Like most miniature smartphones that imitate their big brothers, the LG G2 Mini is a major disappointment. The Mini may be the right size for fans of the smaller form-factor, but it sure doesn't have the right specifications to please them.
Most smartphone makers are happily riding on the 5-inch-plus smartphone gravy train, blissfully unaware that not everyone in the world wants a mammoth smartphone. A few have started to make weak concessions to those who love smaller smartphones, by making miniature versions of their flagship devices. The only problem with that idea is that manufacturers always seem t assume that just because a smartphone is smaller, it has to pack a weaker punch. So far, Sony is one of the only manufacturers getting it right. The Sony Xperia Z1 Mini was a brilliant replica of its bigger sibling in terms of specifications, with just one minor difference: it's screen size.
LG heard about the Z1 Mini's success, but it clearly didn't take note of why it was so successful. The LG G2 Mini is smaller than the original, but it also features disappointing middle-of-the-road specifications that are guaranteed to make no one happy.
The G2 Mini comes with the obligatory 4.7-inch display, but it has a miserly resolution of just 940 x 550. Not only is the Mini's display not full HD 1080p like the original G2, it's not even 720p. Really, it's like LG isn't even trying. The Mini also comes with half the amount of RAM at just 1 GB and is powered by the 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, instead of the Snapdragon 800 powerhouse LG put on the full-size G2. That is the worst of the specifications, but from here on out, they don't get that much better.
The G2 Mini has 8 GB of storage built in and it's even expandable via a micro SD card. The miniature smartphone is also running Android 4.4 KitKat, which is a huge, and frankly, surprising bonus. It includes an 8-megapixel back camera and a 2440 mAh battery as well. This version of the Mini will go on sale in Europe and Asia. Apparently, the Latin American version of the G2 Mini will be powered by a marginally better 1.7GHz Nvidia processor and feature a great a 13-megapixel camera. LG will offer red, black, white and gold color options for the Mini, but not all of the colors will be available in every country.
LG expects to release the G2 Mini in March, but has not confirmed its price just yet. Although it will most likely be sold at a reasonable price, given the Mini's low-quality specifications, those seeking a good budget smartphone should really look into other options like the Moto G or Google Nexus 5.
