Is the WiFi option of a Samsung tablet strong enough?
As modern small businesses continue to implement new technology tablets have begun to replace laptops in their work processes. The iPad Air 2 ($499, £399, AU$619) is still the shining king of the tablet world, but Apple has a reputation for not being very durable, so there's a need in the market for tougher tablets.
And here comes Samsung Galaxy Tab Active, one of the first low-cost tablets designed to participate in the tests. Sure, Panasonic has the Toughpad FZ-M1, but it's a Windows 8.1 device that will set you back $2,099 (£1,183 or AU$2,358). This is not exactly a viable option for white collar workers who are limited to a certain budget when purchasing a tablet.
Plus, tablet makers haven't offered many enterprise-friendly options, so the Tab Active is a better value than the average consumer tablet, especially considering Samsung sells the 8.0-inch Tab Active for $699.99 (about $465). pounds or 907 Australian dollars). This is for the 16 GB version, and if you go to Apple or Google for a mini tablet with the same size hard drive, then prices for the 7.9-inch iPad Mini 3 and 8.9-inch HTC Nexus 9 start at $399 (about £265 or AU$517).
If you remove the hard protective case that the Tab Active is sold with, you'll see that at the core of the product is a tablet that's just as fragile as its competitors. Luckily, the tablet comes already with a case, so sending a message is unlikely to break those two covers. The case, made from a hard rubber material, provides a firm grip, and the slot for the Samsung S-Pen stylus is conveniently designed to hold it in place.
The ports on the bottom of the Tab Active have also been designed to be durable. The Micro USB 2.0 port is something that makes me sigh when I look at it, but its build quality is excellent. I would never worry about breakage - that's something I can't say about any of Mophie's cell phone battery cases.
The screen isn't bad, but it's a quibble compared to one of the major design flaws found in Samsung Galaxy Tab Active. If you want to listen to music, it's best not to place the Tab Active on a flat surface, as it will drown out the single speaker located on the back of the device.
The Tab active weighs 0.84 lbs (0.39 kg) and measures 4.97 x 0.38 x 8.39 inches (12.62 x 0.975 x 21.31 cm) (WxDxL). However, in the case it measures closer to 5.125 x 0.5 x 9.0 inches. It's slightly smaller than the Toughpad FZ-M1, which weighs 1.19 pounds (0.54 kg) and is 0.71 inches (1.8 cm) thick. At the same time, they're both bulky compared to the iPad Mini 3, which weighs 0.73 pounds (0.33 kg) and measures 5.3 x 0.29 x 7.87 inches (13.47 x 0.75 x 20 cm). True, the Nexus 9 may be heavier, larger, weighing 0.95 pounds and measuring 6.05 x 0.31 x 8.99 inches (15.37 x 0.79 x 22.83 cm), but it is thinner , and all the other big options relate to its screen, which is larger than others.
The 8.0-inch Galaxy Tab Active aims to be a more rugged alternative to Google's 8.9-inch Nexus 9 and Apple's 7.9-inch iPad mini. Although the Tab Active is quite expensive, it cannot compete with those models in terms of processor power. The Tab Active, powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, doesn't seem as impressive as the Nexus 9 with its 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 Dual Denver chipset running at 2.3GHz or the iPad Mini 3 with its 64-bit A7.
The features that will make the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active attractive to businesses lie in its inherent security. Samsung is positioning the device as "Enterprise Ready" with their Samsung Knox security, as well as Citrix Ready and SAP certifications for SAP Work Manager and SAP CRM Service Manager. These aren't earth-shattering specs, but the Nexus 9 or iPad Mini 3 doesn't come out of the box ready for your company.
One glaring omission from the Tab Active is the lack of cellular connectivity. Should we buy a $700 tablet that loses most of its functionality when you're away from WiFi? You can purchase an iPad Mini 3 with the same hard drive size and cellular communication for only $529. With the remaining money you can buy a durable case from companies like Logitech, Griffin or Otterbox and you'll still have some money left over since they all cost $80 or less.
A measly 16GB of hard drive space is about what Apple does with its devices. entry level, but Samsung is selling this size at a shock price. You can buy the WiFi-only version of the iPad Mini 3 with 128GB of storage, and it will cost you $599. The Nexus 9, meanwhile, has the same 16GB of storage, a cellular modem that can connect to four-band GSM, CDMA, five-band HSPA and LTE, and costs just $399. So when you buy a Tab Active, you pay extra for a protective case and their specific software for the enterprise. I just can't imagine any other use cases.
List of characteristics
- Processor: 1.2 GHz, quad-core Qualcomm APQ.
- Display: 8.0″ WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD with 400 nits brightness.
- Memory: 1.5 GB RAM.
- Memory: 16 GB SSD.
- Wireless connections: 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, BT 4.0.
- Camera: 1.2 MP front-camera, 3.1 MP main camera with autofocus and LED flash.
- Ports: micro USB 2.0, Pogo port for charging.
- Weight: 0.84 lb (0.39 kg).
- Dimensions: 4.97 x 0.38 x 8.39 inches (12.62 x 0.975 x 21.31 cm) (WxDxD).
Performance
It was interesting what Tab Active is capable of. The battery lasted about 13 hours and 45 minutes in everyday use. This test was conducted on a Wi-Fi only model with very high brightness, and ran through Google Apps, Netflix and Spotify, as well as various social media and the media. When I ran the PCMark 8 battery test, it returned a 6 hour 56 minute rating.
Compared to competitors of its size, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active does very well. It's worth noting that one of the Toughpad's most notable failures was its poor battery life - just 6 hours. Nexus 9 can last about 1.5 days, iPad Mini 3 is also equipped powerful battery. According to our review, iPad battery The Mini 3 can last several days with moderate use, and the same can be said for the Tab Active.
During testing, the image quality on the screen didn't exactly make me glow, but it's worth noting that even Apple doesn't deliver good color gamut or accuracy at this size.
Unfortunately, the durability of the device has not been proven. Samsung said the device could withstand drops of up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) on wood floors, but it couldn't even survive drops of less than 4 feet on floors with a more shock-absorbing coating. In the first two drop tests, the screen popped out, and I put it back in. The third fall was actually accidental, not intentional, and caused the display to go dark. The Tab Active continued to make noise and sound notifications, but without a functioning screen it no longer mattered. (Editor's note: Samsung was interested in why this happened and promised to provide us with an explanation).
The device that replaced it was sent to New York. When filming on the streets, random drops of water fell on him from melting ice on the facades of buildings and fire exits. This replacement device also performed well in the drop test. The screen didn't even pop up, podcasts were active, and the screen continued to work.
In a test at Samsung's office, the third sample survived multiple drops and was able to stay under one foot of water without experiencing any damage or performance issues.
I hope that the first sample was a single unsuccessful device.
Tests
- 3D Mark: Ice Storm 2859.
- PCMark 8 Work: 2662.
- PCMark Work Battery Life: 6:56.
In the Geekbench 3 single-core test, the Tab Active scored 340, with multiple cores scoring 1,156. Compared to its rivals, the Tab Active didn't perform very well: the Nexus 9 scored 1,939 in the single-core test and 3,326 in the multi-core test. Ipad Mini 3 –1374 and 2484 respectively.
Of course, the GeekBench 3 test results show that behind the Nexus 9's advanced display is an even more powerful chipset. Tests showed that the tablet scored 3,326 points in the multi-core test, which is the second best score behind the iPad Air 2's 4,500 points. The dual-core Tegra K1 processor actually outperformed the GeekBench 3 single-core test. new iPad. The Nexus 9 scored average in the single-core test, while the iPad's triple-core processor scored 1,815 in the same test.
Software
What new can I say about the terrible user TouchWiz interface from Samsung, something that countless critics haven't mentioned yet? It seems to me that enterprises don't really care about such things, so I'll just thank Samsung on behalf of users that this interface can easily be replaced with something like Nova Prime.
Preloaded Samsung apps– their alternatives free services from Google? Again, it's no surprise that they're all even nicer than their names (Contacts, Email, Internet, Camera, Gallery, Music, Video, My Files, Settings, S Planner, Calculator, Notes), but if you're like and I, then download them once and then run to the store Google Play to replace them all. Even the native camera app Tab Active is inferior to Google Camera.
Tab Active also has Hancom Office Viewer - an unknown replacement office suite. I don't know what team in their right mind made the decision to install this app. Again, it can be replaced.
Our verdict
We liked
The battery for the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active lasted my full workday when I made it my main device. I had the brightness set to high and worked with all sorts of streaming content, and the battery lasted almost fourteen hours.
When water fell from the sky onto the Tab Active and it slid off the bench into the snow, I was in despair. Then I remembered that the tablet was waterproof, unlike almost every device I had ever worked with. I've even seen the Tab Active survive being on an unstable conference room table. Especially when a nervous presenter accidentally creates a pool around him by spilling coffee.
The last standout feature of the tablet is the case itself, which makes it easier to hold in your hand due to the thick, hard rubber. As companies strive to make their devices thinner, the case adds a bit of bulk to the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active that some will appreciate.
We didn't like it
The longevity of his battery is actually in question, as he does not have a cellular modem to know the actual life of his battery. If a device's increased durability and WiFi aren't all you need, then it's an inferior device. If it can survive the rain, then there must be a reason to walk with it in the rain?
It's intended for real-world offices where people shouldn't be punished for being careless, but unfortunately I'm not happy with how the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active handles drops. If its main advantage is that it can withstand falls, then the screen breaking after three of them within four days of use is not a very good sign.
Camera and HDD do not meet the standards required of devices these days. 16 GB of memory and a 3.1 megapixel main camera sound like iPhone specs 3GS, not the new tablet from Samsung.
Final verdict
With a starting price of $699.99 (about £437 or AU$800), Samsung is marketing the Tab Active as a cure for poor build quality. Unfortunately, the car suffers from uninspiring internals that really make the purchase purely for its durability. If it were more interesting, this review could be much more positive.
If your office is a place where devices are constantly breaking, then there is probably a need for this tablet. A necessity that will make more sense if team members don't need a communication signal when they leave the office. It's not that careless employees should be rewarded with these tablets, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active can be bought by those who need it.
If these requirements are met, then the Tab Active's amazing battery life makes me recommend it. Applications and Google services For general purpose Tab Active met my expectations. And if your team needs apps or services only available on Android, like Samsung's Knox security, then you're unlikely to find another tablet that can handle half of what the Tab Active has been through.
Following two generations of rugged smartphones, which are distinguished by durable housings along with protection from moisture and dust, the manufacturer is releasing a durable, no less secure tablet. Galaxy Tab Active is ideal for a variety of workloads and businesses with extreme operating conditions. Its proven design will withstand any impact and weather conditions.
Design and ergonomics
Having significantly redesigned and improved its new design concept, the company has introduced a new rugged tablet that resembles the .
But, instead of an aluminum frame, the tablet received a reinforced die-cast housing made of durable plastic.
The designers paid special attention to the corners, which were also reinforced with polycarbonate - an accidental drop of the tablet on a table or other unprotected surface can leave an indelible mark on that very surface.
All edges are embossed, which, together with the unusual shape of the case, provides a comfortable and reliable grip. The same applies to the back cover panel, which received a matte textured coating and 4 metal legs that perform not only a decorative, but also a protective function. The tablet will not slip even from wet hands.
The SIM and memory card slots, as well as the battery, are hidden under the cover.
The case is protected according to the IP67 standard, so the tablet is not afraid of dust, and immersion in water to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes will not harm the device. Together with an additional protective case, which is made of polycarbonate and rubber, the Galaxy Tab Active will withstand a fall from a height of 1.2 meters without damage, the owner will get off with a slight fright.
The case is heavy and massive. It is complemented by a groove in which the included C-Pen stylus is hidden.
Under the display, covered with tempered glass, there are three hardware buttons. They are large, strong and reliable. In the version with an LTE communication module, you can see the speaker grille above the screen.
The power/lock and volume buttons are located on the right side, and the POGO contact group for magnetic charging is on the left.
With a considerable thickness of 9.75 mm, the tablet weighs 391 g.
Display
The 8-inch LCD display has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels with a density of 189 ppi.
The manufacturer does not disclose information about the screen production technology, but judging by the maximum viewing angles, both horizontally and vertically, as well as natural, saturated colors, we can say that this is an IPS matrix. The picture is clear and high quality, even though the pixels are visible to the naked eye. The maximum screen brightness is around 400 nits, so readability is excellent even under bright sun.
The touch layer supports up to 10 simultaneous touches. It is responsive and accurate, and does not cause any complaints in its operation.
Keyboard, sound
The screen diagonal provides a large, comfortable touch keyboard. The layout is stylized to resemble the keys of old mechanical keyboards or typewriters. By the way, pressing is accompanied by a characteristic sound, which, however, can be turned off.
The keys are large and comfortable regardless of the screen position. There will be no problems with fast typing, especially since the keyboard accurately recognizes all touches.
In addition to touch input, you can use a stylus to control the tablet, which is also useful for taking notes.
The tablet is equipped with one single multimedia speaker. It will provide loud, rich sound without distortion and with excellent frequency balance.
Interface and software
The tablet runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system with TouchWiz graphical shell. The proprietary interface is distinguished by deep customization and many pre-installed services and applications from Samsung.
The user is greeted with a lock screen that contains clock widgets with the date and weather. If necessary, you can place shortcuts on the screen.
Up to 7 desktops are available for placing icons, widgets and folders with shortcuts. They can be decorated with wallpaper or your own picture.
On the notification shade, in addition to the notifications themselves, there are triggers quick settings, sliders for adjusting brightness and volume.
All programs are collected in a separate menu. Among the many pre-installed proprietary applications from Samsung and Google, there is also Hancom Office 2014 for working with documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
By the way, the tablet implements Knox data protection version 2.0, which is hardware and using software methods protects user information.
An interesting feature of the interface is the quick access panel to frequently used programs, which is called up by swiping from the right edge, regardless of the screen or running program. Thus, the user can open two applications on the screen at once, thereby increasing productivity.
Performance
For superior performance in both work and play, the tablet is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor. graphics adapter Adreno 305, 1.5 GB random access memory and 16 GB of data storage, expandable using a memory card.
Of course, the tablet does not take a leading position in synthetic tests. But in everyday use Galaxy Tab Active shows excellent performance, easily coping with the launch of demanding applications, many open tabs in the browser, as well as high-definition video.
Camera
The main photo module has a 3.1 megapixel matrix, autofocus and flash. While the front camera is equipped with a 1.2 megapixel matrix - what is needed for Skype calls.
Examples of photos:
The camera app is as simple and intuitive to use as possible. There are few additional settings, but you can select shooting modes.
The maximum photo resolution is 2048 x 1536 pixels. And video shooting takes place in HD format.
Its main task is reading QR and barcodes.
Communications
There is nothing superfluous in this secure tablet, only the most necessary modules. It received Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and GPS. They work flawlessly as needed.
I was especially pleased with the Dual Band support. In addition, the positioning module found about 17 satellites a minute after the cold start. Of course, GPS supports A-GPS and GLONASS. GLONASS is a more stable system; moreover, it increases the performance of the device’s positioning system in difficult observation conditions (mountainous areas). In addition, GLONASS, unlike GPS, allows reliable reception of a navigation signal in the areas of the north and south poles of the Earth.
The tablet is available in two versions: Wi-Fi and LTE.
On the bottom edge of the tablet there are microUSB connectors with OTG support and a 3.5 mm audio slot for connecting a headset.
Working hours
The Galaxy Tab Active uses a removable Li-Polymer battery with a capacity of 4450 mAh. This means that if necessary, you can easily change the battery.
A fully charged battery will last for 12 hours of web surfing and 11 hours of video viewing. Two power saving modes will help you save charge.
The first limits the background data and performance of the device, and the second, improved, simplifies the interface and functionality of the tablet as much as possible, thereby increasing the time several times battery life.
Impression
The strong point of the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active is its durable, massive body and equally protected case. There is no danger of dropping the tablet when using it at an enterprise, even in bad weather. Therefore, Galaxy Tab Active is suitable for all areas of use - service stations, defense enterprises, security services, rescue services, as well as medical institutions, factories and factories, and, of course, extreme conditions.
The device is distinguished by balanced characteristics, a bright 8-inch screen and excellent battery life, which will allow you to use all the rich functionality of the tablet for more than one working day. In addition, the tablet looks modern and powerful. And the version with an LTE module will allow you to always stay connected, no matter where the user is.
PECULIARITIES
Protected, massive body.
IP67 certification.
Durable protective case and stylus included.
8-inch display.
Enviable autonomy.
Excellent sound quality.
Not a bad level of performance.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Model Samsung Galaxy Tab Active SM-T365
- Communication standard GSM/HSDPA/LTE
- Format SIM micro
- Dimensions 21.3 x 12.6 x 0.975 cm
- Weight 391 g / 496 g with protective case
- CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 APQ8026, 1.2 GHz (quad-core)
- GPU Adreno 305
- Display 8", LCD
- Permission 1280 x 800 pixels, 189 ppi
- RAM 1.5 GB
- Memory 16 GB + microSD up to 64 GB
- Nutrition Li-Pol, 4450 mAh, removable
- Camera 3.1 MP + 1.2 MP front
- Communications GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA 7.2, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, DLNA
- Connectors microUSB, 3.5 mm output, contact group for additional charging
- Additionally Protected case, C-Pen stylus
- Certificates IP67
- OS Google Android 4.4.4 KitKat with TouchWiz shell
And today we received a similar device from Samsung. The prototype of the Galaxy Tab Active was the Galaxy Tab 4 8.0, which added a new design, a standard IP67 protection class, an excellent complete case and several other significant improvements relevant for devices aimed at professional use.
Design and usability
The appearance of the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active reveals the familiar signature of Korean designers. The front panel resembles other tablets from the manufacturer, although it has received several improvements that are fundamentally important for rugged tablets.
So, all control keys were made physical. They are large, with a textured surface and press well, making them very convenient to use. The screen is protected by a frame that protrudes noticeably above the surface of the glass.
The sides are made of thick plastic with a diagonal pattern; there are characteristic protruding ridges at the corners.
The layout of the controls is standard. The power and volume keys are located on the right side, and the interface connectors are on the bottom. Although the tablet is protected from dust and moisture according to the IP67 standard, the connectors are not covered with any plugs; they are always freely accessible. Two microphones are placed almost symmetrically on the top and bottom edges.
On the left side there is a group of three POGO contacts that allow you to charge the tablet using a special cable with a magnetized connector. According to the manufacturer, this solution will avoid accidental damage to the microUSB connector during charging and will facilitate mass charging of tablets in cases of professional use.
The design of the back cover is made in a rather aggressive style for Samsung. Decorative metal overlays imitate mounting plugs, and the camera lens is surrounded by a metal ring. There is a recess on the top left that allows you to remove the cover, which is secured with many small latches.
On the reverse side you can see a thin rubber gasket that protects the electronics from moisture. The same solution is used in a smartphone. Under the cover you can find slots for MicroSIM and memory cards, as well as a removable battery.
A protective case made of rubber and plastic is supplied with the tablet. It provides additional protection, including the screen, from accidental falls. According to the manufacturer, the Galaxy Tab Active, dressed in such a case, will survive a drop from a height of up to 120 cm.
The case significantly improves the ease of use of the tablet, despite the noticeable increase in weight. It makes the case more grippy and non-slip, the volume and power buttons become clearly visible to the touch.
The stylus, called the C-Pen, is hidden at the top of the case. Unlike, it does not carry any special functionality, does not contain electronics inside and is designed for simple control of the tablet, for example, in the cold season. With ordinary touch screens The C-Pen doesn't work.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active has an 8-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels. Between protective glass and there is no air gap in the matrix, the brightness varies from 3.9 to 335 cd/m², and the measured contrast level was 1:690. There is a sensor for automatic backlight level adjustment, it works correctly.
Samsung does not name the exact type of screen matrix, but the maximum viewing angles indicate that we have an IPS or PLS screen.
The screen has a slightly narrowed and shifted color gamut, but all other parameters (gamma, color temperature) correspond to the reference values, which indicates good calibration of the matrix.
In real life the screen looks good, despite not being the best a high resolution, which turns out to be enough for watching movies, playing games or reading. Quiet natural color rendering, a comfortable brightness adjustment range, and a good oleophobic coating help create a positive impression of the screen.
Hardware platform
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active received an average hardware platform in terms of performance. The SoC is the well-known Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 with four Cortex-A7 cores operating at 1.2 GHz and Adreno 305 graphics. The amount of RAM is 1.5 GB, built-in 16 GB, there is a slot for memory cards.
Kit wireless interfaces is presented with dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, GPS/Glonass and support for mobile networks with the ability to make calls and send messages.
In benchmarks, the tablet shows expectedly average and unimpressive results. The operating speed is normal during normal use. We had no complaints about the operation of individual applications, including games, or the smoothness of the interface, but when switching between different Galaxy programs Tab Active sometimes thought for a second.
The operation of GPS and Wi-Fi can be called ideal - the data transmission module has normal sensitivity and speed, and GPS found satellites and connected to them in just a couple of seconds.
Calls, multimedia
Despite the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Tab is a tablet primarily for work, its multimedia functions remain the same. The built-in audio player contains many sound settings, supports lossless formats, and most users will be satisfied with the quality of music playback in headphones. The video player is also relatively omnivorous.
The multimedia speaker is located at the back, it is loud and plays well. The speaker is also loud; if you want, you can talk on the tablet like on a smartphone. Vibration alert of medium strength.
Operating system and shell
The tablet runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system, standard interface replaces the TouchWiz shell; there is a two-window mode that allows you to work with two applications simultaneously and change the window size of each program.
Working hours
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active received a removable battery with a capacity of 4450 mAh (16.91 Wh). In mixed load mode, including watching videos, reading, browsing, and playing games, it allows the tablet to work for about 9 hours, which is quite a good indicator considering the screen diagonal and battery capacity. Below you can see the results of autonomy tests.
| Device | Samsung Galaxy Tab Active | Sigma Mobile PQ79 | ||
| Battery | 4450 mAh (16.91 Wh) | 15000 mAh (41 Wh) | ||
| Reading | Navigation | Watch HD video | Watching HD videos from YouTube | 12:05:59 |
| Antutu Tester (points) | 8349 | 1554* | ||
| GFX Bench (minutes) | 422,6 | 320,8 | ||
| GFX Bench (points) | 555.3 frame | 337.5 frame | ||
| PCMark | 8:55 | 13:33 |
In modereading all wireless communications are disabled, including data transfer to mobile network, and the display brightness is set to 150 cd/m². When listeningmusic automatic data synchronization and data transfer worked. The sound volume in the headphones is at 12 out of 15 possible levels. All music files are in MP3 format, bitrate 320 Kbps.Navigation includes route planning in Google app Navigation. The brightness is set to 150 cd/m², all data communication modules are disabled. During playback video data transfer is active on the mobile network, display brightness is set to 150 cd/m², sound volume in headphones is at level 12 out of a possible 15. Video file format MKV, resolution 1024x432 pixels, frame rate 24. Playing video from Youtube was accompanied not only by work in Wi-Fi networks, but also active data transmission. The display brightness is set to 150 cd/m², the sound volume in the headphones is set to 12 out of 15 possible levels.
Cameras
The tablet has two cameras. The front one uses a regular module with a resolution of 1.2 megapixels, and the main one has a sensor with a resolution of 3.1 megapixels, equipped with autofocus and a flash.
The camera application contains settings and shooting modes familiar to Samsung devices.
The quality of the front camera can be assessed as normal; it will be sufficient for communicating on Skype.
The main camera, despite the presence of autofocus and flash, cannot boast of outstanding capabilities, but the available capabilities are enough to scan a barcode or photograph text.
Results
Taking a regular consumer model as a basis, Samsung managed to create a high-quality tablet for professional use. The use of physical control keys, a completely collapsible body, an excellent complete case with a stylus, protection according to the IP67 standard and the presence of all the necessary communication modules turn an ordinary tablet into a universal “combine” that will help solve work problems in any operating conditions. At the same time, the model has retained its relatively civilian appearance and acceptable weight and size characteristics, which allows the Galaxy Tab Active to be used as a regular tablet with additional protection from falls and moisture.
Liked:
Thoughtful design, physical control keys, collapsible body with replaceable battery
High-quality complete case with stylus
Screen color rendition, wide brightness adjustment range, oleophobic coating
Full set of communication modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, GPS, NFC)
Working hours
Did not like:
— use of an average-performance hardware platform
- relatively low screen resolution
 |
Multi touch | + |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 | |
| Kernel type | Cortex-A7 | |
| Frequency, GHz | 1,2 | |
| Number of Cores | 4 | |
| Graphic arts | Adreno 305 | |
| Pre-installed OS | Android 4.4 + TouchWiz | |
| RAM capacity, GB | 1,5 | |
| Built-in memory capacity, GB | 16 | |
| External ports | micro-USB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio, microSIM | |
| Card reader | microSD | |
| Front-camera | 1.2 MP | |
| Rear camera | 3.1 MP, flash, autofocus | |
| Light sensor | + | |
| Orientation sensor | + | |
| Built-in speakers | + | |
| Dock station | — | |
| Stylus included | + (C-Pen) | |
| Ethernet | — | |
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 | |
| 3G/4G(LTE) module | + | |
| GSM/3G/4G(LTE) standards | GSM 900/1800/1900, HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100, LTE 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600 | |
| Voice communication in GSM/3G networks | + | |
| GPS | + (GLONASS support) | |
| NFC | + | |
| Battery capacity, mAh | 4450 | |
| Battery voltage, V | no data | |
| Battery life | until 10 o'clock | |
| Weight, g | 393 | |
| Dimensions, mm | 213x126x10 | |
| Other | Protected tablet (IP67 standard), shockproof case included | |
| Case color | black | |
| Front panel color | black |
The Galaxy Tab Active tablet is a completely new solution from the Samsung brand, which will undoubtedly attract the attention of users. What's so special about this tablet? It has protection against damage (not every model from other manufacturers can boast of such a characteristic).
Unusual tablet with protection from external damage
In addition, unlike brands that have released tablets with protection from external damage, Samsung did not make this model much more expensive than similar devices with . Let's look at what is remarkable about the parameters of this device, and what category of users will find the Galaxy Tab Active useful.
| operating system | Android 4.4 TouchWiz |
| Screen | 8 inches, TN, 1280×800 pixels, capacitive, multi-touch, glossy, 189 ppi |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1200 MHz, 4 cores |
| GPU | Adreno 305 |
| RAM | 1.5 GB |
| Flash memory | 16 GB |
| Memory card support | microSD (up to 64 GB) |
| Connectors | Micro-USB, Mini-SIM, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Camera | rear (3.1 MP) and front (1.2 MP) |
| Communication | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, 3G,4G, LTE, GPS |
| Battery | 4450 mAh |
| Additionally | accelerometer, light and orientation sensor |
| Dimensions | 213x126x10 mm |
| Weight | 393 g |
| Price | $700 |
Contents of delivery
In addition to the standard kit, which includes documentation, a charger and a connection cable, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active comes with a special case. It is shock-resistant and seals the tablet tightly, making it protected and easy to use.
It doesn't weigh too much, it's easy to put on and looks quite impressive. On top of the case there is a slot for storing a stylus, (it is also included) which is convenient to use in situations when your hands are busy with something else. More specifically, the properties of the components are worth mentioning further, along with an overview of the model’s design.
Design
The first thing that immediately distinguishes a tablet from all other similar equipment is its design, since it is protected. From the front, its design is classic, but in the corners it becomes clear that its design differs from the rest in its durability. All three keys at the bottom of the screen are physical, not touch, they are embossed and easy to feel, which makes them more reliable and practical to use.
The screen is protected by a frame and covered with glass, which is now used in many new models - it guarantees good protection from scratches and damage.
From the back, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active looks unusual - the lid is made of matte embossed plastic and decorated with large frames; the camera is framed with the same material. On the back of the lid there is a thin rubber gasket to protect its contents from moisture.
Inside, in addition to the battery, there are connectors for a SIM card and a memory card. The buttons for turning off and adjusting the volume are traditionally located with right side, the connectors are located at the bottom - this arrangement is quite standard for many tablets.
The tablet itself is protected from dust and moisture, however, all connectors and keys must be protected - they are not covered with plugs.
A distinctive feature of the model is that on the left side there are three contacts with which you can charge the tablet using a cable with a magnetized connector. This will be useful in a work environment, and you don’t have to worry about USB cable, because you will have additional option recharging.
Another notable design feature of the tablet is the case that comes with it. It, as you might guess, performs a protective function, consists of rubber and plastic, and will prevent negative consequences if the device falls from a height of up to 1.2 meters.
Although the case generally increases the weight of the tablet, it makes use even more comfortable - the device feels pleasant in your hands and does not slip. A C-Pen stylus is supplied with the case - it will come in handy in cases where you cannot control the tablet with your fingers. It is quite compact, hides on top of the case, and only works with this screen.
Screen
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active tablet is equipped with an 8-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels, providing images of optimal quality with maximum viewing angles and rich color reproduction. The light sensor recognizes the amount of light in the room and automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen backlight - it is important that it works correctly in this model.
The tablet is equipped with an anti-reflective coating, so it can be used in sunlight - few models can boast of such an advantage.
Although the screen resolution is low, the device produces a high-quality, bright picture, which is quite sufficient for everyday and work tasks, and viewing multimedia files. Therefore, the display can be considered a definite advantage of the tablet, which is quite common for equipment of this brand in general.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active model has average performance parameters, as it is not very equipped powerful processor- it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 with four cores with a frequency of 1.2 GHz, RAM capacity of 1.5 GB. Such characteristics indicate that the tablet does not have enough stars in the sky when working with too much, you are unlikely to play utilities with powerful graphics on it. But it can cope with ordinary work tasks, accessing the Internet, watching movies or videos without difficulty.
In operation, the tablet shows good performance, the system does not freeze. Among analogues in the niche of protected models, it is practically the best in this indicator, and whatever one may say, processor performance is one of the most important criteria when choosing such equipment.
Multimedia capabilities
Although such a rugged tablet is primarily necessary for working in various extreme conditions, it still remains a small multimedia center, since this is the primary purpose of all tablets. Therefore, it will not only cope with dust or moisture, open your report or map during bad weather, but also provide the opportunity to enjoy watching videos or music.
The screen with good image quality is convenient for watching videos. Thanks to its performance, the tablet can even reproduce Full HD format without any problems. The quality of the speaker is also not satisfactory; it sounds clear both through the speaker and when using headphones.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active device easily recognizes almost all existing audio and video file formats, and has 16 GB of memory space to store them. Of course, support for memory cards is provided - in this model you can use external storage up to 64 GB.
Battery and operating time
The tablet is equipped with a 4450 mAh battery, which, according to the manufacturer, should be enough for 9 hours of continuous operation. So it is - when watching videos, using the Internet, reading and performing other tasks, it is quite enough for the specified time. And if you lower the screen brightness, the battery life becomes several hours longer.
And, of course, the system includes functions that help reduce energy consumption and extend the operating time of the model without recharging. In general, the battery and time leave a good impression. Especially considering that you can charge it via USB and using the contacts on the left side, to which you can connect a different type of device.
An additional benefit for the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active is that, unlike other rugged gadgets, it comes with a removable battery.
Camera
The cameras in the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active tablet are placed purely for show and do not produce excellent results. However, this situation is typical for most models of similar equipment, but the presence of even mediocre front and main cameras is always a plus.
If the need arises, you can always photograph documents or take a good photo provided there is optimal lighting. And the front module can handle video communication without any problems - nothing more is required from it.
Operating system and programs
The tablet runs on Android system with version 4.4.4 and the TouchWiz shell, which is not something special for such devices. This software has always been distinguished by its simplicity - you can easily learn to use the tablet in a short time, the menus and settings are created as accessible and logical as possible.
In the basic set of programs you immediately have everything you need for work - browsers, player, mail and others simple applications. But you can always install any missing components from Play store Market at your discretion.
A review of the system, therefore, indicates that it does not stand out as something original. There is only one innovation - now you can use two applications at the same time. In this mode, windows are located side by side on the screen, their size is adjustable.
Competitors
If you're looking for a simple, average-spec tablet for everyday use, there are naturally plenty of better priced options than the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active. But, when it comes to the device and not only the internal content plays a role, but also reliability, then this model has practically no competitors in terms of its cost.
There is only one replacement - Sigma mobile X-treme PQ79. It has the best camera parameters, a layer of protection not only on the body, but also on the screen, and the cost is almost the same as the model from our review. Therefore, if you compare a protected tablet at an adequate price, then you should choose from these two models.
As already mentioned, other existing tablets of this kind do not have very strong characteristics, and at the same time they cost several times more than their simple analogues. Brand Samsung in this sense, it is qualitatively different from other manufacturers, offering optimal parameters and device security at an adequate price.
Advantages and disadvantages
Undoubted advantages of Samsung Galaxy Tab Active are as follows:
- Protected housing
- Convenient dimensions and design for working in different conditions, including a stylus
- High quality screen
- Good battery
- The best price in the rugged devices segment.
The following disadvantages are worth noting:
- Average performance
- Bad cameras
- Low screen resolution, which is a relative disadvantage, since it may not be noticeable during operation.
conclusions
Based on the review, we can conclude that this tablet is not created for most users. It is intended for those who need such a device for work, for use in extreme conditions, since its main advantages are protection from water, dust, and falls. Thus, its “filling” is secondary, but appearance defines the scope of application.
Therefore, if you just need a working tool with a basic set of parameters - good screen, average productivity and lack of additional functions, increasing the cost, this model is the ideal choice.
The manufacturer did not put a high price on the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active tablet just because it has protection, its external design is well thought out and convenient. The internal content is sufficient for work tasks, the manufacturer inspires confidence and, most importantly, the price corresponds to the quality.
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- Android 4.4
- 8 inches, 1280x800 pixels, 400 nits, anti-glare coating
- Samsung Exynos, quad-core, 1.2 GHz
- 1.5 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory, memory cards up to 64 GB
- 3.1 megapixel camera with autofocus, 1.2 megapixel front camera
- BT 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n, NFC, USB 2.0
- 4450 mAh battery, up to 10 hours battery life, battery replacement, POGO connector for charging
- Hexa band LTE 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600
- 393 grams, 9.75 mm thickness
Contents of delivery:
- Tablet
- Battery 4450 mAh Li-Ion
- Charger with USB cable
- Additional protective case
- Stylus
- Instructions
Positioning
The market for rugged devices offers almost no tablets; they can be counted on the fingers of two hands, and maximum level protection is IP67, that is, devices are offered that can be heated, but cannot be dropped. Chinese companies do not have the skills to produce this type of device; a different technological chain is required. Those few who dare to create such products value their efforts at crazy prices - for example, a typical Chinese-made rugged tablet with a 7.8-inch screen, on an old chipset and with minimal characteristics will cost about $350 in a wholesale batch. To understand, a tablet with similar characteristics without protection can easily be purchased in Russia at a price of about 2.5-3,000 rubles. Do you feel the difference?
The high cost is also due to the fact that such devices are created more for the B2B segment than for ordinary consumers. And here Panasonic rules the roost, which began producing rugged laptops many years ago under the ToughBook brand, and then released the ToughPad.
Panasonic ToughPad
The beauty of such tablets for B2B is that they support a high standard of protection, various interfaces, but the cost is about $1,200-1,500 apiece. Similar unprotected devices on the open market cost about $400-450. In fact, it can be said that rugged tablets for B2B cost about three times more than their mass-market counterparts. This is a small niche market in this moment, where Panasonic feels at ease. And Samsung decided to destroy this idyll and released the Galaxy Tab Active, which will go on sale at the end of 2014. It will be sold through system integrators and partners that serve large organizations. For example, in Russia, Samsung considers Gazprom, Rosneft and other companies in the oil sector as potential buyers, since they need devices for field work.
The cost will be determined for each country separately; the project manager could not answer the question of what the exact price would be. This is still an unclear factor, but it will be significantly less than $1,000. I think that Samsung’s task is to make a device similar to that of Panasonic, but with half the price, maybe the difference will be even greater.
This is not a device for the open market, you will not be able to buy it at any point of sale. The reason lies in the fact that Samsung is focused on business and, first of all, the US market. The presentation included the following data: with a US population of 315 million, 144 million people work, of which 86 million people work outside the office. I think that the proportion will remain the same in other countries - this is potentially a huge market, a part of which Samsung is trying to get. The appearance of new devices can only be welcomed, since this is an expansion of the tablet niche, which in sales for all companies is declining, and the overall market size is growing slightly.
Also, the absence of the Galaxy Tab Active on the open market will be due to the fact that the next generation of Tab will come with IP67 protection, the same as on the Galaxy S5. And this will make these products competitors; this will be enough for many buyers, but they will not overpay for fall protection.
Design, dimensions, control elements
The tablet has passed MIL-STD-810G certification, which a small number of devices can boast of. It comes with an outer case that offers 1.2 meter drop protection and a stylus holder.
A funny thing about the stylus is that you can put resistive screen, and then it will not be very convenient to operate it in everyday life, but it will work in the rain and under water. Capacitive screen You can wet it, but you won’t be able to work with it in such conditions. The stylus is needed to control the device in wet conditions when you cannot press icons or menu items with your hands.
The tablet turned out to be not very large, even in the case. It's quite easy to put it on, it's just a plastic case. The entire structure weighs a little more than 400 grams, only the tablet weighs 393 grams. The layout of the controls is quite familiar for the Tab line, on the right side there is a volume key, there is an open microUSB connector at the bottom, but it is completely protected from water.
Below the screen, traditional touch keys have been replaced with three mechanical buttons, which can only be welcomed. On the back surface you can see a 3.1 megapixel camera with autofocus. The company claims that business needs are such that they need to remove documents in good quality, But high resolution not required, so we installed the camera like this and worked on autofocus and speed. There is also a front camera and a light sensor.
If you remove the case, you will see a regular case made in the style of the S5 Active. Don't be fooled by the "metal" screws in the corners, this is a sham. The lid opens like on any device, you need to pull it. Inside there is a slot for microSD memory cards, as well as a microSIM connector.
The build quality of the device is good, and in terms of protection it is difficult to say how reliable it is, but within five minutes I threw the tablet 2 meters in the air, and then it fell to the floor. There were no consequences, except that I gathered a crowd around me who wanted to take pictures of me and my exercises.
Display
The tablet's screen is 8 inches, with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels, which is quite comfortable for working with it. Externally, the screen looks like a TFT matrix, it is not SuperAMOLED. From a technology point of view, the brightness and contrast have been increased, 400 nits is a very good indicator, automatic brightness adjustment works well. They also added anti-reflective coating, it works great. They promise that readability in the sun will also remain at a high level.
Overall, I liked the picture on the screen of this device; it will cope with its tasks with a bang.
Battery
Stands inside Li-Ion battery 4450 mAh capacity, which, according to the company, provides up to 10 hours of operation, plus there are power saving modes that can extend this time. The design of the case means that you can replace the battery if necessary. But also a contact group was installed on the case for charging without connecting a conventional device (POGO connector). This is convenient for B2B clients, especially when you need to charge a dozen devices at the same time.
Communication capabilities
In addition to 3G, LTE category 4 to 6 is supported frequency ranges, has NFC, supports Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac, BT 4.0, USB 2.0 as standard.
Hardware platform, performance
A quad-core Exynos chipset is used, the frequency per core is up to 1.2 GHz, the amount of RAM is 1.5 GB, the built-in memory is 16 GB. In terms of interface performance, this is a fairly fast device. The lack of the latest chipset on board and a rather small amount of RAM are associated with the timing and complexity of certification of such products; they become obsolete precisely because of this, and not at all because of the company’s reluctance to add these components to them. For the B2B solutions market, this is a very productive tablet, one of the best.
Software features
This device has no special features as such; the KNOX system is installed here, which allows for the separation of personal and corporate data; the camera also has a built-in mode for reading barcodes and recognizing them. In principle, you can install any of your programs, security policies, and the like on Android. Inside Android 4.4.4. I’ll stop here, since describing the standard functionality is not very interesting.
Impression
For this tablet, it is officially stated that it can operate in a temperature range from -20 to +60 degrees Celsius. This sharply distinguishes it from other devices, let’s call them conventionally household ones and for the wide market. This is a typical solution for the B2B segment, where Samsung began to play an active role, but has not yet released secure devices, since it did not consider this niche to be large. The Galaxy Tab Active model is the first trial balloon; it is possible that there will be other solutions, but obviously the speed of their release will not be very high - one or two devices per year. This is a fundamentally different market, where reliability is more important than the speed of updating the line. Such devices come with a 3-year warranty; Panasonic has the same period.
As a first attempt to enter a new market segment, this tablet is by no means bad. There are no analogues on the market, and if the price is at the level of 500-600 dollars, then it will become in demand, since Chinese secure devices simply do not have such functionality and cannot appear. And they cost approximately this. The question remains whether such tablets are needed for ordinary consumers. Is it of interest to you, and if so, why?