Need a tablet that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Ulefone Armor Pad and Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 are both built tough, but which one offers the best overall experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 edges out the Ulefone Armor Pad thanks to its more refined software, slightly better performance, and established brand reputation. However, the Armor Pad boasts incredible battery life and a potentially lower price point, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious users prioritizing endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 22 | 2017, October |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 22 | Available. Released 2017, November |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 213 x 128.8 x 14 mm (8.39 x 5.07 x 0.55 in) | 127.6 x 214.7 x 9.9 mm (5.02 x 8.45 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 560 g (1.23 lb) | 415 g (Wi-Fi) / 419 g (LTE) (14.64 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810H compliant
Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope) | 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 |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio G25 (12 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W Wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 7650 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 4450 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | - | SM-T395 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 390 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 83:38h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class F | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Ulefone Armor Pad
- Exceptional battery life
- Very durable build
- Potentially lower price
- Large screen size
- Less powerful processor
- Less refined software
- Unknown camera quality
- Brand reputation less established
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2
- Better performance
- More polished Android experience
- Samsung's Knox security
- Established brand reputation
- Shorter battery life
- Higher price
- Older chipset
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature durable displays, likely with some level of scratch resistance. The Galaxy Tab Active 2 likely has a slightly better screen quality due to Samsung's display technology, but both prioritize durability over premium visuals. Expect resolutions around 1280 x 800.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is unlikely to be a primary concern for rugged tablet users. Both devices will likely have basic cameras suitable for quick snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The Galaxy Tab Active 2 might have a slight edge in image processing.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2's Exynos 7870, while older, benefits from Samsung's optimization and generally offers smoother performance than the Ulefone Armor Pad's Helio G25. Expect slightly faster app loading and multitasking on the Active 2. The Armor Pad's CPU is adequate for basic tasks.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Armor Pad's claim of 83:38h endurance and 1000 cycles is a *major* selling point. This significantly surpasses the Galaxy Tab Active 2's battery life, making the Armor Pad a clear winner for users prioritizing longevity.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor Pad is ideal for users needing extreme battery life and a very affordable rugged tablet, particularly those in fields like construction or outdoor work. The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 is better suited for professionals requiring a more polished Android experience, reliable performance, and Samsung's ecosystem integration, such as Knox security.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor Pad waterproof?
Yes, the Ulefone Armor Pad is designed to be waterproof and dustproof, typically with an IP68 or IP69K rating. Check the specific model's documentation for exact details.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 have a stylus?
Yes, the Galaxy Tab Active 2 supports a stylus (sold separately) for enhanced input and navigation.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 is better suited for light gaming due to its slightly more powerful processor. However, neither tablet is designed for demanding games.
❓ What is Knox security?
Knox is Samsung's security platform that provides hardware and software-level protection for mobile devices, making it ideal for enterprise use.
