News & Reviews:   Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

Samsung recently released a teaser image for their upcoming Samsung Premiere 2013 event happening on 20 June 2013 in London. They will also be streaming the event live at www.youtube.com/SamsungMobile so you can watch it here in Malaysia as well. From the text it is clear that they intend to release something Galaxy and ATIV related and the chopped up image seems to suggest a new notebook computer or hybrid tablet. However, since the text also mentions Galaxy it could also mean an announcement on new Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Those waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 could start saving for the tablet a little earlier as the price seems to have been accidentally revealed already. Listed recently by Adorama, a New York retailer, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 was listed as $199 (RM600). Other specs available during the listing include the fact that it was a white device, had 8GB of internal storage, a 7-inch 1024 x 600 display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. It also had a 3 MP rear camera with a 1.3MP front camera along with a 4000mAh battery. This listing has since been taken down so we can't give you a reference link, however, there is no reason that the price may change. However, don't expect a direct currency conversion as even the $199 priced Google Nexus 7 tablet got priced around RM1000 when it came here in Malaysia.

In what appears to be a near-official leak, Samsung have let slip a new Samsung Galaxy S4 device much like the waterproof Samsung Galaxy S4 Activ and the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini. This new device is called the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mega. The leak appeared on the version update for Samsung's WatchON app where it clearly says:

"Added support for upcoming S4 Mega, S4 mini and S4 Active.

While the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini continues to be delayed, more and more rumours surround it. As such, this includes a number of leaked images. New tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini include the following:

• 1.6GHz dual-core (Exynos 5210)
• 4.3-inch Super AMOLED screen (540 x 960, 256ppi)
• 8MP camera
• Android 4.2.2

Rumours surrounding the existence of a more rugged and waterproof version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 were put to rest recently. This happened when the Samsung Galaxy S4 Activ (whose name is still not confirmed) was recently certified by the Bluetooth SIG. Its user agent profile then showed up on Samsung's website. While the Bluetooth certification does confirm that yes it does exist, it doesn't confirm much else.

While the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 were both officially announced last month, recent rumours confirm release dates for Europe and Russia will be Week 20 to Week 25 for the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Week 19 to Week 21 for the Galaxy Mega 6.3. Hopefully, Malaysia and other Asian regions will get the next batch of shipments after this. The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active are expected to be released in Week 29 while the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is expected from Week 23 to Week 25. For those of you who haven't been counting, this week is Week 19.

While there have been plenty of rumours about the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV Mini going about, we finally have confirmation that it will actually be produced. From Lee Keon Hyok, Senior Vice President at Samsung Electronics who talked to BusinessWeek recently, the quote goes like this, “the Galaxy S 4 doesn’t come out until late April. It’s fast, has a big, bright screen, and will probably be another huge hit for Samsung, as will the S4 mini that will go on sale soon after”.

Topping off our earlier news on the Galaxy S4 Mini are several new rumors including the fact that it may come in 4 different versions and that it will be using a new Samsung Exynos Chipset. For the first rumour about versions, this one seems more than likely as eagle-eyed Twitter user st7761 found the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini's I9190 model number on the Samsung Support page. Alongside this model number he also found three other I919X devices. While these links don't actually bring you to anywhere, based on the previous model numbering it is surmised that the I9192 will be the dual SIM version while the I9195 is the LTE version. The I9198 is to be the China-only version. Official announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is expected to be around June or July this year.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Malaysia News:

Updated: 23-March-2013

Samsung also unveils the Galaxy S4 Mini just after the company announced the Galaxy S4 last week in New York. According to the sources, the Galaxy S4 Mini will be released to the market worldwide in coming summer this year - 2013.