Samsung rumor site SamMobile says the company will unveil the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini this week, after pictures and specs leaked onto the internet last month. SamMobile says the new smartphone will hit the market at the end of May or the beginning of June.
It looks like the Galaxy S4 Mini will come in the same colors as the Galaxy S4, Black Mist and White Frost, and will come in two versions with distinct spec sheets.
The GT-I9190 is a quad-core phone with a single SIM card -- basically a smaller Galaxy S4. But the GT-I9192 has a dual-core processor and sports two SIM card slots, which allows two different mobile accounts to run from the same device. That makes overseas travel easier, as customers can use one account for local calling and another while abroad, preventing exorbitant roaming charges.
It can also be used by people who want to keep their work and personal mobile accounts separate but don't want to carry two phones.
If Samsung really is going to unveil the Galaxy S4 Mini early, it will be a coup for tech leakers. The information we have so far on the phone isn't official in any capacity, so Samsung hasn't been in control of the information flow. We may have data they didn't want to release yet, or didn't want to release at all, but the leaks seem to have forced their hand.
This could all backfire for consumers, though, if the faster release schedule means Samsung has to rush production and deliver a less complete product.
And, of course, remember that it's April Fool's Day, so this could all be a hoax. We'll know better tomorrow.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini will likely come in several version featuring either a quad-core or dual-core processor, single or dual SIMs, a 4.3-inch qHD dislay, an 8-megapixel camera and run Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.
Check back for the latest information on the Galaxy S4 Mini as it becomes available.