Fancy a Samsung Galaxy S3 -- but think it's just too big? Put that iPhone down and back away from the Apple Store, because Samsung has announced a 4-inch version of the best-selling S3.
The smaller version of the S3 will be released tomorrow in Germany. Samsung says that although it'll be smaller, it won't have sawn-off specs. Full details are yet to be confirmed, but it's understood the 4-inch phone will be called the S3 mini.
The S3's screen currently measures a sizable 4.8-inches from corner to corner. With its crisp 720p resolution it's aces for watching high-definition movies and TV shows, playing fast-paced games and browsing the Web with loads of space onscreen for websites to stretch their legs. But if your hands are on the dinkier side -- or perhaps you favour a tighter trew -- you may have considered smaller phones such as the 4-inch iPhone 5 or even the 3.5-inch iPhone 4S.
Android phones with smaller screens tend to be lower specced, so the iPhone has had little serious competition at that size. The S3 mini goes head-to-head with Apple's market-leading iPhone, mounting perhaps the stiffest challenge to Apple's dominance the fruit-flavoured US company has ever faced.
Our only concern is that there may now be too many S3s. As well as the mini version, Samsung has just released the S3 LTE on the UK's first 4G network EE. Let's hope Samsung doesn't dilute the S3 name and confuse customers with too many versions.
What's your favourite smaller smart phone? Would you opt for a 4-inch S3 -- or is bigger better? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 15
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Mark Anderson 10 October, 2012 10:02
Good idea. The SGSIII is a great phone and in a lot of ways better than the iPhone 5. This gives those who don't like a huge form factor another option.
MikeBuck_1 10 October, 2012 10:09
I agree with Mark, not everyone wants a massive screen, as long as the screen they put in it is a decent resolution, then they could be onto a winner.
anonymous 10 October, 2012 11:02
As long as the bezel isnt too big, then it should be a phone to be remembered :)
anonymous 10 October, 2012 11:12
I second the bezel comment.
Android are missing a high end phone that isn't XL.
The closest phone is the razr i
Ruffus Stone 10 October, 2012 11:41
So this S3 Mini doesn't have LTE 4G ?
Will people rush out to buy one only to find an S3 Mini LTE version is coming out soon?
Already there are S3, S3 LTE (dual core), S3 LTE (quad core) and now the S3 Mini. Add in an S3 Mini LTE and the average Joe Soap is going to be mightily confused.
Oh well, only 6 months to go before the S4 appears.
anonymous 10 October, 2012 11:42
samsung, it's like theyre a company that read the comment sections on these sites and act upon the feedback. awesome! god now i may not go sim free to get this bad boy.
anonymous 10 October, 2012 12:10
The gs24.3 inch screen is ideal size.
anonymous 10 October, 2012 13:03
Are Samsung taking HTC's crown as the manufacturer with the most phone releases in a given year?!? HTC took the position at the end of last year to focus on quality rather than quantity. Will Samsung lose sight of their market leading improvements for quantity and also confuse us consumers with too many releases over a short period?
anonymous 10 October, 2012 13:06
4-inch is still too big for my pockets...
anonymous 10 October, 2012 13:31
agree with anon at 12:10 4.3 inches is a perfect size for a phone screen
Ichi_Bear 10 October, 2012 14:27
If this smartphone is LTE compatible, then its perfect for me! ^_^
Mark Anderson 10 October, 2012 16:36
And looking at the specs it's a jumped up Galaxy Ace rather than a cut down SGSIII. This will compete against the likes of the Nokia Lumia 820 and HTC S and not very well with those specs.
Disappointing mid range Android is disappointing. A bit like most mid range Androids actually.
Ruffus Stone 10 October, 2012 16:51
This CNET article may be inaccurate, as other sites are reporting the expected, or leaked spec. is for a lesser featured model than the full fat S3.
A different and lower spec. dual core processor running at 1 Ghz
1 GB RAM
800x480 screen
5 MegaPixel camera
If it turns out that's the case, it's not really an iPhone 5 competitor.
.
Ruffus Stone 10 October, 2012 18:19
CNET now running a story that this S3 Mini is not what is claimed by this article.
They're now saying it's a cut down model in more than just size.
.
anonymous 11 October, 2012 12:40
more or less has the same spec as the S2 but with smaller screen and less powerful chip, so it all comes down to price. If it's priced between £220 - 250, then it'll be very competitive.