The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro, starting at $659, is engineered for tough environments, offering a full Android experience in a robust, drop-resistant design. With features like a glove-friendly screen and physical navigation buttons, it stands out as a cost-effective option for business users. The tablet’s removable batteries, expandable storage, and Samsung’s commitment to long-term updates further enhance its appeal. While the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is favored for its larger, vibrant display, the Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro provides similar performance in a more durable package.
Design: Built to Endure
The Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is unapologetically bulky, designed to withstand the rigors of demanding environments. Measuring 6.70 by 9.56 by 0.40 inches and weighing 1.5 pounds, its included case adds another 6.21 ounces, emphasizing its rugged nature. This design choice underscores Samsung’s intent to create a device that can handle bumps, scrapes, and drops.
Backward compatibility with the Active4 Pro’s accessories offers potential cost savings for those upgrading. Priced similarly to the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ and the Apple iPad Air, the Active5 Pro targets a niche market, focusing on durability over aesthetics. Its IP68 rating and MIL-STD-810H certification ensure it can survive drops of up to 5 feet 11 inches with its case, or 4 feet 11 inches without. The use of Gorilla Glass Victus+ further protects the screen, a feature shared with the Tab S10 FE+ but not the iPad Air.
Functional Design Elements
A thick black bezel houses physical buttons for Android’s task switcher, home, and back functions, with the home button doubling as a fingerprint sensor. Additional controls include a power button, volume rocker, and a customizable lime green Active button. The tablet’s ports and pogo pins for accessories are strategically placed, with the frame covered in textured plastic for added grip.
The back of the tablet features a ridged pattern, a Samsung logo, a single camera with flash, and an indent for removing the flexible cover. The setup process involves installing two removable batteries, with a microSD card slot available for storage expansion. The case fits snugly, exposing ports through cutouts, and includes a slot for the S Pen.
Display: Optimized for Work
The Tab Active5 Pro’s 10.1-inch LCD boasts a resolution of 1,900 by 1,200 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a maximum brightness of 600 nits. Its high-sensitivity mode allows for glove-friendly operation, a crucial feature for professionals in rugged settings. In comparison, the iPad Air offers an 11-inch LCD with a resolution of 2,360 by 1,640 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate, while the Tab S10 FE+ features a 13.1-inch LCD with a resolution of 2,880 by 1,800 pixels and a variable refresh rate up to 90Hz.
While the Active5 Pro’s display is easily visible indoors, outdoor visibility can be challenging due to glare and limited brightness. However, its glove-friendly design is a significant advantage over its competitors.
Performance: Productivity at Its Core
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, the Active5 Pro offers configurations of 6GB RAM with 128GB storage or 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. A 5G-equipped version is also available. The tablet supports up to 2TB of additional storage via a microSD slot.
Benchmark tests reveal competitive performance, with the Active5 Pro scoring 1,161 on Geekbench 6’s single-core test and 3,349 on the multi-core test. While the iPad Air leads with significantly higher scores, the Active5 Pro outperforms the Tab S10 FE+ in certain areas, such as the PCMark Work 3.0 test.
Battery Life: Exceeding Expectations
Equipped with a 10,100mAh battery split into two halves, the Active5 Pro offers impressive battery life. In testing, it lasted 11 hours and 15 minutes during a video streaming test, surpassing both the Tab S10 FE+ and the iPad Air. The tablet supports hot-swapping batteries, allowing users to replace them without powering down the device, a rare feature in modern tablets.
Connectivity and Audio: Comprehensive Features
The Active5 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and Wi-Fi 6E, with the 5G version adding sub-6GHz and C-band radios. In connectivity tests, it delivered reliable performance, maintaining strong connections throughout.
Audio output is robust, with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support. The tablet’s maximum volume reaches 101dB, suitable for noisy environments but potentially harmful to hearing if used at high volumes for extended periods.
Cameras and Software: Practical Tools
The tablet’s 12MP rear camera and 8MP front-facing camera offer satisfactory performance for work-related tasks, though they fall short of the quality found in Samsung smartphones. Running Android 15 with Samsung One UI 7.0, the Active5 Pro includes features like Edge Panels and Samsung DeX, enhancing its productivity capabilities.
In summary, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro stands out as a rugged, reliable tablet designed for demanding environments. Its durability, combined with practical features and strong performance, makes it an ideal choice for professionals needing a device that can withstand the elements. As Samsung continues to support this model with updates, it remains a solid investment for businesses prioritizing resilience and functionality.
