Samsung Galaxy S5 Active Ultimate Specs Pricing & Review Guide

Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active was designed to be a robust and durable device, suitable for active users who require a phone capable of withstanding rough conditions. Its dimensions are 145.3 x 73.4 x 8.9 mm, and it weighs 170.1 g, offering a solid feel in the hand. The phone features a rugged exterior with enhanced grip and physical buttons for navigation, ensuring reliability even in challenging environments. It also features IP67 certification, which means it is dust-tight and water-resistant up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes, making it an ideal companion for outdoor adventures.

Display

The Galaxy S5 Active comes with a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The pixel density of approximately 432 ppi ensures sharp and clear image quality. To protect against scratches and minor impacts, the display is safeguarded with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, enhancing its durability further.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the Galaxy S5 Active is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, featuring a Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU. This combination provides smooth performance for most tasks, including multitasking and gaming. Supported by 2GB of RAM, the device is capable of handling everyday applications with ease. The internal storage is 16GB, with approximately 11.2GB available to users, but can be expanded via the microSDXC slot, offering flexibility for additional storage.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera of the Galaxy S5 Active is a 16 MP shooter with features such as an f/2.2 aperture, autofocus, LED flash, panorama, and HDR capabilities. It supports video recording at 4K@30fps and 1080p@30fps, allowing for high-quality video capture. The device also features a 2 MP front camera with a f/2.4 aperture, suitable for selfies and capable of recording 1080p videos at 30fps.

Software and Interface

Originally running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat, the Galaxy S5 Active can be upgraded to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The device is equipped with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, which offers a range of features and customization options. The interface is intuitive, providing users with a smooth and efficient user experience.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 2800 mAh battery, which offers a standby time of up to 480 hours and talk time of up to 29 hours. The battery life is satisfactory for regular usage, and the removable nature allows users to carry a spare battery for extended use in remote locations.

Connectivity Options

The Galaxy S5 Active supports a range of connectivity options. It features GSM, HSPA, and LTE network technologies, ensuring reliable communication capabilities. For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, with dual-band functionality, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot capabilities. It also includes Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, and aptX for audio streaming. Location services are powered by GPS and GLONASS, ensuring accurate navigation, and it also supports NFC for convenient transactions and device pairing.

Additional Features

The device is equipped with various sensors like an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and heart rate monitor. These sensors provide additional functionality, including fitness tracking and enhanced navigation experiences. However, the phone does not include an FM radio, which may be a consideration for some users.

Audio and Multimedia

The Galaxy S5 Active offers a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, providing flexibility for audio output. The sound quality is decent, with audio tests indicating a noise level of -96.1dB and crosstalk of -96.5dB, ensuring clear sound reproduction. The loudspeaker tests show levels of 73dB for voice, 69dB for noise, and 76dB for ring tones.

Availability and Pricing

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active was announced and released in May 2014. As of now, it has been discontinued, but second-hand units can still be found in the market. At launch, the device was priced at around 400 EUR, making it a competitive option for a rugged smartphone at the time.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active was a noteworthy device upon its release, offering robust design and rugged features suitable for active users. While it may not compete with contemporary smartphones in terms of specifications and performance, it remains a reliable option for those needing a durable handset with basic smart features. Its combination of water and dust resistance, decent camera capabilities, and satisfactory performance make it a viable option for those who value durability and functionality in challenging environments.