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AT&T to offer last year's Galaxy S5 Mini for this year's pretty penny
Truth be told, we civilians can’t be too sure what conversations take place in heated board room discussions at large companies. Perhaps after one such debate, AT&T has arrived at the decision that what people want now is not the Samsung Galaxy S6 or the Galaxy S6 Edge. No, what they really want is a mid-range mini from last year, at a price tag that’s pretty peculiar.
Announced today is the Galaxy S5 mini, a device released seemingly everywhere else last summer. AT&T will begin to sell it on March 20th. It is only available in black, and comes with a 4.5-inch SAMOLED HD (720 X 1080) display, a 1.4GHz Quad-core CPU, 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, and an 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera. MicroSD support and Android 4.4.4 are also included.
The phone does feature the same waterproof design as present in its’ big brother, the Galaxy S5, however does away with the gasket used to seal the USB. Also carried over from the S5 is the fingerprint sensor and biometric reader making the mini an impressive piece of tech despite its relatively poor internal hardware.
Given the rather mediocre nature of this product, you might be forgiven in assuming the cost is $0 on-contract. You would be wrong. The AT&T Galaxy S5 mini will cost $99.99 with a 2-year agreement, or a staggering $428.99 off-contract. The device is also available on the AT&T Next plan for $0 up-front and monthly payments of $14.30 (Next 24), $17.99 (Next 18) or $21.48 (AT&T 12).
The question of why AT&T has decided to release this product now is up for speculation. Samsung’s Galaxy S5 was widely considered to be a flop and thus logically it would make sense for carriers to try and forget about the product line and focus on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, which may release as early as the second week of April. For the uninformed, this product is going to create product confusion given the timing, and may suggest the S5 mini is in fact, a new product.
On the other hand, it’s possible AT&T has done market research to suggest a segment of its consumers are not interested in the Galaxy S6 pair due to their screen size, and thus without an S6 mini to offer, the S5 variant will have to do. Still, given the fact that the Moto G (2014 Edition) can be had for almost half of this product’s off-contract price and comes with a larger screen, the pricing decisions don’t seem to add-up.
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DALLAS, March 16, 2015 – AT&T2 announced that it will carry the Samsung Galaxy S® 5 mini in its retail stores and on www.att.com starting March 20. AT&T currently offers the largest selection of Samsung devices.
Galaxy S 5 mini Features
The new compact design of the Samsung Galaxy S 5 mini gives you ultimate portability without compromising power. Experience movies come to life on the Samsung Galaxy S 5 mini’s vivid 4.5-inch HD display. HD (720x1280p) clarity provides rich colors, dark shadows and fast response times for an exceptional viewing experience. The device’s fast-action HD 8MP rear-camera with pro-editing tool helps you quickly capture memories. You can even enhance photos before you get the shot, and select the focus after you take the picture.
Additional key features include:
- Front Camera: 2MP
- Voice Calling: HD Voice capable3
- Dimensions: 5.16 x 2.55 x 0.36-inches
- Weight: 4.23 ounces
- Operating System: Android™ 4.4.4 KitKat
- Processor: 1.4GHz Quad-core
- Memory: 16GB internal storage, supporting up to 128GB with external microSD card4
- Battery Life: Up to 20 hours of talk time and up to 10 days standby time5
Galaxy S 5 mini Pricing
The Galaxy S 5 mini will run on the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network,1 keeping you connected in the places you need it most. Starting on March 20, you can purchase the Galaxy S 5 mini in Charcoal Black for $0 down on an AT&T Next plan6 at $14.30 per month on Next 24, $17.88 per month on Next 18 or $21.48 per month on AT&T 12. You can also get the cutting edge smartphone for $99.99 with a two-year agreement7 or at no annual commitment for $428.99.8
Device Eco-rating
The Samsung Galaxy S 5 mini earned five out of five stars on AT&T’s original Eco-Rating system. The system rates the environmental factors of AT&T branded handset devices. AT&T created the Eco-Rating system to empower consumers to make better informed decisions with selecting a device. For more information about this device’s rating, AT&T’s Eco-Rating System, and how you can join AT&T in making a difference, please visit http://att.com/ecospace.
Supporting Resources
- For more information visit: www.att.com/galaxys5mini.
- For a full list of accessories visit: www.att.com/shop/wireless/accessories.html.
1Nationwide carriers’ LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on average LTE signal strength. LTE not available everywhere.
2AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
3AT&T HD Voice has limited availability in select markets and may not be available in your area. To experience HD Voice, both parties must be in AT&T HD Voice coverage using AT&T HD Voice-capable devices. Other restrictions apply. See www.att.com/hdvoice for details.
4Portion of memory occupied by existing content. SD card sold separately.
5Estimated max standby and use time varies depending on usage patterns, settings and other factors.
6Requires 20-mth or 24-mth 0% APR installment agreement and qualifying credit and wireless service. Tax due at sale. If wireless service cancelled, device balance due. Service costs additional. Other charges and restrictions apply. AT&T Next Requirements: www.att.com/shop/wireless/next.html#fbid=mkEz9ThvDiO.
7$99.99 pricing. Requires 2-year wireless service agreement with qualifying data plan. Activation/upgrade, early termination and other fees, and restrictions apply. Pricing Requirements: www.att.com/att/planner/index.html#fbid=yRbS77904im.
8Requires activation of new line of qualified wireless service.
Samsung, Galaxy S and The Next Big Thing Is Here are all trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions of people and businesses around the globe stay connected through leading wireless, high-speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. We’re helping people mobilize their worlds with state-of-the-art communications, entertainment services and amazing innovations like connected cars and devices for homes, offices and points in between. Our U.S. wireless network offers customers the nation’s strongest LTE signal and the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network. We offer the best global wireless coverage.* We’re improving how our customers stay entertained and informed with AT&T U-verse® TV and High Speed Internet services. And businesses worldwide are serving their customers better with AT&T’s mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.
Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at www.youtube.com/att.
© 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Reliability and signal strength claims based on nationwide carriers’ LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not available everywhere.
*Global coverage claim based on offering voice and LTE data roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offering the most wireless smartphones and tablets that work in the most countries.
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