For all high tech electronic equipment including GPS, PLB, chargers, phones, computers, software. Discussion of simple electrical devices such as torches, belongs in the main 'Equipment' forum.
Mon 02 Sep, 2013 11:55 am
I was hunting around for a new phone and find that Samsung has just released the Galaxy S4 Active - a water resistant version of the S4 - IP67 - 1 metre for 30 minutes according to the specs.
Mon 02 Sep, 2013 12:42 pm
Yes it's good to see water resistance becoming a valued spec on phones now. From my brief research the Sony Xperia ZR is the pick of the current bunch.
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 5:37 pm
Just copying Sony, the day Samsung invents or has their own idea will be the day
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 5:54 pm
wildernesswanderer wrote:Just copying Sony, the day Samsung invents or has their own idea will be the day
Sony once was a copier too. It's a process.
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 7:11 pm
OMG! - Yeah that phone is AWESOME - have seen it awhile ago on Phonearena and then now Kogan stock it. As far as smartphones go, this is probably the best one yet suited for us hikers. Hard to beat.
Hefty $ tag, but all in all an excellent phone!
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 7:24 pm
Is it still made of plastic?
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 7:48 pm
wildernesswanderer wrote:Is it still made of plastic?
Soon we'll be flying in "plastic" airliners. Be happy, the engineers have carefully crafted those plastic or glass. Not a concern.
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 7:51 pm
wildernesswanderer wrote:Just copying Sony, the day Samsung invents or has their own idea will be the day
Try telling Apple that...
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 7:58 pm
Plastic back $650+ joking right. Much better phones on the market for that money, maybe wait till Samsung have a Kathmandu 40% off sale
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 8:23 pm
wildernesswanderer wrote:Plastic back $650+ joking right. Much better phones on the market for that money, maybe wait till Samsung have a Kathmandu 40% off sale

What phone would you suggest in that price bracket? This is actually at the lower end of the price range for smartphones.
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 8:29 pm
I'd buy the Sony before the Samsung but Sony have just done a updated Xperia Z so I'll wait for it. I use a iPhone at the moment and even though I do like Apple products the newer Sony and this Samsung definitely are making me think about these new ones. Nothing against Samsung but I have worked in camera repairs and if their phone warranties are anything like their camera ones I'll steer clear of them
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 8:51 pm
wildernesswanderer wrote:I'd buy the Sony before the Samsung but Sony have just done a updated Xperia Z so I'll wait for it. I use a iPhone at the moment and even though I do like Apple products the newer Sony and this Samsung definitely are making me think about these new ones. Nothing against Samsung but I have worked in camera repairs and if their phone warranties are anything like their camera ones I'll steer clear of them
It's a luxury to be able to change platforms at will. For me, I need reliable data sync across my IT devices and swapping brands and platforms will just invite trouble. Experienced too many episodes of data scramble in my earlier Palm PDA days. Thankfully no more, ever more!
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 8:59 pm
Oh I don't want to change although even if I do my wife will still have her iPhone but the waterproof/dust sealing of the two phones would be awesome for walking.
Thu 05 Sep, 2013 9:05 pm
wildernesswanderer wrote:Oh I don't want to change although even if I do my wife will still have her iPhone but the waterproof/dust sealing of the two phones would be awesome for walking.
A bit theoretical. Even with my present phone, it has survived pretty well in the occasional rain and dirty environment. No swimming or dunking with it, but with a little care, it's never a problem in rather wet situations. If things get nasty, I have one of those waterproof pouch from dx.com for it. Works through the clear plastic. For me, full waterproofing sounds nice but in practice, makes bugger all difference.
Fri 06 Sep, 2013 10:14 pm
For me water resistant phones are good for (a) unexpected dunks / spills, (b) sweat
Fri 06 Sep, 2013 10:33 pm
findbuddha wrote:For me water resistant phones are good for (a) unexpected dunks / spills, (b) sweat
(c) teething children
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