And Here I Though It was Final The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active

A few post ago I mention how Samsung solve the issue of having two versions of the same flagship Smartphone baring almost the same specs but with difference characteristic. So like many reviewer and watcher we were very contented when we say it with finality of sort, that Samsung’s latest flagship the Samsung Galaxy S5 combined both the best quality of its preview predecessor the Samsung galaxy S4 and S4 Active. But it turns out that we were wrong, as Samsung announce the release of Galaxy S5 Active under the AT&T banners for some reason.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is more rugged as compared to its S4 active predecessor and its S5 counterpart which have S4 active’s IP rating. Specs wise, as compared to then S4 and S4 active whose difference is very noticeable, these latest flagship installment both the S5 and S5 active sport almost the same stuff under the hood.  Both units comes with IP ratings making it dust and water resistant but the S5 active goes beyond the S5 in term of protection as it comes with a MIL-STD-810G certification which basically means salt, dust, humidity, rain, vibration, solar radiation, transport and thermal shock resistant, throw in the regular IP rating similar to its brother the S5 and you’ll get quite a mouth full.

Rugged Smartphones are on a silent rampage in recent years more or less, Sony made IP rating as a standard to all of its high end smartphones, Samsung followed with its release of the S5 and now with the release of the S5 Active with its MIL-STD certified it hope to move even further along that line. But did it actually move even further? The fact is not to many people know about rugged smartphone or at the very least kin on buying one, probably because these rugged Smartphone aren’t what we call house hold brands and some of these ruggedized gadget like the Cat B15 series as an example don’t seem to have that edge we usually find among high end brands with all its bell and whistles.  Yet it seems Samsung notice it with a grin smile and exploit it far better than those who were there before them. Which is no surprise, as Samsung usual MODOS is to build as many variations of smartsphone for all imaginable classes.

So the next question is. Well it hold to, day to day use?

My personal answer would be ‘’Probably’’ to be fair I don’t think Samsung would have it on print that it’s a full pledge rugged as can be smartphone for obvious reason “just in case”. I lot of people seem to question the toughness of this unit, honestly speaking I never really have a chance to actually hold it. I did observe something about the unit that may prove doubters right.  Anyway, if you compare rugged smartphone  already available in the market to Samsung’s S5 Active you’ll notice that the tough ones have screws or some kind of locking system at the back cover, this extra locking system maybe cumbersome in some cases but provide extreme protection for the unit. The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active’s back cover however does not have any features one can associate to a full pledge rugged smarthphones, and as a fact the 4 studs, one can see at the back cover are just aesthetic. The back cover does have a rubber lining which seals the sensitive part from any water incursions, but sense the locking system of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is just a matter of pressing the thing until it clicks, it does not provide any assurance of extreme protection despite the fact that it is IP 67 rated and a MIL-STD-810G certified to booth which leads me to ask “What is all that stuff for?” if Samsung can’t properly seal the thing. It is more likely that in an event you drop the poor thing on a hard surface with just a few centimeters of water particularly in a moving stream like what we usually experience on the city street on a heavy to moderate downpour or even if its just a puddle on concrete, there is a huge chance that water may sip into the unit due to the absence of proper locking system at the back cover.

Exclusive for who?

For some reason Samsung  S5 Active is exclusively distributed under AT&T, as for any mention of an open unit don’t expect any.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active was primarily built for those kind of people who think the world is there personal living room. In short, the S5 active is outdoors men’s wet dream device. But before you start dishing out your cash best to check out what other reviewers who actually put the unit through it phases and decide from there. As far as I know the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is the only high end Smartphone that comes close to being actually rugged, in terms of specs it only has slight differences with the S5 and it has something to do with the way it is built. For me the only disappointing thing about it is its halfhearted build as I mention earlier. Best to note is that Samsung won’t call it a rugged Smartphone on paper despite the look, the rating and certification, again I personally think it’s a shame of having those IP ratings and MIL-STD certified if it cant live up to consumer expectation or even simple assumption.

Usually I would post spec for this unit, but I find prudent not to, until it’s available in the country. That is to say If it’s made available in the country. Personally I’m keener with the upcoming note 4, provided it has what I’m looking for….. that is full pledge rugged or at the very least sport a removable batteries like the BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo (duo) and the Note 3 LTE.