Samsung Galaxy S6 Active: new robust, waterproof phone released after leaks

Phone appeared on websites as the world awaited Apple’s big WWDC event

Samsung has unveiled a new durable and waterproof version of its flagship S6 smartphone.

The phone — launched as the world waited for Apple’s big Worldwide Developers Conference event — features all of the insides of the normal S6, but packs them into a much more robust and slightly bigger body. The phone is dustproof and water-resistant, features a special activity app, and is “built for adventure”, according to Samsung.

The phone was unveiled on the website of American phone network AT&T. The company didn’t specify prices and said only that the phone was “coming soon”.

The phone had been rumoured for some time and Samsung and follows a similar pattern to the last flagship phone, the Galaxy S5, which also got an Active version.

Like the normal S6, the phone features a 16 megapixel rear camera and a big 5.1” quad HD screen. It has wireless charging and a 3,500 mAh battery.

The durable body features outdoors-y looking screwed edges, and comes in a light and dark version with a digital camouflage look.

The company says that the body meets military standards for dust, shock, vibration, extreme temperature, humidity and high altitude. The phone can be submersed under 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes and can be dropped from up to 4 feet onto a flat surface.

As well as packing in a big battery, the phone has special technologies intended to keep the phone going longer, like an “ultra power saving mode” that helps the phone last for 24 hours with only 10 per cent charge left.

It also has an “Activity Zone”, which features special readouts like a compass and barometer for helping people contending with the great outdoors.