Samsung Introduces the Galaxy S3 Mini

Samsung's Galaxy S3 is among the best Android phones available now. But while it's not quite as gargantuan as Samsung's Galaxy Note, it's still pretty big.

If you want a more compact phone with comparable performance, you're pretty much stuck with the iPhone 5. And as Samsung said itself in a press release, a "compact smartphone with a 4.0-inch screen … can be an optimal choice for consumers who are looking for more practical smartphones."

So we were stoked to hear the rumors that Samsung might unveil a Galaxy S3 mini - the same killer phone in a 4-inch package. And then they did! Except not.

The S3 mini has the same name and general design profile (which we didn't exactly love the first time around) as its big brother. And it gets the perks of Samsung's TouchWiz UI overlay for Android Jelly Bean.

But the similarities (and virtues) pretty much end there. That 4-inch screen has a disappointing resolution of 800 x 400, giving it a pixel density of 233 ppi (down from 306). The mini's dual-core processor is clocked at decidedly average 1GHz (down from 1.5). It's got 1GB of RAM (down from 2) a 5MP camera (down from 8) and a 1500mAh battery (down from 2100).

You might be thinking Samsung is just strategically branding a mediocre phone to ride their immensely successful flagship's wave of success. Well, you might be right.

No word yet on pricing or the chance of US availability. But is that even disappointing? Let us know in the comments.

Jon Fox is a Seattle hipster who loves polar bears and climbing trees. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN. 

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Joss Whedon Supports Guardians of the Galaxy Director

Back in June, Marvel fans were surprised to hear that the studio had settled on Guardians of the Galaxy as its next big non-sequel adaptation. More interesting, however, was their choice of writer and director, James Gunn. While this combination might seem like an odd recipe for a superhero epic, The Avengers' Joss Whedon has the utmost confidence in Gunn and his take on the property.

"James is what makes me think it will work," Whedon told MTV News in a recent interview. "I myself was sort of like, 'Well, I liked Rocket Raccoon as a kid, but I'm not sure how that plays [to a wider audience].' And then they said, 'Well, we're thinking about using James Gunn.' And I said, 'Oh, then no, you're fine.' He is so off the wall, and so crazy, but so smart, such a craftsman and he builds from his heart. He loves the raccoon. Needs the raccoon.

"This is the guy who wrote The Specials. People don't understand how influential that movie was about heroes, about taking heroes and making them mundane. And [he directed] Super."

According to Whedon -- who is serving as a creative advisor on Marvel's upcoming slate of movies -- Gunn has just begun writing the script. "He has a very twisted take on it, but it all comes from a real love for the material," Whedon continued. "It's going to be hard for the humans to keep up," said Whedon. "I know he's going to come from left field and I'm going to go, 'What?' And then, 'Of course, why didn't I think of that?' And then I'm going to beat him!"

What do you think? Does Whedon's vote of confidence put you more at ease, or are you still skeptical of a talking raccoon on the big screen? Let us hear your thoughts in the Comments below!

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

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