Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Review: Specs Of Former Android Flagship’s Compact Version Will Now Include HD Voice; New Feature Promises ‘Crystal Clear Conversation’

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini review: Specs of the former Android flagship’s compact version will now include HD voice. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini variant with this new feature will be available for purchase from AT&T beginning May 23.

According to Load The Game, this makes the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini the first handset to support HD voice, which the U.S. carrier says provide “crystal clear conversations.” Most new devices come with 4G LTE radio, when it comes to making calls 3G technologies are still in use.

The gaming and gadgets site says that HD Voice is only available to devices that support VoLTE and when the call is placed in a supported area. The first states to get this technology include Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Aside from HD voice capability, the recent Android 4.4 KitKat enhancements the S4 Mini has received may only continue to boost its popularity. Rumors swirl on a coming Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini, but until then the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is the prime choice for a flagship’s compact version.

The pricing game has changed, however, with the Nexus 5, being sold at a highly competitive price and other handsets like the Moto G and even the newest range of Windows Phone 8 handsets being extremely affordable. This gives the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini more challenges to compete. The newly launched Moto E only tightens the competition.

According to Engadget writer Brad Molen, one of their biggest gripes with the device is the lackluster 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display with qHD (960 x 540) resolution. The display specs translates to a pixel density of 256 ppi, which is a drop in quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Storage-wise, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini starts at a limited 8GB storage, but does have MicroSD support to expand it if necessary. In terms of camera, it has an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front-facing camera. Video capture is at 1080p and it’s 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor is coupled with 1.5GB of RAM.

One advantage for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is that the camera has a full suite of adjustable settings, such as white balance, ISO, exposure, HDR and a large number of filter and modes. As Engadget notes, the camera’s highest resolution are 4:3, though a 16:9 option is available using 6MP. Most of the shots taken with the S4 Mini with the tech site’s test were detailed.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini has the look and feel of an S4, except with a smaller size. But the main issue with it, aside from the display is the price. The unit is roughly around $500 or more (a quick look at Staples shows one priced at $549.99) and the recently launched Nexus 5 with its $350.00 tag could easily beat this smartphone in terms of price.