The mini takes the screen down to the old days of 4-inches using a Super AMOLED display. It is powered by a dual-core processor clocked at 1GHz and packs in 1 GB of RAM. Memory wise it got the Mini treatment as well, with 8GB and 16GB options. The perk being an expandable memory card slot that supports up to a 32GB micro SD card. It will however be running on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with their latest TouchWiz UI overlay. Which does prove to the world that even smaller devices with mid-range specs can support the software easily. The mini brings the camera down a notch as well, going back to a 5MP camera, but keeps the flash. You will also find NFC support as well. Which gives you the same S Beam ability to share photos, music, contacts or even playlists with friends who have the same device, an S III original or Note II.
Reading through the press release below we also found the same screen on eye sensor software that keeps the screen on while your eyes are looking at your device. Along with the same direct call function so you can simply pick up your handset while in a text and call the person. They were also keen to point out Google Now being included. What we don’t see is the Pop-up play being mentioned though. We will have to see if that is there or not.
Samsung isn’t calling this device a mid-range phone though. Their exact words are “It can be an optimal choice for consumers who are looking for more practical smartphones.” It is a little more practical for some, we will agree on that. It is still looking like a great device, just not what we were expecting. What are your thoughts on the Galaxy S III Mini? Is Samsung trying to catch more market share by labeling after their most popular flagship device but coming up short? Will this release skyrocket to fame and fortune? Let us know in the comments below, right after the full press release.
Samsung Introduces GALAXY S III mini, a compact yet powerful smartphone
GALAXY S III’s nature-inspired design and intuitive ease-of-use in one stylish, compact smartphone
SEOUL, Korea – October 12, 2012 –
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today unveiled the GALAXY S III mini,
a compact version of the flagship smartphone GALAXY S III.
The GALAXY S III mini brings the high performance, intuitive ease-of-use and nature-inspired design of the GALAXY S III to an elegant,
compact smartphone with a 4.0-inch screen. It can be an optimal choice for consumers who are looking for more practical smartphones.“The GALAXY S III introduced a new concept of smartphone that has proven hugely popular around the world.
We’re now delighted to bring its revolutionary design, intuitive usability and intelligence to the GALAXY S III mini in a more compact form,†said JK Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “We continue to make every effort to provide extraordinary mobile experiences to meet a wide variety of user needs.â€The GALAXY S III mini is powered by Androidâ„¢ 4.1 (Jelly Bean), the latest version of the world’s most popular smartphone operating system.
Jelly Bean has fast, fluid and smooth graphics along with a new Google Searchâ„¢ experience featuring Google Nowâ„¢, which brings you just the right information, before you even ask.Stylish and compact, the GALAXY S III mini shares the GALAXY S III’s breakthrough design and simple elegance.
Its ultra-minimal curved frame delivers a rich natural feel, which is also reflected on its nature-inspired home screen, wallpapers and ringtones.
Its beautiful 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display offers a generous viewing experience that lets you view multimedia and Web content in brilliant color and clarity.
Its compact size gives users a comfortable grip and allows a convenient one-hand operation.The GALAXY S III mini is packed with intelligent technology designed to make interacting with the phone incredibly natural and intuitive.
S Voice, Samsung’s advanced natural language recognition software, lets you use your voice to unlock the phone with
simple customized commands, or to play your favorite songs, turn the volume up or down, organize your schedule, or automatically launch the camera and start taking photos.The GALAXY S III mini also understands your gestures to make using your phone easier and more natural: With Smart Stay,
the phone’s camera tracks your eyes and keeps the screen lit as long as you are looking at it. When reading a text message from a friend,
Direct Call enables you to automatically dial a call simply by lifting the phone to your ear; and Smart Alert conveniently alerts you to missed calls or messages as soon as you pick up your phone.Content sharing is easy and fast on the GALAXY S III mini: Its S Beam feature lets you share a 10MB music file in just two seconds
by simply tapping on another S Beam-enabled device including GALAXY S III or GALAXY Note II, even without a Wi-Fi or cellular signal.
The ‘Buddy photo share’ function also allows photos to be easily and simultaneously shared with all your friends pictured in an image directly from the camera or the photo gallery.
