Samsung Galaxy Mini S5570

Introduction

Minis are supposed to be the cheaper, stripped down version of the bigger and superior gadgets. There’s a long list of bigger and superior siblings for the Samsung Galaxy Mini S5570 to choose from but it has its own two feet to stand on.

So, the Galaxy Mini is the last shake of the bag. It will never get to rub shoulders with the big and scary smartphones. But it’s not all bad you know. Not bad at all actually for what basically is an entry level smartphone with complete connectivity, social networking, internet, Android apps and music. It’s the right kind of device for smartphone newbies. A good option if you just don’t want to spend a truck-load of money on a smartphone.

Key Features

Quad-Band GSM and dual-band 3G support
7.2 Mbps HSDPA
3.14” 256K-color QVGA TFT touchscreen
ARMv6 600MHz processor, 384MB RAM
Android OS v2.2 (Froyo) with TouchWiz v3.0 UI
160MB internal storage, hot-swappable MicroSD slot, 2GB card included
3.15 MP fixed-focus camera with geotagging
GPS receiver with A-GPS
Stereo FM radio with RDS
3.5mm audio jack
Document editor
Accelerometer and proximity sensor
Swype text input
MicroUSB port (charging) and stereo Bluetooth 2.1
Social network integration
Good build, youthful styling

Main disadvantages

Low screen resolution limits choice of apps
Fixed focus camera
No secondary video-call camera
No flash, no dedicated camera key
Poor video recording QVGA @ 15fps

The Galaxy Mini was not made to impress. It was made to serve and be simple to use. It’s a solid little smartphone that has all the important ingredients. It can do most of the things your Galaxy S can, just without the stuff that pushes the price up.

With this one, Samsung look to encourage their loyal users to consider a smartphone. Versatility and friendliness make Android quite inviting. The Mini has the specs to back that up too.

Budget-conscious users are having a range of competing phones to choose from and the Samsung Galaxy Mini will have to work harder to get noticed. But the right price tag will put it on the radar of the young, novice smartphone users. That gives the Mini something to start with

Franziska Knuppe

Friday, May 6, 2011