Galaxy S8 is the most beautifully designed smartphone of the year. No other smartphone comes even close. The S8’s edge-to-edge Infinity display has been praised by users and critics alike. However, the S8’s rugged sibling will lack the Infinity display. For the last few years, Samsung has launched an Active version of its flagship Galaxy S phones, and the S8 will be no exception. A Reddit user has leaked the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active pictures that show a flat screen with thick side bezels.
A rugged Galaxy S8 with bigger battery
The S8’s dual curved display means it could break easily. On the other hand, the Active phones with their rugged design are known to be more durable than their regular siblings. The Redditor said they obtained the S8 Active prototype device from a friend who works at Samsung in San Francisco. The leaker also published a video of the device, but pulled it down later.
The leaked images posted on Reddit show that Samsung has removed the Infinity display. There are no curves on the sides. The screen is flat, and the side bezels are thick. The Redditor added that the display is protected by a shatter-resistant glass that can withstand accidental drops. According to Android Police, the sides are made of metal while the back cover is made of polycarbonate. It would help the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active absorb the impact from drops and knocks.
The phone’s design is such that you won’t need to buy a case for additional protection, though some people do prefer to buy cases. The Redditor said the S8 Active is 1.5x thicker than the regular Galaxy S8. It will pack a huge 4000mAh battery. That’s bigger than both the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, which come with a 3000mAh and 3500mAh battery, respectively.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active to have the same specs as the regular model
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Active carries the model number SM-G892A, and has a military standard certification. The device will have IP68 water- and dust-resistance, though only time will tell how water-resistant it is. Last year’s Galaxy S7 Active was claimed to be “water-resistant,” but the device failed to live up to Samsung’s claims, according to Consumer Reports.
On the inside, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active will be almost identical to the regular Galaxy S8, except for the battery. It will have the same 4GB RAM, 64GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. It will have a 12-megapixel rear camera and an 8MP front camera for selfies. The prototype seen by the Redditor runs Android Nougat rather than Android O.
Bixby button replaces the Active button
While the previous generation Active smartphones had a re-mappable “Active” button for shortcuts, the Galaxy S8 Active will have a dedicated Bixby button. The button will be locked-down to prevent users from reconfiguring it to summon any other apps. It is not yet known how much it would cost and when it would hit the stores.
The Galaxy Active smartphones have always been an AT&T exclusive, and the S8 Active is unlikely to be an exception. Also, the Active phones come in different colors than the regular models. For example, the Galaxy S7 Active was launched in Camo Green, Titanium Gray, and Sandy Gold, while the regular S7 came in White, Black, Silver, Gold, and Pink Gold colors.
SamMobile reported in May that the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active was code-named “Cruiser.” Video streaming platform Netflix had also accidentally leaked its model number SM-G892A while suggesting that the phone would support HDR streaming. Netflix had removed the reference to the phone within hours.
Why some people may prefer S8 Active over the regular Galaxy S8
There is a section of Samsung fans that would prefer the S8 Active over the regular S8. The Galaxy S8 has a gorgeous display, but it is the most fragile smartphone on the planet, thanks to the Infinity display. If you accidentally drop your phone, be ready to shell out at least a couple of hundred dollars. Electronics insurance company SquareTrade put the Galaxy S8 through their breakability test, which includes drops, dunks, and tumbles.
SquareTrade said the Galaxy S8 was the first and only phone they have ever tested that cracked on all sides on the first drop itself. The rugged Galaxy S8 Active with its military-grade durability should be able to withstand accidental drops and tumbles. If you have already purchased a regular Galaxy S8, you should know that the cost of repairing it has declined since last year.
Currently, replacement screens for the Galaxy S8 are available for about $200 in China. That is about $100 lower than the replacement display panels for the Galaxy S7 in early 2016 when it was launched.
For now, Samsung fans are eagerly waiting for the Galaxy Note 8, which will be announced on August 23. However, the Note 8 will also have an Infinity display like the regular Galaxy S8.
