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Samsung Galaxy S5 Active SM-G870

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active SM-G870

745 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
durability (8)
performance (7)
screen (3)
portability (3)
GPS navigation (2)

Negative
design (2)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 745 reviews of Samsung Galaxy S5 Active SM-G870. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other Cell phones for all reviews. Reviews about the battery and screen are generally positive. The portability and performance also get good feedback. There are some less positive comments about the design. There are some mixed reviews about the reliability and sound.

durability, performance, portability, screen, battery

design

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Cell phones the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active SM-G870 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 86/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 745 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(61% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (18% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (5% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (3% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (12% of reviews)
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Features

durability
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performance
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portability
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design
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screen
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Showing 705 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 693 of 705 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (39)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Samsung Galaxy S5 Active SM-G870

alaTest has collected and analyzed 680 user reviews of Samsung Galaxy S5 Active SM-G870 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.8/5 for other Cell phones on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the usability and GPS navigation. The durability and portability also get good feedback.

performance, portability, durability, GPS navigation, usability

84% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.ca)

Amazon.ca review summary for Samsung Galaxy S5 Active SM-G870

alaTest has collected and analyzed 3 user reviews of Samsung Galaxy S5 Active SM-G870 from Amazon.ca. The average user rating for this product is 4.7/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Cell phones on Amazon.ca.

100% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : GSMArena team (gsmarena.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active review: Combat ready

As the Northern hemisphere enters the summer season, it's the second year in a row that Samsung releases a rugged version of its incumbent flagship. This time around, it is a toughened take on an already IP certified device, so they went through the...

MIL-STD-810G certification for salt, dust, humidity, rain, vibration, solar radiation, transport and thermal shock resistance ; IP67 certification for dust and water resistance ; 5.1" 16M-color 1080p Super AMOLED with Gorilla Glass 3 ; Android OS...

No OIS in the camera ; No fingerprint sensor (Galaxy S5 has it) ; No microUSB 3.0 (Galaxy S5 has it) ; Rear-mounted mono speaker ; Poor video codec support out of box ; Design is a bit too cluttered ; Only available in the United States for AT&T at the...

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is everything we expected it to be and more. In terms of functionality and feature set, the handset is almost every bit as capable as the SM-G900 with the added benefit of higher durability and improved grip. The...

Jun, 2014

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Expert review by : Eugene Kim (pcmag.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active (AT&T)

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active on AT&T is a no-compromise, ruggedized Android smartphone that will appeal to klutzes and adrenaline junkies alike.

Spectacular screen. Excellent camera. Drop- and waterproof. Customizable Active key.

Thick, reinforced corners. Bloatware.

Conclusions The Galaxy S5 Active makes no real compromises to earn its more adventurous designation. I don't care for fingerprint scanners, and I think the Active key will be genuinely more useful for the majority of people. Otherwise, it offers the...

Jun, 2014

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Jessica Dolcourt (cnet.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active medals in style and substance, but sportiness? Meh (review)

Great specs and a slightly tougher build make this Galaxy S5 spinoff one to consider, but its take on athletic and brawny prowess barely breaks a sweat.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active has a sturdy build, excellent physical controls, and a convenience key that double as a camera shutter. Inside, it has the same top-tier specs as the Galaxy S5.

It lacks a fingerprint scanner, it's slippery, and apart from its tougher aesthetic, the S5 Active isn't much tougher or athletically-minded than other dust- and water-resistant smartphones.

Though it's only marginally more durable than the original Galaxy S5, the Galaxy S5 Active's physical buttons and high-end features keep it in Samsung's hit parade.

Jun, 2014

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Expert review by : Kenneth Wong (ubergizmo.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active Review

Think of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active (released May 2014, listed at $659 without contract by AT&T) as a stronger, tougher cousin of the Galaxy S5 (released April 2014). The Galaxy S5 Active dropped its predecessor S5's fingerprint sensor, a security...

Samsung Reviews.

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Expert review by : John V. (phonearena.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active Review

Enter the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active, which like before, bears many of the elements and specs of its esteemed cousin. As we already know all too well, the Galaxy S5 now has a water-resistant element, so why even bother with the Active? Read on and we'll...

Tougher construction so it’s not as brittle as the Galaxy S5 ; Most of the specs and features have been left intact ; Activity Zone is great for the outdoorsy folks ; Similar overall performance to the Galaxy S5

Slippery feel in the hand ; Design language isn’t as pleasant ; Low lighting camera performance is underwhelming

One has to give Samsung credit with the Galaxy S5 Active, seeing as though it looks like they’ve been able to learn from last years’ model. However, some folks might still be scratching their heads wondering why come out with this phone knowing that...

Jun, 2014

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Expert review by : Sam Rutherford (tomsguide.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active Review

Get the tough Galaxy S5 Active, and you won't need a case. The more than 9 hours of battery life seals the deal.

Military-grade 810G durability ; User-programmable Active button ; Physical buttons for Home, Back and Menu ; Colorful display ; Solid battery life

Bigger and heavier than regular GS5 ; No fingerprint reader ; Audio sounds strained at max volume

The S5 Active combines flagship power with military-grade durability, giving butter-fingered users and outdoor enthusiasts the best of both worlds.

Nov, 2014

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Expert review by : Jason Million (gstylemag.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S5 Active: Beauty or the Beast?

I thought the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active last year was a nice build of phone only disappointed with the fact it specs were slightly dumbed down to make the Galaxy S4 look superior. This year Samsung has taken a different approach and make the Samsung...

Jul, 2014

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Expert review by : By Blake Stimac (greenbot.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active review: A high-end phone for the accident prone

The durable Galaxy S5 variant is for those who are tough on their phones or a complete klutz.

Great display ; Ultra durable ; Extra button that you can remap

Design is on the ugly side ; Shock absorbing case adds bulk ; Limited to AT&T in the U.S.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active shares identical internal hardware as the original Galaxy S5, but is sturdier, uglier, and only available on AT&T.

Jul, 2014

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Expert review by : Lanh Nguyen (androidauthority.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active review: a true flagship in a ruggedized body

The Samsung Galaxy S5, with it's IP67 certification, features protection from dust and the occasional splash in the water. But what if that protection isn't enough? Well, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active could be your solution.

IP 67 dust and water resistant ; Military-grade ruggedness ratings ; Great camera ; Beautiful display ; Solid construction

Lacks fingerprint scanner ; Poor low-light performance ; The design isn't for everyone

Jul, 2014

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Expert review by : Michael Fisher (pocketnow.com)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Active review: sturdy, but not “everything-proof”

It looks like a Galaxy S5 on 'roids, and it's got enough ruggedization to make a SEAL swoon – but how tough is it? Find out in our Galaxy S5 Active review!

IP67 and MIL-STD-810G durability ; Beautiful, versatile display ; Very little spec compromise for a rugged device

Not as rugged as it should be ; Low-light photography lags behind competition

Whatever the paint job, whether a Galaxy S5 Active belongs in your pocket depends on how much meat you really need on your smartphone’s bones. Remember, the stock S5 is already immersion-resistant, and while a MIL-STD-810G rating should mean the Active...

Jun, 2014

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