|
|
|
| |
| Samsung Galaxy Mini Black |
| |
 |
|
|
|
| |
Mini phone, mini price tag. The Samsung Galaxy Mini is a cheap and cheerful smartphone with a lot going for it, but keeping smartphone smarts while keeping the price down is a tough job. This Mini may have skimped a little too hard on features like the camera and, most of all, the screen.
Mini miser
The Mini lives up - or rather, lives down - to its name. The 3.1-inch screen is dinky enough for those who find the iPhone and its ilk are just too big. It looks chic in glacial white, with soft rounded edges and subtle pattern on the back.
Hoding it feels light and comfortable, the curved bump at the bottom nestling in the hand. The plastic back doesn't feel very refined though.
The Mini sports a large home button, flanked by buttons to call up the menu and go back to the previous screen. The power button is up on the right shoulder.
Inside, there are further cost-saving measures. The 600MHz processor doesn't look great on paper, but we were pleasantly surprised by the lick at which the phone handled games and video.
Screen scream
The low-cost screen is less successful. It's a low-resolution display so the level of detail is poor, and even everyday tasks like opening up the apps list shows an unsightly shimmer. While games and video play without stuttering, the low-quality screen means they look shoddy.
The camera is also a paltry and outdated three-megapixel job.
The Mini is powered by Android, the simple and flexible interface that lets you customise your phone with apps and fill your home screens with apps. Samsung adds handy shortcuts to your address book, messages and apps at the bottom of the screen, and shortcuts to turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and more at the top.
You can download more apps directly to your phone from the Android Market, while Samsung includes some of its own. The music and video players are pretty among the better built-in apps.
Neat features include the option to call someone from their phone book entry or a message they've sent you by swiping to the right, or replying to the message by swiping left.
The Galaxy Mini is a likable little number, but anyone tempted by its playful looks had better not be the jealous type, because the screen just doesn't bear comparison to rival phones. Despite the selection of features and friendly price tag, in the pantheon of notable Minis, this is less Michael Caine and more Mr Bean.
The verdict
Cute, fun, and surprisingly nippy, the Samsung Galaxy Mini is let down by its low-quality screen, a real stumbling block when you have to look at it all the time.
Look and feel
Playful and pocketable, so it's a shame the screen is so poor
Ease of use
Simple and flexible, with some nice extra flourishes from Samsung
Features
GPS, Wi-Fi and decent web browsing are all present and correct - and all for a low price
Performance
While the processor won't win any races, it keeps up nicely with everyday tasks
Battery life
The saving grace of the mediocre display is that it isn't as power-hungry as superior screens, so the battery lasts well over a day - a rarity in the smart phone world
Pros: Charming and cheap
Cons: Below-average screen
Verdict: Cute and compact, the Samsung Galaxy Mini will only appeal to those who value discretion over quality
|
| |
|
|
|
|
   
Testimonials
A few words from our customers
“Fantastic customer services - thank you so much - well impressed.”
L. Conway, Coventry
“Fantastic Customer Service, I would definitely buy from you again.”
A. Buckland, Manchester
“Maintain this approach and you'll go a long way up the business ladder!”
P. Cockman, E.Midlands
“Great deals and fantastic customer service! Would recommend to anyone!”
J. Sloane, Eastwick
“A huge difference to what I have been used to over the years, and a credit to your company!”
M. Armstrong, Leeds
“Easy to use website and a service to match.”
N.Vistu, Leicester
“Never thought I'd be saying this but this must be one of the best mobile phone sites I have visited!”
M. Lau, Stanmore
“Great company! Fast, efficient & Reliable!”
H. Hatfield, Plymouth
“Their website was appealing and the deals were unbelievable!”
E.holston, Uppingham
|
