Hello guys, my Z3c is dying on me and I've come to notice that the S5 Mini is a well-rounded phone. My sister has one and it has survived many falls and abuses.
Is it a good idea to buy a new one in these days? Or should I go to something newer? I'm a die-hard fan of small phones, but my options are very limited (S5 Mini, iPhone SE or an overly expensive z3c).
And if you believe that it's a good idea to buy a S5 Mini, which variant should I aim for?
Thank you for your ideas.
I have one, bought it used 3 months ago, and have had no problems. One warning I have is it seems harder to unlock yourself than previous Samsung SX phones. It's got good battery life, removable battery, memory card slot, all the things I was looking for. Some websites I went to warn that it's got worse specs than the full S5, and for no good reason. Reddit subs around phones seem to hate it. Just make sure you make sure the phone is legit and not stolen before you buy it, etc.
Related
My trusty S1 is starting to look abit dated, im looking into getting either the Galaxy Nexus or SIII but havent seen either in person :S if money wasnt in the equation i would have gone straight for the S3 with the beast ExynosQuad but im only 17 so £500 for a phone is abit pricey, So I can either get the Galxy Nexus being slightly cheaper or the S3, ive heard good and bad about the GNex so im not quite sure, plus, i get bored with using the same UI very easily so im not sure whether ill be left with buyers remorse a month after buying a shiny new GNex. Also, does anyone know how easy the Nexus is to root compared to the S3, throughout the Galaxy S its easy as hell, all you have to do is flash a custom Kernel, is it that simple for the GNex? And how easy is it to brick? The S1 has got to be hands down the best phone when it comes to "unbrickability"
Sorry if I rambled on didnt wnt to post in a S3 or GNex forum as i knew it would be biased towards that particular phone.
Personally I'd go for the S3. Tried the GNex from a friend of mine, feels a bit silly imo. The S3 looks immense though. If you want a solid device for a decent price I'd recommend the S2.
I bought my S1 5 weeks back for £100 and feel a bit silly because of the price crash on the S2's due to the new release.
I just flashed RemICS v1.2 on my phone and I think it can tide me over until a windows 8 phone comes out It's a nice rom, suffice it to say.
Well my friend own's a Nexus and he loves it, but he's not really a techie anyway and doesn't root or flash or anything.
I'm guessing you've already read a few reviews for both phones to help with your decision?? Also, are you on a contract or pre-paid? It's gonna be a lot cheaper obviously if you get the S3 on a contract. It's not like the Nexus is a BAD phone... it's just that the S3 is better
And it took me a while to figure out how to root my S1 (my touchpad was a b*tch to figure out) so I'm probably not the best judge on whether or not the Nexus is easily rooted... If you don't get the answer you want on this thread I'd suggest actually researching the Nexus' rooting methods. I'd imagine they'd all pretty much have similar instructions anyway.
It really depends on what you actually do on your phone. If you're constantly running your phone hard or just want the newest gadget, then the S3 - you're future-proofed for a couple of years at least. The dual core on the Nexus should get you through most of anything, but as you said buyer's remorse. But considering you're only 17... I don't think you can afford getting buyer's remorse on anything
Hi guys,
Asking for your advice, it's new phone time and I have a BlackBerry Curve 9320, the only thing it's got going for it is BBM. I did have a Sony Xperia U but it was slower than even the BlackBerry! I was fond of Android but when it was able to run smooth for short periods on that phone but eventually I couldn't take it anymore and I got a BB. Anyway I had enough of the BlackBerry now as it's had it's fair share of knocks etc. Taking into consideration that BBM is coming to Android and iOS in the coming months and that Android apps can be run on BB OS10 I am in two minds whether to go for a Samsung S3 Mini or a BlackBerry Q5? I like both phones but since the S3 Mini has been around for at least 6 months I am wondering will it be a fast phone with the 1Ghz dual core processer and 1GB of RAM? Any help? What do you guys think of your S3 Mini's?
thejamesrankin said:
Hi guys,
Asking for your advice, it's new phone time and I have a BlackBerry Curve 9320, the only thing it's got going for it is BBM. I did have a Sony Xperia U but it was slower than even the BlackBerry! I was fond of Android but when it was able to run smooth for short periods on that phone but eventually I couldn't take it anymore and I got a BB. Anyway I had enough of the BlackBerry now as it's had it's fair share of knocks etc. Taking into consideration that BBM is coming to Android and iOS in the coming months and that Android apps can be run on BB OS10 I am in two minds whether to go for a Samsung S3 Mini or a BlackBerry Q5? I like both phones but since the S3 Mini has been around for at least 6 months I am wondering will it be a fast phone with the 1Ghz dual core processer and 1GB of RAM? Any help? What do you guys think of your S3 Mini's?
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I would consider the alternatives if I were you.. If you have something like the Galaxy S II or the Galaxy S II Plus at nearly the same price as the S3 Mini, get that. Or wait for the S4 Mini, huge upgrade over the S3 Mini.
Yeah wait for S4 MINI , though quite expensive at nearly £400's.
Sent from my GT-I8190 using Tapatalk 2
If i was you now i would go for gnexus4, used are quite cheap.. Around 250-300e.
Sent from my GT-I8190 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
dont buy this phone.... pour develop to this phone... no original root... and do not consider s4 mini it will be same crap....
avyrez said:
dont buy this phone.... pour develop to this phone... no original root... and do not consider s4 mini it will be same crap....
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S4 Mini has Snapdragon processor. So its sources won't be private like ours.
If you ever tried to develop anything you would appreciate time, and hard work that has been put into development. So with all due respect gtfo.
Sent from my GT-I8190 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I wouldnt buy it. I have it 4 months and I never really took to it. Its about to be replaced by the S4 mini so it will be obsolete soon enough.
S3 mini
avyrez said:
dont buy this phone.... pour develop to this phone... no original root... and do not consider s4 mini it will be same crap....
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the last time i checked this was a developers forum and not an end users forum
have you actually done any ROM or app development to contribute to these forums?
show some respect to the developers here
clearly you have not done any research into why there is not much development for this phone, otherwise you wouldn't be saying the crap that you are saying
@thejamesrankin
if you had done a search you would have seen some comments on existing threads on what people thought of this phone
it's a great phone if you are happy with stock considering the money that you pay for it
if you want a phone that you can do dev on then i would recommend going for a phone that has a snapdragon processor
@efaustino84
I want to ask almost the same question, but I currently have Samsung Galaxy Gio, I want to buy a new mobile phone but with limited money availability, I am considering Galaxy S III Mini, in my country it's around $280, what I want to ask about is:
Is it fast and very stable ?
Can it stand a good number of apps without getting slow ?
Is it really good for it's price ? Or there is better mobile phones with same price ?
circassian92 said:
@efaustino84
I want to ask almost the same question, but I currently have Samsung Galaxy Gio, I want to buy a new mobile phone but with limited money availability, I am considering Galaxy S III Mini, in my country it's around $280, what I want to ask about is:
Is it fast and very stable ?
Can it stand a good number of apps without getting slow ?
Is it really good for it's price ? Or there is better mobile phones with same price ?
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Click to collapse
i think it is a decent phone for an end user with a limited budget
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s3-mini-1108587/review
http://reviews.uk.samsung.com/7463-...samsung-galaxy-s-iii-mini-reviews/reviews.htm
@efaustino84
Thanks a lot.
Well, I surfed a little in development things since my Gio has a really low internal memory so I searched a lot to get a light ROM for it, but for the S III Mini I won't need a similar thing, will I ?
Coming from LG Optimus Black, I have little to no complaints about S3 mini.
But, I wish I would have bought the LG L7 II over the s3 mini as it's far more cheaper but a little downgrade from s3 mini but overall pretty same specs to me.
I never used all the 1gb ram anyway, 768mb is all I need.
Got the phone 3 days ago guys! LOVE IT! Best phone I have spent money one, it's worth every penny I spent. The build quality comparable only to the Nokia 6300 and Samsung Galaxy Ace I have owned years ago. The screen is lovely, I have never owned a phone with an amoled screen before but I thought they looked pretty when I seen them on other people's phones. Now I can truly appreciate the amoled screen and how it makes blacks look truly black and colours stand out so bright. Obviously for someone who is coming from a Blackberry I think it is a very smooth, fast phone. I have yet to see it lag. I think it eats up the battery a bit too quick though but I think it's my fault and I will do a quick search to see what it brings up in relation to power saving. Now I am on the look out for a theme that resembles the Samsung theme but darker or even pitch black I think it would be cool. Also a way to change the lock sound would be nice to know about?
James.
Very nice device but as from this afternoon I will be an owner of a Samsung I9305 Galaxy S III 16GB mainly due to 4G and my country provider upgrade package.
My son will be very happy to receive the SIII Mini
Thanks to all Devs for their support and ingenuity.
Hi guys and gals,
Looking for some advice from more experienced and wiser users such as yourselves.
My Z1 has just crapped out on me, meaning it took a huge fall and crapped itself all over the pavement.. Sigh...
As such, I'm in need of a new phone. As we all know the S6 and the M9 are up for grabs and in my country, the unlocked price between these and the Nexus 6 is pretty much the same.
So the question is, do I buy one of these or is the Nexus still a valid option?
I mean, the S6 has a beautiful display but Exynos stands for a very complicated third-party development theatre and Samsung has a ******ng horrible policy regarding upgrade cycles, screwing everyone and their pooch in the process.
As for the M9, while a fine device, it isn't Quad HD and I'm really hankering for one of those, Plus... It does have that shiny new 64bit SoC inside...
Do you guys still think that the 805 can hold it's own against this new breed of SoC's?
TIA.
baseline01 said:
Hi guys and gals,
Looking for some advice from more experienced and wiser users such as yourselves.
My Z1 has just crapped out on me, meaning it took a huge fall and crapped itself all over the pavement.. Sigh...
As such, I'm in need of a new phone. As we all know the S6 and the M9 are up for grabs and in my country, the unlocked price between these and the Nexus 6 is pretty much the same.
So the question is, do I buy one of these or is the Nexus still a valid option?
I mean, the S6 has a beautiful display but Exynos stands for a very complicated third-party development theatre and Samsung has a ******ng horrible policy regarding upgrade cycles, screwing everyone and their pooch in the process.
As for the M9, while a fine device, it isn't Quad HD and I'm really hankering for one of those, Plus... It does have that shiny new 64bit SoC inside...
Do you guys still think that the 805 can hold it's own against this new breed of Qualcomm SoC's?
TIA.
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Hi, a bit of advice if I may. If you're waiting for something better, then you'll always be waiting. In my opinion, the Nexus is an amazing device but not in the same category as the other two you mentioned. This is a "phablet", meaning it is large. Much larger than either of the other phones you're considering. So take that as a factor in your decision. Also, the Nexus will get updates faster and probably for longer than those two. Just look at the likes of the Nexus 4 and 5. As for performance this device will continue to hold its own as it is pure, unskinned Android. Good luck with your choice but I recommend trying to get some " hands on" time with any device you're considering.
I just got the Nexus last Friday and I'm thrilled! N6 all day long :good:
Also just ordered this 64gb blue bad boy!
galaxys said:
Also just ordered this 64gb blue bad boy!
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I have been a Samsung Note user, the 2, 3, and recently the 4. Great phones, but i was on ATT and the 4 is totally locked. I just couldn't stand touchwiz anymore. Not that it was bad, but i was tired of not having the ability to install or delete whatever i wanted on my phone.
I gave up the Note 4 for the N6. The N6 doesn't have quite as nice of a screen, and it doesn't get as bright for direct sun, or as low in complete darkness. Other then that i couldn't be happier. I find that having the flexibility to do what i want is far better then being locked into a device and it's software.
I think for each person it's very personal choice about what they want to do with the device they are buying.
Got my N6 9 days ago, unlocked bootloader, updated to Android 5.1, and rooted the phone right away.
N6 is great.
My previous phone was HTC Vivid (4.7 inches) -- now the 4.7 inch phone looks too small.
Edit: I always wanted to have a Nexus device, since it is very easy to unlock its bootloader, and root the device.
I bought my Nexus 6 from amazon.com, so no AT&T traces anywhere on the phone No, AT&T bloatware either.
You can install android updates (it you need to) without any delay.
Also, by the end of my day, N6 battery shows 67% residual charge.
Thanks for all the input guys.
Pulled the trigger today and it's quite an imposing device.
Fiddled around with the S6 on the store and I must say that I walked away thoroughly unimpressed. The screen and feel of the device are difficult to fault but man... That touchwiz is really urghh!
In conclusion, the N6 was certainly a great choice.
Cheers.
Hi guys,
Yesterday I hard bricked my GS4 trying to update it to marshmellow. The repair will cost $40 and this is after I spent $110 replacing the digitizer. I decided to give up on that device (It was getting a bit beat up anyway).
Walmart is currently selling the ATT version for $250. I bought it but now I am wondering if it is still worth the value now (late 2015). The S4 was starting to show its age especially with the bloatware which is why I was attempting to upgrade the OS. What better place to ask this than a forum full of tech geeks like me who have actually used the device!
So, what do you guys say? Is it worth it now to buy as a daily driver? What do you guys think of the cost? How is the custom rom community? I saw that Samsung EOLed it at 5.0 but what are the chances custom roms will keep going for a few more versions? I have just started to browse this section of xda. The S4 was a hassle especially if people accidentally upgraded it to Lollipop. I know I followed the directions to a T but I still go the hard brick so I am hesitant to attempt to mess around with a Samsung device again.
If anyone has experience with the S4, how is the experience compared to it?
Sorry if this stuff was recently asked, I just quickly browsed the front page of this section
It is an excellent device. The only thing that bothers me is the size. My personal opinion: Debatably, even the latest gen devices haven't added much value to the daily use factors(speed, screen quality etc). A little bit, yes. But not a lot. You can compare the devices and see it yourself. I don't need to upgrade the device. My hands are relatively smaller, so the size matters especially considering the case etc. Otherwise Note 3 is a solid device. Ofcourse root and get rid of the crapware if you running stock rom. You will be happy you did.
FYI to give you an idea about the price: In 2014, i bought a "certified like new" from att for 270 + taxes + activation without contract. It was really new except for the brown box it came in.
Again, My Personal opinion: Just got a OnePlus X for my wife. Only $267 including shipping. Good specs, 1080P screen , snapD 801 processor, thinner, lighter and handy compared to iphone or GS 6. In short Love it.
For me size doesn't matter since I am 6'2" with giant hands. I bought my mom the original OPO and she liked it. The only thing I feel like I would be missing out on are the fingerprint readers but those are currently only on the high end devices right now which I can't afford yet.
Note 3 is indeed a great phone/device you can have but in the mean time you can have too many other comparatively new devices in the same range of bucks, then why go back to 2013 while in my opinion you can buy some MOTO, LG, Asus, and a lot of Chinese flagship devices in that range or just a little more up on. I would suggest you Note 3. And i would never bought it if i was in your place. (worthy mention that i have one AT&T's N900A) but my situation is quite different, i have bought it (used one) almost 9 months ago and that too here in Pakistan where most of the new devices are either out of my range or not at all available here.
Hell yes. I wont upgrade cause I know I wont like my nextphone as much as my note 3. Its a tough phone. Ive bootlooped and softbricked this thing so many times and it just keeps getting better. I broke the screen once and mailed out for it to savea couple hundred and do it myself and now have half n900a and half n900t. I know. Just the carriers. I might just get another note 3 when this one dies.
I broke my s4 minis digitizer and decided to go with new phone, so i bought used s5 mini.
I didn't check if s5 mini had cyanogenmod available, but thank god i found hennymcc made unofficial version I had some troubles with Gapps
My biggest problem was netflix not working, but finally after hours of googling i found fix for it and now i can stream netflix to my chromecast 2.
So my question is what kind of experiences you've had with your s5 mini and are you liking your phone?
I've had this phone for slightly over a year and while it's been allright, I am pissed off at a few things:
Promised Lollipop update has been MIA for quite a few months and possibly not coming at all.
It's pretty under-powered with a relatively weak processor and not enough RAM. It is comparable to the much much older Galaxy S3.
Despite that, it was pretty expensive for a mid-range phone (something that might have changed as it is a last year model).
Yep I like the screen on this phone, but after doing more research i maybe should've gone with moto G 2015.
I paid 200e for this phone, I could have got this cheaper but i was in a hurry. I just hope that this device will get CM support for 1-2 more years.
Just got to hope that hennymcc, CTXz, Unjustified Dev won't get bored of this device
I get mine as a gift 3 months ago and I'm really dissapointed with Samsung in general; the gave us poor support and ugly and heavy interface. I'm selling it in order to buy a Moto G (2015) or a second hand Nexus 5. As you say, at least the screen is really good
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Yeah i'm kind of getting pretty fond of this phone, maybe i would like this less with stock rom.
It was pretty damn good when I was about to buy it, but after buying this device I got some problems:
•BATTERY LIFE. It can die on 2-4days in 100% charge on standby mode.
•POWER. It's pretty damn bad. I thought that using S5 with S3 processor and graphics card was a nice idea... IT TAKES 2-5 MINUTES TO LOAD NORMALLY AND WORK NO LAG AFTER TURNING IT ON.
•PRICE. Well, I bought it on 50% discount and it wasn't a big hit to me but if I would bought this phone on full price... For price I got (150€) specs and everything fits into it. But a retail(when launched) price is too big.
AND I WANT AND I WAIT FOR LOLLIPOP!!! (and marshmallow but I never get it, that's why I am looking at NextBit Robin)