It looks as though the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini will be landing in the States, though likely under a different name. Perpetual gadget leak Twitter handle @evleaks posted a picture of the Samsung Galaxy Axiom yesterday, which bears a striking resemblance to the S3 Mini. The Galaxy Axiom will be carried by US Cellular.


 

The Galaxy Axiom looks like pretty unspectacular, especially when compared to its sibling, the S3 Mini. @evleaks is usually accurate in what it posts, and this device looks to follow suit. The Galaxy Axiom will run on a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960 processor, a slight upgrade from the S3 Mini, but that looks light the only real upgrade. The operating system is Android’s 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It will likely have 4GB of internal storage and 1GB of RAM. The screen is a 4-inch LCD and has a resolution of 800×480. It will also have 4G LTE connectivity. Front and rear cameras will be 5MP and 1.3MP respectively.

There’s no word yet on when the smartphone will hit U.S. retail shelves, though Android fansite Android Authority speculates December availability. Price is also questionable but the same sources suggests anywhere from $50-$100 due to its minimal dazzle factor.

One day before the S3 Mini release, JK Shin, head of Samsung Mobile Communications,  noted in a statement that it won’t be an entry-level handset, and told reporters it will have “full form factor.” I’m going to have to disagree here as the Galaxy Axiom fails to separate itself from the pack. In fact, it looks exactly like an entry-level handset, one that’s cheap and easily navigable for newly christened smartphone users.

Arguably the most interesting thing about the Axiom is why Samsung opted to ditch the Galaxy S brand and try for something new. It could be because the Korean-based tech corporation is trying to shed any negative aspects the S3 might have carried, or simply because they’re looking to start fresh in America. That’s what America is all about, after all.

Stay tuned to BostInno for the latest information about the Axiom. We’ll be sure to keep you updated about availability and price as soon as it’s disclosed. In the meantime, let us know what you think about the new device. Will it be a an uninspiring replica of an already mediocre phone? Will it be the go-to for new smartphone users looking to get their feet wet before investing in something more substantial? Tell us everything in the comments section below.

 

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