We live in such a wonderful time when you can choose from secure smartphones. I have always loved such devices, but in the past, when buying them, I always had to make a compromise to one degree or another. For example, I had a Nokia 5500, I bought it precisely because of its protective qualities. But this smartphone, even at that time, had an incredibly small display. Until recently, all that you could buy for yourself from waterproof and dustproof devices were devices with very modest characteristics, but in 2013 the situation changed. Today we are looking at the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Active - practically a copy of the S4 (which is already good), which is not afraid of either dust or water.
I’ll start this note with a short photo shoot of a smartphone - a photo sketch where the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Active is placed in its usual habitat. Enjoy!
In fact, it’s surprising that the hardware of the Active was practically not cut down, except that the camera became simpler. Look at the other Galaxy S 4 - Mini and Zoom, they are the same from S 4 - only in name! Both one and the second are noticeably inferior in performance (we are not yet saying whether they are inferior or not in usability, just numbers), so after the first rumors appeared that Samsung would soon release a secure version of the S 4, I was sure that it would be the S 3 in a moisture- and dust-proof case. But that didn’t happen, and that makes me extremely happy. Moreover, the new product, in my opinion, is in some ways even superior to the original model.
I'll start with the first difference, and that's the design. If you are fed up with everyone's design modern models smartphones and Samsung tablets, this is definitely the place for you. The Galaxy S 4 Active is radically different, from the very appearance to the materials. On the case there were plugs above the screws, rubberized surfaces, and control keys became mechanical. The smartphone is entirely made of plastic: in some places it is, as I said, rubberized, in others it is almost glossy, but the device does not make you feel like a toy, it does not look like a soap dish. Initially there were rumors that the back cover would be metal, but it is plastic, and now I understand why. Firstly, the weight - the smartphone is already heavier than the original model (151 g versus 130 g). Secondly, the design - it involves a flexible cover material without memory; it is the tightly latched back cover that does not allow moisture to penetrate inside. Metal does not have such properties; the closing mechanism would have to be changed.
The cover is the glossiest part of the smartphone, but it is not the same plastic that we see in other models. He doesn't collect stains and looks clean all the time. But the best part is that there are no on-screen keys, no sub-screen touch keys, or any other perversion. The Galaxy S 4 Active has three hardware buttons that can only be pressed specifically. I really like this, and I realized all the charm in games when you hold the smartphone in landscape orientation and the keys are under your thumb. On all other smartphones, from time to time I pressed “Back”, then “Home”, then “Menu”. Now we remember that the hardware of the smartphone was not cut down, and we conclude that the Active is definitely better for games than the original S 4.
Among other points I liked, I would like to note the presence LED indicator above the display, as well as an uncovered headset jack. Both one and the second are very useful. The first allows you to avoid constantly pressing the unlock key to see if there are missed events. And for the second I want to express special gratitude to the engineers - unlike Sony, this smartphone is suitable for those who like to listen to music anytime, anywhere. Believe me, after Xperia Z, I know very well what it’s like to constantly pick out the plug to connect a smartphone via AUX or just plug in a headset.
The second difference from the original model is the screen. I don’t know for sure whether it’s TN or PLS, but it’s very cool, I definitely like it more than in S 4. Firstly, the structure of the pixels is the most orthodox - they are not visible at all. Secondly, the colors do not turn green, blue or stand out. Thirdly, the maximum brightness is higher, making it more convenient to work with the Active in the sun than with the S 4, whose display fades completely. Viewing angles are maximum. Screen diagonal - 5″, resolution - 1920 x 1080 pixels, pixel density - 441 ppi. At the same time, the display also has a drawback - it is less energy efficient: with the same battery capacity, the device lasts a little less. In practice this is noticeable, although the difference is quite small.
In terms of other elements on the body, everything is similar to the S 4, even the IR port has been retained.
Of course, the most important difference between the S 4 and S 4 Active is the latter’s resistance to water and dust. The smartphone is protected according to the IP 67 standard; according to its passport, it can be immersed for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter. This means that you can dive to 3 meters for 5-7 minutes: you can’t stand that much, but your smartphone can handle it. To be honest, the protection seems weak at first glance; the back cover simply snaps on, like in other smartphones. But in practice, this process requires more effort, which means that the rubber seal is pressed tightly against the body.
Why is such protection needed? For example, for taking photos and videos underwater (I'll try to take the S 4 Active with me on vacation - we'll see what happens). For going to the bath with a smartphone, to read books, watch videos, etc. And just so as not to worry about getting a smartphone in the rain - there are all sorts of situations in life. I would definitely choose a model with a protected case.
Cameras
There is no separate key for shooting, but the pre-installed software allows you to take pictures using the volume key. Among the shooting modes there is a special one for shooting underwater - “Water”. When activated, the white balance settings change slightly, autofocus is blocked, and the volume key is forced to become a manipulator for taking a picture or starting video recording. In the camera settings you can set ISO, white balance, exposure compensation and much more. Filters are also immediately available (it’s better to immediately forget about them) and 14 different modes. The main camera is 8 MP, video is recorded in 1080 p, the front one is 1.9 MP. The quality of the images is inferior to that of the S 4 (most likely, the Active has a module from the Galaxy S 3 installed). However, I can’t call the quality of the resulting photos bad or average - it’s better than the flagship LG ones. The same can be said about Sony.
Specifications and software
This is not just a copy of the Galaxy S 4, it is a copy of the LTE version of the Galaxy S 4. That is, with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor with clock frequency 1.9 GHz. This means that there will be no problems with unadapted games, at least. Of course, there are no other bugs inherent in the model with the Exynos Octa processor. I don’t know whether this will somehow affect the update speed or not, but the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Google Edition also runs on Snapdragon 600. RAM - 2 GB, for user content - 16 GB, there is a slot for Micro SD memory cards. The battery capacity is 2600 mAh, the same as in the Galaxy S 4. But, as I said above, the smartphone lasts a little less, but the battery life is still better than in many other flagships.
- Dimensions: 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm.
- Weight: 151 g.
- operating system : Android 4.2.2 JB.
- CPU: Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, 1.9 GHz.
- Graphic arts: Adreno 320.
- Display: TFT, 5″, 1920 × 1080.
- Memory: 16 GB flash expandable (Micro SD up to 64 GB)
- RAM: 2 GB.
- Camera: main - 8 MP, video recording in 1080p, front - 1.9 MP.
- Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0.
- Interface connectors: 3.5mm headphone jack, Micro USB(OTG support).
- Battery: Li-Pol battery 2600 mAh.
The Galaxy S 4 Active has the latest version of Android - 4.2.2 JB, on top of it - a new version TouchWiz - Nature UX. In principle, that’s all, so I won’t repeat myself.
Conclusion
As you understand, this is not even a review, but rather impressions, because the smartphone is completely identical to the S 4, which is very good. Moreover, the version of S 4 that supports LTE has a Snapdragon 600 processor. I am 100% sure that of the two Galaxy S 4 I would choose this one, even if its camera is a little simpler. But there is another model -
Contents of delivery:
- Samsung i9295
- Battery
- Wired stereo headset
- Network adapter and USB cable
- User guide
- Warranty card
Introduction
Samsung has been actively trying to promote its sometimes controversial devices over the past couple of years, which are becoming quite popular in the future. I think no one will argue with me that after the launch of the “shovel” called Galaxy Note All other manufacturers, in the wake of the popularity of the model, also began to make similar “plafonds”. Last year, Samsung launched a hybrid of an Android device and a camera camera (by the way, the camera has a good 21x zoom). I won’t say that the device has become popular, but it definitely found a certain audience of users. This year the Galaxy Camera appeared: this time a full-fledged smartphone with a powerful 10x optical zoom. By the way, all this functions on fairly productive hardware. The only unfilled niche remained in the segment of protected gadgets in the high price category, so Samsung decided to slightly modify the flagship Galaxy S4 and launch it on wide sale. Frankly speaking, from the S4 Active, perhaps only part of the name, the shell and the battery remained. The rest underwent a slight downgrade. Everything was done correctly, otherwise no one would have chosen the original S4, if there is the same one, only with IP67 protection, and even made of matte plastic and having a slightly more brutal appearance.
I’ll try not to lengthen the review, since in this model it’s important to know about the case materials, screen and performance. It makes sense to indicate certain differences from the S4, since at the same cost it will be relatively difficult for a potential buyer to decide on one or another Galaxy model.
Design, dimensions, control elements
Finally, Samsung has moved away from the same type of plastic glossy soap dish cases and made a truly masculine, rather brutal-looking smartphone. I have a feeling it won't be for long, we're sadly waiting - with the Galaxy Note 3 in the same style as the original S4.
The dimensions relative to the Samsung i9500 have increased: 139x71x9.1 mm versus the compact and thin “four” - 136x69x7.9 mm. It seems that, judging by the numbers, the changes have been minor, but in your hand you still feel that the Active is clearly inferior in ergonomics to the S4. In addition, the latter weighs only 130 grams, and the “active” - 153 grams. Again the difference is small, but the i9295 is more massive. In general, it’s a matter of taste: some people prefer something bigger and heavier, so that the phone feels more clearly in their hands; some people like it lighter, a little smaller. Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S4, precisely because of its light weight, thickness and height. In winter, such “shovels” can still be hidden in a jacket pocket, but in summer it is more difficult. I can't imagine what future users will do Sony Xperia Z Ultra:)
Unfortunately, the Samsung people were never able to step over themselves and imagine new device with metal elements. Remember how everyone expected the Samsung Ativ S to have an iron back cover. But no, it’s plastic again. Likewise, the Galaxy S4 Active is all plastic. Another issue is quality: if the S4 is made of relatively light and bendable material, the S4 Active is made of more “oaky” plastic, especially the chrome-plated sides, which partially form the rim on the front panel. It is protected by durable second-generation Corning Gorilla Glass (by the way, the S4 is covered with third-generation glass!) I didn’t notice any difference: both were not damaged at all over a long period of use.
The upper and lower inserts are made of black soft-touch plastic (embossed) and decorated with four metal plugs at the ends. The back panel is semi-gloss, dark gray; on top of the cover there is a small pattern in the form of a light gray honeycomb.
In general, the design of the Samsung Active is quite original, but the weight and size parameters are not for everyone.
On top of the front panel there are light and proximity sensors, a front camera and a speaker covered with a metal chrome mesh. The sensors work correctly, no questions arise. The speaker has a high volume, and during a conversation you can adjust the level not only standard means, but also activate the special “Additional Volume” function. It seems to me that it does not increase the volume, but rather makes the interlocutor’s voice seem closer to the ear, the sound becomes a little more natural and richer. Overall, the speaker is of high quality, I liked it. However, unlike the original S4, the Active speaker has a slightly duller sound.
Below the screen there are three large mechanical buttons (Back, Home, Menu), separated by small partitions. The stroke is quite soft, the pressure is medium hard.
At the bottom end there is a microphone and microUSB, closed with a rubberized plug. It holds tightly, and during use it never opened on its own, nor did water penetrate.
On the left there is a thin ribbed volume rocker button, on the right there is a button of the same type, but slightly smaller, that turns the device on/off; it also serves as an unlock/lock screen. The location is convenient, just under the thumb of the right hand.
An infrared port, a second microphone and a standard 3.5 mm jack are on the top end.
There is a speaker on the back side speakerphone, covered with a metal mesh, an LED flash and a camera framed by a strip of metal and slightly rising above the body.
Despite being protected from dust and moisture (immersion in water 1 meter for 30 minutes), the back cover is very thin and can be easily removed if you pry it behind a special recess on the left. There is a rubber pad inside the perimeter of the lid. I didn’t try to drown the Samsung Active in the seas and oceans, but the device lay in a bathtub at a depth of 30 centimeters for about an hour. It still works, no problems. The main thing is to make sure once again that the USB is closed and the cover is tightly latched onto the case.
Under the socket on the left there is a slot for a microSDHC memory card, on the right – a microSIM.
Comparative sizes:
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and Galaxy S4
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and HTC One
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and Meizu MX2
Display
Just like the original Samsung Galaxy S4, the Galaxy S4 Active has a screen diagonal of 5 inches, physical size 62x110 mm, matrix resolution is also the same - 1080x1920 pixels (FullHD), density 441 pixels per inch. This is where the general screen parameters end. The display of Samsung S4 is made using technology Super Amoled, but the Samsung S4 Active already uses a PLS matrix. Of course there is a difference:
- PLS screen is not as colorful as Super Amoled
- Viewing angles are slightly smaller, although the picture is practically not distorted
- The depth of black color is naturally worse, i.e. matrix glow is observed
Oddly enough, the Active display also behaves slightly worse in the sun than the S4 display. The latter benefits from high contrast and, possibly, a smaller thickness of the protective glass: Gorilla Glass 3, after all.
If you look at the pixels under a microscope, then the construction of points is denser on the PLS matrix. However, the human eye will not be able to see individual pixels on either the Active or S4 screen! In this regard, both smartphones have parity. I would prefer the display of the Samsung Galaxy S4.
The sensor layer is capacitive, the sensitivity is very high (there is a separate item that includes high sensitivity). Works up to 10 simultaneous touches. The touchpad does not function underwater!
Despite the different type of matrix, the Active settings still set the mode: dynamic, standard, film or optimized. The difference when switching is noticeable, but not as obvious as on the Super Amoled matrix. The rest of the parameters are the same as in the Samsung i9500.
Screen behavior of Samsung S4 and S4 Active (left) in the sun:
Checking the black depth of Samsung S4 mini (left), S4, S4 Active (right):
Angles Samsung review S4 mini (left), S4, S4 Active (right):
Battery
A removable lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery with a capacity of 2600 mAh, 3.8 V, 9.88 Wh (with built-in NFC antenna) is installed. This smartphone uses exactly the same battery that is installed in the Samsung S4.
The developers claim that the device will work for 312 hours in standby mode, and up to 17 hours in talk mode.
With 20-25 minutes of calls a day, 4-5 hours of 3G, a couple of hours of Wi-Fi, an hour of watching videos and the same amount of listening to music from Galaxy Active It was possible to squeeze out up to 10-12 hours of work from one charge.
More numbers:
- Only in talk mode the device works up to 7 hours
- Only when playing video (720p) on maximum volume with headphones and maximum screen brightness – just over 5 hours
- Only playing music in headphones at maximum volume – about 45 hours
- Games only (using NOVA3 as an example) – just over 3 hours
In general, the “lifetime” of the “active” battery is somewhat less than the lifetime of the S4.
Communication capabilities
The smartphone operates in cellular networks 2G (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (850/900/1900/2100 MHz), LTE (U/D – 50/100 Mbit/s). Speed HSDPA – up to 42 Mbit/s, HSUPA – up to 5.76 Mbit/s. Available Bluetooth version 4.0 HS (A2DP, LE, EDR).
Present wireless connection Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (chip - WCN3360). The device can be used as an access point (Wi-Fi Hotspot) and file transfer (Wi-Fi Direct).
High-speed USB 2.0 is also used for file transfer and data synchronization. When connected to a PC, the “active” is defined as a USB Flash device (MTP) or camera (PTP).
SAR value
The phone is manufactured taking into account the utmost permissible levels exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy recommended by the EU Council. These standards prohibit the sale of mobile phones whose radiation levels (called specific absorption rate, SAR) exceed 2.0 watts per kilogram of body weight. During testing (information provided by Samsung), the maximum SAR for this model was: 0.264 W/kg near the head, 0.358 W/kg near the body.
When in use, the actual SAR values of the device are significantly lower than the values stated above. This is because in order for the system to operate efficiently and reduce the impact on the network, operating power mobile device is automatically reduced if the call does not require full power. The lower the device's power output, the lower the SAR value.
Memory and memory card
As befits a powerful flagship device, 2 GB is installed here random access memory. Just over 1 GB free. Built-in memory is 16 GB, available for installing applications and storing data about 11 GB. Of course, there is a slot for a microSDHC memory card. The maximum volume can be 64 GB.
Camera
The Galaxy Active has two camera modules: 8 MP (with autofocus, F2.6, 33 mm) and 2 MP (front, without autofocus, for video calls). There is a single-section LED flash. The original Galaxy S4 uses a completely different 13 MP module.
The photo quality on the i9295 is comparable to the photo quality on the Samsung Galaxy S2, possibly at the level of the Galaxy S3: a somewhat “soapy” picture, faded colors, low sharpness, and a rather noisy matrix. If we compare frames on Active and S4, the latter leaves the former far behind, i.e. The pictures on the S4 are much better.
Comparison in insufficient conditions Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 Active:
The device records video in FullHD resolution at 30 fps. The quality is excellent, the sound is stereo, clear.
Front-camera Capable of shooting 2 MP photos and 1080x1920 pixel video at 30 fps.
EXIF information from a photo file
Video file characteristics:
- File Format: MP4
- Video codec: AVC, 17 Mbit/s
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080, 30 fps
- Audio codec: AAC, 128 Kbps
- Channels: 2 channels, 48 KHz
Examples of photos taken with the main camera:
Example of a photo taken with the front camera:
Performance
The flagship smartphone Galaxy S4 operates on two different chips - Exynos 5 Octa and Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T, while the Galaxy S4 Active runs only on APQ8064T. Krait 300 processor (1.9 GHz, quad-core), 28 nm process technology, ARMv7. Adreno 320 is responsible for graphics.
Frankly speaking, I didn’t notice the difference between Octa and Snapdragon, i.e. Most of the tasks are performed in exactly the same way: applications, toys, working with the camera, video, shell. During my “use” I did not encounter any glitches or freezes, lags or bugs - a very fast smartphone!
The main speaker has high volume, light bass sound, and sounds clear. If you cover the speaker, the volume will drop by 40-50%.
This model also does not have an FM receiver. It's a shame.
Video player. There is a separate shortcut in the phone menu that links to launching the video file manager. The player “understands” H264, Xvid, DivX codecs and formats AVI files, MP4, MKV, WMV. The video player plays videos in resolutions up to 1080p. To support other video and audio formats, you should install a third-party player.
Conclusion
The conclusions are very simple: if you need powerful smartphone, protected from dust and moisture, and for some reason you don’t like “Sonev” devices, then be sure to take a closer look at the Galaxy Active. Otherwise, it makes sense to buy the Sony Xperia Z: it is also protected, elegant, thin and light, with a slightly more interesting camera and a slightly lower price (“gray” ones can still be found from 18,000 rubles).
If you are not going to drown your phone in a puddle (aka sea/ocean) or play with it in the sandbox, then run for the original Samsung Galaxy S4 - the coolest camera, contrast screen, light and compact.
Pros of Samsung Galaxy Active:
- IP67 protection
- Performance
- High quality build
- High-quality screen matrix
- Loud speech and polyphonic speakers
- Smooth interface
Cons of Samsung Galaxy Active:
- Somewhat large in size and weight (compared to the Galaxy S4)
- Average photo quality
- Short operating time
- Lack of FM radio
Characteristics:
- Class: smartphone
- Form factor: monoblock
- Case materials: plastic
- Operating system: Google Android 4.2.2
- Processor: 4 cores, 1.9 GHz, Snapdragon APQ8064T
- RAM: 2 GB
- Data storage memory: 16 GB
- Interfaces: Wi-Fi (b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB connector (USB 2.0) for charging/synchronization, 3.5 mm for headset,
- Screen: capacitive, IPS 5"" with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels
- Camera: main 8 MP with autofocus, video recorded in 1080p, front 2 MP, LED flash
- Navigation: GPS
- Additionally: accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, IR port, LTE, IP67
- Battery: removable, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) capacity 2600 mAh
- Dimensions: 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm
- Weight: 153 g
- Price: about 30,000 rubles (Q2-3)
Roman Belykh (
Flagship model with protection against water and dirt
Based on the impressive sales results of its flagship Galaxy S4, the Korean company Samsung decided not to stop there. Having realized that they need to exploit the name of their most successful product to the end, the Koreans have already created a whole pool of devices included in the Galaxy S family. In addition to the main smartphone, which itself, as you know, has two varieties based on different hardware platforms, There will also be a smaller version called the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, and a protected version of the Galaxy S4 Active for people leading an active lifestyle, and even a “pure” Google Phone - a version of the same smartphone, only now with modified software. Such a smartphone will be delivered completely devoid of both the proprietary TouchWiz shell and other software improvements from Samsung itself. We will tell you about a smaller “copy”, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, very soon - we already have the model in our hands and are passing all the necessary tests. Today we will look at a protected version called the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, which the company launches on the market in July following the rest of the “relatives” of the original S4.
In the pictures: a protected Samsung Galaxy S4 Active next to original Galaxy S4.
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About security
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active smartphone, provided with protection from dust and moisture according to the IP67 standard, is obviously conceived as a competing alternative to products from the Japanese Sony, which almost single-handedly holds the segment of top-end rugged smartphones for now. Before this, of course, it was also possible to find protected Cell phones, but among them only one device is a full-fledged smartphone - Galaxy Xcover/Xcover 2, but this is a completely different functional and price level. Now Samsung has decided to remind itself and that part of the audience who, for some reason, are interested in both the rich functionality and security of their mobile devices. In essence, both Sony and Samsung devices are not real “SUVs”, if only because none of the “protected” smartphones we have tested recently have even a hint of protection from falls and shocks - only from dust and water. And only fresh water - sea salt has a detrimental effect on the tightness of rubber gaskets, depriving them of elasticity. Therefore, following the automotive classification, such devices could be called more likely “SUVs” - a kind of urban pampered “SUVs” that can only be carefully lowered into fresh water and for some reason kept there for half an hour - no more.
So, the users for whom such “semi-protected” smartphones are suitable for their life activities are, rather, ordinary lovers of an active lifestyle with all the ensuing consequences, and not professionals: neither workers, nor professional athletes, much less rescuers, will need such “protected” equipment won't do. They use devices of a completely different classification in their work - devices that have been tested for compliance with the military certificate MIL-810G (Military Standard).
But be that as it may, Samsung says that the version Galaxy smartphone The S4 with the Active prefix in its name meets the IP67 protection standard, and we need to understand what this means in practice. As you know, the degree of protection of the enclosure of electrical equipment is marked using two numbers, the first of which means protection from the ingress of solid objects, and the second - from the penetration of water. IN in this case The first digit 6 means dustproof, that is full protection from contact of the inside of the shell with dust. By the way, most protected Sony smartphones It doesn't go that far: they only promise that some dust may get inside, but this will not interfere with the operation of the device. The corresponding first digit in the marking for most protected Sony devices (Xperia Z, for example) is 5. The second digit shows how well the device is protected from moisture or liquid. IPx7 rating means that the phone will continue to work and will be protected from water when submerged in fresh water to a depth of no more than 1 meter for no more than 30 minutes.
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Unfortunately, the copy of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active sent to our editorial office turned out to be not the final one at all, but just a pre-release demo sample, not intended for real testing of its protection properties. However, we found out about this much later - after we had thoroughly “bathed” our charge in the basin. This time the check was all the more relevant because, among other capabilities, the device has an underwater shooting mode - a unique “Water” mode, in which camera control automatically switches to the volume key: after all, under water touch screen becomes insensitive to touch.
By the way, our unfortunate SUV, which found itself in the wrong place at the wrong time, withstood, to our surprise, both dives and underwater photography, and did not even break down, although water certainly got inside the body, leaving behind yourself with stains under the display glass and foggy camera windows. However, the photographs taken underwater were successful, and we can even demonstrate them here. We can only imagine what beautiful underwater landscapes those who take the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active with them on vacation to distant shores will be able to decorate their photo collections with. We have proven that the smartphone is quite capable of taking photographs underwater, you just need to make sure that you have the final sample of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active in your hands, and not a pre-release copy.
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Main characteristics of Samsung Galaxy S4 Active (GT-I9295)
- SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, 1.9 GHz, 4 Krait 300 cores
- GPU Adreno 320
- operating room Android system 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
- Sensory TFT display PLS, 5″, 1920×1080, 440 ppi, support for glove control technology
- Random access memory (RAM) 2 GB, internal memory 16 GB
- MicroSD card support (up to 64 GB)
- Data transfer HSPA+ up to 42/5.7 Mbit/s (download and upload), LTE (Cat3)
- Bluetooth 4.0LE
- Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 + 5 GHz), point Wi-Fi access, Wi-Fi Direct
- DLNA, NFC, MHL, OTG, IR port
- GPS/Glonass
- Accelerometer, proximity sensor, gyroscope, digital compass, barometer, gesture sensor, ambient light sensor
- Ingress protection against moisture and dust (IP67)
- Camera 8 MP, autofocus, LED flash
- Camera 2 MP (front)
- Battery 2600 mAh
- Dimensions 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm
- Weight 151 g
| Samsung Galaxy S4 Active | Samsung Galaxy S4 | Sony Xperia Z | Sony Xperia V | |
| Screen | 5″, pls | 4.99″, SuperAMOLED | 5″, IPS? | 4.3″, VA? |
| Permission | 1920×1080, 440 ppi | 1920×1080, 441 ppi | 1920×1080, 440 ppi | 1280×720, 342 ppi |
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 @1.9 GHz (4 cores, Krait 300) | Exynos [email protected] GHz (8 cores) | Qualcomm APQ8064 @1.5 GHz (4 cores, ARMv7 Krait) | Qualcomm MSM8960 @1.5 GHz (2 cores, ARMv7 Krait) |
| RAM | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 1 GB |
| Flash memory | 16 GB | 16/32/64 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory card support | microSD | microSD | microSD | microSD |
| operating system | Google Android 4.2 | Google Android 4.2 | Google Android 4.1 | Google Android 4.0 |
| SIM format* | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Battery | removable, 2600 mAh | removable, 2600 mAh | non-removable, 2330 mAh | removable, 1700 mAh |
| Cameras | rear (8 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP) | rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP) | rear (12 MP; video - 1080p), front (0.3 MP) | |
| Dimensions | 140×71×9.1 mm, 151 g | 137×70×7.9 mm, 130 g | 139×71×7.9 mm, 146 g | 129×65×10.7 mm, 120 g |
* The most common SIM card formats are described in a separate material.
Appearance and ease of use
Despite the close relationship, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is completely different in its own way appearance and installation on the original Samsung Galaxy S4 and its clones, from Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini to Samsung Galaxy Mega. In contrast, the protected model has a more brutal appearance, there is no gloss, the surfaces on the back cover are matte, some elements have a ribbed texture, all the buttons are mechanical, and there are even metal cap screws in the four corners.
Compared to the solid glossy, streamlined back cover of the regular Samsung Galaxy S4, there are more elements here, they are different in texture, size, location and appearance, and this makes the smartphone look richer and more interesting. If we summarize the above in one phrase, then protected by her appearance Samsung model The Galaxy S4 Active turned out to be much more attractive than its unprotected brother. But the body of the new product turned out to be not only more attractive, but also more practical: due to the matte and ribbed surfaces, holding the device in your hand has become more comfortable and reliable.
As for the dimensions, they are almost similar to the dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 itself; the smartphone is only slightly larger and thicker than its predecessor, but noticeably heavier.
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Active - 140x71x9.1 mm, 151 g
- Samsung Galaxy S4 - 137x70x7.9 mm, 130 g
- Sony Xperia Z - 139x71x7.9 mm, 146 g
- Sony Xperia V -129x65x10.7 mm, 120 g
The body materials of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active are solid plastic, there is no metal here, with the exception of decorative inserts around the rear camera window and at the place where the screws are attached. The metallic rim that runs along the entire perimeter of the device is also made not of metal, but of plastic with a coating reminiscent of blued gun steel.
The back cover is smooth, but matte, and this makes fingerprints less visible on it than on a glossy one. This element is removable, but the fastening of the cover differs from the fastening of truly protected devices. Here, even in contrast to the same Samsung Galaxy Xcover, the cover is held in place only by several plastic latches - there is no locking lock here, so if there is a good impact or fall, such a cover can easily fly off, and then there will be no need for any protection speech. Under this thin and easy-to-remove cover, all important contacts and slots are immediately exposed: the battery compartment, memory card and SIM card slots. Both slots are equipped with spring-loaded gripping mechanisms, so installing and removing both cards here does not cause any inconvenience.
The battery here is removable, the SIM card is in Micro-SIM format, and the memory card can be used up to 64 GB. In our unforeseen case, after immersion in water, all these elements were completely filled with water. Summarizing what has been said, we have to state that for use in real extreme conditions, the cover of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active smartphone lacks a reliable locking lock, however, protected Sony models also do not have such locks.
The front panel is completely covered protective glass, under which not only the display is hidden, but also the front camera window and sensor eyes. The earpiece is covered with a nice metal grille. Below the screen there are three hardware mechanical keys in a row - there are no sensors here, which eliminates the possibility of accidental or erroneous presses. On the one hand, this is very practical, but on the other hand, it is no longer so convenient when working quickly with text, for frequent pressing of the “Back” key, for example, but here you always have to sacrifice something.
The remaining elements and connectors are scattered as usual along the edges of the device. Both connectors - 3.5 mm audio output for headset and Micro-USB - are universal, and are located on the body in a familiar way: the headphone jack is on top, the cable connector is on the bottom. Only one of them, the bottom one, is equipped with a rubberized plug, and as for the audio output, according to the developers’ marketing slogans: “The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active has a waterproof headphone input, so you can listen to music even in the most adverse conditions.” It’s hard to imagine what kind of music you’d want to listen to in the most unfavorable conditions, or whether you’d want to listen to anything at all, but water getting into the headphone jack is a “legalized” phenomenon for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.
Also, on the top edge there is a small circle of an IR port embedded - it serves, first of all, for working with equipment as a remote control. IN software smartphone available great program called WatchON - it recognizes almost any, even quite old, equipment, and is easily controlled, for example, with the domestic Beeline TV set-top box. The Micro-USB connector here supports USB-host (OTG) mode, so the smartphone can easily read any information from an ordinary flash drive connected using a special adapter.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active also has mechanical keys on the sides of the device: on the left is a volume rocker, on the right is power and lock. All keys have a ribbed textured surface and a fairly tight action, which became even tighter after the test subject bathed in water.
The device comes to the market in three colors, each of which, traditionally, is given some romantic name: “Urban Gray”, “Deep Blue” (Dive Blue) and “Burning Orange” (Orange Flare). It is logical that a device intended for people leading an active lifestyle should have bright colors. This secure new product compares favorably with the regular S4, which is available only in standard black and white guises.
Screen
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is equipped with a PLS screen with HD resolution. In numbers, the physical parameters of the smartphone screen are as follows: screen dimensions - 62x110 mm, diagonal - 127 mm (5 inches), resolution - 1080p (1920x1080 pixels).
The display brightness has both manual and automatic adjustment, the latter based on the operation of the light sensor. Multi-touch technology allows you to simultaneously process up to eight touches, which is confirmed by tests. There is also a proximity sensor that blocks the screen when you bring the smartphone to your ear.
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A detailed examination using measuring instruments was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, Alexey Kudryavtsev. Here is his expert opinion on the screen of the sample under study.
The smartphone screen is covered with a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface and, judging by the reflection of objects in it, has a very effective anti-glare filter. There is no visible ghosting of reflected objects. There is a special and quite effective oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating on the outer surface of the screen, so fingerprints do not appear as quickly as with regular glass, but are removed more easily.
With manual brightness control, its maximum value was about 370 cd/m², and the minimum was 5 cd/m². Maximum value not the highest in the class of similar devices, but screen readability in bright daylight is good - apparently, the anti-glare properties of the screen surface help (also see the text below). In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable level. Automatic brightness adjustment works based on the light sensor (it is located to the left of the front speaker). You can make adjustments to the operation of this function by moving the adjustment slider from −5 to +5 units. Below, for three conditions, we present the screen brightness values for three values of this setting - for −5, 0 and +5. In complete darkness in automatic mode brightness is reduced to 4, 20 and 25 cd/m² respectively, in an artificially lit office the brightness is set to 90, 150 and 300 cd/m², in a brightly lit environment (corresponding to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight) - rises to 255, 410 and 420 cd/m². The result of this function is as expected, while the maximum brightness is higher than with manual control of the backlight, so in a bright environment it makes sense to turn on the automatic mode (at +5) - readability will improve slightly. At lower brightness levels up to 100 kHz there is virtually no backlight modulation, so there is no backlight flickering.
This smartphone uses a matrix IPS type. The microphotographs show a typical IPS subpixel structure:
The screen has good viewing angles without inverting shades and without significant color shifts, even with large viewing deviations from perpendicular to the screen. When deviated diagonally, the black field brightens greatly and acquires a red-violet hue. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is good. The contrast is not very high - about 630:1. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 19 ms (12 ms on + 7 ms off). The transition between halftones 25% and 75% (according to the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 28.5 ms.
In the screen properties settings, you can select one of three profiles: Dynamic, Standard And Movie.
As you can see from the data below, these profiles have slightly different color rendering or gamma curves. The gamma curves constructed using 32 points did not reveal a significant rollover in either highlights or shadows, and the index of the approximating power function is from 2.15 to 2.24 depending on the selected profile, which is close to the standard value of 2.2.
In case of profiles Standard And Movie the real gamma curve practically does not deviate from the power-law dependence, whereas in the case of the Dynamic profile the gamma curve has a pronounced S-shaped character, which, in general, corresponds to the name of the profile.
Color gamut is sRGB:
The spectra show that the matrix filters moderately mix the components with each other:
As a result, the colors have a natural saturation. The color temperature balance is acceptable. Shades of gray have a color temperature higher than the standard 6500 K (note that for the profile Movie the excess is not very large), however, for all three profiles the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (delta E) is very small, as is the variation in color temperature and delta E, which has a positive effect on the visual perception of color balance. (Dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the measurement error at low brightness is high.)
In general, the screen is of high quality, but the black stability when looking diagonally is not high. Samsung apparently prefers to ignore this point, despite the fact that there are many smartphone models on the market (and not very many tablets) whose screens have a stable black color when deviating.
Sound
The sound of both Samsung speakers The Galaxy S4 Active does not impress with its quality - average sound quality, nothing more. The sound is clear, but not loud enough, and the high frequencies. As for the auditory speaker, the timbre and intonation in the voice of a familiar interlocutor are quite recognizable. All sound effects when playing melodies with a standard player are combined with a technology called SoundAlive, although some of them, such as the expansion of the virtual stereo base, are only available with connected headphones. The same applies to the sound optimization function.
The external speaker grille has one rod bent outward to raise the body above the surface, but the sound is still slightly muffled when the device is lying on the table with the screen facing up.
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We did not find an FM radio in the standard configuration of the smartphone, but there is a voice recorder. Used to create voice notes - the smartphone cannot record voice from a line using standard means.
Camera
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is equipped like most modern smartphones, two modules digital cameras. The front camera here is equipped with a 2-megapixel module and shoots at a maximum resolution of 1920×1080. The quality of the resulting photos can be judged by the test image below.
The main rear camera is equipped with an 8 megapixel sensor. By default, the camera shoots in widescreen mode, and the maximum resolution that can be set is 6 megapixels with an aspect ratio of 16:9, then the photos are 3264x1836 in size. Such pictures will be received Samsung users Galaxy S4 Active with settings out of the box. To achieve the maximum size of the resulting photos, you must manually switch to a resolution of 8 megapixels, then the photos will be obtained with a resolution of 3264 × 2448. Below are several test images taken in different conditions with different resolutions in automatic mode.
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Pretty good sharpness. Trees at a sufficiently large distance do not merge. Saturation is low. |
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There is no problem with saturation anymore. The exposure is a compromise. |
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Good sharpness at a fairly large distance. |
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The sharpness is very decent in all plans and almost throughout the entire field of the image. Towards the right side of the image the sharpness decreases. |
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The foliage looks a little heavy, but overall it’s done well. |
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The exposure is excessively shifted into the dark area, but not critically. |
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Good, fairly uniform sharpness. Traces of software processing are invisible. |
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The exhibition has moved a little into darkness. |
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The noise is very moderate. |
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The camera performs very well indoors. |
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Macro is not bad. Small details are visible. |
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The text is practically intact. Worked sharply and evenly. |
Typically, security camera designers have to make some compromises, but not in this case. The camera turned out to be successful, and if it takes pictures underwater with proper lighting no worse, it is even very successful.
First of all, there are some hints about the Samsung Galaxy Mega version of the camera, but it feels like a good job was done on this camera. Of all the problems observed in Samsung camera Galaxy Mega, the only thing left is a not entirely successful exposure, and even then it no longer “overwhelms” the pictures so critically.
The camera's sharpness is good and the depth of field is quite large. The camera manages its parameters very intelligently, trying to shoot with minimal light sensitivity whenever possible. Therefore noise is not her problem.
There is an unpleasant moment in this instance. The naked eye can clearly see a hole in the matrix - a whole area of non-working pixels. Its coordinates in pixels are approximately (985, 825), if counted from the left top corner picture.
In general, the camera turned out to be good, without significant shortcomings, with very good documentary shooting capabilities. It is also worth noting the very good sharpness of the front camera.
The camera can shoot video, and does so in only one resolution - maximum (1080p). Below are a couple of test videos filmed stationary and in motion. The videos are saved in an MP4 container (video - AVC ( [email protected]), sound - AAC LC, 128 Kbps, 48 kHz, 2 channels).
- Video No. 1 (41.9 MB, 1920×1080)
- Video No. 2 (29.3 MB, 1920×1080)
The set of camera control settings is standard for modern top-end Samsung smartphones. There are quite a lot of them, they are all divided into three columns: for photography, for videography, and general. The icons are drawn clearly and large, and are quite visible in the bright sun. Various options for preset values in the settings are combined into ready-made shooting modes that should be used in a given situation. The standard set of modes is supplemented here, as already described above, with a unique mode for underwater photography, which, for obvious reasons, is not found in either the Samsung Galaxy S4 or other members of the Galaxy S family.
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Among the shooting modes, there are also “Motion Photo” (when used, the smartphone takes many pictures in a short period of time, from which the user can choose the best) and “Photo with sound” (in this mode, a small audio recording is attached to the photo). When using the Story Album function, photos taken with a smartphone camera are automatically sorted, adding information about the coordinates of the point where each photo was taken, as well as what event the user was filming.
IN general settings It is possible to control the volume button during shooting: it can operate zooming, releasing the camera shutter, or controlling video shooting. If we take into account that samsung screen The Galaxy S4 Active is sensitive to working with gloves, so it turns out that, coupled with the ability to control the camera with a hardware key, you can no longer take off your gloves in the cold. It is also worth noting the ability to take photos while recording video.
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Software
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active runs on Google software platform Android versions 4.2.2. On top of the standard OS interface, the company installed its own user interface, called TouchWiz 5.0 (Nature UX). The shell significantly changes the interface and adds many additional applications. Unlike previous versions, TouchWiz 5.0 has the main settings menu now divided into four horizontal tabs; the same innovation was discovered for the first time on the Galaxy S4. Now, instead of just scrolling vertical menu, the user will have to remember which of these horizontal tabs contains what.
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The notification panel also has a navigation bar at the top for accessing the most important functions, which can be customized to the user's taste - to change it, you need to click on the icon in the upper right corner. In general, Samsung's implementation of the notification menu is one of the best on the market, just look at the brightness slider, which can be used instantly without having to wade through the settings submenu for a long time. This can be especially handy in bright sunlight when you need to quickly get an interesting shot, but it turns out that the camera controls are completely invisible in bright sunlight if the brightness is set to, say, a third of maximum. Then this indispensable slider comes to the rescue - just swipe down the drop-down notification menu and smoothly increase the brightness right here as much as necessary.
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Additional applications are initially pre-installed a large number of. The most useful of them seem to be file manager. In addition to it, there is an optical scanner for recognizing text information and QR codes and four games, which, by the way, with firmware updates can now be removed from the memory of Samsung smartphones without resorting to the root procedure. Most branded applications from Samsung itself traditionally have the letter S in their name, however, to use them, you will also have to create a separate account in the company’s services. The S Travel (Trip Advisor) application provides the user with information about the locality in which he is located and recommendations designed to help the smartphone owner get an even more vivid experience. S Translator app provides voice translation of text emails and SMS messages. Samsung ChatOn Messenger allows multiple users to chat and transfer media files to each other. Samsung Link also allows you to share files between various devices Samsung. The Group Play application has been implemented, which allows you to play one track on several mobile devices or play multiplayer games. The program is available on a number of Samsung smartphones, including Samsung Galaxy S4, S4 mini, Galaxy Mega 6.3 and 5.8. The convenient WatchON program mentioned above has also now become standard on all Galaxy smartphones equipped with an infrared port.
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Since the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active smartphone is a device designed for people leading an active lifestyle, it provides a whole range of functions for monitoring their health, combined with the S Health program. Most recently, Samsung announced the start of sales in our market of accessories created specifically to work in conjunction with the S Health service. Starting in July of this year, three new accessories became available to Russian customers who are actively involved in sports and monitor their health: the S Band bracelet, a heart rate monitor and special scales. This is how S Health helps Samsung owner Galaxy S4 Active monitor your health: by connecting S Health accessories to your smartphone, you can track your heartbeat, body weight, sleep cycles and other parameters.
Telephone and communications
The smartphone works as standard in modern 2G GSM and 3G WCDMA networks, there is support for networks fourth generation LTE (Cat3), and NFC technology and 5 GHz Wi-Fi band can also be used. The radio part of the tested smartphone is stable; no spontaneous signal losses or dropouts from the telecom operator’s network were noticed (even after an unintended drowning). The interface of the telephone part is convenient, the keys, numbers and letters are clearly and largely drawn, switching the language layout of the virtual keyboard is easy to intuitively find, dialing numbers and SMS messages is quite comfortable. I especially like the additional top numeric row that is now present by default in the virtual keyboard of Samsung devices - you don’t need to switch to get to the numeric keys.
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There were no freezes or spontaneous reboots/shutdowns observed during testing. When you bring it to your ear, the screen is blocked by the proximity sensor. The light sensor controls the screen brightness level automatically. You can restart your smartphone yourself by long-pressing the power key and selecting the appropriate item in the pop-up menu.
Performance
The hardware platform of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is based on a single-chip system (SoC) Qualcomm Snapdragon 600. The central processor here has four Krait 300 cores operating at a frequency of 1.9 GHz. It is assisted in processing graphics by the powerful Adreno 320 video processor, so the results in graphics tests for the new product turned out to be very acceptable. The device has 2 GB of RAM, and the storage available to the user for uploading their own files is initially approximately 11.8 GB out of a nominally designated 16 GB internal memory. There is also the possibility of expanding memory using microSD cards and a USB host, so there is no need to worry about running out of memory with such a device.
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To get an idea of the performance of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active platform, let's move on to the tests. To begin with, we present comparative results obtained using the AnTuTu database itself. According to test results, the performance of the new product turned out to be lower than that of its own flagship of the line - Samsung Galaxy S4, approximately at the level of Sony's flagship - Xperia Z.
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We have summarized the results of testing the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active in a table, adding to them the results of other top-end smartphones we have previously tested.
| Samsung Galaxy S4 Active (Qualcomm Snapdragon 600) |
Samsung Galaxy S4 (Exynos 5410 Octa) |
Sony Xperia Z (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
Sony Xperia V (Qualcomm MSM8960) |
Oppo Find 5 (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
Google Nexus 4 (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
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| Quadrant Standard (more is better) |
12007 | 12773 | 7785 | 5444 | 7107 | 4679 |
| AnTuTu Benchmark (more is better) |
18205 | 28218 | 19434 | 11025 | 20177 | 16089 |
| GeekBench (more is better) |
2353 | 3516 | 2006 | 1539 | 2067 | 2100 |
As for testing the graphics subsystem in the cross-platform 3DMark test, the test subject also showed a high result - 9965 points.
In the Epic Citadel gaming test, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active's graphics subsystem also shows excellent results, due to the power of the Adreno video core. However, the results here do not reach the flagship of the S4 family.
| Samsung Galaxy S4 Active (Qualcomm Snapdragon 600) |
Samsung Galaxy S4 (Exynos 5410 Octa) |
Sony Xperia Z (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
Sony Xperia V (Qualcomm MSM8960) |
Google Nexus 4 (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
LG Optimus G (Qualcomm APQ8064) |
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| Epic Citadel, High Performance (more is better) |
58.9 fps | 59.9 fps | 57.2 fps | 47.7 fps | 54.8 fps | 56.7 fps |
| Epic Citadel, High Quality | 55.4 fps | 59.3 fps | 54.7 fps | 43.5 fps | 52.9 fps | 56.3 fps |
| Epic Citadel, Ultra High Quality | 29.2 fps | 46.5 fps | 32.4 fps | 28.4 fps | 37.4 fps | 50.6 fps |
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Benchmarks for evaluating the speed of the javascript engine depend significantly on the browser in which they are run, so the comparison can only be accurate on the same OS and browsers.
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Playing video
To test the omnivorous nature of video playback (including support for various codecs, containers and special features, such as subtitles), we used the most common formats, which make up the bulk of the content available on the Internet. Note that for mobile devices it is important to have support for hardware video decoding at the chip level, since processing modern options due to processor cores alone, it is most often impossible. Also, you shouldn’t expect a mobile device to decode everything, since the leadership in flexibility belongs to the PC, and no one is going to challenge it.
According to the test results, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active was equipped with all the necessary decoders, including audio ones, which are necessary for full playback of most of the most common files on the network. The smartphone played all the videos and audio tracks offered to it without any hesitation. All results are summarized in a single table.
| Format | Container, video, sound | MX Video Player | Standard video player |
| DVDRip | AVI, XviD 720×400 2200 Kbps, MP3+AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| Web-DL SD | AVI, XviD 720×400 1400 Kbps, MP3+AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| Web-DL HD | MKV, H.264 1280×720 3000 Kbps, AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| BDRip 720p | MKV, H.264 1280×720 4000 Kbps, AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| BDRip 1080p | MKV, H.264 1920×1080 8000 Kbps, AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
¹ sound in MX Video Player was played only after switching to software decoding; The standard player does not have this setting
Additionally, the MHL interface was tested. To test it, we used an LG IPS237L monitor that supports direct MHL connection using a passive adapter cable from Micro-USB to HDMI. Let us recall that Samsung has implemented its own version of this interface at the physical level. As a result, to connect external device via MHL you need to use special adapters or connect standard adapters MHL through simple passive adapters.
When using the LG IPS237L monitor, MHL output was carried out at a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels at a frequency of 30 frames/s. When the smartphone is landscape-oriented, the image is displayed on the monitor screen in landscape orientation, while the image on the monitor is inscribed within the boundaries of the screen. When the smartphone is in portrait orientation, the image is displayed on the monitor screen in portrait orientation, while the image on the monitor is inscribed within the height of the screen, and wide black fields are displayed on the right and left.
Sound is output via MHL (in this case, the sounds were heard through headphones connected to the monitor, since there are no speakers in the monitor itself) and has good quality. Wherein multimedia sounds are not output through the loudspeaker of the smartphone itself, and the volume is adjusted using buttons on the smartphone body. In principle, in the smartphone settings you can select the sound output mode: stereo or surround. However, in our case, the monitor only received stereo sound, so there was no choice.
Video output using the standard player deserves a special description. To begin with, using a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see Methodology for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1), we checked how the video is displayed on the screen of the smartphone itself. Screenshots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped determine the nature of the output of frames of video files with various parameters: the resolution varied (1280 by 720 (720p) and 1920 by 1080 (1080p) pixels) and frame rate (24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 frames/ With). The results of this (block entitled " Screen") and subsequent tests are summarized in the table:
| File | Uniformity | Passes |
| Screen | ||
| watch-1920x1080-60p.mp4 | not playable | |
| watch-1920x1080-50p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1920x1080-30p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1920x1080-25p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1920x1080-24p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| MHL (monitor) | ||
| watch-1920x1080-60p.mp4 | not playable | |
| watch-1920x1080-50p.mp4 | Fine | a lot of |
| watch-1920x1080-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-25p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1920x1080-24p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Great | a lot of |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Great | a lot of |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| MHL (adapter) | ||
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Great | few |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Fine | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Fine | No |
Note: If both the Uniformity and Dropout columns are rated green, this means that when watching movies, there will most likely be no or no amount of artifacts caused by frame spacing or dropouts visible. will not affect viewing comfort. “Red” marks indicate possible problems associated with the playback of the corresponding files.
According to the frame output criterion, the quality of playback of video files on the screen of the smartphone itself is high, since with the exception of 1080p files with 60 frames/s, frames (or groups of frames) are output with uniform alternation of intervals and there are no frame drops. When playing video files with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 (1080p) on a smartphone screen, the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly across the width of the screen, one to one in pixels, that is, in the original resolution. The brightness range displayed on the screen almost corresponds to the standard range of 16-235: in the shadows, a couple of shades merge with black, but in the highlights all gradations of shades are displayed.
With a monitor connected via MHL, when playing a video with a standard player, the image of the video file is displayed only in landscape orientation, while only the image of the video file is displayed on the monitor, and only information elements and virtual controls are displayed on the smartphone screen.
When playing video files with Full HD resolution (1920 by 1080 pixels) on the monitor screen, the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly along the border of the screen, maintaining true proportions, and the resolution corresponds Full resolution HD. The brightness range displayed on the monitor is equal to the standard range of 16-235, that is, all shade gradations are displayed in shadows and highlights. The results of monitor output tests are shown in the table above in the block MHL (monitor). The output quality is good, but, of course, in the case of files with 50 and 60 fps, some frames are skipped, since the output is in 1080p mode at 30 fps. However, uniform alternation of frames is a relatively unstable state, since some external and internal background processes lead to periodic failure of the correct alternation of intervals between frames and even to the skipping of individual frames.
Additionally, video output (with a standard player) via MHL using an MHL adapter was tested. When using this adapter, output to the monitor was carried out in 720p mode at 60 fps, which determined the maximum actual image resolution. With the exception of resolution and frame rate, everything else - the nature of the interface output, audio output and gray scale - did not differ from a direct connection via MHL. The test results are shown in the table above in the block MHL (adapter). When using an adapter, the intervals between frames alternate more or less evenly.
The conclusion is typical: an MHL connection can be used for games, watching movies, displaying web pages and other activities that benefit from multiplying the screen size. True, you will have to purchase an adapter specifically for Samsung or find an appropriate adapter.
Battery life
The capacity of the battery installed in the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is 2600 mAh. The battery of the original Samsung Galaxy S4 has exactly the same capacity. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active smartphone demonstrated similar performance to the original, even despite the less economical PSL screen. Let us remind you: due to excessive overheating during loads in power-consuming tests and, as a result, greater energy loss, the regular Samsung Galaxy S4 did not have very outstanding performance in terms of battery life. Note that we did not notice such a problem as frequent overheating in the protected model. Obviously this is due to the different structure of the body.
Continuous reading in the FBReader program (with the default, light theme) at a minimum comfortable brightness level (brightness was set to 100 cd/m²) for 2 hours consumed 16% of the full battery charge, and watching a video from YouTube in high quality for two hours ( HQ) with the same brightness level via home Wi-Fi network The device has used up 21% of its battery capacity. In game mode, the smartphone lasted a decent 3 hours 50 minutes.
Bottom line
At the moment, the final price for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active in our market has not yet been finalized, because the smartphone has not yet officially begun to be sold. But it is assumed that the new rugged smartphone from the Galaxy S family will cost the same as the main S4 model at the start of sales - 29,990 rubles. The smartphone turned out to be very good in all respects, it is a top-end model in every sense, but the user will not find any special advantages in terms of security in this model: the Galaxy S4 Active will have to be handled with the same care as an unprotected original. This is almost the same pampered “city dweller”, which differs in that it can be carefully brought into fresh water and photographed there. Even to wet fingers, the phone screen instantly stops responding, which is officially confirmed by the developers, so in a truly extreme situation the smartphone may not be very useful. Thus, we have before us practically the same Samsung Galaxy S4, only in a different, more attractive body, although preferences regarding appearance, of course, always remain a matter of taste - some like it, some don’t. As for comparison with rugged smartphones from Japanese Sony, there is parity between the hero of our today’s review and the Sony Xperia Z model. The models demonstrate almost the same performance in tests and are similar in technical characteristics, although there are still slight differences in hardware platforms, the quality of screens and cameras. And yet, by and large, these two smartphones are quite close to each other, so the final choice between them will depend more on the user’s “taste” preferences. As for the previous protected model of the Japanese, Sony Xperia V, then, of course, it can no longer compete with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active. The Korean smartphone is head and shoulders above its rival in terms of characteristics - however, it is also twice as expensive, and when it comes to security, it is still unknown who is better. At least, during any testing of any of the protected Sony devices, we never had any problems with the test samples getting wet.
Samsung does not forget about extreme users and is releasing a new representative of the Galaxy line in a waterproof and dust-proof case. At the same time, the developers took into account that an active lifestyle does not exclude mobile entertainment and equipped the S4 Active with a 5-inch Full HD display, an 8 MP camera, a powerful quad-core processor with a record clock frequency of 1.9 GHz.
Features of Samsung Galaxy S4 Active:
A reliable companion in any circumstances
The Galaxy S4 Active is reliably protected from water and has a completely dustproof body, so you can take it with you in any, even the most extreme circumstances. S4 Active does not require careful handling, therefore, whether on a hike or on the beach, it will be your reliable companion and will not make you worry about yourself.
The smartphone is made according to the IP67 standard - this means absolute protection when immersed in water to a depth of 1 m for 30 minutes and complete protection from dust.
Full range of useful features
Shooting underwater
Take your Galaxy S4 Active with you while diving and take amazing photos High Quality, using a special underwater mode. Save your memories for a long time, just press the volume key and take amazing photos and videos of the underwater world.
The most powerful of rugged smartphones
Who said a rugged phone can't be powerful? Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is a rugged smartphone with flagship specifications. A powerful quad-core processor (1.9 GHz) and 2 GB of RAM provide better performance. There is no hint of “braking” either in the menu or in new games; the S4 Active can handle any task!
Fill your life with adventure with the unmatched performance and portability of your new rugged smartphone!
The entire set of intelligent functions presented in the Galaxy S4, such as: stopping video when you look away, scrolling with your eyes, motion control, splitting the screen into parts, taking pictures with sound - all this is present in the Galaxy S4 Active.
For extreme use, there is a powerful flashlight, which is turned on by pressing the volume up key, and the ability to send SOS messages with attached photos and location coordinates.
I can't help but be pleased that the 5-inch Full HD display responds to touch with gloves (Glove Touch technology).
And of course, the Galaxy S4 Active has the S Health application installed, which will help you monitor your health.
Intelligent Samsung features Galaxy S4 Active (GT - I9295)
Main characteristics:
OS: Android 4.2
Display: 5" 1920 x 1080, 441 ppi
Camera: 8 MP, autofocus, LED flash, Full HD 1080p video recording
Front camera: 2 MP
Processor: quad-core ARMv7 (1.9 GHz)
RAM: 2 GB
Built-in memory: 16 GB, microSD support (up to 64 GB)
Autonomy: Lithium - ion battery 2600 mAh
Dimensions: 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm
Weight: 151 g
