Samsung Galaxy S5 Active

Like the S4, the Samsung Galaxy S5 has an Active declination. A version of "enhanced" Who is the most athletic and adventurers of us, or most awkward.
To protect a smartphone from scratches, splashes and shocks, good protective shell is the least of it. In return, the whole is generally heavier and bulky. Difficult to find a balance, because it really is not truly rugged phones and the strongest mobile rarely smartphones.
Combine the best of both worlds, yet it is the intention of Samsung Galaxy S5 with its Active. It offers pretty much the same high-end features that the Galaxy S5, the more strength, and all for the dimensions roughly similar. But beware, the Active mention does not imply unbreakable nor complete water tightness. The mobile is simply stronger than S5 and is intended primarily for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. For the latter, the Samsung smartphone highlights its arsenal of sensors dedicated to physical exercise, such as heart rate monitor, compass, torch .... It also has physical buttons are easier to handle in bad conditions (humidity, sweat, gloves ...). However, when it comes to withstand immersion in water and also dust, it is not better than the S5 is now able to withstand these stresses.
In use, the Active S5 suffers from some minor defects. First, it is not covered with a non-slip surface and can slide hands like any phone. Then on the photo, it also regrets the lack of specific modes of action or scenes in nature. The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active has everything a great classic smartphone, with the difference that directly incorporates the shell that protects it.


Robust design


 



The Galaxy S5 Active is a little larger and wider than the Galaxy S5, with plastic reinforced corners to the test blows and clashes. Its sides dishes are provided with grooves, the back is also flat. The smartphone comes in three colors (green camouflage, red, gray). The physical navigation keys and volume are significant, but the rubber material who dressed the flanks of the S4 Active conspicuously absent on the S5 Active. Overall, the phone grabs less than its predecessor. It also lacks some colors like blue and orange, and the rounded back of the S4 Active that well plastered against the palm of the hand.
In front, three physical buttons are very practical. A long press of the home button displays the Google search and a double pressure triggers voice commands. When multiple applications or windows are activated, long pressing the back button will bring up a browser window displaying all items. Only drawback induced by these physical buttons: the lack of a fingerprint sensor on the home button to unlock the phone.

On the left flank and the right smartphone, are respectively a small volume control button and a start / stop button. The top of the mobile terminal hosts a mini audio jack and an infrared module. At the bottom of the phone, a mini USB resistant to water is present.

 

Just like on the Galaxy S5, camera module with a 16 megapixel sensor is available at the back of the phone, another is 2 megapixel front. The heart rate sensor is also present near the LED flash. For decoration, Samsung has added four small screws imitations at each corner on the back, just to show that the phone is enhanced.
If the Active S5 is slightly larger than the S5, it is also heavier and sinks deeper into the pocket. So the Active Galaxy S5 displays the dimensions of 145 x 73 x 9 mm 170g, against 72.5 x 142 x 8.1 mm and 145 g for the Galaxy S5.
On the software side, if you know the operating system, applications, and other overlays Galaxy S5, there will be no surprises with his active version. Android 4.4 KitKat include the TouchWiz surchouche and some applications like Beats Music.
"Active Key", a handy asset

 

In terms of features, the Active S5 has a real advantage over Active Galaxy S4, and even S5. It has an option called "Enable Key". Just touch it to display a toolkit practices. To start the camera, simply keep the pressure on the Active Key. A short press, displays the atmospheric pressure, altitude and geographic coordinates. There are also shortcuts to light the torch or start a stopwatch. The power of the torch can be set and it is also possible to make flash to send messages in Morse code! This space can be customized. It is thus possible to add some sports monitoring applications or related to health as RunKeeper or S-Health.
Camera, video and performance

Active S5 uses the camera module 16 megapixel Samsung Galaxy S5 with its pre-programmed shooting modes and filters. It is capable of recording video sequences UHD (Ultra HD / 4K) up to 2160p (Full HD 1080p mode is enabled by default by default). The front 2.1 megapixel sensor is intended primarily to selfies. Moreover, it applies a filter designed to highlight the face. It is possible to adjust or disable the special effect. Inside, there is a quadruple heart Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chip clocked at 2.5 GHz. This amp does not affect that much the battery of 2800 mAh. During our test, the phone held for 15 hours before the battery waned.
Telephony side, the corresponding receive calls with the clarity of sound and quality are outstanding. Only a slight distortion and a slight noise in the background are sometimes present. Nothing insurmountable though. In hands-free mode with the speaker in the discussions, the sound is excellent. It does not issue the echo effect that is usually found. Thus, the caller's voice is present instead of being distant and weak. When the volume is large, the phone delivers a sound that vibrates the phone. The side of the party, the difference is not significant. Only the echo of normal surrounding noise is noticeable.

An "Active" for what "active"?

 

the Galaxy S5 Active leaves a little hungry. Certainly it is reinforced at the corners and Many bear the falls, and the drops of water, drank icts hull: has a problem grip for easy handling. For MOST athletes, features as a barometer, compass are convenient, but not essential. That Said, it is not reserved only to Outdoor Enthusiasts, since it is feasible to customize the Active Key in order to display --other applications. Unlike icts predecessor, qui Was distinguished from S4 to His reinforcements, resistance to dust and water, the difference is less marked with the S5 Active. Aside from Adding a reinforced hull for Active version of the Galaxy S5 est designed to resist water and dust. Active S5 HOWEVER HAS Some advantages for a price equivalent to S5, if only for appearance icts That stands out.