Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro vs. Active3: Which Rugged Tablet Reigns Supreme?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and multitasking, the Galaxy Tab Active3, with its Exynos 9810, is the clear winner. However, the Active Pro remains a viable option for less intensive tasks, potentially offering better value if found at a significantly lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro | Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, October | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 243.5 x 170.2 x 9.9 mm (9.59 x 6.70 x 0.39 in) | 213.8 x 126.8 x 9.9 mm (8.42 x 4.99 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 653 g (1.44 lb) | 426 g (Wi-Fi) / 429 g (LTE) (15.03 oz) |
| Stylus IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | Stylus IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810H compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~68.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LCD, 550 nits (peak) | PLS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Mongoose M3 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) | Exynos 9810 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G72 MP18 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (EMV Level 1 certification) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | 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 | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Samsung DeX | Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 5050 mAh, removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | SM-T540, SM-T547 | SM-T575 |
| Price | About 600 EUR | About 600 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro
- Potentially lower price point
- Sufficient for basic tasks
- Rugged design for demanding environments
- Significantly slower processor
- Less responsive multitasking
- May struggle with demanding applications
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3
- Faster and more powerful Exynos 9810 processor
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Better suited for demanding applications
- Higher price tag
- Potentially similar battery life despite efficiency gains
- Rugged design is similar to the Active Pro
Display Comparison
Both tablets likely feature similar LCD panels given their target market, prioritizing durability over cutting-edge display tech. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but the focus is on readability in direct sunlight. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both models to enhance grip and protect the screen. Color accuracy is likely calibrated for practical use rather than media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Given the rugged nature of these tablets, camera performance isn’t a primary focus. Details are scarce, but both likely feature basic camera setups suitable for documentation and quick scans. The Active3 may benefit from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Exynos 9810, potentially resulting in slightly better image quality in challenging lighting conditions. However, don't expect flagship-level camera capabilities from either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Active3’s Exynos 9810, built on a 10nm process, boasts a custom Mongoose M3 core alongside four Cortex-A55 cores, peaking at 2.7GHz. This architecture is significantly more powerful than the Active Pro’s Snapdragon 670 (also 10nm) with its Kryo 360 Gold and Silver cores, maxing out at 2.0GHz. The Exynos’s higher clock speeds and more advanced core design translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved performance in demanding applications. While both use 10nm fabrication, the Exynos 9810’s architecture provides a substantial performance advantage. The Active3 will handle complex tasks with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both tablets share a 15W wired charging capability. Without specific battery capacity details, it’s difficult to definitively state which offers better battery life. However, the Exynos 9810 in the Active3 is generally more power-efficient *per task* than the Snapdragon 670, meaning it can complete the same workload using less energy. This efficiency could offset any potential capacity differences, leading to comparable real-world battery performance despite potentially different mAh ratings.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro if you need a cost-effective rugged tablet for basic field operations, data collection, or simple task management where sustained high performance isn’t critical. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 if you require a more responsive experience for demanding applications like CAD viewing, complex data analysis, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and are willing to pay a premium for the Exynos 9810’s processing capabilities.