Samsung has expanded the reach of its Galaxy Tab Active 5, making it available in additional markets, including the USA. This robust tablet steps in to replace its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab Active 3, which has been in the market since September 2020.
The Galaxy Tab Active 5 is seen as the successor to the Galaxy Tab Active 3, rather than the Tab Active 4 Pro that was released in 2022. This brings us to the question of how much has the Galaxy Tab Active series evolved in the last three and a half years, and how does the Active 5 compare to the Active 3?
Familiar Rugged Features with Incremental Improvements
The Galaxy Tab Active series has always been recognized for its rugged features designed for enterprise use, and the Tab Active 5 is no exception. It retains the user-removable battery, which is now a rarity but provides immense value for enterprise customers who require the ability to quickly swap out batteries during work.
The Galaxy Tab Active 5 continues to feature IP68 dust and water resistance, a MIL-STD-810H-compliant build, PTT functionality, an Active Key feature, and a tough S Pen. However, it also introduces better scratch resistance with its Gorilla Glass 5 protection and can withstand drops from up to 8 feet onto concrete surfaces.
Missed Opportunities with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Despite its rugged character, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 shows little advancement in certain hardware components. It sports the same 5,050 mAh battery size as the Active 3, and both seem to have similar camera setups.
However, impressive upgrades include a smoother 120Hz TFT LCD compared to the Active 3’s 60Hz PLS LCD and an enhanced 5nm Exynos 1380 chip over the former’s 10nm Exynos 9810. Additionally, the Tab Active 5 boosts its memory to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, with connectivity options including Bluetooth 5.3 and 5G support, surpassing the 3’s LTE capability.
Software-wise, the Tab Active 5 ships with the latest Android 14 and One UI 6.0, while the Active 3 maxes out at Android 12 and One UI 4.1. Providing a strong argument for its enterprise appeal, Samsung promises four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security patches for the Active 5.
Despite retaining its 8-inch display and the unchanged battery and camera specs, the Tab Active 5 brings significantly improved performance and future-proof software support, critical for business operations.
The design philosophy behind the Galaxy Tab Active 5 appears focused on offering enterprise customers a cost-effective upgrade from the Tab Active 3, without the need for extravagant spendings on new tablet fleets. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 represents a solid balance between maintaining trademark ruggedness and enhancing technology where it counts.
One notable omission is the integration of Galaxy AI capabilities, which have proven to be game-changers in Samsung’s flagship smartphones. Although the Galaxy S24 series enjoys these features, the Tab Active 5 currently does not, which could have added significant enterprise value. However, there’s the possibility of future firmware updates bringing Galaxy AI tools to the rugged tablet.
In conclusion, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 may tread carefully with its updates, yet it stands as a worthwhile upgrade with its enhanced display, processing power, memory, and extended software support, positioning it as an attractive option for business customers seeking reliability and performance in challenging environments.
