Sections
- Page 1 Vodafone Smart Mini Review
- Page 2 Software, Performance and Camera Review
- Page 3 Call Quality, Battery Life, Value and Verdict Review
Vodafone Smart Mini Call Quality
Call quality is one area where the Vodafone Smart Mini is not lagging behind the crowd. Bringing the phone on par with many mid-market handsets, its in-call audio is sharp and detailed with satisfying volume management.
Strangely, there is, however, a little pop as calls connect. Although this does not have any adverse effect on call quality, it is something of an oddity.
Vodafone Smart Mini: Battery Life
The Vodafone Smart Mini’s battery life is solid rather spectacular. It lasts a day of normal use, but you’ll need to charge it overnight to use it the next day. Anyone who wants the same kind of battery life found in cheap, feature phones will be disappointed.
It’s also worth noting our first sample of the Smart Mini had some overheating issues when charging, but a subsequent replacement showed no problems.
Should I buy the Vodafone Smart Mini?
If your needs are simple then we can’t think of any reason why the Vodafone Smart Mini wouldn’t be an appealing option. Yes the camera is poor, things are a little laggy and the design isn’t the best, but at just £50, this is almost a throwaway phone that will fulfil your needs as long as you have a use for it. Decide you want to upgrade after three months, simply chuck it in a draw as a backup option, doing so isn’t going to break the bank.
The Vodafone Smart Mini is virtually unrivalled on price and it isn’t a million miles behind the curve on specs and performance either. It might not have the big-brand appeal of the Samsung Galaxy Fame or an LG Optimus L3 but it poses much better value than either.
The Vodafone Smart Mini is not a phone that will excite many, beyond the appeal of the penny-pinching price tag that is. But in this instance, penny-pinching wins out over any bells or whistles which could be added.
Verdict
If you just want a no-frills smartphone then the Vodafone Smart Mini is hard to fault. It’s better value than big-brand alternatives and would make a good ‘first smartphone’ for a child.
How we test phones
We test every mobile phone we review thoroughly. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly and we use the phone as our main device over the review period. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Trusted Score
Score in detail
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Performance 7
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Camera 6
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Design 7
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Usability 6
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Value 9
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Features 6
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Screen Quality 6
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
