S6 Active Durability? Is it less, equally, or more durable than average phones?

[Noah Evans]

Hey Everybody,
I am seriously considering the S6 active. I like changing up phones every few months and am thinking about giving Sammy a shot again. I was thinking the S6 but just can't deal with the battery life. I like the note 5 (currently trying it out via samsung test drive) but I don't use the pen and am looking for something more unique from what I have done before (I owned the note 4 previously) and it costs about $150 extra used over the active.
As a result, the S6 active sounds like a fun option. I don't really care that it is more bulky or plastic, or downright ugly. I will gladly trade those for 35% more battery than the S6. The durability is just a nice extra.
However, my question is this:
Most places I have looked for reviews (tech sites and Amazon), there are tons and tons of people saying that the front glass shattered easily. Most mention that the cracking started near the physical buttons which appears to be flanked by relatively narrow strips of glass. Do you guys with experience with the phone think that this phone is at least as durable as a regular phone (such as the S6)? My gut instinct is that people simply expected too much from the rugged claims made by AT&T/Samsung. However, there is a nagging piece of me that keeps looking at the glass around the buttons and thinking that it looks awful fragile.
Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated!
P.S. I plan on using a case with this phone. Nothing major like an otterbox but something that I would use on any other phone and can dampen impact a bit.

 

[Law2138]

I've never owned a regular S6 so I couldn't compare the two. However, I can chime in and say that the durability on my particular device has NOT met my expectations. My 4 year old son cracked the screen easily by biting it like a dinosaur. After the repair, the internal seals were not set properly and water entered the device after getting splashed by a sprinkler. I've seen another member on here post about a 3 foot drop that damaged the LCD. In my opinion, the plastic casing on the phone is not enough protection against drops as the shock can destroy the screen and/or internals.

My suggestion is to grab a hybrid case that offers more protection than a bumper or shell case.

 

[Noah Evans]

Thanks man, I really appreciate your feedback. It is such a shame that they didn't do a better job protecting this phone. I assume you had to pay for the repair out of pocket? Most reviews I have read said that Samsung would not stand behind their durability claims.

 

[planoman]

Hey Everybody,
I am seriously considering the S6 active. I like changing up phones every few months and am thinking about giving Sammy a shot again. I was thinking the S6 but just can't deal with the battery life. I like the note 5 (currently trying it out via samsung test drive) but I don't use the pen and am looking for something more unique from what I have done before (I owned the note 4 previously) and it costs about $150 extra used over the active.
As a result, the S6 active sounds like a fun option. I don't really care that it is more bulky or plastic, or downright ugly. I will gladly trade those for 35% more battery than the S6. The durability is just a nice extra.
However, my question is this:
Most places I have looked for reviews (tech sites and Amazon), there are tons and tons of people saying that the front glass shattered easily. Most mention that the cracking started near the physical buttons which appears to be flanked by relatively narrow strips of glass. Do you guys with experience with the phone think that this phone is at least as durable as a regular phone (such as the S6)? My gut instinct is that people simply expected too much from the rugged claims made by AT&T/Samsung. However, there is a nagging piece of me that keeps looking at the glass around the buttons and thinking that it looks awful fragile.
Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated!
P.S. I plan on using a case with this phone. Nothing major like an otterbox but something that I would use on any other phone and can dampen impact a bit.

Do a you tube search. Tons of videos. Check out the one where the dude plays hockey with the s6 active as the puck. Or the drone dropping it. That should answer your question.

I have both and like the s6 active for the battery life and to take camping. It is tougher, no question but if you get a speck candy grip case you should be good with a s6 if you do not need water resistance.

Posted via my S6 Active with Samsung Pay!

 

[soogriff]

Occasionally, I will use my active without a case, but I HATE scuffs and minor things like that on my phone, so I have an iBlason case on it. It's pretty bulky, but I have a slimmer case coming from Amazon soon. I'm not very hard on my phones, but I like being worry free about splashes of water. My phone has yet to take a fall onto the sidewalk, etc. but I think even a small fall and hitting just the right spot would still shatter this screen.

 

[thetruthkc]

With my previous phones, I have never had a drop. With the S6 Active, it has withstood 3 different drops onto concrete and tile from pocket level. Just a few minor scratches and that is it. Great durability.

 

[Law2138]

I'm using an Evocel Hybrid Armor Protector Case from Amazon for $10. Does a great job at protecting the device.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[peconicgp]

I had the s5 active and had a case with a kick stand that popped out and I used it all the time. I can't seem to figure out what brand it was and can't locate a s6 active case with a kick stand. Anyone know of any?

 

[Noah Evans]

Thanks everybody for your input. You have restored some of my excitement about this device. I can't use a fingerprint sensor because of my work and so this phone seems better for me in every way than than the s6 beyond the larger bezels. As long is it proves to be reasonably durable, I think I will be really happy with it.

 

[planoman]

Thanks everybody for your input. You have restored some of my excitement about this device. I can't use a fingerprint sensor because of my work and so this phone seems better for me in every way than than the s6 beyond the larger bezels. As long is it proves to be reasonably durable, I think I will be really happy with it.

They recently launched a 64GB model on att as well. Not sure if that would matter for you. I have not seen any on swappa yet.

 

[Mal Lignant Tumor]

Evocel Rugged Holster Case for Samsung Galaxy S6 Active: The Evocel Rugged Holster Case for Samsung Galaxy S6 Active suits your active lifestyle by being equipped with a 180-degree rotating swivel belt clip holster and a built-in locking kickstand. The Evocel Rugged Holster Case for Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is available in 6 colors.