Samsung's Galaxy S6 Active, touted to be the toughest of all Galaxy S6 models, is believed to pack a removable battery and microSD slot, recent reports suggested.

According to GSMArena, a Reddit user has spoken with a Samsung rep, and speculations surrounding the Korean tech giant's decision to cut some features in the latest flagship were given due explanations.

As it turns out, Samsung found in a study that users preferred freedom from port covers over water resistance. The microSD slot, on the other hand, has been removed "in order to fit more technology" and facilitate design goals.

GSMArena wrote, "Samsung promises to keep the microSD card slot and the removable battery."

The Galaxy S6 Active is believed to sport the same 5.1-inch, QHD Super AMOLED+ display found in its siblings. Under the hood, it's purported to pack 32 GB of onboard storage, 3 GB of RAM and an Exynos 7420 SoC processor. Reportedly, the device houses a 16 MP main camera and 5 MP front snapper.

Needless to say, the Active is expected to be different in all ways rugged -- water- and dust-proofing abilities are among its top-pegged features.

GSMArena noted that the Active will lack a fingerprint scanner and heart-rate monitor.

If reports are to be believed, the Active looks to be a competitor of the rumored iPhone 7, which is yet to be confirmed by Apple.

As followers would know, the next iPhone is touted to feature a special type of waterproofing that may not just provide external sealing. Instead, it appeals as an internal protective mechanism.

Formally called plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD), the technology aims to protect integral components with hydrophobic coating.

It must be noted that the Active is predicted to be thicker than the standard Galaxy S6. According to Technology Tell, the alleged device sports a measurement of 73.6 x 146.9 x 8.8 mm. The standard Galaxy S6 comes at 70.5 x 143.4 x 6.8 mm.

A 3,500 mAh battery cell is expected to power the Active -- greater than its siblings, as well as the Nexus 6 and Galaxy Note 4.

The standard Galaxy S6, launched in the recent Mobile World Congress, has been heavily compared to its predecessor for the lack of waterproofing abilities. For those who may not know, the Galaxy S5 is IP67-certified, which means it can be submerged at a depth of 1 m for a maximum duration of 30 minutes.

Allegedly launching in May, the Galaxy S6 Active, according to Android Pit, may sell "at least equivalent to the Galaxy S6 if not a little more."