Samsung have confirmed the much-rumoured S4 Active, a ruggedised version of the Galaxy S4.
The device is waterproof for up to 30 minutes of submersion at one metre with a sealed design, following in the footsteps of other manufacturers such as Sony in making devices designed to tough out the elements (or baths, at any rate).
To do this, the device features a “fully sealed design” (the Xperia Z featured sealed tabs), with a water resistant earphone jack, which means you can listen to your music in the “most adventurous conditions” – like underwater?
The device features exposed screws and a slightly more chunky looking body.
Samsung is also debuting the ability to take underwater photos with the device’s ‘Aqua Mode’, which sounds a) like a failed super power of Aqua Man’s and b) like trouble when it comes to youths, pools and phones.
Samsung said the device would be available this summer in the UK in grey, blue and weirdly, orange.
What Mobile will get a hands on look at the Samsung & Ativ event on June 20th, so stay tuned for our first look.
The breakdown
The phone will feature a 1.9GHz quad core processor with 2GB RAM which is pretty respectable, running Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) and packing 16GB internal memory, expandable via microSD.
Measuring 139.7 by 71.3 mm and coming in at 9.1mm thick, the device will weigh 151g, which is chunkier than the S4 at 7.9mm thick and 130g.
It’ll sport a 5 inch screen with 443 ppi pixel density, an 8MP rear camera and a 2600mAh battery, along with access to Samsung’s various geegaws and doodads including Smart Pause and Air Gesture.
Who’s stocking it?
Meanwhile Phones 4u have confirmed they’ll be stocking the S4 Active with pricing and availability to come.
Phones 4u chief commercial officer Scott Hooton said the retailer had seen an ongoing appetite for Samsung mobile phones, with every one in three purchased being Samsung.
Three said it had no information as yet as to whether it would be stocking the device.
O2 and Vodafone have confirmed they won’t be stocking the device.
What Mobile is waiting on comment from Carphone Warehouse and Everything Everywhere.
