Samsung has added another interesting option to its lineup with the all-new Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, and on paper it looks like a device that wants to be your daily driver. Announced in 2017, August. Released 2017, August, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
On the front you get a 5.8 inches, 85.4 cm 2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) panel, pushing a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~568 ppi density). Colours look punchy and text stays clean, so you will not have much to complain about here. In terms of design, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active keeps things modern and comfortable to hold. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Meteor Gray.
Performance & Software
Under the hood you will find the Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm), paired with 4GB of RAM, which means smooth scrolling, quick app switching and no real hiccups in normal use. It runs Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
On the camera side, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is led by a 12 MP main sensor. Expect solid detail in good light, with the usual softness creeping in once the sun goes down.
Battery
There is a Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable battery inside, which should comfortably see most people through a full day on a single charge.
Our Opinion
So, what do we actually make of the Samsung Galaxy S8 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. In day-to-day use it feels like the kind of device you can rely on, whether you are replying to messages, scrolling through social media, watching videos or taking the odd photo. Is it perfect? No phone is, and you will always find a sharper camera or a faster chip somewhere else for a little more money. Even so, the Samsung Galaxy S8 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.
