited). The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is ideal for those seeking exceptional battery life and a familiar Samsung interface, even if it's an older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Vodafone Smart N10 worth buying in 2024?
It depends on your needs and budget. If you prioritize a newer chipset and can find it at a very low price, it might be a decent option. However, be aware of the limited specs information and potential performance limitations.
❓ Can I still find a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini?
Yes, but it will likely be a used device. Availability varies depending on your region. Be sure to check the battery health before purchasing.
