Samsung has finally introduced its tougher, more rugged Galaxy S8, continuing the “Active” lineup. The Galaxy S8 Active officially went on sale on August 11 on AT&T for either around $850 outright or $28.34 per month on a lease plan.
The confirmation follows months of leaks about the device, so it doesn’t come as a total shock to most who have already seen previous renders and leaks. Pre-orders are open now, and it’s an AT&T exclusive for the time being.
“Our new Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is designed with tested durability and strength to address the needs of consumers who need a more rugged device for their lifestyle,” said Tim Baxter, CEO and President of Samsung in North America.
Baxter’s words pretty much sums up what the Galaxy S8 Active is: A nerfed Galaxy S8 that’s tougher, significantly more durable, but with the same spec sheet. A metal frame wraps around and protects the device from shocks, and the back features “a rugged, tough texture for a secure grip.” The phone basically has every feature you need should you get stuck somewhere deep in the woods: A flashlight, a quick access to a stopwatch, a barometer, a compass and others.
What the Galaxy S8 gains in durability, it loses in aesthetics. Gone is the gorgeous, edge-to-edge Infinity Display, although it still sports the same 5.8-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen. It’s probably for the best, though, since having a curved screen leaves the device more prone to damage. If you don’t care about the Infinity Display that much, it shouldn’t bother you. After all, that takes away its fragility.
Perhaps the most important difference, however, is the Galaxy S8 Active’s much bigger battery — from 3,000 mAh to a whopping 4,000 mAh. Not only will it be rugged, it will also last quite long.
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