The tablet market offers diverse options, from entertainment hubs to rugged workhorses. Today, we pit the Asus Zenpad Z8s, known for its compact size and performance, against the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3, a rugged tablet built for demanding environments. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 wins for durability and specialized features, ideal for outdoor work. The Asus Zenpad Z8s offers a more polished entertainment experience with faster charging, but lacks the Active3's ruggedness. Choose based on your primary use case: work or play.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 13 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - India | - |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, August | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 204 x 133.9 x 6.9 mm (8.03 x 5.27 x 0.27 in) | 213.8 x 126.8 x 9.9 mm (8.42 x 4.99 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 306 g (10.79 oz) | 426 g (Wi-Fi) / 429 g (LTE) (15.03 oz) |
| | - | Stylus
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~324 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.9 inches, 193.3 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~68.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Mongoose M3 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) | Exynos 9810 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 510 | Mali-G72 MP18 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide) | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (EMV Level 1 certification) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 100% in 15 min (China)
66W wired (International) | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4680 mAh, non-removable (18 Wh) | Li-Ion 5050 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | V2049A, I2009 | SM-T575 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 600 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Asus Zenpad Z8s ZT582KL
- Compact and portable
- Faster charging (especially in China)
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Good media consumption experience
- Less powerful than Active3
- Not ruggedized
- Slower charging internationally
- Camera quality is average
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3
- Rugged and durable (water, dust, drop resistant)
- Replaceable battery
- Glove mode support
- Bright display for outdoor use
- Better performance than Zenpad Z8s
- Slower charging
- Less polished design
- Larger bezels
- Less focus on media consumption
Display Comparison
The Zenpad Z8s boasts an 8-inch IPS display, offering vibrant colors and decent viewing angles. The Active3 also has an 8-inch display, but its focus is on visibility in bright sunlight, with a higher brightness rating. While both are adequate, the Zenpad Z8s might offer a slightly more enjoyable viewing experience for media.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a primary focus for either device. The Active3 likely has a slightly better camera setup, but neither will rival flagship smartphones. Expect decent quality for video calls and casual snapshots.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3's Exynos 9810 chipset, built on a 10nm process, generally outperforms the Zenpad Z8s' Snapdragon 652 (28nm) in raw processing power. The Active3's Mongoose cores provide a noticeable boost in demanding tasks. However, the Zenpad Z8s is still capable for everyday use and lighter gaming.
Battery Life
The Active3's biggest advantage is its replaceable battery, a rare and valuable feature. While battery capacity is similar, the Active3's ability to swap batteries extends its usability significantly. The Zenpad Z8s offers significantly faster charging (up to 66W internationally, 120W in China) compared to the Active3's 15W charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus Zenpad Z8s if you prioritize a compact, relatively powerful tablet for media consumption, gaming, and general use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 if you need a rugged, drop-proof tablet with specialized features like a replaceable battery and glove mode for demanding work environments like construction, field service, or logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Asus Zenpad Z8s good for gaming?
It can handle casual games well, but demanding titles might struggle due to its less powerful chipset. It's better suited for lighter gaming and media consumption.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 survive a drop?
Yes, it's designed to be rugged and can withstand drops from a certain height, as well as exposure to dust and water. Check Samsung's official specifications for exact drop resistance ratings.
