The user interface is also incredibly intuitive, with traditional options such as shutter release and scene selection augmented by some of the new and improved Samsung GALAXY S4 shooting modes.
These include Sound & Shot, for images paired with audio for full sensory impact, as well as Rich Tone (HDR), for a little extra brightness and clarity in your snaps.
7. Android is taking over the world
There are plenty of advantages to having an Android phone, not least of all the Google Play store which provides access to more than 1,000,000 apps that will help enhance your smartphone experience.
But Google's Android marketplace doesn't stop there – and thanks to Google Play Movies, Google Play Books, and Google Play Magazines, Samsung's own entertainment offerings are beautifully complemented.
The Samsung GALAXY S4 mini also comes with S Voice, a voice assistant capable of pulling information from the web, opening apps, sending text messages and recording voice notes.
What you end up with is a fully holistic smartphone experience, powered by Google and refined by Samsung.
8. Dual-core, you say?
The speedy dual-core chip inside the Samsung GALAXY S4 mini is what powers this pocketable powerhouse.
Sharing its DNA with the same processor found in the Samsung GALAXY S4 – this version delivers everything you need for 3D gaming, HD video and smooth interaction with the user interface.
Clocking in at 1.7GHz, the dual-cores on board the GALAXY S4 mini strike the perfect balance between efficiency and economy, ensuring that its ample power lasts a full day.
9. Pocketable playtime
All this power would mean nothing if you never got to test its limits, though, and thanks to Google's Play Store and Samsung Apps there's a plethora of games to keep you entertained.
From fun finger-slicers like Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots (£1) through to reborn classics such as Sega's After Burner Climax (£1.50) whenever you need some downtime, your GALAXY S4 mini offers all the fun your fingers can take.
With plenty of exclusive offers and even the occasional free premium download, it's definitely worth checking out the Samsung Apps games section, whether you're a seasoned button-basher or a commuter in need of light entertainment.
10. Last step: accessorise
Just like its bigger brother, the Samsung GALAXY S4 mini comes loaded with a couple of accessories in the box, including a stereo hands-free kit and a microUSB cable for data and charging, but that's just scratching the surface.
For starters, you can pick up a spare battery that will give you an extra 1,900mAh of juice – perfect for a long weekend away, a camping trip, or just a little peace of mind in your backpack, suitcase or back pocket.
You can also swap out your wired stereo headset for a wireless Bluetooth receiver, such as the BHS3000.
Finally, the pièce de résistance is the Samsung GALAXY S4 mini S View Flip Case. On the surface it's a simple folio case for your mini adventures, but look a little closer and you'll see a clear window in the cover.
Activating a clock display when the phone is in standby, as well as offering in-window call options when someone rings you, the case couples Samsung trademark smarts and style perfectly.
