Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini review: Specs of the 4-inch compact version handset is available from AT&T for a penny. But at a generation behind and not with the most impressive updates around, would you get one of this?

Thanks to ROM-based updates, it’s possible to install Android 4.4 KitKat with the unit. To know more about how to install Android 4.4 KitKat for the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini, click here.

Specs of the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini include a 4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and pixel density of 233 ppi. It has a 5MP camera with CMOS image sensor, Auto focus, Face detection, Smile detection, Digital zoom, Geo tagging. The primary camera is coupled with a front-facing 0.3 megapixel camera. For storage, it has an ample 16GB internal memory with Micro SD support for up to 64GB.

Under the hood, it’s powered by 1 GHZ dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM. It runs with the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box, but is expected to get an Android 4.3 official update and can also receive an update via ROM (Note: At user’s own risk).

In Tech Radar’s review it highlighted that the plus for the S3 Mini is it’s MicroSD support, which gives a lot more storage space relative to its size and the scaled down look which has been consistent with the overall aesthetic of the bigger S3.

In Phone Arena’s review, it noted that the S3 Mini doesn’t have any major drawbacks except that the “video recording is so-so” and that the physical buttons of the device could be better. The mobile industry-focused news site doesn’t recommend this to “a diehard geek who wants the biggest and baddest device” but the S3 Mini’s feature is enough for most users.

A quick look at Amazon shows an unlocked S3 Mini at $242.00, but with an 8GB storage - good enough for most users and still sufficient considering it has a MicroSD support. For a device that’s overtaken by newer models of Android handsets, it’s still a competitive handset with a great performance.