Samsung Galaxy S4 Active review: Uncharted waters

1 July 2013
Ah, the great outdoors – not enough reception to put the “phone” in smartphone, but plenty of dust and water keep it out. Good thing there are IP67-certified phones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active then, combining premium specs with enough durability...

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  • D
  • AnonD-161417
  • 8@P
  • 03 Jul 2013

AnonD-114170, 02 Jul 2013What are you talking about? I find the Xperia Z more mascul... moreElectronically speaking, both phones have more female connectors than male connectors, your argument is invalid.

Also, I really like that the phone has physical buttons instead of capacitive stuff or,on screen buttons that either take away space or, aren't available all the time. The blue color is really nice too, white and black are nice looking but, after a while having white/black and low saturated colors gets boring.

I just hope my operator gets this phone because waiting for a small, powerful phone with a QWERTY keyboard and an actual micro HDMI connector seems to be a lost cause :/

    • D
    • AnonD-161412
    • 4jK
    • 03 Jul 2013

    Now Galaxy owners can keep their phones cool by soaking them in ice water!

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • 4QS
      • 03 Jul 2013

      AnonD-154325, 02 Jul 2013whats about low light video camera performance? same as s3 (bad)Bad????? What planet are you from?

        • D
        • AnonD-154325
        • 32B
        • 02 Jul 2013

        whats about low light video camera performance? same as s3 (bad)

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • UAs
          • 02 Jul 2013

          Excellent cell except for the physical button,i will purchase it in Q3 or Q4.

            • D
            • AnonD-114170
            • tha
            • 02 Jul 2013

            Anonymous, 02 Jul 2013You are both ridiculous. Playing such trivial things off as... moreWth? What's with the reaction? I was just stating my opinion, no more no less.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • 4QS
              • 02 Jul 2013

              AnonD-114170, 02 Jul 2013What are you talking about? I find the Xperia Z more mascul... moreYou are both ridiculous. Playing such trivial things off as being girly especially things that are not even viewed as girly by a social standard just shows your immaturity and inferiority complex with females

                • D
                • AnonD-132373
                • sEJ
                • 02 Jul 2013

                Im surprised so few comments.
                maybe geeks wasn't too excited with water resistance phones

                  • D
                  • AnonD-114170
                  • tha
                  • 02 Jul 2013

                  advice, 02 Jul 2013the galaxy s4 active is a beautiful phone ,may be girls and... moreWhat are you talking about? I find the Xperia Z more masculine than the S4 Active.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • 4QS
                    • 02 Jul 2013

                    AnonD-151044, 01 Jul 2013Obvious that Samsung panicked and threw a IP-classed phone ... moreThis is supposed to be for people who understand technology

                      • L
                      • Lell0
                      • 9xJ
                      • 02 Jul 2013

                      Hope for some under water testing, photo quality and such...

                        • D
                        • AnonD-113353
                        • J7t
                        • 02 Jul 2013

                        Excellent, another rugged phone review were the most interesting part, the test if the water and dust resistance really holds true is ommitted. The S4 Active has a dedicated "Aqua mode" for taking photos and videos under water, but no test of this. The ruggedness is the most prominent feature of this phone!

                        This was also the case with the Xperia Z, the Galaxy Active and every other rugged phone test on here.

                        Why don't you test it for water resistance? Are you afraid it will break? If so, then this would be good, because then something is wrong with the manufacturers claim. Almost every other site which has tested such phones, put at least some water over them.

                        Please add such tests to this review and future reviews of similar phones.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • uHP
                          • 02 Jul 2013

                          It is the best looking smartphone in Samsung current lineup.

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • GT6
                            • 02 Jul 2013

                            AnonD-114717, 01 Jul 2013Screen is definitely downgrade..... Now the fanboys suddenl... moreI wouldn't say it's the fanboys saying it since the advantages are identified in the article.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • uvu
                              • 02 Jul 2013

                              bogdan, 02 Jul 2013hy, i need an information, can be modified the apertures (... moreNo

                                • b
                                • bogdan
                                • 0Uh
                                • 02 Jul 2013

                                hy,
                                i need an information, can be modified the apertures (f/number) of camera mobile by the soft/firmware?
                                thank you

                                  • I
                                  • IP67
                                  • PUZ
                                  • 02 Jul 2013

                                  Wondering with the earphone plugged in, is it still IP67? or the earphones wont function when its partially immersed

                                    • a
                                    • advice
                                    • fwM
                                    • 02 Jul 2013

                                    AnonD-61784, 01 Jul 2013Xperia z is still the best with beautifull and elegant desi... morethe galaxy s4 active is a beautiful phone ,may be girls and......will not find it as beautiful as the xperia z but for us men ,the galaxy active is our choice.

                                    the galaxy active is totally protected against dust.

                                    as the galaxy s3 and the iphone 5 the galaxy active 8 mp camera is capable of producing better images and videos than the xperia z.

                                    the active has the infra red port so u can use your phone as a remote control.

                                    the active has better battery life and the battery is removable,better processor and no obligatory screen protector as in the xperia z.

                                    some people still use the native 3g video calling which the galaxy active is supporting,while in xz u have to use 3rd party apps such as skype.

                                    in my opinion unless u r a fan boy of sony ,the galaxy active is much better phone.
                                    for the same amount of money u get a better product.

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-61784
                                      • NZ$
                                      • 01 Jul 2013

                                      Xperia z is still the best with beautifull and elegant design.
                                      SGS4 Active design is ugly with same prise.
                                      Processor are not really different between S4 Pro and S600. Xperia Z is lag free...

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                                        • alfaromeo159
                                        • pqZ
                                        • 01 Jul 2013

                                        Does it have a Gorilla Glass 3 or Gorilla Glass 2?