CNET: Waterproof handsets

Although being caught in a winter rainstorm is the last thing anyone wants, these smartphones can soak it up.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

The good: Samsung's Galaxy S4 Active has a sporty design, takes strong daylight photos, and delivers the majority of Android 4.2's features. It also has a great speakerphone.

The bad: Aqua mode is fixed-focus, the S4 Active takes weak low-light shots, and the phone isn't as durable as its name suggests. Its 8-megapixel camera is lower-resolution than the original Galaxy S4's.

The cost: $499.99 to $639.99

The bottom line: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active for its sporty style, fast internals and underwater camera fun, but pass if you're an image snob or seek a truly rugged phone.

CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)

Kyocera Hydro Elite (Verizon)

The good: The inexpensive Kyocera Hydro Elite is a compact, waterproof handset with wireless charging, a decent camera and expandable memory.

The bad: Sluggish internal speeds and mediocre call quality bog down the device's performance.

The cost: 1 cent to $349.99

The bottom line: Kyocera's Elite will quench Verizon users' thirst for a stylish and reasonably priced water-resistant phone - just don't expect it to be a powerful speed demon.

CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)

Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition

The good: The Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition squeezes a stunningly bright and colorful display, stock Android 4.4 KitKat, and a muscular processor into an extremely thin package. With sealed ports, the water-resistant Z Ultra needn't fear liquid or exposure to dirt and dust.

The bad: Even considering the Sony Z Ultra GPE's carrier-unsubsidized status, $649 is an exorbitant amount to pay. The Z Ultra's overblown size makes it unwieldy to operate and its camera is disappointing.

The cost: $649

The bottom line: The Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition's insanely large size and stratospheric price make the Nexus 5 and Note 3 better options for pure Android power.

CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)

Verykool RS90 Vortex

The good: The Verykool Vortex comes unlocked, it's affordable, and it's tough enough to stand up to dust and water.

The bad: Accessing the battery, SIM and SD card through the waterproof seal takes a lot of effort. The phone's Android 4.0 operating system is outdated.

The cost: $279.99


CNET rating: 3 stars out of 5 (Good)

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