Galaxy S4 and S4 Mini get the faux leather treatment with Black Editions

Samsung has unveiled Black Editions of the Galaxy S4 and the S4 Mini, both of which now sport the faux leather backcover borrowed from the Note 3. That's the only change, other specs remain the same for both.

They could have just made a separate backcover for both the S4 and S4 Mini so that current users could replace the ugly slimy plastic. But in pure Samsung fashion, you get a whole new device with just the removable backcover replaced. Our sources also reveal that there is a slight markup on the Black Editions when compared to the standard Galaxy S4 I9505.

At present there is no word on international availability but the Black Edition of Galaxy S4 will cost RUB 23,000 (about $660) and Galaxy S4 Mini RUB 16,000 (about $460) when it launches in Russia later in February.