Samsung Galaxy S5 Active not so tough after all (pictures)

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active may have a tough exterior, especially with this camouflage coloring, but it's much more like the original Galaxy S5 than you might think.

It may boast a sturdier chassis, but inside, the GS5 Active has (almost) all the Android 4.4 KitKat goodness as the S5, and all of Samsung's own additions as well, like a heart-rate monitor -- though it lacks the fingerprint scanner.

Physical navigation buttons are responsive alternatives to capacitive controls, and do all the same things.

In addition to Camo Green, you can get the S5 Active in Ruby Red or Titanium Grey.

With reinforced plastic corners and no silvery trim, the S5 Active can take more rough-housing. I shoved it pretty hard between these branches, without incurring any dents, scuffs, or dings.

However, it's too bad that the material along the top and sides isn't grippier.

See that blue button? That's for you. A short press opens up a dashboard for sports-related apps and a long press launches the camera. Don't worry, you can swap functions all you'd like in the Settings.

Here's a look at the default Activity Zone that Samsung installed. It has a compass, barometer, flashlight, and stopwatch.

Straight sides and grooved edges were designed to make the phone easier to hang onto.

An IR blaster on top will let you control your TV from the couch.

The Active's 16-megapixel camera matches the GS5 original with excellent image quality and the option to record ultra-HD video.

There are four nubs on the back panel that look a little like screws. Don't be fooled, the back panel comes off with nothing more than a strong fingernail wedged beneath an indentation.

A tad taller, wider, and thicker than the already-big S5, the Active is a bit more of a pocket-buster.

Ignore the fatigue and you can see that the S5 Active is still pretty similar to the S4 Active that came before, but with a flatter back, less grippy coating, and an added convenience key.

Here, the S5 Active sits alongside its kin, the S5 flagship. Internally, the two share the same screen size, processor, RAM, and battery specs.

Look closely and you can see the Active's slightly more inflated size and bulk.