Disclosure – I received a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini with Sprint services to provide you with this review. This is not a paid post and all thoughts opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.
For the last few years I have been a big fan of the iPhone. I first started with the iPhone 3GS and then upgraded to the iPhone 4S and I thought I was happy with it. For the last month though, I have been using and playing around with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini with the Sprint network. I think this phone might have WON my love over the iPhone.
Here is my Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and my iPhone 4S side by side. As you can see, they are almost the same size with the Samsung being just a tad taller.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs the iPhone 4S
So until I used the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, I thought the iPhone was all I needed. I had all my apps like Instagram, Facebook, Pandora, Twitter all within hands reach. I even had all my music and I could use it like an iPod. After using my Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, my iPhone seems a little boring. The S4 Mini seems like a little computer to me and the size is perfect since its almost the same size as my iPhone.
One thing I have enjoyed with the S4 Mini is the Samsung Hub and Entertainment Universe. You can’t get bored if you have access to this!
Once you sign into the Samsung Hub you then have access to shop for TV shows, movies, games, music, books and more to your phone. What I like about the hub is that it integrates your storefront and media player so you do NOT have to leave the app to view the content you purchase which makes using it easier.
I like to read so I am liking the Samsung Hub Book app. You can access your e-books from different Samsung devices. The content you purchase belongs to the user and not just the device. You are able to re-download the same purchased content as many times as you wish for up to 5 Samsung devices.
I LOVE music so having access to new music as well as old music is a must. With the Samsung Music Hub you get access to a global catalog of over 14 million songs. I think that iTunes may have access to more music, I think last year they were at 25 billion but for me, I mostly listen to songs I am easily going to find on either device so I don’t need that big of a library to look from.
What is neat about using the Samsung and listening to music is that the phone listens to what you play and then suggest similar artists and songs for you. As you continue to listen to your favorite songs, your recommendations will become more refined. I think this is also a great way to find new music that you haven’t discovered yet.
Here are some other features I like about the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini from Sprint over the iPhone 4S:
- Larger screen (4.3 vs 3.5)
- More ram (1.5gb vs .5gb)
- Faster clock speed (1.7GH vs .8GHz)
- Super AMOLED technology
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs the Samsung Galaxy S4
There are many of you that have or want the Samsung Galaxy S4. You might be wondering what the difference is between these two phones. From what I can see, the Galaxy S4 Mini is a smaller version of the Galaxy S4. Not only is it smaller it is also comes with a smaller price tag. I think for those used to the iPhone like me, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini might be your way to go over the larger phone. That is unless you are looking for a fancier and bigger phone.
Here is the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini next to a regular Samsung Galaxy S4. You can definitely see the size difference.
When it comes to sizes, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has a 5-inch screen in a 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm chassis. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini has a 4.3 inch screen in a 124.6 x 6.3 x 8.9mm chassis. The Samsung S4 weighs 130g whereas the S4 Mini only weighs 107g.
Here is a picture of all three phones together from smallest to largest.
While many people like the bigger fancy cell phones, I prefer to have a smaller hand sized phone. I am always using my phone and the smaller sized phones have always worked best for me. They seem to fit in my purse better and are easier for me to take #selfie pictures with. 🙂
Which type of cell phone do you prefer to use? Feel free to leave me a comment letting me know what kind of phone you have or what your dream cell phone is.
I hope you enjoyed reading my Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Review. Stay tuned for my upcoming post about Sprint’s Framily Plan and how it might be able to save you some money on your cell phone bill costs.
I had no clue that Samsung had a mini S4… that is so neat. About two years ago Hubby did a whole bunch of research on the iPhone and Samsung and we all decided on going with the Samsung and we have stuck with them since! I have the S4, Hubby has the Note 3, and my MIL has the S3! We love them.
After using the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, I am really tempted to ditch the iPhone.
I didn’t know they had a mini!!! That was one of my issues with my old S3 was the size. Very cool. My hubby will be happy to know since he currently has a Galaxy.
I didn’t know that they had a mini either! I love that phone companies make sizes for every need!
I am sooooo envious! I really want one of these. Hehe – just sent a link to my husband for him to check out this post. 😉
The S4 is a great phone, and we’re anxiously awaiting the S5 to arrive!
That really does look like a great phone! I’m getting really tired of my iPhone, I might get one of these when my contract ends!
My contract is ending in a couple months. 🙂
This is my thinking too! I would seriously consider switching from my iPhone to one of the galaxy phones!
I totally agree about having a smaller phone. I do not like a huge half tablet phone–I love the size of my iphone4 and the mini looks just a tad bigger than that and thinner too. Great fit for me.
I’ve always been an iphone person but lately I’m getting more and more curious about the other options like this galaxy.
I love Samsung products. We always look to them first. That said, I use Straight Talk and so far I cant get a Galaxy S4 or a mini in my area (hopefully soon). I am dying to try a Galaxy S4!!!
I have an iphone5, but I wish the screen was bigger like this samsung mini!
I like that the Samsung has a bigger screen also. More room to mess with my apps. 🙂
We’re about to switch to a new phone and have been debating which model would be best. I love that you say this feels more like a mini-computer than your iphone did because that’s really what I want out of a smartphone is for it to be my mini on-the-go computer. I’m definitely going to be considering this now.
Great review! I love the camera and the larger screen on the Samsung S4.
I think I may be the last person on earth who still doesn’t have a smartphone. I must upgrade soon. it’s an embarrassment pulling out my old flip phone 🙂
No Roechelle, you aren’t the last person on earth who doesn’t have a smartphone – as a fellow flipper, I am waving to you! 🙂
But Stefani, I am hoping to add some intelligence to my life in the near future so I appreciate your wonderful article – I particularly appreciated the photos and spec listings – will be forwarding it to DH for viewing as well!
That is handy. I do like that it has a larger screen.
Looks to be more screen room on the Samsung, but I can’t get over the android operating system. So backwards and counter intuitive for me!
I like that the screen is bigger than my iPhone, but sadly I am under contract for a while with my carrier.
That’s a really nice device. I did some playing around with it and liked it quite a bit
I’ve been using an iphone for the past few years. I’ve been looking at the galaxy, though. I like that there is a mini version.
I am electronic ‘slow’… I just got a new phone and am thankful i’ve sort of figured it out.
I am such an Apple girl that I’ve never had an Android phone. My husband loves his Galaxy SIII and is (im)patiently awaiting the arrival of the S5 so he can upgrade. I agree though, the Mini would be a great option for someone going from Apple to Android.
My husband has this phone and he loves it. He keeps telling me to switch over to a Droid. Maybe one day!
The mini sounds like a great phone! Samsung really has done a great job with their cameras.
I currently have the Samsung Galaxy S4 and love it! I never knew they came out with a mini version. That’s pretty cool!
I like that the mini is almost the same size as an iPhone. I’ve been thinking of making the switch from iPhone to a Samsung, but didn’t want anything too big. This is the perfect size. Thanks for sharing.
I like phones that fit well in my hand, too. My current phone is just a tad too big to fit comfortably (which is probably why I dropped it! Oops…) This one looks like a great size!
This is a great side-by-side comparison. I am always wondering about other phones than my iPhone.
I had no idea they had a mini. I am surprised Samsung does not advertise it more. It looks like a real legit competitor to the IPhone. Thanks for your comparison review!
I am an iphone lover but always liked the large size of the galaxy. I would think that Samsung would get it out there especially since the galaxy is always being compared to apple. I would still stick with the larger sizes.
Looks like a great phone with lots of awesome features. I love the size for sure!
I know what you mean. I have several friends with these phones and I truly love to play with all of the amazing things they do. I also love my iPhone, but I can see where people give them up.
I’m pretty picky with what I use my phone for. I don’t like reading books or watching shows, this blind old lady saves those things for tablet and television. I can say that I had a Samsung years ago before and the quality of the camera was terrific.
Boy that sounds feature packed! I like that the phone comes in a regular and a mini, so people can choose their preference.
I do love my iPhone, but that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to try something new. This Droid looks like a pretty cool device.
My iPhone loving big kids are starting to talk about the Samsung Galaxy quite a bit. I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both of them made the switch.
Thanks for the review! I’ll be upgrading my iphone in a few months and will be looking for something new. Once my on/off button quit working and it started randomly shutting off a month after being out of warranty, I figured it was time to look at something else.
I’ve always wondered hos the Galaxys compare to iPhones. Thanks for taking the time to review it for us!
Nice phone – I showed my hubby your post – he is in the market for a new phone.
We just got new phones, but this one looks like a good one for someone looking. Ill have let others know.
I love big screens on my phones! I need to do a upgrade though I have a cheap flip phone!
My husband has the MASSIVE Galaxy Note. It is crazy how big his screen is, but honestly he rarely uses for a phone…
I’ve been looking into a new phone. Mine was scratched up in a spider assault. I’ll have to check this one out.
The mini is small but it offers so much! I love my mini too.
I don’t know if I could ever switch back from iPhones now, but this does look like a really great alternative! The mini looks like the perfect size.
I have the S4 and am really happy with it. This is the first i’ve heard of the mini.
that’s cool they made a mini version. My husband has a S4 and it’s so ridiculously huge that I cannot stand using it for a minute. I think the mini is more my style since I am currently an iPhone user.
I like the larger screen but am not sure I could leave my iphone!
I work at a cell phone company and we just announced that we’ll be getting the S5 the same time as the other big guys, when it’s launched, which is a big deal for us bc we’re a local company. I’m excited! Maybe I’ll switch to it from my iPhone!
my hubby has the s4. I’m seriously thinking of ditching my iphone for it.
I didn’t know there were so many apps for the S4! How cool is that Hub?
Great review! I actually have always been an iPhone gal until we got a family member a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and I fell in love with it. I WILL be changing over to one as well, no doubt. I was worried about the size and how I would do but it’s just too awesome not to change over.
I wanted a tablet for easy video editing so I grabbed the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and I love it so I know the phone will be great. I have the original iPad but decided it’s time for me to break up with Apple lol Hope I’m making a good decision.