The Samsung Galaxy S4 was a flagship sensation, but the S4 Active offered a ruggedized alternative. Both phones share a core processor, but key differences exist. This comparison dives deep into their specs, features, and overall value to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The S4 Active wins for durability and water resistance, a significant advantage for active users. The standard S4 boasts wireless charging (market dependent) and potentially a slightly better software experience depending on updates. Ultimately, choose the S4 Active if ruggedness is paramount; otherwise, the standard S4 is a solid choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I9506 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I9506 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9506 |
| 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 Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 5, 9 - SHV-E330S |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, December. Released 2013, December | 2013, Q3. Released 2013, Q3 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm (5.5 x 2.81 x 0.36 in) | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 330 |
| 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 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 500 entries | - |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual video call | Dual video call |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) |
| 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, temperature, humidity, gesture |
| | DMB-T TV tuner
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 62 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 320 h (3G) | Up to 370 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (3G) | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dive Blue, Pink | White Frost, Black Mist (I9506)/ Arctic Blue, Red Aurora, rose gold white, rose gold black, deep black (SHV-E330S) |
| Models | SHV-E470S | SHV-E330S, GT-i9506, GT-I9506, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330K, SHV-E300S |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 390 EUR |
| SAR | 1.25 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body) | 0.93 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.30 W/kg (body) | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 |
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active LTE-A
- Rugged and durable design
- Water and dust resistant (IP67)
- Slightly larger battery
- LTE-A support (potentially faster data speeds)
- Potentially less vibrant display
- May experience more thermal throttling
- Fewer software updates compared to the standard S4
Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- Potentially better software support
- Slightly sleeker design
- Less durable than the S4 Active
- Not water or dust resistant
- Smaller battery
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. While the color accuracy and brightness are similar, the S4 Active's screen might be slightly less vibrant due to the protective coating designed for durability. Viewing angles are excellent on both.
Camera Comparison
The S4 and S4 Active both have an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Image quality is generally similar, but the S4 Active's camera might be slightly less sharp due to the protective glass. Low-light performance is adequate on both, but not exceptional by today's standards.
Performance
Powered by the same Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 chipset and a 2.3 GHz Krait 400 quad-core CPU, both phones offer comparable performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, the S4 Active might experience slightly more thermal throttling under sustained load due to its more enclosed design.
Battery Life
The S4 Active typically has a slightly larger battery (2600 mAh vs. 2400 mAh in the standard S4). This translates to marginally better battery life, especially when considering the S4 Active's more rugged design might consume slightly more power.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active LTE-A? Individuals needing a durable, water-resistant phone for outdoor activities or demanding work environments. Who should buy the Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4? Users prioritizing wireless charging (if available in their region) and a potentially more refined software experience, without needing extreme ruggedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S4 Active truly waterproof?
The S4 Active is water-resistant, rated IP67, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. However, it's not fully waterproof and prolonged exposure should be avoided.
❓ Which phone received more software updates?
Generally, the standard Samsung Galaxy S4 received slightly more software updates than the S4 Active, although both are now beyond their official update cycle. However, custom ROMs might offer extended support for both devices.
