While, during these past several months, the Samsung Galaxy S5 has been one of the main attractions of the mobile world, the main topic of discussion now tends to shift towards the Korean tech giant’s upcoming smartphones, rather than its current lineup. This reflects the fact that the latest leaks and rumors indicate that Samsung is working on at least one intriguing spinoff based on its flagship model. We’ve come to call one of these upcoming devices the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active, and for good reason. There have been reports indicating that Sammy might be working on a sequel to the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active since back in 2013, and those reports have now started gaining some real momentum.
In other words, a lot of digital ink has been spilled recently on account of the so-called Samsung Galaxy S5 Active. While the smartphone’s exact release date remains uncertain, the amount of leaks and rumors surrounding this device make it all but official. Today we’re going to round up the most relevant and interesting bits of information concerning the Active.
Features and Specifications
One of the biggest questions concerning the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is how the smartphone will differentiate itself from the ongoing flagship phone. After all, the SGS5 boasts an IP67 certification, making it just as dust and water resistant as last year’s Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.
To begin with, the SGS5 Active is now rumored to feature an IP58 or IP68 certification, which would allow it survive underwater for roughly 60 minutes – or 30 minutes longer than the regular S5. The S5 Active is also expected to be wrapped up in a different, more rugged shell that could, in theory at least, take a beating without too many issues. The smartphone has been recently spotted in both leaked press renders as well as early hands-on videos, hinting at a more industrial design language and build materials such as aluminum, durable plastic, and rubber.
In terms of hardware specifications, the S5 Active seems to borrow most of its internals from its older sibling. As such, the device is expected to pack a Snapdragon 801 MSM8974-AC SoC boasting four Krait 400 cores clocked at a frequency of 2.5 GHz, an Adreno 330 graphics chip and 2 GB of RAM. Earlier this month the gadget has also popped-up in the GFXBench database, and judging by the information laid out on those spec sheets, the S5 Active will feature a 5.2-inch display instead of a 5.1-inch panel. However, the smartphone’s display dimensions are still not set in stone, and while some sources suggest that the panel will measure 5.1 inches, others claim that the device will pack a 5.2-inch screen panel. Whatever the case, the handset will supposedly retain the 1080 x 1920 resolution, and as such, it will be capable of delivering roughly the same pixel density as its non-rugged counterpart.
The Active also appears to boast a 16 MP main camera which may be identical to Galaxy S5′s ISOCELL sensor, but then again, various sources who have apparently gotten their hands on working Active units have reported that the smartphone is taking advantage of an OIS-enabled (optical image stabilization) camera. If this is indeed the case, then the Active might either feature a completely different non-ISOCELL sensor, or it could boast an update version of Samsung’s sensor.
Another area where the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active appears to be differentiating itself from the Galaxy S5 is the software. Based on what we’ve seen in an early hands-on video with what appears a pre-production unit, the Active comes with a new application called “Activity Zone.” This app works in conjunction with a physical “Active Key” which is found on the left edge of the smartphone. While the key can be set to have various functions, a press of the button will bring, by default, the new Activity Zone app in the foreground. In turn, Activity zone gives the user quick access to a handful of new features, such as a barometer and a compass.
One last thing that it’s worth noting is the fact that the Active doesn’t seem to pack a fingerprint sensor. Instead, the gadget features a similar hardware button configuration as last year’s model.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Active – Availability
So far the most extensively leaked Galaxy S5 Active model has been for AT&T, bearing the model number SM-G870A. This model number has been linked with the Galaxy S5 Active on numerous occasions before, and it’s even been spotted at the FCC, showcasing LTE bands that are AT&T-friendly.
Whether or not the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active will be launched exclusively through AT&T at first remains to be seen. Thankfully, there have also been rumors coming from the famous insider @evleaks, suggesting that the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active (or “Sport” as it may be called in certain parts) will also be made available on Sprint’s network as the “SM-G860P,” and in Bell Canada’s stores under the model number “SM-G870W.”
As for when the smartphone will become official, there’s not a lot of concrete information to go by, but gadget enthusiasts around the world expect the handset to make an appearance during the upcoming “Galaxy Premiere” press event held in New York on June 12. Until then, feel free to share your thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active, and let us know if the features it will allegedly bring to the table would be enough to persuade you to buy it.
Vlad Andrici is editor for gforgames.com and writes about technology issues. Follow Vlad on Google Plus.