Samsung Galaxy mini GT-S5570 Review ( Price )

£140 inc VAT Contact samsung.com/uk Read more tinyurl.com/3ccaa64 Specification Quad-band Edge/GPRS smartphone; 7.2Mbps HSDPA; Google Android 2.2.1 'Froyo'; 600MHz ARM CPU; 3.14in (240x320) TFT capacitive touchscreen; 164MB internal storage; 3Mp camera with 3x digital zoom; 320x240 video; FM radio; microUSB; 1,200mAh battery; specified battery life: 570 mins talk time, 570 hours standby; 110x61x12mm; 107g

Samsung's Galaxy mini offers a cheap entry point to Android. Running version 2.2 'Froyo', it's available SIM-free for £140. At a third of the price of some flagship Android phones, it would be ridiculous to criticise the Samsung for all its relative shortcomings. That the screen is small at 3.14in, and infuriatingly low-res at just 240x320 pixels, is perhaps unsurprising. What's more interesting is what you do get for your money. Samsung's TouchWiz interface includes Swype technology, for fast text entry with no need for your finger to leave the screen. You also get a Social Hub, which puts Facebook, Twitter, email and instant messaging feeds in one place. The phone's software is otherwise standard Android fare, with three home screens to which you can add the usual widgets and app shortcuts. Google's Maps, Latitude, Navigation, Places, YouTube and Android Market applications are preinstalled. A small build means it's easier to pocket than larger screen-dominated models. But while this smartphone is shorter, it's just as chunky, and not particularly deserving of its 'mini' moniker. It feels sturdy, though, and one-handed operation is assured. The design is rather basic, with the Samsung available in 'Chic white' or 'Steel grey' plastic housings. A microSD slot for expanding the 164MB internal storage is hidden behind a flap on the right, while a microUSB charging port sits below a similarly hinged piece of plastic on top. Samsung provides a microUSB cable and mains adaptor in the box. Also on the right is the power switch, on the left is volume rocker, and at top is a 3.5mm headphone jack. Below the screen is a large home button, along with back and more keys, but no search; none lies flush with the screen. Wireless 802.11 b/g/n is supported, along with Bluetooth 2.1 and GPS. Despite its 600MHz processor, our tests revealed this handset to be adequately snappy in navigation and web browsing. Text-heavy pages suffer from the screen's low resolution, yet the mini feels at least as fast as HTC's similar Wildfire. The Samsung's 3Mp camera is poor. There's no flash, no autofocus, no front-facing cam for video chat, nor HD recording. It's usable for those times you don't have a dedicated camera to hand, however. Verdict It's cheap at £140, but the Galaxy mini makes compromises to achieve this price tag. Most noticeable are the horribly low-res screen and paltry 3Mp camera.

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