What's good
- Additional plastic reinforcement for shock protection
- Fast performance
- Great screen with crisp and bright colors
What's bad
- Slippery and difficult to grasp
- Bulkier than standard smartphones
In order to appeal to the more outdoorsy crowd, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S5 Active. Although not certified to be a truly rugged phone, the S5 Active is water and dust resistant. For better protection, Samsung added reinforced plastic corners, which provides extra scuff-proofing. Critics note that the reinforcements are necessary as the phone case itself is very slippery and difficult to grasp, leading to several accidental drops. Replacing the capacitive buttons are physical home, recent apps and back buttons which, according to Android Central, have "a nice click and texture to them." An addition to the device is the Active key, which pulls up various meters like atmospheric pressure, elevation and even a compass.
Due to the additional protection, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is larger than the S5 at 5.72 x 2.89 x 0.35 inches and weighs more at 170.1 grams (6 oz). Besides these changes, the S5 Active is practically identical to the S5. It comes with a 5.1" 1080p AMOLED display that reviewers describe as crisp and colorful. Running the phone is a 2.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Diagnostic and real-world testing prove that it is more than capable of handling almost every task without lag. CNET calls the phone a "speed demon" though also mentions that it is not as fast as it could be due to Samsung's built-in throttling that lowers the clock speed when the CPU or GPU get too hot.
Overall, reviewers recommend the device for people looking for a little added protection and new features for their smartphone. The Verge says, "If you're looking for a smartphone to take on a construction site or up a mountain, this may be your best bet."
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Sam Rutherford, Tom's GuideWhile the S5 Active is larger and heavier than the original Galaxy S5, what it lacks in lightness it more than makes up for with military-spec durability. The only Android phone tougher than the S5 Active is the 4.5-inch Kyocera Brigadier and its Sapphire Shield screen. But fitted with last-gen comp...
- Blake Stimac, GreenbotThe Galaxy S5 Active is essentially the Galaxy S5 in a ruggedized package. It has a different design, an extra button, lacks a finger print sensor, and is shock-proof. That’s it. I’d personally love to catch a glimpse of the GS4 Active’s sales numbers, given it (apparently) did wel...
- Lanh Nguyen, Android AuthorityRugged phones usually carry a lot of compromises, but that’s not the case with the Galaxy S5 Active. The premium price can be justified here, because, at the end of the day, you’re getting a high-end flagship in a ruggedized body. This phone isn’t going to be for everyone, but it&r...
- GSMArena team, GSMArenaThe Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is everything we expected it to be and more. In terms of functionality and feature set, the handset is almost every bit as capable as the SM-G900 with the added benefit of higher durability and improved grip. The aforementioned two could very well make the model the pick...
- Michael Fisher, PocketnowWhatever the paint job, whether a Galaxy S5 Active belongs in your pocket depends on how much meat you really need on your smartphone’s bones. Remember, the stock S5 is already immersion-resistant, and while a MIL-STD-810G rating should mean the Active is much more durable, in our experience t...
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Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active user manual here.
Samsung backs up the Galaxy S5 Active with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Galaxy S5 Active has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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