After unveiling the Galaxy S4 Mini, Samsung keeps the momentum going prior to its Premiere 2013 Galaxy and ATIV event in London on June 20, by unwrapping the Galaxy S4 Active.
The official announcement, Wednesday, followed a series of rumors and leaked videos and photos landing on different technology websites. The Galaxy S4 Active is the rugged sibling in the brood of the Galaxy S4.
"The GALAXY S4 Active is the newest addition to the GALAXY series and is purposefully designed for active users who love the outdoors. Samsung has taken the innovative features of the GALAXY S4 and added breakthrough protective design elements to create a device that thrives in an active environment and is built for a lifestyle of travel and exploration," said JK Shin, IT and mobile communications division CEO and president at Samsung Electronics, through a press statement.
Since the newest member of the Samsung Galaxy family is designed and engineered for the outdoorsy type, it is well protected from water and dust. Users do not have to worry about dust getting inside the handset. It can also withstand water up to about 40 inches deep for half an hour. Samsung does not only claim that but the Galaxy S4 Active comes with an International Protection or IP67 certification, meaning it is a notch below the highest level of protection from solid foreign objects and water.
The Galaxy S4 Active is not only a tough phone but a capable one, too. The S4 Active is equipped with a 1.9GHz quad-core chip, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage that can be expanded to 64GB using a microSD and 2,600mAh battery pack. The only downside, perhaps, is its 5-inch HD TFT LCD screen (unlike Galaxy S4, which boasts of a Super AMOLED display).
The Galaxy S4 Active features an 8-megapixel main camera and 2-megapixel front camera. The camera will come with an Aqua Mode that helps take clear pictures and videos underwater. The LED that serves as flash of the camera also doubles as a flashlight just by pressing the volume key for a few seconds. The device will run on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean out of the box.
No definite date was given when Galaxy S4 Active will hit the market but Samsung said that it will be released this summer. It will first hit the stores in the United States and Sweden and then be rolled out to other markets. It will come in Orange Flare, Dive Blue, and Urban Grey.
