Skip to main content

Samsung targets the Xperia Z, announces the new, waterproof Galaxy S4 Active

Galaxy S4 ActiveCheck out our review of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active smartphone.

Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy S4 Active smartphone, ready to take on the Sony Xperia Z and Xperia ZR. The phone has been rumored for a while and previously expected to be unveiled at the company’s June 20 show in London, leaving us wondering what the company has left for the event.

Aimed at people who, “focus on living life to the fullest,” according to Samsung, the S4 Active is probably more likely to be purchased by those who focus on being a bit clumsy, as the case has been stamped with an IP67 rating, making it waterproof to a depth of one meter for 30 minutes, and resistant to harmful dust particles. The S4 Active has a slightly chunkier body than the regular Galaxy S4, measuring 9.1mm at its thickest point compared to the S4’s 7.9mm. It’s also heavier, as it weighs 151 grams, which is 20 grams more than the standard S4.

But the question on many people’s lips will be has Samsung altered the internal specs of the S4 Active, or has it truly made a competitor to the Sony Xperia Z? The answer is, almost. The S4 Active retains the 1.9GHz quad-core processor seen in most Galaxy S4 smartphones, and the screen still measures 5-inches and has a 1080p resolution. It’s not a Super AMOLED panel though, and Samsung’s press releases calls it simply a TFT LCD. The camera has been downgraded to 8-megapixels, but it does come with an Aqua Mode for improved underwater shots, similar to Sony’s Xperia ZR.

Galaxy S4 Active Blue OrangeAndroid 4.2, TouchWiz, and lots of software features

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean is the operating system, and whole host of Samsung features are included in the TouchWiz user interface, including Air View, Air Gesture, Smart Pause, Smart Scroll, S Health and S Translator. The screen can also be used with gloved hands, which could be handy if the S4 Active is used as Samsung intends.

There’s only one version of the S4 Active listed, and it comes with 16GB of internal memory (of which Samsung says 11GB is available for use), plus it has 4G LTE connectivity, a 2-megapixel video call camera, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, and the same 2600mAh battery cell found in the Galaxy S4. What’s not clear is if it’s removable, something which may be unlikely due to the S4 Active’s waterproof nature.

The Galaxy S4 has proven insanely popular already, and while the Xperia Z has also been doing very well, anyone wanting a high-end waterproof phone now has a second choice. We’d imagine Sony will be a little concerned about the S4 Active, despite the Xperia Z beating it on paper in several ways, particularly as it has been struggling to find carrier support in the U.S. for the device.

Samsung will be putting the S4 Active on sale this summer, and initially it’ll be coming to the U.S. and Sweden, with other countries to follow. You’ll be able to buy the phone in three colors, grey, blue or orange, but the price hasn’t been stated.

Editors' Recommendations

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Best Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra deals: How to get the phone for free
Close-up view of the cameras on the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Despite the recent release of the Samsung S24 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a powerhouse smartphone worth considering. Right now is also one of the best times to buy a new Galaxy S23 Ultra, as it becoming a generation older has ushered in some really impressive Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra deals. You’ll find these deals scattered across all kinds of retailers, so we’ve done the heavy lifting of organizing all of them in one place. The best Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra deals include some massive savings through sales and trade-in credits, so keep reading for more details on which retail outlet may net you the most savings on a new Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra deals at Amazon

Amazon is offering a 14% discount on the 512GB version of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, bringing the price from $1,380 to $1,199. That's a savings of nearly $200 to get the new phone. This version of the phone is unlocked for all carriers, so you have the freedom to use whatever plan you choose with it.

Read more
TORRAS Ostand series for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra adds features and it’s on sale
TORRAS Ostand Series case for Galaxy S24 Ultra used outdoors

Your new phone needs a case, but why settle for any boring old case? TORRAS makes a point of delivering truly functional, next-level cases for various mobile devices, including Samsung's brand-new Galaxy S24 Ultra. The case in question is called the Ostand series, and it has been painstakingly designed to enhance your mobile experience and even add to it. Allow us to explain. It introduces unique lens protection technology to keep the quality telephoto lens on the S24 Ultra safe and protected while still maintaining full clarity. You get gorgeous, pro-grade pictures, plus you can use the built-in 360-degree rotating case stand to get unique shots -- you can take photographs with the stability of a tripod. That's not all. It works well with Samsung's smart note-taking features, protects the speakers from dust and debris while preserving audio quality, adopts a subtle curved design to match the S24 Ultra's unique display, and much more. As TORRAS boldly claims, it's "more than a case." Why not take it for a spin or keep reading to learn what else it can do? Spoiler: It’s not just a case!
Order Now
 
Why you need the TORRAS Ostand Series case for your Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Featuring a lightweight titanium alloy exterior that's both lighter and more manageable than its predecessor, the Samsung S24 Ultra sets the bar for ultra-portable phones. But when you slap a case on it, at least usually, that all goes away. Not with TORRAS' Ostand series, as it emphasizes lightness and slimness. The phone still feels lightweight and enjoyable but looks as stunning as it does without any protection. More importantly, the Ostand series case is the perfect companion for your S24 Ultra, and here's why:

Read more
Best Samsung Galaxy S22 deals: Save big on unlocked models
The back of the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus.

Samsung recently released the Samsung Galaxy S24, and one of the best times to get yourself some savings on outgoing models is right after a new product release. That makes the Samsung Galaxy S22 a hot commodity when it comes to landing a deal right now, as it's the new "old" device and there are a lot of Samsung Galaxy S22 deals available to pounce on. It’s been a popular phone for quite some time and still can compete with the hardware we’re seeing in many of the best phones. You’ll be able to find Galaxy S22 deals at a number of different retailers, and we’ve done the heavy lifting of tracking them all down and putting them in one place. Read onward for the current best Samsung Galaxy S22 deals and some information on where it’s best to buy.
Samsung Galaxy S22 deals at Samsung

Samsung will be the first place to go to if you're looking for discounts on the Samsung Galaxy S22. The unlocked version of the 128GB model is still going for its retail price of $700, but you can get up to $525 off by trading in your current smartphone. This drops its price to just $175 if you get a full trade-in value, and that credit can also go toward the Samsung Galaxy S22+, which is regularly priced at $1,000.

Read more