Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S3 Mini, but is it simply a smaller version of the Galaxy S3? We'll compare the two smartphones in-depth to answer this question.
The Galaxy S3 has been easily one of the biggest smartphones of the year so far but many criticised the size of it. In theory, the Galaxy S3 Mini is perfect for those in that camp but there's more to it than just a smaller screen size.
We haven’t got our hands on the Galaxy S3 Mini yet so the aim of this article is to explain the difference between the handsets, focusing mainly on specifications.
See also: Group test: What's the best smartphone?
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S3 Mini: Price
The freshly announced Galaxy S3 Mini is a cheaper alternative to the flagship S3 – we're talking SIM-free prices. Online retailer Clove is quoting £298 for the handset with 'official price and availability to be confirmed', a significant amount less than its bigger brother which sells for around £450.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S3 Mini: Dimensions
We're not awarding prizes for guessing that the Galaxy S3 Mini is smaller in size compared to the S3. It measures in at 63 x 122mm compared to 71 x 137mm. However, it's not as svelte as the S3's 8.6mm, but is a still respectable 9.6mm.
It's unsurprising that the size difference means the S3 Mini is lighter than the S3. It weighs 112g instead of 133g.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S3 Mini: Screen
As we've mentioned the Galaxy S3 Mini has a smaller screen than the S3. At 4in it's debatable whether this is small enough to qualify the handset as 'mini' but nevertheless it fits the bill a darn sight more than the S3's 4.8in whopper.
Both displays use Super AMOLED technology which Samsung often opts for. The big difference is the resolutions used. The Galaxy S3 Mini uses 480 x 800 while the S3 has a more impressive 720 x 1280. This means the pixels are packed more tightly on the latter for a higher level of detail – 306ppi compared to 223ppi.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S3 Mini: Processor
A highlight of the Samsung Galaxy S3 is its powerful Exynos 4 Quad 1.4GHz, an own-brand quad-core processor. Whereas the Galaxy S3 Mini has a more modest 1GHz dual-core chip.
It's clear the Mini is less powerful than the S3 but we can't say how much less. We'll be running benchmarks as soon as we can so keep an eye out.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S3 Mini: Storage
The Galaxy S III comes in three storage options, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, matching the iPhone 5. There are still three storage options when it comes to the Galaxy S3 Mini but capacities are lower at 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. The larger capacity models of each smartphone are seemingly much harder to come by.
Both of Samsung's Galaxy S3s offer expansion via a microSD card slot but the S3 Mini can only accept a card with half as much storage as the S III – 32GB instead of 64GB.
What's coming after the Galaxy S3: Samsung Galaxy S4 release date, specs and rumours
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S3 Mini: Cameras
The cameras have been downgraded from S3 to S3 Mini. The flagship device has an 8Mp rear facing camera with the ability to record video in full HD 1080p quality. However, the Galaxy S3 Mini has a 5Mp equivalent with lower quality 720p video recording.
The Galaxy S3 also has a higher resolution front facing camera at 1.9Mp compared to the Mini's VGA quality lens.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S3 Mini: Connectivity
Both smartphones have the same list of connectivity features including Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, near-field communications (NFC) and digital living network alliance (DLNA) certification. A key thing to note is that the Samsung Galaxy S3 comes in a 4G version but the Galaxy S3 Mini is restricted to 3G.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S3 Mini: Software
Like the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, the Galaxy S3 Mini comes pre-loaded with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The Galaxy S3 runs on 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich but an update to Jelly Bean is currently being roll out across Europe so soon enough they will match each other for software. Both use Samsung's TouchWiz user interface.
Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy S3 Mini: Battery
Samsung hints at good battery life for its flagship phone with a 7.8Wh (2100mAh) battery. In proportion to the drop in other specifications, the Galaxy S3 Mini has a lower capacity 5.6Wh (1500mAh) pack. Stay tuned for our Galaxy S3 Mini review for our battery life test results.
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Comments
jay said: i love s3 better than the s3 minicharot lang
ralc said: I own the big one and I love it The bigger screen is better especially if you have kids who want to watch Netflix
Don said: Ive used them both I own the big one To sum it up the mini is cheaper and you will get what you pay for The screen on the mini is extremely crappy So glad I didnt buy it
Alifleury16 said: Would some one plz tell me My head is wrecked wondering if samsung galaxy s3 mini worth the buy
Matt Egan said: I wish I didnt have to delete your comment
AB said: you are an idiot mate Its a cellphone not a brick you keep tossing about If Apple and Samsung had to fix cracked screens for every chump who dropped his phone theyd have gone broke a ages ago
Johnh said: Haha look after your phone and you wont have these problems
JackThunder said: Here is a nice comparison httpkiyaslaencell-phone
masterwoo said: S3 Mini is an excellent phoneRead about it at httpwwwindiapricepointcom and bought it immediately
Mike Jones said: how does a comparison between galaxy ace 2 v the galaxy s3 mini become a comparison between the galaxy s3 and the galaxy s3 mini -
HS said: Storyof S3 I should call it worst experience of my lifeI completed a costliest deal of my life regarding somethingof personal use I wanted to buy it because I was known about its pros Ididnt have any credit card at that time and my debit card wasnt able to buyit I asked my fiend for his credit card Thanks to him he led my way S3 was in my pocket I was very happy coz itsS3 Nearly a month passed It started hanging deleting messagesitself Not able to call anyone at 1st time Youtube videos couldntbuffer I thought I installed some wrong apps which is causing the problem Itwas reset time for this product I reset it and started using after a monthsame or says much more devastating problem happened It started hangingshowing not readable sms screen blurred Next day I was taking it to Samsung care It slipped from myhand nearly 25 ft from groundtouching the ground from its one cornerIts display gone wasnt starting I saw there is some crackinside of gorilla glass Ohhh no God plz dont do it A horrible experienceI was freaking I lost it I took it to Samsung care they asked me around7000Rs for the repairing I told them to look at the warranty and extendedwarranty card but he told sir it will cost you this amount I asked him forthe favour coz its been only 2 months and it was just 25 ft He told me Wedont give physical warranty Than what kind of warranty do you have bla blahI refused him to repair it WhyLet me tell you1It uses gorilla glass made by Corona comwhich offers great service but inside it they have horrible display which isgoing to crack down It will cost me again2There were other customers who had sameproblem But they had their wallet full and none of them didnt ask if it cancost less3It hangs and very very bad battery service4Software oh no poor file managementI recommend you please never ever by this product It wontcost you only MRP it will cost you much more Samsung care people doesnt careabout you that already paid a lot of money and its been few days Everythingyou see in advertisement is waste if it cannot protect its body Again please dont make any mistake that I did
Poppa1138 said: I expected a better processorI dont see this as a sIII mini more like a sII rehash using down grade partsI dont think this is a rival of the iPhone5people just buy iPhones because its a iPhone