Up close with the sporty Samsung Galaxy S4 Active (pictures)
This dustproof, waterproof Galaxy S4 phone has a flashier design and some cool new moves.
Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Thought Leadership, Speed Desk and How-To. 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.
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The S4 Active clearly has a wilder personality than the original Galaxy S4, but the two phones have the same basic shape and internal specs, down to the IR blaster at the top of the phone.
Physical navigation buttons are easy to press with wet or dry hands. It's a very nice change from flat, touch-sensitive icons and the S4's skinny Home key.
I love the look of the rubbery bumpers on the back, but since they don't completely wrap around the Active's corners, they have limited functionality in protecting the phone from drops and scrapes. Samsung squared off the camera mount design to reinforce the sporty look.
This Active isn't the only water baby there is, not by a long shot. But if you do it right, you can get some neat shots you wouldn't ordinarily be able to nab without extra accessories.
