Galaxy S4
Rugged Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Coming to U.S. This Summer
Samsung just announced a rugged version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 that offers very similar performance and features, but comes with water and dust resistant features that let users keep the phone in water for up to 30 minutes without damage.
This rugged Samsung Galaxy S4 is part of the Galaxy S4 brand, but comes with a new name, the Galaxy S4 Active. The name comes from Samsung’s focus on this as a device that will fit in with an active lifestyle.
Like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 that is already on store shelves, this model features a 4.99-inch 1080P Super AMOLED display, a 1.9GHz Quad-core processor and Android 4.2.2 with TouchWiz, but Samsung only offers a 8MP camera on the Galaxy S4 Active. The device comes with 16GB of storage and supports more with a Micro SD card.
Read: Samsung Galaxy S4 Review
The defining feature is the IP 67 water-resistant rating which allows the Galaxy S4 Active to survive submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Unlike other phones that require a case to take a swim, the Galaxy S4 features protection from water and dust. This includes a water-resistant headphone jack, with no need to plug it while out in the rain or around water and dust. The IP^& rating includes dust as well, so users shouldn’t need to worry about dust and sand getting inside the device.
The 5-inch 1080P HD display also supports the same glove use as the Galaxy S4, so users who take the Galaxy S4 Active to the slopes or into other areas where gloves are necessary gear can still use the device.
Samsung includes an 8MP camera on the Galaxy S4 with a new Aqua mode that they claim delivers better looking photos underwater. The volume key acts as a camera button to quickly open the camera app and a long press of the volume key will turn the Flash into a flashlight, features not found on the standard Galaxy S4.
The Galaxy S4 Active measures 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm and weighs 151g. This is about a millimeter thicker and a bout 20 grams heavier, but it is still slim for a rugged phone.
Samsung includes the smart features found on the Galaxy S4 such as Smart Pause, Air Gesture, Smart Stay and apps like S Health and S Travel. The device supports Group Play to allow users to share music across Galaxy devices. The Galaxy S4 Active retains the IR port so users can control their TV with the WatchON app.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active joins a growing number of smartphones that are dust and water-resistant, like the Sony Xperia Z. In the recent past, rugged and water-resistant phones like the Casio G’Zone offered protection at the expense of a smaller screen, thicker body and clunky design.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active will arrive in the U.S. this summer in Urban Grey, Dive Blue and Orange Flare. There is no official U.S. Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Price or carrier information, but AT&T is tipped as a launch partner and we expect contract pricing between $199 and $299 U.S.