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Samsung Galaxy S III mini (samsung-golden)

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Samsung Galaxy S III Mini
Samsung Galaxy SIII Mini (wine red version) running postmarketOS Phosh in November 2024
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 device-samsung-golden
Kernel package linux-postmarketos-stericsson
Features
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
U-Boot
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


Contributors

Maintainer(s)

Users owning this device


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 Power + Volume Down + Home and follow follow the the NovaThor U8500 U-Boot installation instructions to install U-Boot.

Finally, 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