Review Samsung S3 Mini GT-I8190 Smartphone
For the original German review, see here.
Samsung wanted to take a slice of the Christmas trade with a fresh android model and shrunk its flagship model Galaxy S3 to have an adequate model for the smaller purse. The Galaxy S3 mini should combine the advantages of the more powerful big brother with more compact measurements. Samsung is going against the trend of ever increasing displays. However, if you were looking with the name 'mini' for a small smartphone you will be surprised to be confronted with a sizeable 4-inch AMOLED touchscreen. In comparison to the predecessor Galaxy Mini 2 and to the high end model Samsung S3 this corresponds to shrinkage equal to 18% each.
The Galaxy S3 mini could be compared with the "housewife's Porsche" 924/944: A real Porsche with reduced performance, and therefore more compact and available at a better price. Even though the RRP of the Galaxy S3 mini of 439 Euros (~$575) is priced 160 Euros (~$209) below the Galaxy S3, it is still no bargain for a smartphone. However, the better priced High Street price short of 285 Euros (~$373) undercuts the RRP noticeably.
Our test model offers, as well as the 4-inch AMOLED display, a speedy dual-core processor (ST-Ericsson) with a 1 GHz clock speed and 8 GB internal memory, which can be extended up to 32 GB with a Micro SD card. A variant with 16 GB memory should be launched at a later point. There is also a 5-megapixel camera on board. With a display diagonal of 4-inches and an average performance the Galaxy S3 mini competes against opponents such as the Google Nexus 4 or the HTC One S. This positions the Galaxy S3 mini in the upper middle section of the smartphones. Our extensive test report shows the ambitious performance of this smartphone.
Case
The two-piece body of the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini GT-I8190, like the Galaxy S3, consists of a strong polycarbonate which was colored in our test model with a high gloss metallic dark blue, christened by Samsung "Pebble Blue". A white colored model called "Marble White" is also available. The high gloss surface shows fingerprints and grease quite clearly and a polishing cloth should be a constant companion. This would also be handy for the glass touchscreen, which analogous to the Galaxy S3, is bent slightly downwards towards the edges and therefore the display frame offers little protection to the glass. We therefore recommend a screen protector, which could also, depending on the quality, improve the viewing contrast outdoors and reduce reflections.
The back panel is removable and is - on its own - quite flexible, however, in conjunction with the underlying plastic-chassis, very hard wearing. The exchangeable battery covers the slots for a SIM card and Micro SD cards. The touchscreen, the connections and the operational elements are connected neatly and are well processed. Even under increased pressure there is no rattling or creaking. However, in a direct comparison the Google Nexus 4 or the Apple iPhone 5 and other competitors with unibody designs are placed on a slightly higher level. With 113 g the Samsung is only 1 gram heavier than the visibly thinner iPhone 5. The Google Nexus 4, for example, weighs considerably more with 139 g, which is mainly due to the more solid chassis. The height, short of 9.9 mm, clearly undercuts any competitor. Altogether the finish and the quality of the materials lie on a high level and do not have to hide from the competition.
Features
With regards to the operational controls, the Samsung Galaxy S3 mirrors its big brother Galaxy S3 in positions as well as in the numbers. A volume control bar is on the left and on the right hand side, below the menu button display, the power button is flanked by two touch buttons. There are no further operational controls next to the touchscreen.
The connections have also been copied from the S3: the 3.5mm connector at the top end and at the bottom end a microphone and an HDMI compatible Micro USB 2.0 interface, which also serves as a charging port for the 35 g light 3.5 Watt mains adapter. In order to equip the card reader with Micro SD memory cards with up to 32 GB capacity (SDHC), the back cover and the battery have to be removed first. As with the Galaxy S3, access is not possible with the phone in operating mode. Even the normal sized SIM card slot is covered by the 1500 mAh battery.
The test model is equipped with an 8 GB flash memory (gross capacity; net: approx. 4 GB), according to Samsung a variant with a 16 GB capacity will follow.
Communication & GPS
Wireless communication is secured through several radio modules. Bluetooth 4.0 and WLAN according to standards 802.11a/b/g/n for 2.4 as well as 5 GHz networks is on board as well as GPS. A quad-band support for the most important GSM frequencies 850/900/1800/1900MHz almost guarantees worldwide connectivity. The fast mobile internet connection via HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access) enables a maximum data transmission of 14.4 Mbit per second in the UMTS network. The currently fastest transmission speed still belongs to the Galaxy S3. According to Samsung, there is also an NFC (Near Field Communication) option for the Galaxy S3 mini, but this model was not available at the time of testing.
The connection performance of the communication modules is acceptable, even though the WLAN-module struggles occasionally, especially when further distanced from the router. The reception in the GSM and UMTS network could also be better, but the GPS-Modulel can point in enclosed location and improves its performance further outdoors.
Software
Samsung delivers the S3 mini with the current operating system Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean - the latest version 4.2.1. is still reserved for Google owned models such as the Nexus 4. On top of that, the Samsung technical team has applied the well known and tidied up user interface TouchWiz. Along with that come many useful widgets like the assistive light (torch), which can be created on the home screen. Preinstalled software includes products such as ChatON, Google maps, or the Samsung owned organizer-apps S planner or S suggest. The voice operating app S Voice is similar to Apples pendant Siri and provides a decent addition with reasonable voice recognition.
Camera and Multimedia
The front camera with VGA resolution (640x480 pixels), motion sensor and surround lighting of the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini are located in the display frame. The white noise pollution, which already occurs with optimal light conditions, qualifies the front camera only for video-chats.The main camera at the back has a 5 megapixel (2560x1920) resolution and is supported besides the autofocus by a flash. Videos can be taken in a 720p (1280x720 pixels) resolution. A 4x zoom brings in distant motives but the picture, as well as the video quality, suffer considerably. Samsung specific functions, such as the face recognition and the 'share a photo with Buddy' are again on board, like the S3.
In the practical testing, the camera proves to be solid but cannot keep up with the Google Nexus 4 8 MP model. Nevertheless, it succeeds in taking reasonable pictures, especially outside and in well-lit rooms.
Accessories
The small white box contains, besides the smartphone itself and the 1500 mAh battery, some accessories. Next to the quick guide and the guarantee card you'll find a compact mains adaptor with 3.5 Watt performance and a USB cable. In addition, Samsung encloses the stereo headset (in-ear) - known from the S3 - with six further attachments.
Further accessories are available in the Samsung store: as well as covers in several colors, Bluetooth-headsets, docking stations and car accessories are all available.
Warranty
Samsung guarantees the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini for 12 months. The accessories and the battery are guaranteed only for 6 months. Extended guaranties are currently only offered by online shops and mobile phone shops.
Input & Operation
The operation of the capacitive touchscreen works impeccably, the input is recognized quickly and exactly, and then implemented. Multitouch gestures such as the two finger zoom are also possible and can be used during surfing or camera operation.
Ttyping with the automatically blended-in four line QWERTY-keyboard comes easy. A continuous word entry via T9-Trace is possible, which takes some time to get used to, but saves time eventually.
The mechanical button below the display is flanked by two touch buttons. These can, like with the S3 or the iPhone 5, wake the display.
The intuitive operation is improved through further gimmicks: If the smartphone is held to the ear with an open contact, it dials independently. The integrated sight sensor in combination with the smart stay technology keeps the display active until the user averts their eyes from the display.
The speed of reaction sensed on the menu surface comes close to the speed of the iPhone 5 and of current Android-competitors. Sensor pressure and the hub of the physical buttons are appealing and give critics no reason to complain.
Display
The 4-inch 16:9 display of the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini features, with 480x800 pixels, a sufficient resolution and reaches a pixel density of 233 ppi. Competing models, such as the Google Nexus 4 with 1280x768 pixels, 4.7-inch and 320 ppi or the Apple iPhone 5 with 1136x640 pixels, 4-inch and 326 ppi clearly offer more. The big brother, Samsung Galaxy S3, also beats the test model with 1280x720 pixels, 4.8-inch and 306 ppi.
In return, the Galaxy S3 mini overtakes the S3 easily with its luminance average. Instead of only 148.6 cd/m² the testmodel offers 264.6 cd/m². The Google Nexus 4 with 275.3 cd/m² and the iPhone 5 with 468.8 cd/m² are also top of the field. The luminance of the Galaxy S3 mini achieves a very good 94%.
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Brightness Distribution: 94 %
Center on Battery: 262 cd/m²
Contrast: 26200:1 (Black: 0.01 cd/m²)
The true strength of the AMOLED screen lies in its fantastic contrast of 26,200:1 and the amazing black level value of 0.01 cd/m². This value is determined by the testmodel, but the real black level should be at zero, because the black areas of an AMOLED display are not illuminated and are therefore completley black. This way, the display convinces also in the practical task with a high contrast, brilliant picture.
When used outdoors, the luminance of max. 262 cd/m² during battery operation is insufficient to compensate for direct sunlight completely, however, the contents are by far recognizable. This is a problem most models experience due to the glass surface. A display protector foil could prove to be of help and also protects from dirt and fingerprints.
The AMOLED display's typically high viewing angle is also given to the Galaxy S3 mini. Colors and luminance stay stable from all viewing angles. The strong reflections of the glass display are noticeable a lot sooner.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S3 mini uses the same processor as the Galaxy Beam. On the inside of the middleclass-smartphone an ST Ericsson NovaThor U8500 dual-core processor with 1 GHz clock frequency potters about. Graphical tasks are taken over by an ARM Mali 400 single core graphics card integrated into the SoC (System-on-a-Chip). In contrast to the Beam configuration, the SoC in the Galaxy S3 mini can fall back onto an ample 1 GB RAM, which also improves the overall performance.
As expected, the benchmarks show that the CPU cannot keep up with the current quad-core SoCs of the Samsung Galaxy S3 or the Google Nexus 4. For a middle of the road model the Galaxy S3 mini enjoys a sufficiently high application performance, but will not be future-proof.
In comparison to the Galaxy Beam especially, the Galaxy S3 mini performs significantly better in some of the browser benchmarks, compared to other models it is similar to. Here, the larger working storage of 1 GB RAM is sometimes noticeable. The performance of the browser-based benchmarks can, with regards to the hardware, be convincing. This is noticeable by a pleasant surf speed for everyday use.
In the Vellamo mobile benchmark 2.0 HTML 5 test, the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini achieved even more points than the Google Nexus 4. The results of the integrated flash memory turn out to be ambivalent. According to the AndroBench 3 benchmark, the test model even leaves - with 8.92 MB/s- the Galaxy S3 behind, but only in reading speed. With the writing speed the picture turns again and the Galaxy S3 zooms off with more than double the speed.
In Smartbench 2012 the Galaxy S3 mini is subordinate to all consulted competitors - even the Galaxy Beam achieves 15% more points here.
This is even more obvious with the graphic performance. Here, the models with the dual-core CPU, such as the Google Nexus 4 (27 fps) or the iPhone 5 (22 fps) pull away mercilessly and degrade the Galaxy S3 mini with only 5.1 fps.
| Google V8 Ver. 6 - --- (sort by value) | |
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| GLBenchmark 2.5 - 1920x1080 Egypt HD Offscreen Fixed Time (sort by value) | |
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| Linpack Android / IOS - Multi Thread (sort by value) | |
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| Smartbench 2012 - Productivity Index (sort by value) | |
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| Vellamo Mobile Benchmark 2.0 | |
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* ... smaller is better
Games
Like the Galaxy Beam, the Galaxy S3 mini has an ARM Mali 400 graphics card integrated into the Nova Thor U8500 SoC (System-on-a-Chip). It's not a highflyer, but is sufficient for current games. The high speed jump 'n' run Sonic the Hedgehog 4: episode II runs just as smoothly as the 3D racing game Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. More demanding games can easily shake, but the Galaxy S3 mini is not known for gaming. The exact touchscreen and the integrated positioning sensor always guarantee a good game control.
Sound Quality
We tested the vocal quality with several test calls. Here we noticed the low background noise. The callers were clearly understood at all times and confirmed this also for the Galaxy S3 mini. Even in a noisier environment, the speaker delivers sufficient volume to be clearly understood. This was also confirmed for the speaker at the back, while the model was tested on speaker-phone mode, even though for this the background noise needs to be a little quieter.
Unfortunately the quality of reception varied during our tests. The reception module appears to be a little weak, because in areas of weak network coverage the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini has difficulties establishing a stable reception. In the UMTS as well as the GSM network the smartphone occasionally shows some weaknesses. In direct comparison to the iPhone 5 the reception indicator shows one to two bars less. The big brother Galaxy S3 also performs better in this category. Altogether, the Galaxy S3 mini shows a satisfactory result in this area.
Emissions
Temperature
The temperature development of the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini stays pleasantly in the background. Even under the pressure simulated by the stability test, the temperatures at the surface do not exceed 34.4 °C. - measured at the back. The 32 °C average lies well below that and is acceptable. During everyday use with surfing, calling and messaging, the smartphone only warms up to 30 °C. Nevertheless, the small battery should not be covered during charging, as it can heat up to 43.5 °C.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 33.7 °C / 93 F, compared to the average of 35.1 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 63.7 °C for the class Smartphone.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 34.4 °C / 94 F, compared to the average of 33.9 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 29.5 °C / 85 F, compared to the device average of 32.8 °C / 91 F.
Energy Management
Power Consumption
During the tests, the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini did not appear to be 'energy thirsty'. The phone used max. 2.4 Watt of the 1500mAh charger - a very good value. During everyday use, which is comparable to idle, only 0.9 Watt is used on average. The used energy measurements are very similar to those of the Apple iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Beam.
| Off / Standby |   0.1 / 0.3 Watt |
| Idle |  0.7 / 0.9 / 1.2 Watt |
| Load |
1.8 / 2.4 Watt |
    
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Key:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Voltcraft VC 940 | |
Battery Life
With a capacity of 4.7 Wh, the small battery is no long distance runner, but still delivers a good battery life. The minimum battery life is 4 hours and 20 minutes during maximum luminance and with an active reception module compared to a maximum battery life of 13 hours and 30 minutes (minimum luminance, energy saving mode on). This puts the Samsung Galaxy S3 mini behind the Galaxy Beam and the Galaxy S3, but both have a bigger battery built-in. The 3G talk time of the test model lies at around 8 hours. During the WLAN surf test with a 150 cd/m2 adapted luminance, the measurement shows a respectable 9 hours and 45 minutes on the clock. The Google Nexus 4 lasts considerably shorter, despite its 2100 mAh Akkus. Against the iPhone 5, which outperforms in endurance, the Galaxy S3 mini does not stand a chance – only under load does it outperform it.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S3 mini is doing many things right. The fantastic finish and solid user performance are just as positive as the long lasting battery life. The brilliant contrast together with the excellent black value and luminance put the precise touchscreen as a frontrunner. With that, the smartphone is very suitable for outdoors. The browser-friendly resolution of 480x800 pixels is a perfect fit for the 4-inch display.
The equipment is respectable; the slightly small memory of 8 GB can easily and quickly be extended up to 32 GB with a micro-SD card. The Google Play Store offers apps for all tastes and the Android operating system Jelly Bean 4.1.1 will be current for the foreseeable future.
The camera module leaves mixed feelings: the front camera with a tiny VGA resolution is only useful for video chats or to occasionally check up on your hair, the main camera with a 5-megapixel resolution, an autofocus important for snapshots and an LED flash takes - under the right conditions - good photos and videos. However, the 4x digital zoom is useless and deteriorates the quality. Less convincing also is the reception of WLAN and provider networks, especially in areas with low signal availability.
Our Conclusion: The Galaxy S3 mini is an appealing middle-of-the-road smartphone but definitely keeps its distance from the top model, Galaxy S3. If you are looking for a good sized mobile phone with reasonable operating speed, intuitive operations and a good touchscreen you might find the Galaxy S3 mini an appropriate choice.
