Samsung Galaxy S III mini (samsung-golden)
![]() Samsung Galaxy SIII Mini (wine red version) running postmarketOS Phosh in November 2024 | |
Manufacturer | Samsung |
---|---|
Name | Galaxy S III Mini |
Codename | samsung-golden |
Model | GT-I8190 |
Released | 2012 |
Type | handset |
Hardware | |
Chipset | ST-Ericsson NovaThor U8500 |
CPU | 1 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 |
GPU | Mali-400 MP1 |
Display | 480x800 AMOLED |
Storage | 8 GB |
Memory | 1 GB |
Architecture | armv7 |
Software | |
Original software The software and version the device was shipped with. |
Android 4.1.1 |
Extended version The most recent supported version from the manufacturer. |
Android 4.1.2 |
FOSS bootloader | yes |
postmarketOS | |
Category | testing |
Mainline Instead of a Linux kernel fork, it is possible to run (Close to) Mainline. |
yes |
Device package |
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Kernel package |
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Flashing It is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher . |
Works
|
---|---|
USB Networking After connecting the device with USB to your PC, you can connect to it via telnet (initramfs) or SSH (booted system). |
Works
|
Internal storage eMMC, SD cards, UFS, ... |
Works
|
SD card Also includes other external storage cards |
Works
|
Battery Charging and battery level reporting works |
Works
|
Screen Display works. Ideally with sleep mode and brightness control. |
Partial
|
Touchscreen |
Works
|
Multimedia | |
3D Acceleration |
Works
|
Audio Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons. |
Broken
|
Camera |
Broken
|
Camera Flash |
Works
|
Connectivity | |
WiFi |
Works
|
Bluetooth |
Partial
|
GPS |
Broken
|
Modem | |
Calls |
Broken
|
SMS |
Broken
|
Mobile data |
Broken
|
Miscellaneous | |
FDE Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr. |
Works
|
USB OTG USB On-The-Go or USB-C Role switching |
Partial
|
Sensors | |
Accelerometer Auto screen rotation works in desktops e.g. Phosh or Plasma Mobile |
Works
|
Magnetometer Sensor to measure magnetism |
Works
|
Ambient Light |
Works
|
Proximity |
Works
|
Haptics |
Works
|
Primary Bootloader It is possible to replace stock bootloader with U-Boot. |
Broken
|
---|---|
Secondary Bootloader It is possible to chainload U-Boot from stock bootloader. |
Works
|
Mainline Latest versions of U-Boot are not broken and it is possible to use them. |
Works
|
Internal Storage It is possible to boot from internal storage (e.g. eMMC or UFS). |
Works
|
SD card It is possible to boot from SD card. |
Broken
|
USB Host It is possible to boot from a USB storage or connect a keyboard. |
Works
|
USB Peripheral It is possible to use device as a peripheral in U-Boot, e.g. for fastboot mode. |
Works
|
Display |
Works
|
Buttons It is possible to navigate in boot menu or grub with volume and power buttons. |
Works
|
This device is based on the ST-Ericsson U8500. See the SoC page for common tips, guides and troubleshooting steps |
Contributors
Maintainer(s)
Users owning this device
- AppData 174 (Notes: GT-I8190N (NFC))
- Bastindo (Notes: I have several of these)
- Catto24 (Notes: doesn't boot - Telecom NZ, white GT-I8190T, u-boot + pmOS)
- Flutterbrony (Notes: Blue; u-boot working!)
- GamerTygoNL
- GeraltvonNVIDIA (Notes: Kernel 6.1.0 on Phosh)
- GtrxAC (Notes: Android 4.1 custom ROM)
- HAKANKOKCU (Notes: Running LineageOS)
- Linusw (Notes: This one "just works" mostly, apart from missing features in the SoC.)
- Materialred
- Minecrell (Notes: GT-I8190)
- Nickre
- Nspire
- Poipa
- Santeri3700
- Sonichero
- Stelle (Notes: no battery, powered by a USB cable, running ArchLinux ARM with kernel 6.14 from pmOS)
- Ulville
- Werti (Notes: 2x (both are hanging in uboot))
- Zephyr1112 (Notes: 1/8GB, dead (?, no battery))
Installation
The mainline kernel can only be booted through U-Boot, not directly with the Samsung bootloader. U-Boot is installed as intermediate bootloader on the boot partition, so it does not replace the Samsung bootloader entirely. pmbootstrap can only support one bootloader configuration at the moment, which is why U-Boot is also recommended when installing the downstream kernel.
Boot into Download Mode using the NovaThor U8500 U-Boot installation instructions to install U-Boot.
+ + and follow follow theFinally, follow the Installation guide. You should install the rootfs to the SD-Card, because the internal Storage is pretty limited.
If the screen does not come on after boot, press the power button and it should come up.
Mainline
Working (v5.18.0-rc1):
- Display including full brightness control
- GPU (Mali-400 MP using Lima)
- Touchscreen
- WiFi
- Bluetooth (partial - at least on my device scanning for other devices works but it keeps disconnecting when connecting to other devices; not sure why)
- IMU (Accelerometer + Gyroscope)
- USB
- Flashlight (turn on/off in Phosh drop down menu)
- Battery - charging and battery indicator works
Not working:
- Audio
- Camera
- Other
Bluetooth
Bluetooth does not have any Bluetooth device address (bdaddr or "MAC address") set after boot at the moment. To make Bluetooth work, you need to manually configure one:
# apk add bluez-btmgmt # btmgmt public-addr <bdaddr>
where <bdaddr>
is a MAC address like 53:33:6d:69:6e:69
.
The Bluetooth controller should then show up in bluetoothctl
:
# apk add bluez # rc-service bluetooth start $ bluetoothctl
You can e.g scan for devices:
[bluetooth]# show [bluetooth]# power on [bluetooth]# advertise on [bluetooth]# system-alias golden [bluetooth]# scan on
Experience
Downstream: The best user interface to install is XFCE4. Other ones do lag, or just don't respond. Especially KDE Plasma.
Mainline: Plasma Mobile and Phosh should work okay.
See Also
- Initial PR: !1428
- Upstream device tree