SINGAPORE — If the number of ruggedised electronic devices are anything to go by, I would think we live very exciting lives.

Cameras these days are dust-, water-, shock- and even freeze-proof so we can take them wherever we go. Even our closest companions — smartphones — come in tough shells, too.

The latest one I had taken for a test drive was Samsung Galaxy’s S4 Active with LTE.

From the outside, it does not look any different from the Galaxy S4, but this robust device boasts an IP67 rating —meaning it is completely dust-proof and functions normally even after being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, up to a depth of one metre.

Unfortunately, the device’s touchscreen controls shut down when wet, so you cannot play a music track underwater. The function does not return immediately when it is out of the water, too. I had to vigorously shake off water from both the device and my hands before I could use it again.

Features that were working before the device was submerged, however, worked like a charm.

For instance, I started playing a soundtrack and continued listening to it while swimming. As water is a good conductor of sound, you will not miss a single note of your favourite songs. The trick is learning to swim while holding on to a phone.

An Aqua mode boosts visual clarity and quality for enhanced underwater images and videos. While screen controls are locked when under water, the tactile volume controls can be used as a shutter release so you can shoot stills and videos even while the device is submerged.

Besides its durability, the smartphone boasts a 5-inch full HD LCD screen (which you can operate even with gloves on), a 1.9GHz quad-core processor and 8-megapixel rear camera. A powerful LED flashlight provides assistance in low lighting conditions.

The battery life is decent — a single charge takes me through the day easily.

For a rugged phone for active lifestyles, I was a little disappointed that it does not come with a pedometer to monitor the number of steps I take a day. But with the slew of health and fitness apps out there, this could be a competent physical trainer.

The Galaxy S4 Active with LTE is available in stores now for S$898 (without contract). It comes in Urban Gray and Orange Flare.