Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is one of those devices that tries to pack a lot into one package. Let us see if Samsung has managed to put together a phone that is actually worth your money. Announced in 2014, May. Released 2014, May, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
Up front there is a 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm 2 (~67.2% screen-to-body ratio) screen, pushing a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density), which is more than sharp enough for everyday use, streaming and a bit of gaming. In terms of design, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active keeps things modern and comfortable to hold. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Camo Green.
Performance & Software
At the heart of it sits the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (28 nm), paired with 2GB of RAM. For the kind of tasks most of us throw at a phone, there is plenty of muscle here. It runs Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), TouchWiz UI out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
Photography is handled by a main 16 MP shooter that should cover most situations, from daylight shots to the occasional low-light frame. It is not a pro camera rig, but for everyday memories it gets the job done nicely.
Battery
There is a Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable battery inside. With moderate use you can expect to end the day with charge to spare.
Our Opinion
Coming to the important bit, our opinion on the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active. What you are getting is a device that quietly covers the fundamentals rather than shouting about them. It gets the basics right, offering a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. If your priority is a phone that just works, day in and day out, then this one deserves a spot on your shortlist. You could nitpick a few things, as you can with any phone in this bracket. Even so, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active holds its own and represents a solid, no-nonsense buy. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
