With the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini, Samsung is clearly aiming at buyers who want a well-rounded phone without too many compromises. Here is our take on what it brings to the table. Announced in 2014, June. Released 2014, July, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
On the front you get a 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm 2 (~65.7% screen-to-body ratio) panel, pushing a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density). Colours look punchy and text stays clean, so you will not have much to complain about here. In terms of design, the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini keeps things modern and comfortable to hold. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Charcoal Black.
Performance & Software
Powering the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini is the Exynos 3470 Quad, paired with 5GB of RAM, which means smooth scrolling, quick app switching and no real hiccups in normal use. It runs Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
Photography is handled by a main 8 MP shooter that should cover most situations, from daylight shots to the occasional low-light frame. Point-and-shoot results are reliable, and that is exactly what most buyers want.
Battery
Keeping the lights on is a Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable cell, and that is a healthy number that keeps range anxiety at bay.
Our Opinion
After spending time with the spec sheet and what Samsung is promising, here is where we land. This is a phone that does not try to be the flashiest option on the shelf, and honestly that works in its favour. It gets the basics right, offering 5G connectivity, a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. For someone who simply wants a dependable daily driver that will not let them down halfway through the day, this ticks a lot of boxes. There are rivals that beat it in one area or another, as is always the case in this segment. But taken as a whole, the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini is a sensible, well-judged choice that should keep most users happy for a good while. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
