X

Hands on with Samsung's smaller Galaxy S4 Mini (pictures)

Close up with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
001Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Mini_35780481_.jpg
1 of 8 Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive

Hands on with Samsung's smaller Galaxy S4 Mini

Samsung's smaller Galaxy S4 Mini may look like just a shrunken knock-off form the original S4, but the handset is an in-betweener for phone-buyers trying to save a buck or two.
003Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Mini_35780481_.jpg
2 of 8 Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive

TouchWiz on top

As with the entire Galaxy S4 line, the Mini runds Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sammy's customized TouchWiz interface on top.
004Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Mini_35780481_.jpg
3 of 8 Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive

Smaller, indeed

The S4 Mini is definitely smaller than the S4, with a 4.3-inch instead of a 5-inch display. You can see that it's almost compact in the hand.
008Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Mini_35780481_.jpg
4 of 8 Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive

Camera experience

The S4 Mini has an 8-megapixel camera versus the S4 original's 13-megapixel shooter. That's no short stick -- Samsung's image quality is typically good.
012Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Mini_35780481_.jpg
5 of 8 Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive

Tools aplenty

Samsung packs a lot of software into its camera app. You won't find everything there is in the S4 original, but there are still plenty of modes and effects.
010Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Mini_35780481_.jpg
6 of 8 Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive

Shooting modes

Here's a closer look at the Mini's shooting modes, which include Panorama and a continuous burst shot.
005Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Mini_35780481_.jpg
7 of 8 Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive

Colors

The S4 Mini comes in black and white for now, and shares the same finely textured visuals on the phone's back plate, like little pinpricks.
021Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Mini_35780481_.jpg
8 of 8 Sarah Tew / CBS Interactive

A little gleam

Plastics dressed up with a gleaming, brushed finish compose the Galaxy S4 Mini, and most of the phone in this lineup.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos