Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro vs. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen): A Deep Dive

The tablet market caters to diverse needs, from demanding professionals requiring rugged durability to casual users seeking an affordable entertainment hub. This comparison pits the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro, engineered for harsh environments, against the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen), a mainstream option prioritizing value and everyday usability. We'll dissect their core components to determine which tablet best suits your workflow and budget.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing durability, long-term reliability, and consistent performance under stress, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and exceptional 142:50h battery endurance outweigh the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus's lower price point for demanding tasks and field work.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66, 681, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model onlyHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/75 Mbps - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, April 142022, May
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 07Available. Released 2022, May
Body
Dimensions242.9 x 170.2 x 10.2 mm (9.56 x 6.70 x 0.40 in)251.2 x 158.8 x 7.5 mm (9.89 x 6.25 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight680 g or 683 g (1.50 lb)465 g (1.03 lb)
 -Stylus support
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5-
Resolution1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density)1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density)
Size10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio)10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) - LTE model Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi only model
ChipsetQualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) - LTE model Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) - Wi-Fi only model
GPUAdreno 810Adreno 610 - LTE model Mali-G52 MC2 - Wi-Fi only model
OSAndroid 15, One UI 7Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -eMCP/uMCP
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama-
Single12 MP, f/1.8, AF8 MP, AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.08 MP
Video1080p@30fps-
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model onlyGPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only
RadioNoFM Radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, charging/accessories connector pinsUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only)Accelerometer, proximity, gyro
Battery
Charging-20W wired
TypeLi-Po 10100 mAh, removableLi-Po 7700 mAh
Misc
ColorsGreenStorm Grey, Frost Blue
ModelsSM-X356B, SM-X350-
PriceAbout 900 EURAbout 260 EUR
SAR EU1.31 W/kg (body)-
EU LABEL
Battery142:50h endurance, 2000 cycles-
EnergyClass E-
Free fallClass E (0 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (142:50h endurance)
  • Ruggedized design for durability
  • Powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor
  • Long-term reliability with 2000 charge cycles

  • Likely higher price point
  • Potentially bulkier design due to ruggedization

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)

  • More affordable price
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • 20W fast charging
  • Sleeker, more conventional design

  • Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 680/Helio G80)
  • Shorter battery life
  • Less durable construction

Display Comparison

While both tablets likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the comparison hinges on their intended use. The Tab Active5 Pro prioritizes visibility in bright sunlight, likely with a higher peak brightness, though specific nits are unavailable. The Tab M10 Plus focuses on affordability, potentially sacrificing peak brightness and color accuracy. The Active5 Pro’s display is likely protected by more robust glass, contributing to its ruggedness. Bezels are expected to be larger on the Active5 Pro to accommodate the ruggedized design.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is not a primary focus for either device, but the Active5 Pro likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise. Given the context data doesn't specify sensor sizes, we can assume both tablets feature modest camera setups. The Active5 Pro’s camera is likely optimized for quick documentation in field settings, while the Tab M10 Plus’s camera is geared towards casual snapshots. Any 2MP macro sensors on either device are unlikely to deliver significant image quality.

Performance

The performance gap is significant. The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro’s Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus’s options. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 utilizes a tri-cluster configuration (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) built on a more efficient 4nm process, offering superior multi-core performance and power efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 680 (6nm) or Helio G80 (12nm) found in the Tab M10 Plus. The 4nm node translates to less heat generation under sustained load, minimizing throttling. The Tab M10 Plus’s CPU configurations (Kryo 265 Gold/Silver or Cortex-A75/A55) are older architectures, resulting in lower single-core and multi-core scores. This difference is crucial for demanding applications like CAD software or complex spreadsheets.

Battery Life

Battery life is a key differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro boasts an impressive 142:50h endurance, coupled with a claimed 2000 charge cycles, indicating exceptional longevity. This is likely due to the efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and optimized software. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus, while offering 20W wired charging, lacks the endurance of the Active5 Pro. The Tab M10 Plus’s battery capacity is not specified, but its less efficient chipset and potentially larger display will likely result in shorter runtimes. The Active5 Pro’s extended battery life and cycle count are critical for users who rely on their tablet throughout the workday without access to frequent charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro if you need a tablet capable of withstanding drops, dust, and extreme temperatures, and require a consistently responsive experience for work applications. Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) if you prefer a more affordable tablet for media consumption, light productivity, and casual gaming, and don't require the specialized rugged features of the Samsung.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the Tab Active5 Pro handle demanding applications like remote desktop or video editing compared to the Snapdragon 680 in the Tab M10 Plus?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 offers a substantial performance advantage, particularly in multi-threaded workloads. This translates to smoother remote desktop sessions, faster video rendering times, and a more responsive experience when running resource-intensive applications. The Snapdragon 680 will struggle with these tasks, exhibiting noticeable lag and slowdowns.
❓ Is the ruggedized design of the Tab Active5 Pro worth the extra cost if I primarily use the tablet indoors?
If your usage is exclusively indoors and you're careful with your devices, the ruggedization may be overkill. However, the Active5 Pro's durability provides peace of mind and protects your investment against accidental drops or spills. The long-term reliability, backed by 2000 charge cycles, also adds value.
❓ Does the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus support any stylus functionality, and how does it compare to the S Pen support on the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro?
The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus does not natively support a stylus. The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is compatible with an optional S Pen (sold separately), offering precise input for note-taking, sketching, and navigation. The S Pen integration provides a significantly enhanced user experience for creative and productivity tasks.