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Quite a few smartphones these days can claim to be waterproof, but you have to hand it to Samsungs Galaxy S4 Active for turning that characteristic into a camera feature. Specs-wise, that waterproof camera is the only element that justifies the creation of this brand-new S4 phone.
The 8-megapixel shooters underwater aqua mode absolutely works -- so long as the seal holds -- but its a mistake to think of the S4 Active, which is also dustproof, as a rugged or durable phone. Internals are still vulnerable behind a flimsy back panel, and "tougher" design elements are largely cosmetic. You dont buy the Active to go SCUBA diving or mountaineering; you buy it because you like a flashy design and top-tier Android features. The surge of worry-free confidence you get on beach days, hikes, and at the pool is all extra.
Beyond its design and hydrophilic camera, the Galaxy S4 Active rarely strays from the Galaxy S4 flagship phone in any meaningful way. Most other specs hold steady, which is why AT&T is charging the same asking price that it does for the 13-megapixel Galaxy S4: $199.99 retail with a two-year contract.
Those looking for a true rough n tumble smartphone will find that the Actives name oversells its outdoorsy abilities. But if its a fun, slightly sturdier S4 experience you want, youll find it here.
Also: Check out how the Actives specs compare to the entire five-phone Galaxy S4 lineup.
Just how Active is it?
As it turns out, the S4 Active isnt really a rugged phone.
Unlike your typical durable handset, theres very little extra reinforcement for protecting edges, and while slightly less glossy and slick, theres no real grip on the Actives backing. Yes, harder, more rubbery accent pieces frame the top and bottom edge on the phones back, but they stop short of encasing the phones front corners and edges. Decorative "screws" lend an edgy look but appear to serve no function.
The elements-fighting magic takes shape in a flap that plugs into the Micro-USB slot (the reinforced headset jack apparently needs no protection), and a rubbery gasket beneath the flimsy back cover seals in gaps to keep essential components from accumulating particles and droplets.
However, youd better make darn sure that charging flap is secure, that the back cover is firmly in place, and that youve pressed down firmly on the AT&T logo on the back to complete the seal. Otherwise, youll wind up with a waterlogged phone that even a bag of rice might not be able to fix. And yes, I know this firsthand after drowning my first review unit.
Of course, few people peel off the back cover as much as I do, so most aqua mode users are only going to really have to worry about the charger ports seal.
Even after you successfully dunk the phone, keep in mind that the S4 Actives IP67 ratings clear it for dives up to a meter under the surface -- thats a little over 3 feet -- and for up to 30 minutes. Any longer than that and it still may work, but youre starting to play with fire.
All that said, using the Actives aqua mode was a ton of fun, and Id absolutely take it into the drink for a quick, casual snorkel and keep it handy at a pool party. I assess the S4 Actives underwater performance into the camera section below, so keep reading!
Design and build
Ill go ahead and say it: I love the Galaxy S4 Actives physical navigation buttons and flashy colors -- teal, orange, and OK, a more buttoned-up gray. In fact, Id take it over the Galaxy S4 flagship design any day. I just wish Samsung had gone ahead and added a physical camera shutter button along the spine to match all those navigation keys.
Side by side, the Active is a hair taller than the original S4: 5.5 inches tall by 2.8 wide by 0.36-inch thick. Its slim enough to carry in my pocket, but a smidge too tall to comfortably transport for long stretches. At 5.4 ounces versus 4.6, its a little heavier than the S4, too.
Youll see more differences when you flip the phones over to see their backsides. In addition to its aforementioned rubber bumpers, the camera and flash modules are more squared than the S4s more rounded mounts. The power and volume buttons are also thicker and easier to press, and the headset jack is quietly waterproofed.
Youll find one more difference when you look at the 5-inch touch screen, and thats use of an LCD panel on the S4 Active rather than Samsungs usual AMOLED display. LCD colors tend to be less juicy and more natural, but the screen technology can also achieve greater brightness, a theoretical benefit for outdoorsy types. In practice, both screens will get you squinting and shading the screen in bright daylight.
OS and apps
As with the Galaxy S4, the Active runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean as its operating system, topped by Samsungs proprietary TouchWiz interface.
There are a few little omissions, like the dual-shot mode on the GS4s camera, for instance, and a setting to turn the LED flash into a flashlight you can turn on when the screen is off. A persistent flashlight is definitely useful for for outdoor activities like camping, but its also handy for a whole lot of indoor scenarios, too.
For a rundown of the GS4 familys OS features, read more in the full Galaxy S4 review.
Aqua mode
Aqua mode is the Actives real killer feature, but it comes with caveats. I learned about these after spending hours with the device in two different pools.
To get started, you select Aqua mode from the list of camera modes before taking a dunk, and choose whether youre converting the volume button to a still shutter button or to video. Why? Because touch screens dont work well when submerged; I tried it just to see what would happen.
You forget this, though, which is natural, and sometimes youll even be able to monkey with the on-screen controls while the screen is above water. This reckless behavior usually resulted in me inadvertently zooming in on people or starting up video when I really wanted to take a still. Oh well, thats what deleting is for.
Underwater image quality was hit or miss. Theres no focus in Aqua mode, so youve got to adapt and adjust yourself around the fixed focus. Thatll make you miss some shots for sure, but take enough and youre bound to get something you can work with.
Making matters more frustrating, the screen -- and therefore your subject -- is barely visible underwater, so theres a little guesswork concerning where to aim the Active and how long to keep clicking. Since the lens is all the way at the top of the phone (the far left or right as you hold it in landscape mode), thats a little more mental math to do until you get used to things.