The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active series was known for its rugged design and water resistance. But with two distinct models – the LTE-A and the I9295 – which one truly delivered the best experience? We dive deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The S4 Active LTE-A generally edges out the I9295 thanks to its superior Snapdragon 800 chipset, offering noticeably faster performance. While both boast excellent sunlight readability and battery endurance, the LTE-A's processing power makes it the preferred choice for demanding users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9295 |
| EDGE | Class 33 | - |
| GPRS | Class 33 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - I537 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, December. Released 2013, December | 2013, June. Released 2013, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm (5.5 x 2.81 x 0.36 in) | 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm (5.5 x 2.81 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | 153 g (5.40 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 320 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB (11.2GB user available), 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 500 entries | - |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual video call | - |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | Downloadable | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, gesture | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, gesture |
| | DMB-T TV tuner
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 320 h (3G) | Up to 312 h |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (3G) | Up to 17 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dive Blue, Pink | Urban Grey, Dive Blue, Orange Flare |
| Models | SHV-E470S | GT-I9295, SGH-I537 |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR | 1.25 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body) | 0.55 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.30 W/kg (body) | 0.26 W/kg (head) 0.36 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -96.1dB / Crosstalk -96.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 57h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1046:1 (nominal), 2.022 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 72dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB
|
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active LTE-A
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 800)
- Faster App Loading
- Better Gaming Experience
- Slightly more modern chipset
- Potentially higher price (if found)
- May be harder to find in good condition
Samsung I9295 Galaxy S4 Active
- Excellent Battery Life (57h endurance)
- Outstanding Sunlight Readability
- Rugged and Water-Resistant Design
- Potentially more affordable
- Slower Performance (Snapdragon 600)
- Older Chipset
- May be harder to find accessories
Display Comparison
Both models feature a 5-inch Super AMOLED display with a remarkable 1046:1 contrast ratio and an impressive 2.022 contrast ratio in direct sunlight. This means excellent outdoor visibility regardless of the model. However, the LTE-A might have slightly better color accuracy due to its more advanced chipset, though this is subtle.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a similar camera setup, likely an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Image quality will be comparable in good lighting conditions. However, the LTE-A's more powerful processor might allow for slightly faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance, though differences are likely minimal.
Performance
This is where the LTE-A shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974) chipset with a 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU significantly outperforms the I9295's Snapdragon 600 (APQ8064T) with a 1.9 GHz Krait 300 CPU. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the LTE-A.
Battery Life
Both models are reported to have an endurance rating of 57 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. This is a major strength of both devices, ensuring all-day usage even with moderate to heavy use.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active LTE-A is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a slightly more modern chipset. The I9295 is a solid choice for those seeking a durable phone with exceptional battery life and excellent outdoor visibility, especially if budget is a primary concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the S4 Active LTE-A and the I9295?
The primary difference is the chipset. The LTE-A uses a Snapdragon 800, while the I9295 uses a Snapdragon 600. This results in a noticeable performance difference.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
Both phones are quite old. While they offer durability and decent battery life, their performance is limited by their age. Consider them only if you need a rugged, affordable phone and don't require the latest features.
