Samsung Galaxy S5 Active (2014)
This phone comes equipped with a 5.1 inch Super AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AA chipset, and 2 GB of RAM.
Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.
Table of Contents
- Samsung Galaxy S5 Active specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Active specifications
Brand | Samsung |
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Name | Galaxy S5 Active |
Model | SM-G870 |
Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 6 oz |
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Dimensions | 5.72 x 2.89 x 0.35 inch |
Colors | camo green, ruby red, titanium grey |
SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is about 6 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) |
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SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AA |
CPU | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 |
GPU | Adreno 330 |
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | Super AMOLED |
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Screen size | 5.1 inch |
Resolution | 1080 x 1920 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. The 5.1 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 2 GB |
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Internal storage | 16 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets us keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Galaxy S5 Active has only 16 GB. We can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 16 MP, 3456 x 4608 px, autofocus |
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Flash | LED |
Selfie camera | 2 MP |
This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Galaxy S5 Active smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP, LE |
GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
NFC | yes |
FM radio | no |
USB | microUSB 2.0, USB host |
Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy S5 Active smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The Galaxy S5 Active comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh |
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The Li-Ion 2800 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. We can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by ourselves.
Features, sensors, specials
Sensors | accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, heart rate, light, proximity |
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Specials | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Dustproof and water-resistant |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- Super AMOLED display
- microSD slot
- Corning Gorilla Glass shield
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
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