With the specifications of the Samsung S5 mini confirmed, it is time to compare this star model of the mid-range with one of its most direct rivals, the HTC One mini 2, which has followed the same steps as the S5 mini but taking its reference as a Big brother, the HTC One M8, one of the highest rated phones of 2014.
We warn you that the battle will be very close from the beginning. Not in vain they are two of the most representative phones of the mid-range that are endorsed by their older brothers. Let's see if these two models stand up in the same way that they have done in the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8.
Design and display
The two assemble a panel of 4,5 inches with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, or what is the same, 720p. The difference is that the screen of the S5 mini is Super AMOLED while that of the One mini 2 is Super LCD3. Once again we are facing the eternal screen war of recent years. On paper, the Super AMOLED shows more vivid colors and with the Super LCD we gain something in response time. Currently, the two types of screen have a similar battery consumption, with the odd nuance (such as greater or lesser consumption when they show white or black colors) almost disposable.
In terms of design, the two phones follow the patterns set by their older brothers. The HTC One mini 2 is built in an aluminum unibody body and the S5 with the polycarbonate that Samsung has us used to. Of course, its housing, and therefore the battery, is removable.
In terms of dimensions, the Galaxy S5 mini measures 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.2 mm by 137.4 x 65 x 10.6 mm of the One mini 2. Here we see how the measurements of the S5 are somewhat more contained. Something similar happens with weight. The S5 mini stays at 120 grams for the 137 grams of its rival, a logical difference due to the materials with which they are built. An extra that more than one user will value is that the Galaxy S5 mini is waterproof (IP67 certification).
We also find differences in terms of colors but in this case, on tastes ... The HTC One mini 2 presents metallic tones in gray, silver and gold and the S5 mini is available in white, black, blue and, it could not be missing, in Golden.
Performance
In this section, the Galaxy S5 mini is, on paper, a little above its rival. Ride a 1,4 GHz quad-core processor of which we do not know more features while the HTC One mini carries a Sanpdragon 400 at 1,2 GHz. We will have to wait to know the final model that the Korean phone mounts to see if this difference is real.
In terms of memory, the Galaxy S5 mini also wins by a slim margin. It incorporates 16 GB of internal storage and 1,5 GB of RAM for the 16 GB of memory and only 1 GB of RAM of the HTC model. HTC itself has added in this model the possibility of expanding the memory up to 64 GB with microSD cards, which is equated with what Samsung offers. There is a technical draw on the battery, in both cases the capacity is 2100 mAh.
Camera
Another duel in style that opts for the HTC One mini 2. The Taiwanese model has changed the dual camera of the HTC One M8 for a sensor of 13 megapixels with LED flash together with a 5 MP wide-angle front camera (exact, ideal for selfies). For its part, the outer camera of the S5 mini stays in the 8 megapixels (also with LED flash) and the front in 2,1. We already know that when it comes to cameras, quantity is less important than quality, but while waiting to see the performance of the S5 mini's sensor when it becomes available, the partial victory goes to the HTC.
Other characteristics
From the rest of the details, a couple of aspects should be highlighted. Although the two models include NFC, it must be emphasized that in the case of S5 mini it will only be available in the LTE model (a version only with 3G will also arrive). For its part, the HTC One mini 2 has FM radio, something that is not confirmed in the case of its competitor, although seeing the precedents, we have serious doubts that it will finally be included.
As a point in favor of Samsung we see that it has implemented some of the features of its older brother such as fingerprint and heart rate sensor, small details that can convince more than one undecided.
In summary, speaking of pure and hard features, the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini is somewhat above the HTC One mini 2 but the differences are not very bulky. The undecided buyer will have to take into account some characteristic details of each device as well as the different design of each phone. But this is a simple matter of taste.