Samsung S4 mini

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timmmay

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#126768 19-Jul-2013 08:20

Is anyone else interested in this phone? I had a loan of Disrespective's full size S3 which I really liked, but I think I want something a bit more compact for travel, and I prefer the square edges.

A quick look on ebay suggests it's about US$400, NZ$679 at Mobicity which is up there for a midrange phone, but cheaper than the $800 - $1100 the full size phone costs. I guess it'll come down sooner or later, and I'm not in a great hurry.

Inphinity

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#861998 19-Jul-2013 09:24

Personally, I'm not a fan. Mostly because there isn't a significant (imo) price differential between the S4 Mini and the S4, yet there's a massive discrepancy in specs. If you're expecting the benefits of an S4 but in a smaller package, it's not.

timmmay

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#862095 19-Jul-2013 12:54

I've realised that, the full S4 is only about $100-$200 more expensive. I actually want a smaller phone, the S3 was a bit big in my pocket when I was out exercising, I was using it as a pedometer. I expect it'll get cheaper, the S3 mini is only $365.

Any suggestions for decent midrange phones.

Handsomedan

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#862104 19-Jul-2013 13:06

Check out the review on GSM Arena

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_mini-review-953.php

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subverse

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#862106 19-Jul-2013 13:07

My wife got the S3 mini and likes it, (it occasionally pops up for $349). I'm thinking about getting one too. The pocket issue is the driver there, it's just I want to be able to put my phone into my jeans pocket so I'm willing to sacrifice some 'features' for that.

timmmay

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#862116 19-Jul-2013 13:17

S3 got mixed reviews, but a friend has one and loves it. I read this S4 mini review, it says it's pretty good. GsmArena says the Sony Xperia SP is possibly a better phone, and it's significantly cheaper - anyone used or have any opinion?

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#862118 19-Jul-2013 13:23

GSM Arena often gives a decent review then ends it with a note that "this" or "that" are better value/feature set/whatever

I think a large part of that lies in the fact that they are relating to the Eurpoean market, which makes it a bit difficult to gauge value here, by comparison.

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jeffnz

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#862126 19-Jul-2013 13:25

timmmay: I've realised that, the full S4 is only about $100-$200 more expensive. I actually want a smaller phone, the S3 was a bit big in my pocket when I was out exercising, I was using it as a pedometer. I expect it'll get cheaper, the S3 mini is only $365.

Any suggestions for decent midrange phones.

Its really expensive for what it is as stated by others. if its just when you are exercising buy an arm band, I use one for cycling or have it in back pocket, GPS still works fine

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timmmay

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#862127 19-Jul-2013 13:27

The Xperia SP looks like a nice phone, and it's only $469.

timmmay

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#862140 19-Jul-2013 14:02

Any personal experience with the Xperia SP or the Xperia phones in general would be appreciated.

Can anyone tell me if this version is fully compatible with Vodafone and/or Telecom? Vodafone sells a version for $599, and for the sake of $120 I might just buy it through them. And if you're paying $600 for the Xperia, you might as well pay the $79 for the S4 mini. And if you're paying that you might as well pay the $200 extra for the S4... except I don't want a big screen.

NB: can a mod change the thread title to "S4 mini or other midrange device? Xperia?" please?

kiwijunglist

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#862167 19-Jul-2013 14:58

Wait 3 months, buy S4 Mini at reasonable price. Or wait till pre xmas/xmas sale, but it very cheap.

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timmmay

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#862169 19-Jul-2013 15:00

I don't need it in a hurry so I might as well just wait.

alexx

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#868044 29-Jul-2013 19:43

timmmay: Any personal experience with the Xperia SP or the Xperia phones in general would be appreciated.

Can anyone tell me if this version is fully compatible with Vodafone and/or Telecom? Vodafone sells a version for $599, and for the sake of $120 I might just buy it through them. And if you're paying $600 for the Xperia, you might as well pay the $79 for the S4 mini. And if you're paying that you might as well pay the $200 extra for the S4... except I don't want a big screen.

NB: can a mod change the thread title to "S4 mini or other midrange device? Xperia?" please?

Bit of an old thread... did you buy one already?

Was taking a look at the Sony Xperia SP myself and it seems that the C5302 that you linked to, is not the best choice for New Zealand. You'd probably want to get the C5303 which has the best selection of LTE bands, including the 1800 MHz used by the Vodafone 4G network.

http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_sp-5364.php

4G Network: LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600 - C5303

From my understanding, there is no LTE in the C5302.
On the other hand, if LTE is of no interest to you, it should be o.k. but if it were me, I'd want the option.

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blakamin

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#868052 29-Jul-2013 20:01

Ask NZTechFreak what he thought of the Xperia Z... From what I remember it was a battery hog. This might not apply to the SP, but he's an android expert.

timmmay

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#868081 29-Jul-2013 20:57

Nope I haven't bought yet, this thread is only 8 days old! I don't have a smartphone yet, they're only just becoming good enough in battery and general use for me to bother with them, strange for a tech guy. Many things are tools to me, not toys, but sometimes it's nice to have a bit of both :)

Still thinking the S4 mini would be good, but may go full S4 as the price is much the same but it has much more functionality and easier to buy accessories for wireless charging and larger battery pack.

I may not buy until Christmas. I don't need a smart phone in NZ, mostly want one for my next overseas trip in March.