Tech Lover 9

Samsung was one of the world`s most successful mobile manufacturers in 2011 and it is hoping to repeat the its success in 2012, with a range of new smartphones slated for launch in the first half of the year.

This week it has emerged that yet another new model aimed at the lower end of the mobile market is on its way from the South Korean firm, although there are those who would argue that it is saturating the sector with entry level handsets to a degree that might turn against it in the future.

The handset in question is the Samsung Galaxy Mini 2, an incrementally improved model that will probably be getting its first public showing during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona this month.

In terms of hardware the Galaxy Mini 2 is hardly anything to write home about, packing in an 800Mhz processor, 3GBs of storage space and a three megapixel camera.

However, anyone who is looking for an Android-powered smartphone which will do all of the things you would expect from a modern handset without the associated astronomical price tag might well fall for the Galaxy Mini 2.

Anyone who embraces an outdoor lifestyle or a job which requires them to eschew the office in favor of fieldwork might prefer the Samsung Galaxy Xcover Extreme, which is essentially a more rugged alternative to the Galaxy Mini 2.

It is rated to offer IP67 protection, which means that you can keep it underwater for up to an hour at a depth of one meter and it will not suffer any harmful effects. It also has a 3.65 inch display covered with toughened glass to prevent scratches and smashing from occurring, as well as a resistance against dust, dirt, mud and all sorts of other hazards which will harangue you from day to day.
 
With an 800Mhz processor, 150MB of storage space and a screen resolution of 480×320 the Galaxy Xcover Extreme is essentially identical to the Galaxy Mini 2, albeit with less room for data and a slightly larger, if not crisper, display.

Both models will have Wi-Fi connectivity on-board along with 3G and GPS for mobile internet access and location-based services respectively.

Android Market downloads will fill up each phone with new applications and games to keep users informed and entertained whilst on the move. Meanwhile the TouchWiz interface will make the most out of the available screen area. Both models will of course be well equipped for the mobile cloud.
Although Samsung has yet to officially announce the Galaxy Mini 2 it looks like it is almost certainly on the way for MWC. Meanwhile the Galaxy Xcover Extreme is already available to buy, so if you use a service which offers cash for phones in order to trade in your old handset you could raise some funds and upgrade today rather than waiting for a few weeks.