Samsung Galaxy Watch Active review: smartwatch for active users

About the device

The Samsung Galaxy S Active series has been around for more than five years, and today the S8 Active is the latest representative of this line.
Interestingly, the first rugged smartphones of the South Korean corporation were inferior in performance and functionality to flagships: less RAM, last year's chipsets and far from top-end cameras were packaged in a massive case that protected the device from extreme environmental factors. In the case of the eighth Galaxy, the situation looks different: from the point of view of technical specifications, a device with an increased protection class is a clone of the regular S8. The difference between the active version and the standard G8 is the screen without rounded edges and increased battery capacity.

The absence of losses from internal competition between Samsung smartphones is due to AT&T's exclusive rights to sell a secure gadget: the modified S8 is purchased in advance by the American operator, due to which all possible risks associated with the sale of the device on the market are transferred to the cellular provider, and the manufacturer is guaranteed to make a profit.

It is worth saying that only consumers suffer from the exclusivity of the Active smartphone. While the smartphone is freely available for American users, residents of other countries have to purchase an unlocked device on Amazon or eBay (“there is no global” version of the modification). Despite all the difficulties associated with the purchase, the gadget is very popular in the world.

Camera Specifications

The main camera of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active has a resolution of 12.19 MP, which is not a high figure for 2020 (the average for 2017-2020 is ≈ 18.49 MP).

However, it is worth understanding that not only megapixels are important for a camera, but also the size of the matrix and aperture.

The aperture allows the amount of light that can enter the sensor through the lens. The shutter opening index in the smartphone under review is f/1.7; the lower, the better the pictures taken in low light (evening city, candles, dim light in the room...).

≈ f/1.93

- average of phones 2017-2020.

Among similar models there are options with better indicators, for example:

1. Oppo R17 Pro (2018) - f/1.5, 12.19 MP;

The analogues provided above take better photos in low light than the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active.

If you are choosing a smartphone with a good camera, we recommend considering models that have two or more main camera modules, this can significantly improve the quality of your pictures.

Full specifications of the Galaxy S8 Active

The technical specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active are contained in the table:
Specification of the Galaxy S8 Active

The main difference between the S8 Active and its predecessor is the elongated screen with an aspect ratio of 18.5:9 and the absence of physical keys on the front surface.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Active

Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is the flagship model in the American Active line of rugged smartphones from Samsung.

The most reliable protected device, made in South Korea and superior in quality and characteristics to all Chinese new products.

A one-piece and rare item from the USA. The highest quality standard for the American market and top performance.

• IP68 water/dust protection and MIL-STD-810G shock resistance.

• The body is reinforced with a metal frame and corner bumpers.

• Confidently passed the frost resistance test down to -40°C.

• Bright Super AMOLED 5.8″ display with a resolution of 2960×1440, protected by tempered Gorilla® Glass 5, additionally covered with a polymer layer on top.

• Flagship processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (second place in the ranking of the most powerful secure smartphones).

• Wireless charging, USB type-C connector, fast charging.

• Main camera 12 MP, optical stabilization. Shooting video in 4K quality (30 fps).

• Unlock by fingerprint, iris, face.

• Barometer, compass, heart rate monitor (heart rate sensor), LED notification indicator.

• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo.

• NFC (pay by phone), Bluetooth 5.

• Samsung proprietary shell with monthly system updates.

• 4GB + 64GB of memory, slot for microSD cards (up to 512 GB).

• Made in South Korea.

We recommend a branded protective case - with which you get a first-class device with the highest degree of protection. Our videos:

— Review of Samsung Galaxy S8 Active

— AGM X3 and Samsung S8 Active

- before shipping across Russia, at the request of the client, we do a video check, with a guarantee of water resistance: * SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 ACTIVE - check No. 239 Nizhny Novgorod * SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 ACTIVE check No. 241 Elektrostal

We sell only NEW devices, in original American packaging, factory films with original accessories. We DO NOT sell refurbished or repaired devices.

This model is produced ONLY for the US market! This model is NOT sold in China or any other countries!

Now on Aliexpress (from China) you can find refurbished devices for sale under the guise of “new”. Such devices should not be purchased under any circumstances. These devices were restored in China from broken American devices; such smartphones often do not even provide water resistance, not to mention the lack of proprietary South Korean assembly and stability.

1 month warranty for any defective device. If something is wrong, then according to statistics it is revealed in the first 30 days of use.

Protective glass can be bought here - https://ali.pub/4e3mqu

The best magnetic connector - https://ali.pub/3ghh5d

The best wireless charging that will save your battery - https://ali.pub/4eyt8o

Design and ergonomics

The design of the S8 Active complies with the military standard MIL-STD-810G (USA), which ensures that the electronic device is protected from falls from heights and sudden temperature changes. The body of the smartphone is covered with rubberized plastic, and the display is covered with fifth-generation Corning Gorilla Glass and an additional protective layer. The degree of protection against water and dust complies with the international standard IP68.

It should be noted that the gadget has large dimensions (152.2x74.9x9.9 mm) and impressive weight (208 g), and not every user will be able to hide the modified S8 in their pocket.

Specifications

• Size and weight: 40 mm, 39.5 x 39.5 x 10.5 mm, 25 grams;
• Display: 1.1 inches (28 mm) 360×360 Full Color AOD Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3;
• Battery: 230 mAh;
• Processor: Exynos 9110 Dual core 1.15 GHz;
• Built-in memory: 4GB;
• RAM: 768 MB;
• Communication standards: Bluetooth®4.2, Wi-Fi b/g/n, NFC, A-GPS/GLONASS;
• Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, heart rate sensor, light sensor;
• Moisture protection: 5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810G;

Screen

The specifications and display capabilities of the Active version of the S8 are presented below:

• Super-AMOLED matrix with a diagonal of 5.8 inches and Quad HD+ resolution (2960×1440);
• Always-On mode support (low battery consumption by active display);
• Adaptive mode (automatically adjusts the brightness and color rendition of the display to the ambient lighting conditions);
• 45-degree polarizing filter position (picture saturation at any angle and in any lighting).

Interestingly, 1000 nits of maximum Super-AMOLED brightness is enough to use the display as a front-facing flash when taking selfies.

Display

The display in a smart watch, as in any other gadget, is perhaps the main element of the device, because it is thanks to it that we can enjoy all the functional delights of the purchased gadget. The Samsung Galaxy Watch uses a 1.1-inch (28 mm) AMOLED matrix with a resolution of 360x360 pixels. Damage-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass is used as protection. Moreover, it has a rounded shape.

From personal impressions, I can say that the watch screen is perfectly readable even in bright sunshine. No pixels visible.

The main difference between the model in question and the regular Galaxy Watch is the absence of a rotating bezel, with which you can control the device without touching the screen. In Watch Active, all control is carried out using swipes, and, in general, this does not bring any discomfort.

There are quite large frames around the screen. They are especially noticeable on dials with a light background.

Platform

The current version of the smartphone operating system is Android 8.0 Oreo, which is hidden under Samsung Experience UI 9.0. It is worth noting that they do not participate in Project Treble, which is why the software update process for these devices will consist of two main stages: firmware development by Google and OS optimization by the manufacturer.

Although changes made by the vendor slow down the overall speed of the update, the SE UI shell brings additional functions to bare Android: for example, the ability to clone instant messengers and simultaneously use one application with several accounts. Also, the Samsung Experience interface does not contain bright colors and retains the laconicism of the original OS.

Camera

The Galaxy S8 Active has a main photo module, the characteristics of which are identical to the camera of a regular G8. The 12-megapixel sensor developed by Sony, support for Dual Pixel technology and Multiframe post-processing ensure high-quality photos in any lighting.

The front camera has a resolution of 8 MP and an F/1.7 aperture, which is a “classic” for the last three generations of Samsung Galaxy S smartphones.

Samsung SM-G892A Galaxy S8 Active

Attention! The condition of the display samples may contain slight wear. Trade-in devices , accepted for commission, have abrasions and scratches (technically fully functional). You can clarify the nuances and see additional photographs of the device upon request.

Description of the Samsung S8 Active smartphone

A few months after the release of the Samsung Galaxy s7 Active smartphone, the company again pleased us with a brand new secure gadget for the US market.

This time it was the S8 Active. And it is somewhat different from previous “Active” smartphones.

This time Samsung went towards the “smartphone trends”. The mechanical buttons under the display disappeared, and their place was taken by a large sAmoled display, occupying a large area of ​​the front panel with an aspect ratio of 2x1, or as it is fashionable to write in reviews: 18x9. It's not bad. Thus, Samsung gives you a choice between conservative and progressive design, so to speak!

Otherwise, the s8 active, as expected, received flagship hardware from the “fragile” version of the Galaxy s8, in addition to acquiring reliable armor in the form of a metal frame and rubberized, shock-absorbing inserts.

Appearance

The Samsung s8 Active case is made of a metal base and rubberized inserts in the corners that absorb impact energy when dropped. The back part is made of rubberized plastic, which prevents slipping in wet hands.

On the back of the smartphone there is a 12MP camera, as well as a bright LED flash/flashlight. As in the previous model, a heart activity sensor is located next to the camera. And to the left of the camera is a fingerprint sensor.

The front panel is almost entirely occupied by a 5.8” diagonal sAmoled display with a resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels.

Above the display there is a speaker, sensors and a front camera. The buttons are now virtual, on-screen, since there is no room left for mechanical buttons under the display.

The dimensions of the device are: 151.9 X 74.9 mm, thickness 9.9 mm. Smartphone weight: 208g.

Functional features

Samsung s8 Active runs Android 9 and the proprietary TouchWiz shell. It is a convenient and fast interface with wide functionality, but easy to use.

A large display with a relatively compact body will be convenient for multimedia tasks.

The smartphone offers contactless payments (Samsung Pay, Android Pay) and other functions of flagship devices from Samsung. Sensors available: Accelerometer, geomagnetic sensor, gyroscope, RGB ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, barometer, Hall sensor, fingerprint scanner, iris scanner, heart rate sensor.

In addition, the S8 Active has a retinal scanner. This functionality is used to unlock the device and make payments if you configure it to perform this feature!

The charging connector, unlike the previous generation, has been updated. Now, instead of micro-USB, a newer Type-C connector is used.

Performance S8 Active

The S8 Active received a flagship 8-core processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and a more capacious 4000 mAh battery than the regular S8.

Devices equipped with this processor are an uncompromising choice for any task. From simple everyday use, to using it as a gaming machine. And with such things as navigation or surfing the Internet - the gadget will cope without the slightest problem!

In addition, the smartphone is equipped with Quick Charge 2.0 fast charging function, as well as wireless charging capabilities according to QI and PMA standards.

Photo and video shooting

The main camera of the Galaxy s8 active is equipped with: a 12MP matrix with an aperture: f/1.7, Dual pixel technology, Automatic HDR, autofocus and optical stabilization.

It has the ability to record 4K 30fps or FullHD 60fps video.

The front camera has an 8MP matrix with autofocus and an f/1.7 aperture - it will be an excellent option for both selfies and video calling. It has the ability to record video in FHD.

The photo capabilities of this smartphone are among the best for rugged devices.

Protective characteristics

S8 Active inherits all the positive qualities of previous models in the line and is protected from external influences according to the following standards: IP68 and MIL-STD-810G.

It has a durable metal case and rubberized inserts that absorb shock during falls. The display is protected by 4th generation Corning Gorilla Glass.

A frame protrudes above the display to protect against flat falls. The audio jack and Type-C connector do not have plugs, but are protected from moisture entering the device through them.

Samsung S8 Active

Conclusion

Samsung Galaxy s8 Active is an uncompromising solution for those who want a rugged device with flagship specifications and a design that keeps up with the latest trends.

It will become a universal device that does not require attention to detail. A large reserve of power will not force you to put up with “slowdowns” and bugs, a large, high-quality display will satisfy all media needs, and the cameras will delight those who like to take videos or photos in nature or during active recreation.

If you need a powerful, modern device with excellent photo/video capabilities, then the Samsung Galaxy s8 Active is your choice!

If you have already used such a device, leave your comments about it, or go to our forum to discuss this secure smartphone.

Communications and sound

The communication capabilities of the S8 Active include support for:

• LTE-advanced. Thanks to working with advanced fourth-generation networks, the gadget is capable of transmitting data over cellular channels at speeds of up to 400 Mbit/s.
• NFC. NFC technology allows you to pay for real purchases with your smartphone using Samsung Pay and Android Pay services.
• Bluetooth version 5 and aptX standard. “Eight” can work simultaneously with several wireless audio accessories, and also supports “air” sound playback in Lossless format.
• WiFi and WiFi Direct. Direct is a technology for broadcasting smartphone display content to an external WiFi-enabled monitor.
• OTG connections. USB Type-C and OTG connection provide instant data transfer between mobile devices synchronized by wire.
• GPS and GLONASS. Satellite geolocation systems do not require a connection to a cellular network, which allows you to use a secure smartphone as a navigator or GPS tracker.

It is worth noting that, despite the massive body of the Active smartphone, the multimedia mono speaker has a good resonator. The sound quality and volume will satisfy most users.

Characteristics

Comparison with competitors

The only serious competitor to the S8 Active is the previous generation of rugged smartphone - the Galaxy S7 Active.
Below is a comparative analysis of these devices: Comparison table of S8 Active with the previous version

If the camera characteristics and the degree of security of the smartphone case are identical, then they are twice as high as those of its predecessor. On the other hand, the S7 costs significantly less, and the buyer will have to make a choice between the power of the device and saving money.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Active (SM-G892A) specifications

Brand Samsung Name Galaxy S8 Active Type SM-G892A Rating Launch 2017

Body

Weight 207 g Dimensions 152.14 x 74.9 x 9.9 mm Colors gold gray SIM type Nano SIM

System

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Active runs on Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box, but the Galaxy S8 Active firmware can be updated to a newer version of the OS.

OS Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 CPU Octa-core, Quad-core 2.45 GHz Kryo, Quad-core 2.15 GHz Kryo GPU Adreno 540

Display

Screen size is measured in inches, diagonally from corner to corner. 5.8-inch capacitive touchscreen Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1440 x 2960 px supports multi-touch technology.

Super AMOLED technology Size 5.8 inches Resolution 1440 x 2960 px Multi-touch yes

Memory

The smartphone's memory (4 GB) cannot be expanded, but the memory (64 GB) can be expanded using a microSD card.

MEMORY 4 GB Internal storage 64 GB External storage microSD

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Active camera is equipped with autofocus. Autofocus is a camera feature that fine-tunes the focus of the camera and is a nice feature of this smartphone. The rear camera has optical image stabilization (OIS) to counteract camera shake.

Front camera 8 MP Rear camera 12 MP 4032 x 3024 px autofocus optical image stabilization Flash Dual LED

Connection

Galaxy S8 Active supports 3G and 4G. This smartphone has a built-in GPS receiver. GPS is a satellite navigation system that allows you to determine your exact geographic location on Earth. The Galaxy S8 Active comes with Near Field Communications (NFC) to share content with other NFC-enabled devices. This Samsung smartphone has an FM radio.

GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 Mobile network 2G / 3G / 4G WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth v5.1, A2DP GPS A-GPS, GLONASS NFC yes FM radio yes USB USB Type -C Audio 3.5 mm jack

Battery

Li-Po 4000 mAh battery, non-removable gives the smartphone a good battery reserve.

Type Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable

Peculiarities

Smartphone sensors measure physical quantities and transmit them to the application processor. Phones' accelerometer is a built-in electronic component that measures tilt and movement. A fingerprint sensor is one of the easiest and most secure ways to protect your smartphone. The proximity sensor detects when a user is holding the phone close to their face during a call and turns off the display to prevent keypresses and draining battery from the display.

Sensors accelerometer barometer compass fingerprint gyro hall heart rate light proximity Special Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Fast charging Wireless charging Certified IP68 dustproof and waterproof

Compare Samsung Galaxy S8 Active with other mobile phones

The above specifications are based on official data published by the manufacturer, but we also take into account user reviews. If you find a bug or something wrong in the above specifications for Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, please feel free to report the issue to us.

Reviews

Owners of S8 Active highlighted the following advantages of the device:

• Hull strength. The gadget can withstand accidental drops from any height, and the likelihood of damage to the display is close to zero.
• Powerful technical stuffing. enough to run the most demanding applications, and there are no lags or slowdowns in the Samsung Experience interface.
• Unpretentious “brutal” design. Despite its massiveness, the smartphone does not look aggressive or defiant.
• Battery capacity. Under moderate load, the smartphone can work in autonomous mode for more than two days.

Among the disadvantages:

• Protective glass is not resistant to scratches. It is worth understanding that the strength of any material is proportional to the fragility coefficient - the manufacturer maintains a balance between impact resistance and protection from cosmetic defects.
• Supports 1 SIM card. American versions of smartphones never support more than one SIM card, and the user can only come to terms with the impossibility of using two identification chips in the S8 Active.

Also, some users regret buying a locked smartphone and recommend ordering only from trusted online sellers with high ratings.