Samsung's Galaxy Active line of smartphones and increasingly rugged wearables have made the South Korean manufacturer a top choice for the most active or most carefree mobile users. Starting with the Galaxy S4 Active, it offered IP67 water resistance, years before it became a flagship standard. The rugged case has since been upgraded with military-grade certifications for passing drop, extreme temperature, and water resistance tests. Year after year, Active smartphones have been released shortly after Samsung's flagship Galaxy models, sometimes differing in internal components to match the appearance of those devices. This year, perhaps the best Android smartphone, the Galaxy S8, was released, and after it the S8 Active appeared. However, in a world where protection is a common feature of flagship devices, and some also have shock-resistant screens, is the Galaxy Active line really necessary? Let's try to understand.
Contents of delivery:
- Galaxy S8 Active smartphone
- USB A to USB C adapter
- Micro-USB adapter >
- USB C to USB A charging cable
- Fast charging adapter
- Warranty and user manual
Design
The Galaxy S8 Active became the first device in this series after Samsung switched to frameless curved screens. Samsung smartphones no longer have Edge models or models with flat screens, they are all now curved. It is not difficult to guess that the creators of the S8 Active did not wrap the screen on the sides, because the smartphone must survive a fall from a height of one and a half meters. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which is covered with an impact-resistant layer. Unfortunately, early reviews say that this layer is easily scratched, just like the impact-resistant screen. Dense metal covers the edges of the smartphone, the corners are reinforced with hard rubberized plastic. The virtual assistant still has a separate clicky button underneath the same volume button, while the power button makes a less distinct sound. There is no Home button, just like in the S8. It will be interesting to see how this plays out to users who typically want more durable buttons with a distinct tactile response on such devices.
The military standard MIL-STD-810G means protection from drops, extreme temperatures and other troubles, IP68 certification carries protection from water and dust. The thicker edges of the smartphone not only add to its durability, but also give room for a larger battery. The increase in thickness and weight makes the device more solid in the palm of your hand. It's 50g heavier than the S8, but only 20g heavier than the Galaxy S7 Active, while being the same thickness and width, just a couple of millimeters longer. Samsung was able to offer a durable device that still fits in your pocket.
Screen
The edge-to-edge Infinity Display isn't fully present here with its curved edges, but there are still rounded corners and a high screen-to-body ratio of 75% versus 84% in the S8. The screen diagonal is 5.8 inches, the same as on the standard S8.
Using a voice command, you can force the assistant to open the recorder and immediately start recording. The same is possible in some third-party applications. You can navigate on your smartphone, you can give a command to make a call via Wi-Fi.
The main problem here is the assistant's hearing. Speech recognition cannot be called stable, although it is possible to train the assistant in case of errors. However, the corrected words are sent to Samsung for further analysis. Improved local learning and recognition would be very helpful.
The smartphone lacks the complex shortcut commands found on the Note 8. These commands take automation to the next level by activating various actions based on phrases. I would like to be able to say “Good night” to the assistant and see the activation of the Do Not Disturb feature and the blue light filter, as well as an alarm with a previously set time. For now, you can only create one phrase for one action. Since the latest version of the software was installed on the smartphone, one might think that the virtual assistant may be different on different smartphone models.
There's a card in the Bixby panel called Active Zone. On it you can see the barometer and compass readings, there are switches for a flashlight and a stopwatch. Clicking on the card opens the Active Zone in full screen, and the weather and Samsung Health suite apps also appear. There is also a switch for the flashlight in the notification center. The Galaxy S7 Active had a physical button called Activity, but now there's a Bixby assistant button instead, so it makes sense that app data has moved here.
Processor and memory
So far, this smartphone is exclusive to the American mobile operator AT&T and runs only on processors, while the usual S8 variants in other countries are based on the Exynos 8895 processor. The difference in performance between them, if there is any, is subtle. 4 GB of RAM also contributes to high speed. Navigation is fast and smooth, applications launch just as quickly, no matter how many of them are already open. Stuttering and forced closing were observed only when setting up Bixby for the first time, but then the assistant began to work as expected. This is not surprising since the specifications are the same as the regular Galaxy S8, so the speed is the same.
Connection
The LTE-A Pro category 16 communication standard is supported, which means it will be possible to use gigabit LTE in the coming years. There is also Bluetooth 5.1, NFC/MST for mobile payments and wireless charging.
Cameras
This smartphone uses the same optics as the standard S8. The rear camera has a resolution of 12 megapixels. Front camera 8 MP. The shooting modes familiar to the latest Samsung models are available, including the depth effect on both sensors. Although the effect can be edited after shooting, this ability is limited to three modes. Near Focus displays a normal bokeh effect, Far Focus applies blur to foreground objects and shows the background clearly, and Pan Focus shows everything clearly without blur. There's no slider to adjust blur like the Galaxy Note 8's Live Focus feature.
Regular photos on the front camera come out with good exposure and detail. Selective focus works fine, although there are no problems with focus and exposure throughout the photo.
The rear camera performs well in low light, with levels of detail on par with the best smartphones and superior color accuracy and richness in the shadows. While this camera isn't a champion at managing contrast between bright and dark areas, and in this case the iPhone 7 is better, low-light colors and clarity with minimal digital noise are close to the maximum parameters. In any case, it is better to have a couple of bright areas than to have colorless darkness throughout the photo.
The tendency to produce colors well in low light may be due to the sensor's tendency to favor a warmer yellowish tint while producing more accurate colors. It's a matter of taste and may look different to different people's eyes, but it seems like Samsung is once again the leader in low-light photography in terms of color accuracy.
Macro shots provide excellent foreground clarity and a nice blur effect, and the photos are taken quickly thanks to focus technology.
Video quality
When shooting video, the Pixel also performs well. Objects come into focus almost instantly, and optical stabilization contributes to video quality. In general, the quality of the video is not inferior to the quality of the photos, the detail is high, the movements look natural, and the color rendition is normal.
Multimedia
This year, users managed to get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of frameless long screens. They have problems with video formatting due to the unusual aspect ratio. As a result, the video is cropped or stretched to fit such screens. In this case, the ratio is 18.5:9, just like the original S8. Video originally shot in 2:1 format is the best option for this smartphone, but even then there are black bars at the bottom and top. YouTube already has automatic screen filling for 2:1 format, but such content is rare.
Listening to music here is more enjoyable than on many other smartphones. The speaker produces loud and quite rich sound compared to other flagships. Samsung has once again succeeded in this area.
Call quality
Nothing special can be said about the quality of phone calls on the S8 Active. There are no complaints, you can hear your interlocutors normally, and they also hear you clearly. The sound in the ear is a little quieter than we would like, but the speakerphone is loud.
Autonomous operation
Compared to the standard S8, the battery capacity has increased by 1000 mAh and is 4000 mAh. This means 32 hours of talk time versus 30 hours. This also means use throughout the day, with a moderate load of one and a half days even with the Always On Display active. In standby mode, the developers promise three to four days on the S8 and five days on the S8 Active. In tests with the screen turned off, the device lasted almost 11 hours, two and a half hours more than the S8 and almost the same as the Galaxy S7 Active. The fast charging time was not too fast and amounted to two hours.
Is it possible to buy Samsung Galaxy S8 Active in Russia
Currently, the device is not sold in Russia and Samsung does not say whether it will appear in large retail chains in the future. Perhaps the device can be purchased in small online stores.
Conclusion
The S8 Active managed to do something that modern smartphones don't do. It's taken cutting-edge technology and packaged it into a rugged design that fits easily into your pocket. It would seem that you need to make it thicker, add rubber corners and impact-resistant glass and everything is ready. In fact, the process is not so simple and the South Korean manufacturer managed to cope with it. In addition to the usual protection from water and dust found on other smartphones, this model has increased protection against falls and extreme temperatures.
The device still has normal size and weight. Although it is heavier than the standard S8, its battery capacity has increased, and with it the battery life. There are still more devices on the market that tend to be more fragile, but Samsung still offers an option for those who want a more durable device.
pros
- Military standards for protection, durability and strength
- Great camera with fast focus
- Increased battery capacity
- Improved Bixby Assistant
Minuses
- Heavier than standard S8
- The camera shoots with a yellowish tint
In August 2017, Samsung introduced an updated version of the Galaxy S with an increased protection class. The S8 Active is the company's latest flagship device to feature a screen without rounded edges. This design decision is a sacrifice of shock resistance and increased battery capacity.
About the device
The Samsung Galaxy S Active series has been around for more than five years, and today the S8 Active is the latest representative of this line. Interestingly, the first rugged smartphones of the South Korean corporation were inferior in performance and functionality to flagships: less RAM, last year's chipsets and far from top-end cameras were packaged in a massive case that protected the device from extreme environmental factors.
In the case of the eighth Galaxy, the situation looks different: from the point of view of technical specifications, a device with an increased protection class is a clone of the regular S8. The difference between the active version and the standard G8 is the screen without rounded edges and increased battery capacity.
The absence of losses from internal competition between Samsung smartphones is due to AT&T's exclusive rights to sell a secure gadget: the modified S8 is purchased in advance by the American operator, due to which all possible risks associated with the sale of the device on the market are transferred to the cellular provider, and the manufacturer is guaranteed to make a profit.
It is worth saying that only consumers suffer from the exclusivity of the Active smartphone. While the smartphone is freely available for American users, residents of other countries have to purchase an unlocked device on Amazon or eBay (“there is no global” version of the modification). Despite all the difficulties associated with the purchase, the gadget is very popular in the world.
Full specifications of the Galaxy S8 Active
The technical specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active are contained in the table:
| operating system | Android 8.0 + Samsung Experience 9.0 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (4x2.3 GHz + 4x1.7 GHz) |
| RAM capacity | 4 GB |
| AnTuTu Benchmark | 201 000 |
| Volume of permanent memory | 64 GB |
| Memory card support | Up to 256 GB (MicroSD) |
| Display type | Super-AMOLED 5.8″ (Quad HD+ 2960×1440), Always-On and HDR10 support, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, additional protective layer |
| Display beep density | 570 ppi |
| Main camera | 12 MP (F/1.7), DualPixel, Multiframe, 4K 30 FPS |
| Front-camera | 8 MP (F/1.7) |
| Supported Interfaces | Bluetooth 5.1; aptX; NFC; GPS; GLONASS; WiFi 802.11; USB-C |
| LTE support | cat.16 |
| Number of SIM cards | 1 NanoSIM |
| Protected from water and dust | IP68 |
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh, fast charging |
| Audio jack | 3.5mm MiniJack |
| Dimensions (mm) | 152.2x74.9x9.9 |
| Weight | 208 g |
The main difference between the S8 Active and its predecessor is the elongated screen with an aspect ratio of 18.5:9 and the absence of physical keys on the front surface.
Design and ergonomics
The design of the S8 Active complies with the military standard MIL-STD-810G (USA), which ensures that the electronic device is protected from falls from heights and sudden temperature changes. The body of the smartphone is covered with rubberized plastic, and the display is covered with fifth-generation Corning Gorilla Glass and an additional protective layer. The degree of protection against water and dust complies with the international standard IP68.
It should be noted that the gadget has large dimensions (152.2x74.9x9.9 mm) and impressive weight (208 g), and not every user will be able to hide the modified S8 in their pocket.
Screen
The specifications and display capabilities of the Active version of the S8 are presented below:
- Super-AMOLED matrix with a diagonal of 5.8 inches and Quad HD+ resolution (2960×1440);
- Always-On mode support (low battery consumption by active display);
- Adaptive mode (automatically adjusts the brightness and color rendition of the display to the ambient lighting conditions);
- 45-degree polarizing filter position (picture saturation at any angle and in any lighting).
Interestingly, 1000 nits of maximum Super-AMOLED brightness is enough to use the display as a front-facing flash when taking selfies.
Performance
The American Snapdragon 835 with eight cores (4 energy-efficient and 4 high-performance) is responsible for the performance of the S8 Active, and the RAM capacity is 4 gigabytes. In the synthetic AnTuTu test, the G8 scores more than 200 thousand points and is ahead of most modern smartphones.
Platform
The current version of the smartphone operating system is Android 8.0 Oreo, which is hidden under Samsung Experience UI 9.0. It is worth noting that the “eights” do not participate in Project Treble, which is why the software update process for these devices will consist of two main stages: firmware development by Google and OS optimization by the manufacturer.
Although changes made by the vendor slow down the overall speed of the update, the SE UI shell brings additional functions to bare Android: for example, the ability to clone instant messengers and simultaneously use one application with several accounts. Also, the Samsung Experience interface does not contain bright colors and retains the laconicism of the original OS.
Camera
The Galaxy S8 Active has a main photo module, the characteristics of which are identical to the camera of a regular G8. The 12-megapixel sensor developed by Sony, support for Dual Pixel technology and Multiframe post-processing ensure high-quality photos in any lighting.
The front camera has a resolution of 8 MP and an F/1.7 aperture, which is a “classic” for the last three generations of Samsung Galaxy S smartphones.
Communications and sound
The communication capabilities of the S8 Active include support for:
- LTE-advanced. Thanks to working with advanced fourth-generation networks, the gadget is capable of transmitting data over cellular channels at speeds of up to 400 Mbit/s.
- NFC. NFC technology allows you to pay for real purchases with your smartphone using Samsung Pay and Android Pay services.
- Bluetooth version 5 and aptX standard. “Eight” can work simultaneously with several wireless audio accessories, and also supports “air” sound playback in Lossless format.
- WiFi and WiFi Direct. Direct is a technology for broadcasting smartphone display content to an external WiFi-enabled monitor.
- OTG connections. USB Type-C and OTG connection provide instant data transfer between mobile devices synchronized by wire.
- GPS and GLONASS. Satellite geolocation systems do not require a connection to a cellular network, which allows you to use a secure smartphone as a navigator or GPS tracker.
It is worth noting that, despite the massive body of the Active smartphone, the multimedia mono speaker has a good resonator. The sound quality and volume will satisfy most users.
Memory and memory card
The internal storage capacity of the smartphone is 51 gigabytes (nominally stated 64) and can be supplemented with a microSD memory card up to 256 GB. You can install applications and write system cache files to a removable disk, so the user is unlikely to experience a lack of memory on the device.
Autonomy
The battery life of the device with average display backlight intensity and moderate processor load is 7-9 hours, which is a high indicator for modern smartphones.
It is worth saying that a 4000 mAh battery and four energy-saving processor cores with the battery saving mode activated can provide the modified S8 with two days of autonomy.
Peculiarities
The software feature of Samsung's Active smartphones is a collection of Activity Zone applications designed to monitor a person's health during physical activity, as well as for quick access to information such as barometer readings or the direction of a person's movement in space.
Thanks to synchronization with Bixby and S Health, utilities from the Activity Zone become part of the interface and are not lost in the catalog of user-installed programs.
Comparison with competitors
The only serious competitor to the S8 Active is the previous generation of rugged smartphone - the Galaxy S7 Active. Below is a comparative analysis of these devices:
| Galaxy S8 Active | Galaxy S7 Active | |
| operating system | Android 7.0 (8.0) | Android 6.0 (8.0) |
| AnTuTu | 200 000 | 100 000 |
| RAM capacity | 4 Gb | |
| ROM volume | 64 Gb + microSD support up to 256 Gb | 32 Gb + microSD support up to 256 Gb |
| Display | 5.8″, SuperAMOLED, Always-On, QHD (2560x1440), 506 ppi, Gorilla Glass 5, additional coating for durability | 5.1″, SuperAMOLED, Always-On, QHD (2560x1440), 576 ppi, Gorilla Glass 4, additional shock protection |
| Main camera | 12 MP (F/1.7), Dual Pixel | |
| Front-camera | 8 MP (F/1.7) | 5 MP (F/1.7) |
| Video recording | 4K, SloMo 240 FPS | 4K, SloMo 120 FPS |
| Number of SIM cards | 1 NanoSIM | |
| Water and dust protection | IP68 | |
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | |
| Dimensions (mm) | 152.15x74.93x9.9 | 142.4x69.6x7.9 |
| Additional Information | Fast charging, fingerprint scanner, 18.5:9 display aspect ratio | Fast charging, fingerprint sensor, physical navigation keys |
| Price | 30,000 rubles | 20,000 rubles |
If the camera characteristics and the degree of protection of the case of smartphones are identical, then the performance of the G8 is twice as high as that of its predecessor. On the other hand, the S7 costs significantly less, and the buyer will have to make a choice between the power of the device and saving money.
Prices
You can purchase the S8 Active either from American online sellers or from domestic resellers. A purchase from the former will cost the user approximately 30 thousand rubles, and from the latter - 33-35 thousand. When ordering a smartphone from the USA, you should make sure that it is unlinked from a mobile operator.
You should not think that the Galaxy S8 Active smartphone is much better compared to the Galaxy S8 Active, because it is not. The smartphone should be perceived as the best choice among devices with increased durability, while it does not sacrifice performance, screen, camera and other advantages. Battery life has been significantly improved, but for the sake of durability, it has to give up the design elements that made the S8 so attractive.Pros of the Galaxy S8 Active
- Full Galaxy S8
- High battery life
- Rugged housing
- Shockproof screen
- Some people prefer a flat screen to a curved one
Cons of the Galaxy S8 Active
- Too big and heavy for many
- Nothing different except the body
- More expensive than the standard model
- The screen is scratched
What we liked about the Galaxy S8 Active
The main advantage of the Galaxy S8 Active is that at its core it is still the same excellent S8 smartphone. Every specification, every feature and every component remains the same. This means you'll get high performance, a wide range of software features, and one of the best cameras around. The case is protected from water and dust, and there are no fewer connectors. The traditional 3.5 mm headphone jack remains in its place without a plug. You also get a gorgeous Super AMOLED screen with excellent brightness that's easy to view even in direct sunlight.
There is also wireless charging, which is sometimes absent in such cases due to the thick case that does not transmit a signal. A similar set of characteristics is not available in other rugged smartphones.
One characteristic has changed noticeably, but for the better. Battery capacity has increased to 4000 mAh instead of 3000 mAh in S8 and 3500 mAh in . Naturally, the battery life has also increased. Most often, by the end of the day the charge remains at 20% -30%.
The developers also want to make this smartphone stand out with a shock-resistant screen. Presumably, you can drop it from a height of one and a half meters onto a hard surface and the screen will remain intact.
What you didn't like about the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
When working with a smartphone every day, it does not cause any major complaints. The main disadvantage is the size. The smartphone is wider, longer, thicker and heavier than the standard version, and by a lot. It is 10 g heavier even in comparison with, in size it is between. This is a lot, especially considering that the screen size is the same as the standard S8.Due to its large size, the smartphone is harder to work with and uncomfortable to hold, even when compared to the slippery S8. Its appearance is not as beautiful as the sleek standard version.
There is another aspect, not so noticeable. The shock-resistant screen became so thanks to a special film on top of Gorilla Glass 5. As in the Moto Z2 Force smartphone, this coating is easily scratched. Thus, the scratches do not remain on the glass itself, but on the plastic on top, but they are still scratches.
There are four major mobile operators in the US and the S8 Active is sold only by AT&T. This means there are a dozen generally unnecessary pre-installed apps, although they can be disabled or uninstalled. Changes have also been made to the operating system. Fortunately, the smartphone should appear on other operators.
The device costs $849, which is $100 more than the standard S8 and the same as the S8+. This is a big difference for a smartphone that does not differ in terms of specifications and functionality.
Is it worth buying the Galaxy S8 Active?
Power users who are always looking to get a device with maximum battery life may want to get a flagship smartphone like the S8 with a large 4000mAh battery. However, first we need to think about what made the standard S8 so attractive: its design.The Active model is larger and heavier, and lacks the curved screen edges that are a hallmark of the S8. On the other hand, for some, on the contrary, this will become an advantage, but the same cannot be said about gravity. Because of its thickness, the S8 Active doesn't look or feel like the flagship Galaxy S8, which is the feel most people pay for.
Thus, those wishing to buy the S8 can hardly recommend the S8 Active only because of the larger battery. This plus alone cannot outweigh the size, weight, shape and price. This smartphone can only be recommended to those who need it for work or because of their lifestyle.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is the best in its price range. The smartphone has a durable and rubberized body, but that’s not the only thing that impresses. This includes high-quality sound from stereo speakers, many sensors and a capacious battery (with support for fast charging). Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is one of the ideal devices that is easy to get used to.
Display and performance
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active comes with a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The smartphone is powered by an 8-core processor (4x 2.35 GHz Kryo + 4x 1.9 GHz Kryo), 4 GB of RAM and an Adreno 540 graphics processor installed on the Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 chipset. The phone runs Android v7.0 (Nougat) operating system.Peculiarities
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Active has a host of sensors such as a fingerprint scanner, heart rate monitor, IRIS scanner, proximity sensor, accelerometer, barometer, compass and gyroscope. The smartphone comes in a stylish design that is splashproof (IP68), dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, lightproof and vibrationproof.Camera and battery
The smartphone has a built-in 12-megapixel camera with support for recording with 4K resolution and an 8-megapixel selfie camera with Full HD resolution. The image and video quality of both cameras is excellent. Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is powered by a 4000 mAh lithium-ion battery. The smartphone supports fast and wireless charging.Memory and Connectivity
There is 64 GB of physical memory and a slot for microSD cards up to 256 GB. The user will be able to use 53GB of the available 64GB of internal storage. On the connectivity front, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active offers options like single SIM slot, 4G, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC and USB Type-C.Without exaggeration, the flagship smartphone Galaxy S8 from Samsung can be called a hit of the South Korean manufacturer, which has succeeded past generations. With a detailed review of the model and its improved version of the Galaxy S8+, 3DNews readers can
Traditionally, along with the basic versions, which include the above-mentioned Galaxy S8 and S8+, the developer company produces Note series phablets and a smartphone for lovers of active and extreme recreation - a modification of the S-series smartphone in a protected case. The Galaxy Sx Active family of devices is aimed at those who like to travel far from civilization and prefer a truly breathtaking pastime. This year, the expected addition to Samsung's all-weather mobile range was the Galaxy S8 Active smartphone, presented a few hours ago.
The characteristics of the S8 Active did not come as a surprise to those who closely follow insider information and. The smartphone turned out to be one of the most powerful solutions today in the class of cases protected from dust, moisture and falls. But there were some differences from its predecessor, the Galaxy S8, including the device’s display. The Galaxy S8 Active has an AMOLED screen with a similar diagonal of 5.8 inches and a resolution of 2960 × 1440 pixels. But the display is made in a traditional form factor without the signature curved edges. This is not quite a full-fledged “Infinity Display”, although it retains the same aspect ratio and even resolution. The role of protective glass is played by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The impact-resistant case also accommodates:
- Snapdragon 835 processor;
- 4 GB of RAM;
- 64 GB flash drive and microSD card slot;
- 12 MP rear camera and 8 MP front module;
- a separate button for quickly launching the Bixby voice assistant;
- pre-installed Android 7.0 Nougat OS with a proprietary user interface.
The battery of the Galaxy S8 Active received special mention. In a smartphone protected from “external irritants,” its capacity reaches 4000 mAh, which is 1000 mAh more than the capacity of the S8 battery and 500 mAh more than the S8+ battery.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is not afraid of a good shake and harsh weather conditions. IP68 certification, similar to the regular S8, helps him in this, making both gadgets impervious to dust and immersion in water. The latter, however, is limited to a depth of 1.5 m and a 30-minute time interval. In addition, the Galaxy S8 Active meets military requirements in accordance with the MIL-STD-810G standard, which ensures the integrity of all smartphone components when dropped from a height of up to 1.5 m to a surface without protruding parts. This device is facilitated by a metal case and its protective plastic bumper, complemented by rubberized elements to soften the impact.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active will be offered in two colors - gold and dark gray. It will be possible to pre-order the protected version of the flagship model from August 8th. At the initial stage of sales, the smartphone will be available for purchase only on a contract basis and only from the cellular operator AT&T, which has planned the first deliveries of the gadget for August 11. In this case, the total cost of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active will be $850 - $28.34 monthly for the next 30 months. Samsung representatives have not yet mentioned the timing of the device’s availability for free sale.
