Samsung, it seems, is intent on using the S4 name wherever it can. Announced at the beginning of June, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is the Korean giant's take on the tough phone, challenging the Sony Xperia Z in the tough stakes.
The display on the front is a 5-inch 1920 x 1080 panel that's bright and vibrant and has been designed to let you use it when wearing gloves, essential for that skiing holiday. However, there's one slight drawback with the SGS4 Active: you can't use the touchscreen when it's wet.
That means that for underwater shots, you'll have to use the volume button, which isn't a huge problem, but you'll also have to wipe the display dry before you can get back to using your phone.
Sitting under the hood is a 1.9GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM and the experience very much reflects the power on offer - this may be tough, but it's hardcore as well.
There's 16GB of internal storage with the option to expand via microSD if you want a little more on your adventures.
In terms of special modes for your active life, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active has an "aqua mode" designed to enhance photos and video you take underwater, which the phone is happy with thanks to its IP67 rating. Interestingly, the 3.5mm headphone socket doesn't need to be covered as it does on the Sony Xperia Z, because it is also waterproof. But you will have to have the Micro-USB socket cover in place, with plenty of warnings on the display to remind you to do so.
Running Android 4.2.2, it comes with the normal Samsung TouchWiz customisation that you'd expect and feels slick and fast, not too far removed from the SGS4 namesake.
It feels solid in the hand too, with the exposed bolts on the back adding to the tough looks, but this is still a tough phone in a skinny package.
We'll be giving the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active a thorough beasting to let you have a full review as soon as we can.
The display on the front is a 5-inch 1920 x 1080 panel that's bright and vibrant and has been designed to let you use it when wearing gloves, essential for that skiing holiday. However, there's one slight drawback with the SGS4 Active: you can't use the touchscreen when it's wet.
That means that for underwater shots, you'll have to use the volume button, which isn't a huge problem, but you'll also have to wipe the display dry before you can get back to using your phone.
Sitting under the hood is a 1.9GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM and the experience very much reflects the power on offer - this may be tough, but it's hardcore as well.
There's 16GB of internal storage with the option to expand via microSD if you want a little more on your adventures.
In terms of special modes for your active life, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active has an "aqua mode" designed to enhance photos and video you take underwater, which the phone is happy with thanks to its IP67 rating. Interestingly, the 3.5mm headphone socket doesn't need to be covered as it does on the Sony Xperia Z, because it is also waterproof. But you will have to have the Micro-USB socket cover in place, with plenty of warnings on the display to remind you to do so.
Running Android 4.2.2, it comes with the normal Samsung TouchWiz customisation that you'd expect and feels slick and fast, not too far removed from the SGS4 namesake.
It feels solid in the hand too, with the exposed bolts on the back adding to the tough looks, but this is still a tough phone in a skinny package.
We'll be giving the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active a thorough beasting to let you have a full review as soon as we can.
