The case is indeed plastic, but as long as one does not decrease the back cover, the device acts very sound and tight; Nothing creaks or crunches.
The keys make a stable impression and have good pressure points.
The connectors are still be described as good, the USB plug is not nearly as durable.
The wireless coverage is outstanding about the same as with my Desire S, not, however, makes no problems. The voice quality fair to good, the highs too weak; the adjustable volume range without headphones is just adequate.
The camera takes excellent photos.
The GPS reception is pretty good, the first fix often comes after a few seconds. However, locating breaks even under ideal conditions at times from a few seconds. Overall, the GPS positioning is very well usable.
The radio has very good reception and works well. Also shooting is possible, though not in mp3 format.
CON:
With three tested SD cards (brand: 2 x SanDisk, 1 x Samsung) always the same problem: throughout the day about three to 100 times the message "SD card removed unexpectedly" and one can no longer appears card access. The device then tries to re-read the card, which is about half of the time succeed. It tried a nichtdeaktivierbare app called "Media" to go once through all files. A few minutes after that many times again "The SD card was removed unexpectedly". The "media" app pulls as much battery power (equal to the display's second largest consumer in the list), that after three hours before the full unit is empty. The recommendations of the Samsung customer service purpose: to factory settings (did not improve), device for repair (suits me even before). Looking at various forums, there seems to be no solution to this problem - other Products returned (even Galaxy S3 and S4) came back with the same misbehavior.
The unit sometimes responding (Frequency: about twice a day) are no longer on inputs. Sometimes (frequency: about every two days once) it depends on (display contents frozen), sometimes it will restart by itself. This happens especially often during or shortly after a telephone conversation.
Like almost all Android devices also has this not a smart mobile network dial-Management: Even if you're connected via Wi-Fi to the Internet, it is preferably a UMTS connection instead of the low-power and signal stronger GSM connection. Even under poor reception conditions happen to change the GSM very late, so that outgoing calls are not possible then long.
If the device is connected via USB to a Windows PC, it tries to establish a media connection immediately, that some content be integrated in Windows Explorer as a drive, but without a drive letter, so that a simple file sharing is not possible. So it's not possible, the device easy to hang for charging to the USB port. Both functions are (at least once) possible with HTC devices: There you can set a standard connection type ("How to connect a USB stick", "Sign up as an HTC device", "Charge only", "always ask") and the type of connection even even when already plugged device change.
The standard application for specific actions will be selected via the options "Apply once", "Always use", which means that for actions that you regularly do not want to commit to an application (eg. As various image processing applications), each one individual time must tap on two fields, the application and "one-time use". Other Android editions (z. B. HTC) This location is a checkbox "Remember this selection" on what you selected previously. The Samsung typical, extremely cumbersome and unprejudiced variant is in use daily by enormous burden.
The volume control is a disaster: the volume for ringtone, and notification can not be adjusted independently of each other. It is such. As impossible, the ringtone, and to make the notification sound to a. For all audios (media playback, telephony, ringer / notification sounds) of adjustable volume range is too small: the smallest volume setting is too loud, the loudest too quiet. About one in five times a popup with a warning to set the media volume to greater than about 60%, as appears (about "loud music can damage your hearing ..."), which you must confirm to use the smartphone can continue , An incredible incapacitation of the user! Completely absurd in view of this:
. In eingestöpseltem headphones telephony volume is unacceptably high and can not be controlled (the device does not respond to the Volume keys and not to change the volume slider in the settings of the Samsung support (name of the employee known) said: "Yes, of course because it is not a Samsung headphones, then it does not work. "Repeated inquiries I made sure that it is not a misunderstanding. Samsung actually believes that only their headphones on Galaxy S4 Mini normal, function ie variable telephony volume. In spite of belonging damaging, irreducible volume no warning appears!
The battery was indeed evaluated in various tests to be especially tenacious. I can understand in any way. In of removed SD card and thus without the above problem empties the battery with fabulous 24% per hour if I just surf on dynamic screen brightness ("Auto" mode) and normal ambient brightness (office) only via WLAN. Unfortunately, there is no major battery for this model with a thicker rear wall, what I would have prefer because of too shallow casing. EDIT: I have now disabled some Samsung Apps, since then I have normal battery consumption. However, perseverance is still very short, so I have to load twice a day.
The wireless receiver is significantly worse (lower signal strength and connection speed) than with my old Desire S but still sufficient.
The compass needs to be recalibrated frequently (about once a week), because it does not react to a change in orientation. Calibrated fresh then he has been working well.
The telephony app is to be replaced not by apps from other manufacturers (as long as you no other ROM flashes): The contact screen appears embarrassing big during a call (in the public not just discreetly) and its upper third, moreover, of a semitransparent bar with the Phone covers (so you face and eyes of the contact image then but no longer recognizes).
The headphone jack does not terminate the connected line when no signal is output. This means that connected devices such. As the local amplifier hum, as long as the music player is not running.
