Not everyone can afford the latest high-end contract phones but your budget shouldn’t restrict you from being the proud owner of top of the range technology.
Thankfully smartphone manufacturers have taken note and released an array of models with a variety of price tags, to suit all consumers. But are these budget handsets good value for money compared to their premium flagship siblings?
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Samsung Galaxy S4 | Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini |
1.9GHz quad-core processor | 1.7GHz dual-core processor |
5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display | 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display |
13 megapixel camera | 8 megapixel camera |
2 megapixel front-facing camera | 1.9 megapixel HD front-facing camera |
Full HD video recording | Full HD video recording |
2GB RAM | 2GB RAM |
Android Jelly Bean (4.2.2) | Android Jelly Bean (4.2.2) |
Height : 136.6mm | Height: 124.6mm |
130g | 107g |
Launching hot on the heels of the Galaxy S4, the Galaxy S4 Mini is a smaller, more affordable version of the flagship, giving all types of users the chance to explore the S4 experience.
The reduced body certainly doesn’t mean reduced quality and the S4 Mini is almost identical to its high-end counterpart in terms of design, but on a smaller scale.
Housing a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display, the screen produces sharp and crisp images and it fits perfectly in the hand thanks to its compact form factor.
Although the processor is a less powerful 1.7GHz dual-core, the S4 Mini provides a smooth, lag-free experience, even when multi-tasking, something which is helped along by the additional 2GB of RAM, which can also be found in the S4.
The 8 megapixel camera is more than adequate, placing it on par with handsets like the Nokia Lumia 820, and the 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera is almost up there with the S4’s 2 megapixel offering.
In terms of software both the S4 Mini and S4 are equipped with the latest version of Android Jelly Bean with Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface skinned on top.
Some of the S4’s intuitive software features also appear in the budget sibling, and the Mini comes with the S Health fitness suite, Samsung’s Group Play media sharing service and the Smart Scroll and Smart Pause functions, which use eye-tracking technology to detect when you are looking at the display.
HTC One vs HTC One Mini
HTC One | HTC One Mini |
1.7GHz quad-core processor | 1.4GHz dual-core processor (TBC) |
4.7-inch Full 1080p HD display | 4.3-inch 720p display (TBC) |
UltraPixel camera | UltraPixel camera (TBC) |
2.1 megapixel front-facing camera | (TBC) |
HDR video recording | Full HD video recording (TBC) |
2GB RAM | 2GB RAM (TBC) |
Android Jelly Bean (4.2.2) | Android Jelly Bean (4.2.2) (TBC) |
Height: 137.4mm | (TBC) |
143g | (TBC) |
Rumoured to be coming to the market in the next couple of months, the HTC One Mini is pegged as a cut-price version of the hugely successful HTC One flagship.
Although nothing has been officially confirmed, the Mini is believed to house a 4.3-inch 720p display, which isn’t too much smaller than the HTC One.
It is rumoured that the miniature counterpart will run Android 4.2.2 OS with HTC Sense skinned on top, leading industry watchers to believe the Mini will offer the same user experience as that of the flagship device.
There’s also the possibility that it could boast the same UltraPixel camera technology, including the HTC Zoe editing functionality, which really brings your images to life.
Another factor which will impress potential consumers is that the Mini is likely to inherit the premium aluminium chassis from its big brother, replicating the sleek metallic design and high-end feel that has made it so popular amongst potential consumers.
Verdict
Both handsets are certainly value for money, offering impressive specs and sought-after features to rival their flagship counterparts, but without the accompanying high-end price point.