Samsung announces Galaxy S6 active, coming soon to AT&T
In making Galaxy S6 more visually appealing and compact, Samsung has decided not to keep the water and dust-resistance capabilities of its predecessor, Galaxy S5. And that is a shame, because it would have made this flagship an even more attractive proposition, especially for those who are likely to, for instance, find themselves using the device in pools or dusty areas. It would have also given Galaxy S6 a clear advantage over the competition.
Thankfully, for those looking for a (more) durable Galaxy S6, Samsung has introduced Galaxy S6 active. As its name suggests, it is designed for folks who need or want a water-resistant smartphone that can withstand drops, but without sacrificing any of the highlight features of a flagship product.
The case of Galaxy S6 active is IP68-certified, which exceeds the IP67 rating of Galaxy S5. The smartphone is water-resistant up to 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1.5 meters, shock resistant when dropped from heights of up to four feet, and dust-proof. It meets the "US Mil-STD-810G [standard] for water-resistance and to withstand dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, and high altitude".
Internally, it features the same hardware specifications as the standard Galaxy S6, with the exception of a larger 3,500 mAh battery. The most-important specs are: 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,440 x 2,560, octa-core 64-bit Samsung-made processor, 16 MP camera on the back, 5 MP front-facing shooter, 32 GB of internal storage, built-in wireless charging, and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.
Software-wise, Galaxy S6 active is equipped with so-called "outdoor features", like a compass, flashlight, stopwatch and more. It is also KNOX-enabled, which means that it should work fine in business environments. Available colors include Camo Blue, Camo White and Gray.
Galaxy S6 active will launch in US exclusively on AT&T. The smartphone will be available starting June 12 -- this Friday -- for as little as $0 down with a Next plan. It costs $23.17 per month on Next 24, $28.96 per month on Next 18 or $34.75 per month on Next 12.
AT&T is also running a limited-time promotion with Galaxy S6 active, offering each buyer a Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 tablet for free with a two-year contract, and also the option to get Wireless Charging Pad for 50 percent off upon signing up for a Next plan or two-year agreement.
There is no word yet on when or if Galaxy S6 active will be available internationally.