After Galaxy S5, which like most smartphones is fragile, Samsung released a durable version - the Galaxy S5 Active. If you're sporty or just plain clumsy, it pays to read reviews on its highlighted features and functions.

Design and display

The 5.1 inches display of the S5 Active is among the best you can find in the market today. It is 1 inch larger than iPhone's display of 4 inches. The screen has vivid and sharp colors with 1080p.

Design wise, the handset is undoubtedly designed to withstand outdoor conditions and unwanted slips and falls. Its more bro-centric design has hard plastic bumpers on all of the four corners. Add to this the removable back cover with faux rivets. The Recent Apps, Home and Back buttons, which are all soft-touch in the original S5, are all physical buttons in the S5 Active.

These makes the handset a must have for outdoor enthusiasts and sporty smartphone users.

Camera

Galaxy Active has a 16-megapixel camera that allows users to capture great shots during daytime. It is actually among the recent smartphones that can produce the best photos. One downside though is its limitation when there's low light. It can only produce distorted and grainy photos, which, unlike iPhone 5s' 8-megapixel camera that can still capture crisp and clean images.

Additional interesting shooting options include Virtual Tour, Shot & More, Dual Camera, Beauty Face and Auto.

Activity Zone app

Activity Zone, which the S5 Active boasts as its standout app, is specifically designed for fitness enthusiasts. It is a one-stop shop app that allows users to determine atmospheric pressure and elevation. It also has stopwatch and compass, which are helpful in both indoor and outdoor activities.

Samsung eliminated some extra software on the S5 Active. Previous models have had so much software that users find unnecessary and useless.

Verdict

With stronger design, better display, highly capable camera, useful apps, and other positive aspects, the S5 Active should be among top choices in your list.