+ Excellent display
+ Ideal form factor (small and handy)
+ Adequate performance
+ Excellent outdoor properties
+ Notification LED
+ Good battery performance
+ Replaceable battery
+ SD card slot
+ Infrared Interface
+ Extensive features (finger scanner, ultra-saving mode, and much more.)
- System even after firmware update (Dec '14 / Apr'15) not stable (see update below)
- Prone plastic frame
- Unnecessarily high SAR value
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Ahead
As one my previous Galaxy S1 now already could almost be called a museum piece, and it was far too slow despite significantly faster custom ROM CyanogenMod just surfing, App or startup, I have decided after nearly 4 years for a new model. Requirement was among other things a certain compactness, since the mobile phone should be given a place in my pocket and on my mountain bike handlebar. I worried my unit a month ago when the planet dealer in an action for that time very good 279 euros.
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DIMENSIONS AND externals
With H 131.1 x W 64.8 mm x T 9.1 mm the device only as wide as the Galaxy S1 it is slightly thicker than the big brother S5. It is just by the width dimensions yet extremely comfortable to hold and fits easily into a tighter jeans pocket. With 120 grams, it is pleasantly light.
To set the trend by Samsung on fewer and fewer curves and a more pronounced frame in chrome-look, the Koreans are continuing in this model.
The plastic frame measures about an inch in depth. The sides recessed Power and Volume Button here blend in discreetly and have a pleasant pressure point. I hope, however, that here are other models the Galaxy Alpha and get in the future an aluminum frame. This is much more stable, looks quality, cost of production certainly marginally more, the weight increases only slightly, allowing the smartphone even after years of good looks.
The removable polycarbonate back can clearly superior from his corrugated artificial leather optics than previous models with a smooth back, improves the grip and makes the smartphone at the same time more resistant to scratches. The total gap dimensions go absolutely fine. The bottom line is the same as the S5 Optik knows how to please.
Why now must be always white resolved in all body colors instead of black USB cable and power cord as an accessory, to me, however, is a mystery.
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OUTDOOR QUALITIES
From the excellent scratch resistance of the first Gorilla glass I was able to convince me the Galaxy S1. When S5 mini the third generation of rugged display glass is installed.
The GPS accuracy has, unlike the first generation Galaxy greatly improved, among other things thanks to GLONASS. You had at that time still the smartphone to the car window align sometimes right to ever to have an acceptable location accuracy, the current Mini, you can also simply disappear in the center console and follow only the voice. By mountain bike I have now probably the densest grove still an acceptable location (more accurate tests with the bike are still pending 'update follows).
The S5 mini is dust and water resistant to IP67 'supposedly under water (extensive testing I let other;) even up to 1 meter and 30 minutes)
The device also has an option: Touch sensitivity "high". If this is activated, the operation with gloves is much easier and at all possible. I have tested it with different pairs and am thrilled. In winter you can now simply start the gloves. For thicker naturally models the accuracy is a problem.
By overall excellent outdoor properties of S5er series a separate Active model is now obsolete.
Also explained below Display type plays a role in the outdoor suitability.
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DISPLAY
The S5 Mini has a resolution with 1280x720 pixels 4.5 inch Super AMOLED display. The effective pixel density of 326dpi is visible enough at this screen size and allows for very sharp display at normal viewing distance - Defiance PentileMatrix. The OLED technology ensures as usual for an extremely high-contrast display. Black is Black. The often criticized color casts in white and 'candy-colors' get Samsung always better grip. Compared to the slightly yellowish Galaxy S3 my wife (both 'display Customize' tested at Display option) is the small white S5 clearly neutral and pure.
The brightness was increased further. The display is noticeably brighter than my old Galaxy S1 in the highest setting. Here I see in outdoor operation no significant limitations more. The viewing angle stability is typical AMOLED outstanding.
Even a general pro-argument for AMOLED: It allows significantly longer display maturities because simply for display of black pixels are turned off. In my Locus Pro app for example, I can use the card can be displayed inverted, thus saving battery capacity.
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HARDWARE AND PERFORMANCE (see updates below)
In terms of system stability and at first I was quite disappointed. Within the first 10 days, the phone automatically reboots once, a second time is stuck (Restart after removal / re-inserting the battery possible) and another time I suddenly had no more reception (also only reboot solved). However, three weeks everything is running properly. Since the beginning of December there is a new firmware, which you see: can install SETUP-GENERAL EQUIPMENT INFORMATION SOFTWARE UPDATE.
- CPU, GPU and memory: The newly developed and manufactured in the current 28nm process 4-cores CPU from Samsung offers an absolutely sufficient speed to my mind in most situations. Additionally, 16 GB of flash memory and 1.5GB RAM are firmly installed. Apps launch quickly, the browser side building also takes place in an instant. Almost everything is butter soft and quickly. Occasional Mikroruckler when scrolling under higher load can still occur - makes me personally not care as long as it occurs only sporadically. Bottom line, I am absolutely satisfied with the necessary hardware performance. Whose focus is inter alia on cutting-edge, graphic-intense games for users who somewhat aged Mali GPU is probably a bit too slow.
- Mobile unit: The voice quality goes for mobile standards in order. The party's voice is indeed slightly tinny but still clear. Even while facing the voice comes over relatively clear and clean. However, the SAR value of 0.97 W / KG about the average and in my opinion is unnecessarily high. At least you can features such as: Setting the vibration in assumption with which one must only after connection setup (here usually highest radiation exposure) lift the handset to your ear. Since I am not a frequent callers, disturbs me personally the increased value not particularly. The data throughput is at UMTS perfectly fine. LTE I can not test for lack of agreement to date.
- Wi-Fi: The data throughput is also here for my purposes (usually faster site rendering) perfectly adequate. Also in terms of reach, there by my side nothing to complain about. The new AC-Standard One looks in vain, however, as opposed to the S5.
- Speakers: Integrated Speaker makes sounds Notwithstanding any other representations from a smartphone pretty good quality. However, this will change very quickly due to the back-fitted chassis when the smartphone is, for example on a table. Then it sounds tinny quickly. This is known as well as from other models without front speakers.
- Photo camera: The camera has an 8 MP rear and a 2MP front camera. The autofocus adjusts quickly especially sharp at reasonable lighting conditions. Here you can also image quality - at least in terms of the back camera - called very neat. The lighting is dim, there is no flash quickly noisy and blurred. The various modes like HDR, panorama and continuous shooting I will more closely examine and update here.
- Notification LED: I can now no longer imagine a smartphone without optical indicator for missed calls, emails and SMS me. The PlayStore App 'BlinkerLED' goes a step further and allows, for example, also colored notifications regarding the mobile reception, charge level, adjustable blinking intervals and much more.
The multi-color LED is not quite as big and strong as the light of the Galaxy S3 my wife. This fall notifications in the peripheral point of view may not be quite as fast as on the older model. This, however, suits at very high levels. In addition, the smaller LED fits better into the overall picture of the compact Mini S5.
- Infrared Interface: replaced with apps such as' smart IR Remote 'a universal remote control with equally good switching characteristics' of the lack of Tastenhaptik apart.
- Battery Capacity: 2100mAh Battery of interchangeable provides a good runtime in my opinion.
In mild to normal use (about 15 minutes per day web surfing, 3-4 SMS, few mails, calls few minutes, WLAN always home to, UMTS and GPS only when needed, from Blutooth, isolated use of additional apps) come I to have a term of approximately 2.5 days
With increased use (1h web surfing, 6-7 SMS, few emails and phone calls about 30-45min WLAN, GPS, UMTS always on, Bluetooth off, occasional use of additional apps) I'm still loosely over the day and would end up in most cases still sufficient reserves for the night.
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SOFTWARE (bloatware) and other functions
Like the S4 Mini is 4.4.2 installed on the current model Android - but with newer TouchWiz interface. Unfortunately, some bloatware apps like Pizza.de are again as usual preinstalled with Samsung. Fortunately, most can be disabled in the settings at least easily.
Finger Scanner: It is important here that stores various wiping variations (up to 30), thus increasing the probability of a match. I'd say about 90% hit rate are possible once you get a feel for the 'right Drüber wipe'. It is still occasionally happen that the adjustment fails. Here will certainly improve a bit in the coming models. But there is already an in my view quite useful feature.
S Health: here I feel really only the pedometer including display on the lock screen as halfway useful. The integrated Pulse Monitors eliminated if only from handling reasons for me. In addition, everyone should think about how much data you want to reveal about himself - that is also true for the finger scanner and other apps.
Smart Stay: works relatively well and is in my view a meaningful improvement. Only very rarely does the camera (for example, in very dark rooms) the screen view. However, Smart Stay works rather according to the principle: head in the picture: yes / no because as eye control. However, this is understandable: Uses the function but only the front camera that quickly comes with its typical high susceptibility to noise and low resolution to its limits.
Ultra-energy-saving mode: Like the S5 many connectivity functions are switched off here. The display is now black / white. If the nearest outlet times be really far away, this feature is very helpful in the fight for each battery percent.
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CONCLUSION
Although the S5 Mini was slimmed down not only in size compared to S5 (much weaker hardware, no wireless standard AC) it is still in the sum of a very harmonious smartphone, which convinces in everyday life. The ratio display size / portability is almost perfect here. In addition, it offers a diverse connectivity, a super display and excellent outdoor properties. The price is now fully justified in view of the above properties. Strong buy recommendation!
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**************** UPDATE 6:01. ****************
Unfortunately, the smartphone was only three weeks after the stable firmware update. May have been the "stability" during this period by a few manual reboots my part favors. The system had. In any case within the last week alone again a freeze and an automatic reboot When Freeze is the smartphone with display off / non-illuminated heats the way to quite strong. This can be stopped only by the removal and re-inserting the battery.
I fear that this problem is typical Samsung if ever only fixed with an update to Android L. Should change the situation a little, I'll adjust the review accordingly.
-> Write-down of 5 to 3 stars
**************** UPDATE 11:03. ****************
The problems described in the last update occurred even 1-2 times. Since more than a month but now everything runs perfectly again. Now means LocusPro app I could also test the GPS for a longer bike ride accurate. I am a track that I had already recorded with the S1 traced, and these have resumed. The result is very good: the S1 are still frequent high deviations (partly 50m and more) identifiable, the recording with the S5 mini is significantly more accurate. The deviation is usually not even visible, and is at worst a few meters.
Battery consumption during this test was also (from GPS on, Bluetooth off, WLAN and Mobile Data, Poweramp + LocusPro ran permanently, with brighter screen map and high brightness always on) rather low. After the three hours I had lost 39% battery power. During the same period I had with the S1 uses significantly more than 50% battery capacity.
-> Appreciation to 4 stars
**************** UPDATE 7:04. ****************
Last week, the phone has automatically gerestarted twice again. Yesterday there was a small firmware update from Samsung. In order to improve this but definitely not helped, because the device has just been re-done automatically reboot.
**************** UPDATE 12:04. ****************
I've noticed lately that the charging process frequently is extremely slow (about 1-2% charge per hour). After restarting the charging works then refloat. Yesterday I got the LED system app used to illuminate something. Unfortunately, however, you could suddenly no longer disable the LED. Only by re-activating the LED icons after restarting to shut this off. Even during the restart they shone forth.
-> The buggy firmware deserves 0 stars. Overall, this phone is still well served with 3 stars
