What is the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active?
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is one of a trio of Samsung Galaxy S4 spinoffs looking to build on the branding of the market leading Android phone. It has retained the S4’s same 5-inch form, building on a strong foundation with waterproof, drop proof and dust proof credentials.
An IP67 certified device, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active has retained some of the S4’s key features, including the powerful 1.9GHz quad-core processor, but downgraded others such as the drop from the S4’s 13-megapixel camera to an 8-megapixel option.
Can added toughness make up for a drop in specs? We have gone hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active to find out.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Design
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active’s design is slimmer than we had expected. Measuring in at 9.1mm thick it is 1.2mm chunkier than its more high-profile sibling yet feels just as streamlined and svelte. On top of this, the added bulk and protection make it feel considerably more sturdy.
The Active is also heavier, but spreads its 151g mass (21g weightier than the S4) across the phone’s full form creating a well-balanced device that is comfortable in the hand.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active’s design is not diminished by its added IP certification and corresponding ruggedness. In a similar vein to the Sony Xperia Z, its waterproofing in brilliantly integrated into the overall feel with no unwanted bulges or aesthetics depleting additions.
Worryingly, however, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is not without its own (potentially big) design issues. Its microUSB cover is more than a little flimsy and all too easy to flip open. We would expect more from a handset designed to be submerged.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active feature a physical trio of Android controls as opposed to the usual touch based options found on the original S4. This allows it to be used in more challenging conditions such as when caked in mud. This proved a welcome addition during our hands-on, letting us control the phone while it was underwater.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Screen
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active’s screen is a slight deviation from that on the S4 but equally impressive. A TFT instead of Super AMOLED panel, it is still of the 5-inch variety and impresses from the off thanks to a 1080p Full HD resolution and stunningly sharp 441 pixels-per-inch image density.
It is a bright, pleasing offering with sharp colours and extremely detailed text and image production. Thanks to its 5-inch form there is plenty of on-screen real estate meaning picture and video playback is a multimedia enjoyers’ dream. On first impressions under bright unnatural light it was difficult to tell if the Active’s screen suffers from the same slight over saturation issues as the flagship S4.
The Active’s screen can’t be used under water, although the phone itself is waterproof. What’s more having been submerged, the display takes a considerable amount of drying before it is ready to be used again. We found it to be jumpy and less responsive than we had expected when it was even predominately dry.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active’s screen is said to feature Glove Touch capabilities, although we were unable to test this during our hands-on. We will further assess the handset’s display within our full Galaxy S4 Active review in the near future.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Performance
On first impressions, the performance of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active felt on par with the S4. Featuring the same 1.9GHz quad-core processor as its big brother, it is also bestowed with 2GB of RAM and Google’s Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS skinned with the TouchWiz UI.
App load times were lightning quick, screen transitions were fluid and the jump back to the homescreen was handled without a fraction of fuss or fanfare. The S4 Active looks set to be every much as impressive as the S4 to use although further testing is of cause still required.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active’s performance was not all plain sailing during our hands-on, however. Dipping it under water caused a number of random actions on the phone, with the Active dial obscure numbers and launching multiple programmes without prompting.
Although we must stress this was on a pre-production sample, it is not a great sign for a phone that is supposed to be able to handle trips beneath the surface. Further exploration of this will be made in our full review.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active’s camera is not quite as premium as that found on the original S4. It's also a long way from fellow spinoff the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom. That isn’t to say it doesn’t show a number of promising signs, however.
The Active sports an 8-megapixel rear-mounted camera with an integrated LED Flash that can double as a torch. A second, 2-megapixel snapper sits up front. First impressions of the pair are good. There are plenty of Smart Mode options for ease of use and both launch times and shutter speeds are kept to a minimum.
Images viewed back on the handset’s display appeared well focused and with strong light management in a less than ideal lighting setup. Given the limited testing conditions it is still too early to pass full judgement on the Active’s cameras.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active’s camera also benefits from a dedicated Aqua mode for underwater shooting. A pleasing addition, this enhanced clarity of otherwise slightly murky submerged content. Using the physical volume control as a camera shutter button was a welcome workaround to the inability to use the on-screen prompt whilst under water.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active First Impressions
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is possibly our favourite of the S4 spinoffs. It poses the question what could have the S4 been like with a slightly studier frame and, we expect, gives a nod to next-year’s flagship model. The Active’s design is surprisingly svelte and performance is hard to fault on first use. We could happily give up our S4 for the Active right now and can’t wait for the full review sample to arrive.
