Samsung Galaxy S5 Active breaks cover

A ruggedized version of the company's latest premium phone is in the works, aimed at users that need to stay connected no matter how far off the beaten track their lifestyle takes them.

A ruggedized version of the company's latest premium phone is in the works, aimed at users that need to stay connected no matter how far off the beaten track their lifestyle takes them.

The Galaxy S5 Active is actually slimmer than the standard version of the handset, but it is going to come with reinforced corner bumpers to make sure it has a better chance of surviving accidental drops and falls.

It is also going to come with a special suite of apps called The Activity Zone, which will focus on users with active lifestyles. So, it includes a barometer, compass, flashlight and stopwatch as well as access to the existing suite of S Health apps offered on the standard S5.

Samsung's last take on a rugged premium phone, the SIV active, offered many of the same features, but this time the apps are grouped together and can be viewed together and can be accessed quickly by a dedicated button on the phone's side.

The idea is that half way up a mountain you can whip out the handset and check your bearings -- atmospheric pressure, height above sea level and compass point.

The same button also offers quick access to the camera. A long press launches the camera and a short press will then release the shutter.

As for the apps exclusive to the handset, the fact that they're grouped with the S-Health suite suggests that they will also be compatible with Samsung's latest smartwatches and smart bands too.

As well as press renders, revealed by serial tech leaker @evleaks, a couple of review videos of pre-launch version of the handset have already started cropping up on YouTube.

As well as a ruggedized version, Samsung is also reported to be launching an even more premium version of the S5 with an even faster processor and a metal rather than plastic body, dubbed the S5 Prime.