1. The miserable GPS reception.
This does not stand out (I use the Navigon App) when navigating in the car. But I used the S3 mini regularly while hiking (with the app OSMAndMap) so I would not still my Garmin Montana must lug 600 adjacent to the smartphone. When navigating in the woods, the track records of the S3 Mini showed significant deviations from the actual path (for comparison I have tracks recorded simultaneously with the Garmin Montana 600). The position deviations were the S3 Mini between 50 and 300 meters. A hike of 17 km in length was recorded by the inaccurate positioning only with 15 km in length. Research in various forums have shown that other users of the Samsung S3 mini have had the same experiences (eg with the Rantastic app).
2. The readability of the display in the sun was miserable, making it difficult to Qutdooreinsatz considerably.
3. The camera returns rather useless shots.
A week ago, I changed up the S4 mini.
In S4 mini Samsung has installed the same GPS receiver as the big brother S4. I've been on three walks tested the S4 mini this week (mainly in the forest) with a total of 50 km. The tracks of the S4 mini ceiling to almost 100% with the records of the Garmin Montana 600. The GPS receiver of the S4 mini is excellent!
Compared to the Samsung S3 mini and the display of the S4 mini cuts off much better. The S4 mini has the setting "Automatic brightness adjustment" a much better contrast and the display is easy to read even in bright sunlight at any time. When S3 mini, it was even at 100% brightness often impossible in normal daylight (without direct sunlight!) To see anything on the screen.
The 8MP camera S4 mini delivers significantly better pictures than the S3 Mini. The same applies for filming. Here, however, may not be expecting too much. A good camera (SLR or compact camera) can not replace the S4 mini!
Last but not least, I have found that the more reliable S4 should log into my car speakerphone mini via Bluetooth. The S3 Mini has from time to time off briefly and then booked again. The connection of the S4 mini is much more stable.
Conclusion:
For me, the transition was worth. After me, the S4 has mini fully convinced with its outdoor navigation capabilities, was to solve the problem, protect the unit against the weather (rain !!!) and accidental falls. I have therefore the "AQUAPAC bag medium 658" bought, which protects the S4 mini reliably against water and dust. The bag is equipped with a cord. Therefore, it can be hung around the neck while hiking. Thus, dropping the unit is reliably prevented.
A tip at this point for those who want to buy the "AQUAPAC bag" for protection for your device:
Buy the bag in size medium. From the dimensions of the S4 mini also produces the smaller copy of the AQUAPAC bag would be sufficient. The bag in medium is large enough to additionally receive a replacement battery.
You save yourself a lot of nerves during insertion and removal of the device, which in the smaller bag through the small space at the front and back of the bag firmly attaches itself so that each filling and removal to a pesky fumbling is.
Addendum of 30/08/2013:
When using the app OSMAndMap in pedestrian mode, I have found the following battery consumption:
Settings on the S4 mini while navigating:
- WLAN from
- Bluetooth from
- Synchronization of
- GPS to
- Mobile data transfer to
- Screen brightness to "Auto"
- Rotate screen from
- Tone
- Automatic contrast to (Settings / Display / Contrast Automatic)
After 3 hours, the battery level at 70% (when starting 100%). These values are achieved because the OSMAndMap app navigates also in pedestrian mode by voice instructions. Therefore, it is rarely necessary to turn the S4 mini screen orientation. 80 to 90% of the route, the S4 will be added over the mini on / off switch to sleep mode. Here, the screen will turn off but the navigation with voice guidance runs (in my shirt pocket) on. So much comfort, not my Garmin Montana 600.
With the OSM maps I have better experiences so far made as with the expensive Garmin Topo maps. The OSM maps are much current and the autorouting (check out the destination entry) in terrain works perfectly with the OSMAndMap App. Of course, you can navigate to the app via existing tracks.
For users who want to use the S4 mini also long walks, it is worthwhile to purchase a spare battery and a charger for the battery. Just search under keyword "Samsung battery charger EB-K500". The original Samsung battery stadium is already being offered in conjunction with an original Samsung battery for the S4 mini for about 30 euros.
The charger is supplied without a cable and plug. Both are already included with the S4 mini. The charging station is provided with a hinged lid, and can be wonderfully used for storage of secondary batteries.
To protect the S4 mini I looked at the "S-Line Design Protective Case for Samsung Galaxy S4 mini i9190 / i9195 mobile phone shell of TPU Silicone"
bought. This case looks great and is easy to grip on both sides. The S4 mini is thus very comfortable to hold.
(Psc = 1)
Addendum of 11/25/2013:
I am also one of the owners of a Samsung S4 mini, which switches off simply from time to time. About this phenomenon also frequently reported in various forums. When a battery level to 50% or slightly below 50% to the S4 mini switched from simple and could be booting normally again until earlier had taken short the battery and re-inserted. After switching on again showed that the battery level (usually 40% or more) mini to turn the S4 should not have run. The phenomenon occurred regularly about 2x in a week. That reminds me that in both batteries, which I always happens alternately insets, I was pretty sure that it's not a problem of the battery (in this case, there was probably a defective batch of Samsung) .This is particularly important in people who by themselves want to Samsung S4 mini awaken morning reliably very uncomfortable. If the S4 mini will be at night just off not perform the wake-up course.
After the last firmware update from the first days of November (firmware 4.2.2 build number JDQ39.I9195XXUBMJ7) Also this problem has done. Since then, my running S4 mini without any off "like clockwork".
For battery consumption here is a information and personal experiences:
I've turned off on my S4 Google Play apps, since I anyway do not use this. Specifically, these are the following apps:
- Google Play Books
- Google Play Games
- Google Play Movies
- Google Play Music
- Google Play services
- Google+
- Synchronic kidney Google contacts
In addition, I have a Samsung Apps, which I do not use also disabled:
- Group Play
- Hangouts
- Samsung Books
- Samsung WatchOn
- Story album
- ChatOn
- Flipboard
before I have these apps deactivated, my battery life was at most 24 hours. After deactivation of listed above apps, the battery life extended to now usually for 3 days. In these 3 days of GPS reception runs about 6-7 hours. WLAN I turn basically, when I leave the house. Then turn instead on mobile data reception in order (which at home always remains off).
Addendum of 06/02/2014:
The problem with turning off the S4 mini despite adequate battery charge with the firmware update (see addendum dated 25.11.2013) not yet settled. Since I have probably been looking forward too early. Once or twice a week, the S4 turns despite adequate mini battery sporadically completely. Therefore, I have sent the unit the end of January 2014 the Amazon service for repair and get on 03.02.2014 from there (as fixed) return. The problem occurs as before. Today, on 02.06.2014 my device goes back into service. Let's see what results from the fact.
Addendum of 05/03/2014:
After the device was the second time the Service for repair, the source of error was finally found and fixed. I have been informed by the Service that in my device defective electronic parts were replaced. On my inquiry, to which parts it was, was only informed me that such information can not be obtained, and I should like to address in this regard to the manufacturer Samsung. I have tested the repaired S4 Mini over two weeks. It ran each round the clock and has turned off not once more by himself at this time.
Here's a tip for those who also have a mini S4 with the same problem (device switches despite adequate battery charge just from):
Before sending the unit in for service, you should exclude with a test that faulty accessories (Micro SD Card, corrupted files, installed apps, etc.) are responsible for the problem. The procedure is described as follows:
Secure with Samsung Kies all personal data in the internal memory of the S4 mini (contacts, calendar, pictures, videos, etc.). Then insert the S4 mini to the factory defaults. The device is now in the state of delivery. All apps you have installed that no longer exist. Remove the external Micro SD card. I have taken for this test and the SIM card. Now I have the S4 mini maintained and tested whether the unit even now despite adequate battery charge itself off when delivered. After the two times was the case, it was clear that this is clearly a device error. I have described in detail the services this test. Then the error was found and corrected.
I hope all the owners affected by this annoying error of S4 mini (I guess that's not so little when I read through my 1 star reviews) save yourself so frustrated with the service and receive as I a functional unit from the repair.
Addendum of 12/05/2014
My S4 mini now runs for two months around the clock without that it could be even again off independently.
