It looks like Verizon customers will be getting a new Galaxy S4 variant to choose from. The smaller version of the Galaxy S4, the S4 Mini has appeared with Verizon branding in tow.
Samsung has done a fine job of using the Galaxy S4 name to spin off other handsets. The S4 Active is the rugged and water-resistant version of the flagship Galaxy S4. The S4 Zoom was created to compete in the growing camera-centric smartphone market with its 16-megapixel camera and the S4 Mini was designed to offer consumers a smaller, less expensive version of the Galaxy S4. While the S4 Active made its way to AT&T, it appears that Verizon will soon be getting the S4 Mini.
Engadget has posted images of the Galaxy S4 Mini, showing a Verizon splash screen on the handset's display, the carrier's 4G LTE branding on its back case, and a screenshot from the smartphone showing its model number is SCH-I435. It also shows the Galaxy S4 Mini is running Android 4.2.2. The site received the images from an anonymous source and there's no word on when the smartphone is expected to officially go on sale.
The Galaxy S4 Mini looks nearly identical to the Galaxy S4 but comes in a smaller package. The Galaxy S4 mini features a 4.3-inch 540 x 960 Super AMOLED display and runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Samsung has included a 1.7GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor to power the handset, along with 8GB of internal storage, a microSD expansion slot that will allow users to add up to 64GB microSD cards to increase its storage, and 1.5GB of RAM to keep things flowing smoothly.
Like the upcoming iPhone 5C, the S4 Mini packs an 8-megapixel rear camera and also includes a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera. The smartphone features a 4G LTE radio to run on Verizon's 4G network and the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC wireless capabilities. A removable 1,900 mAh battery will keep the Galaxy S4 Mini up and running.
While there is no mention of a release date, the fact that the handset has already been photographed with all of that Verizon branding seems to indicate that it will arrive in the near future.
