One of the main selling points for me was (besides a correspondingly powerful, contemporary hardware) a correspondingly large community around this device - ultimately it helped me with my (still now or again) in operation SGS 1 to Android 4.4.4 instead the original Samsung firmware with Android 2.3.6 - Because I do not intend to buy me a new phone every year it is important to me to stay in software on top (security updates, function of current software, etc.) According to my observation, there are only relatively few devices sufficient community that deals with firmware updates. There are, as is to be expected, as a rule, only the very popular devices, such as she Galaxy S series.
It is a fine thing, all the Samsung software that nobody needs (added: Camera and Gallery are very good alternative: Google Camera and CM-Gallery), to get rid of. The SGS4mini but - in contrast to SGS1 - sufficient power reserves to allow not slow down noticeably from the Samsung Super-duper extra software.
Samsung now offers the SGS 4mini an update to 4.4.2 Kitkat - I have long since 4.4.4 it (Cyanogenmod 11 M9 - Android 4.4.4) Whether the SGS 4 is replaced by mini Samsung Android also L is highly questionable - in alternative Rome I am very confident! Although it might sound like this: I will not specify, but simply the latest software on my device.
Caution: It is claimed that by flashing of alternative Rome void the equipment warranty. As far as I know this is not yet ausjudiziert, but in any case the "knox" switch is set from 0 to 1 and the present seems to be irreversible. Thus, the trader can easily determine whether a foreign Rom was installed. Trouble with the warranty so pre-programmed!
I will not conceal that the uploading of an alternative Rome is not a very big deal and can be easily ergoogelt - there are at least two German-speaking forums that provide a tiptop guide and links to the required files. Helpful is possibly also to know that the internal name for the SGS4mini with LTE, so the reviewed here i9195, "serranoltexx" reads.
Finally, briefly, my impression from SGS4mini:
Fits comfortably in your hand, the peripheral edge is at my black edition beautiful dark gray and not as usual silberfärbig - I really like. The display is very good, even to read even in bright light. Performance-wise, I see no problem, but am not a mobile gamers! I play for example very much like Asphalt 8, which has a great graphics and runs fine.
However, attention should be intermittent wireless connection - interestingly, both the Samsung firmware, as well as with CyanogenMod. Here's the rub seems deeper. The wireless router is a relatively modern model of TP-Link, which serves my SGS1, my laptop and numerous guest-mobiles actually properly ... It is quite possible that the two do not like - is supposed to happen. But the interruptions are usually brief and annoy me more than they hinder me.
In summary, a good device upmarket to become moderate price with a sufficiently large community. Unfortunately littered Samsung software, a small wireless errors to but 4 stars are but also an announcement ...
Apart from the rating: Personally, I find it quite cheeky of Samsung, a device as SGS 4 "mini" for sale, which has really nothing to do with the SGS 4. All data is contemplating a completely independent, another device that has 4 nothing to do with the "big" SGS.
EDIT from January 2015:
I do not like to knock myself on the back because of my stunning prophetic gift to me, yes, but one of the first 30 units that were of CyanogenMod Android 5 (Lollipop) considered as an early nightly builds, the drumroll --- --- 'serranoltexx' aka SGS 4 mini :-). There are reports that it is going very well, but I'm still too early development status, I am waiting with flashing prefer not to.