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

Apart from a few hardware buttons and some reinforced corners, the Galaxy S5 Active isn't so different from the original Galaxy S5 -- which makes it a great choice for anyone.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
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Go wild

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.

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2 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

Who's it for? Anyone

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.

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3 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

Button-pusher

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

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4 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

Blending in

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

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5 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

Hard body

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.

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6 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

Grip gripe

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

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7 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

For your convenience

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.

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8 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

Active dash

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

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9 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

Edge master

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

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Blast off

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

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Camera power

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

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Screw that

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.

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13 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

Not so pocket-friendly

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

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Remember the S4 Active?

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.

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15 of 16 Josh Miller/CNET

Compared to the Galaxy S5

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

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A smidge more

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

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