The Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro is a rugged tablet that's a reliable tool for outdoor enthusiasts, but it still has some limitations compared to its competitors.
This is the successor to the Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro launched in 2022, it not only inherits but also significantly upgrades the core elements that made the Active line famous.
+ Advantages
- Good durability
- Large capacity, removable battery
- Bright screen, high scan frequency
+ Limitations
- Graphics performance is not groundbreaking
- Single speaker, entertainment experience is not optimal
- Unfashionable design
Design
At first glance, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro impresses with its sturdy, durable design. Instead of pursuing a slim or fashionable style like many popular tablets, this device is equipped with a reinforced frame and a thick rubber shell surrounding the edges.
This design is not only for identification but also plays an important role in minimizing damage when the device is impacted or dropped during use in harsh environments.
A reporter's test of dropping it from a height of 1.5 meters onto asphalt showed that the rubber layer absorbed the force well; the screen was effectively scratch-resistant - thanks to optimal protection by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+.
In addition, the product is designed to feel very solid and sturdy in the hand, providing peace of mind, especially for users working in construction sites, factories, warehouses or even in the military.
The Active 5 Pro's durability extends beyond the physical. The tablet is MIL-STD-810H certified, a rigorous standard that allows it to withstand shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures.
More importantly, it is also IP68 water and dust resistant, allowing the device to be submerged in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes and completely dustproof.
A huge plus and also a rare feature of the Active Pro line is the ability to remove the battery.
This is where competitors like the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen3 or Panasonic Toughbook G2 fall short.
In an age where most devices are "monolithic", this Samsung design feels like a 10-year throwback, but it offers flexibility.
Accordingly, users can easily replace the 10,100mAh battery so that the tablet can operate continuously during long shifts.
The Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro is equipped with many features by Samsung aimed at flexibility and durability in special usage environments. One of them is “dual hot swap” – allowing the battery to be replaced without completely turning off the device. During the replacement process, the screen may temporarily turn off and some functions will be interrupted, but the device does not need to be restarted from the beginning.
Additionally, “No Battery Mode” allows users to operate the machine without installing a battery, simply connecting it directly to a power source. This feature is useful in stationary settings such as specialized vehicles, control stations or exhibition booths.
The device still retains the cluster of three physical buttons below the screen – a plus when operating with gloves. The Home button is integrated with a fast-response fingerprint sensor, but requires direct contact to operate effectively.
In terms of connectivity, the device supports a USB 3.2 Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and hard keys including power button, volume button, and customizable button ("action key") that can be assigned functions according to usage needs.
The "action" button is highlighted with a prominent color, increasing aesthetics (Photo: Do Ngoc Luu).
With the "action" button, users can set up frequently used features, instead of requiring many manual operations, users only need one press.
Screen
Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro has a 10.1-inch LCD screen with WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200 pixels) and 120Hz refresh rate.
The screen's brightest point is its maximum brightness of up to 600 nits, which is much lower than the Panasonic Toughbook G2 (1,000 nits).
In fact, the high screen brightness helps the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro display clearly even in direct sunlight - a factor that is especially important for those working outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
The 120Hz refresh rate is also a notable upgrade, providing a smooth experience when scrolling, swiping or switching scenes. This feature is even more effective when combined with the S Pen, supporting precise operations in specialized applications such as note-taking, technical drawing or field control.
Performance
Inside the durable "armor", Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro is equipped with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, built on a 4-nanometer process, providing good performance for daily tasks and multitasking.
The device has two configuration options including 6GB RAM with 128GB internal memory or 8GB RAM with 256GB internal memory. Both support microSD card expansion up to 2TB, allowing users to comfortably store huge work data.
In the Geekbench performance test, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro (with model number SM-X356B) scored 1,179 in single-core and 3,378 in multi-core.
This performance is considered mid-range, equivalent to the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. This means that the device is fully capable of running smoothly office applications, project management, map viewing or other specialized software that business users often use.
While this isn't a hardcore gaming tablet, the Active 5 Pro can still handle graphically demanding titles at reasonable settings.
With PUBG Mobile, you can feel the smooth running, the light and dark areas in the game are clearly displayed and detailed. However, if you set it to the highest graphics level: the device has a slight lag phenomenon.
Therefore, the machine's performance meets working needs well, handling moderately heavy tasks well, not for gamers to experience top-notch games.
Battery
The Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro's 10,100mAh battery is a real highlight, and it's designed to keep your workflow running smoothly during long work shifts.
In our real-world battery test, playing a video from YouTube Full HD at 600 nits maximum brightness and 120Hz, the Active 5 Pro lasted 7.5 hours.
This is a very good result, especially with a bright display and high refresh rate.
However, when used for a long time under sunlight, the battery heats up quickly; this somewhat makes the user feel insecure.
If possible, Samsung should equip the battery cooling system for the next generations.
Camera and connectivity
The Active 5 Pro's camera system includes a 12MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. Of course, the camera is not the tablet's strongest point, but the device's image quality is good enough for tasks like video conference calls, barcode scanning via Samsung Knox Capture, and basic photography tasks at work.
One limitation of the camera compared to the main competitor is that the device is not equipped with a thermal camera (FLIR).
With thermal cameras, it will be very useful for firefighters, people working in chemical plants, medical or scientific research.
Meanwhile, the 12MP rear camera can record 4K video quite well, but at night there is strong noise.
In terms of connectivity, the device supports 5G for sub-6GHz networks and can use two SIMs (including eSIM).
This could turn the tablet into a real "large smartphone", allowing you to make calls, send messages or share the network via hotspot.
In addition, the device is also equipped with WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4... Meanwhile, the upgraded stereo speakers support Dolby Atmos (surround sound mode). However, the music listening experience shows that the sound quality is still not really good compared to competitors, lacking bass.
S Pen and software
The S Pen continues to be a familiar and useful feature on the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro, with a durable design and IP68 dust and water resistance - suitable for harsh usage environments.
Handwriting, drawing and note-taking are smooth, thanks to low latency and high accuracy. Users can take full advantage of the S Pen's signature features such as Samsung Notes, Air Command or converting handwriting into digital text, serving both work and field study well.
The S Pen will help users use the device even when wearing thick gloves (Photo: Do Ngoc Luu).
For users working in special environments such as construction sites or factories, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro offers a great advantage thanks to the S Pen, which allows operation even when wearing thick gloves, helping to maintain performance without removing protective equipment.
In terms of software, the device runs Android 15 with One UI 7 interface out of the box. Samsung commits to supporting 4 years of major operating system updates and 5 years of security updates - a significant strength for businesses that prioritize long-term stability and data security.
The Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro also supports Samsung DeX, allowing for an extended desktop-like working experience.
However, the DeX version on this device only works when connected to an external display via Wi-Fi, and cannot be used directly on the device's screen. Although somewhat limited, this feature is still very useful for those who often travel and need to flexibly present documents.
Summary
The Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro isn't for everyone, but it's a good choice for those who need a super durable device.
The Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro is suitable for people who work in environments that require high durability such as construction, logistics, military or often participate in outdoor activities such as backpacking and camping. The device is designed to withstand impact, water and dust, meeting the needs of continuous use in harsh conditions.
However, for those who prioritize high-end entertainment experiences such as watching movies, playing graphics-heavy games, or need a thin, light, fashionable device to carry around every day, they may want to consider other tablet lines that are more suitable for this need.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/cong-nghe/danh-gia-galaxy-tab-active-5-pro-do-ben-quan-doi-hieu-nang-ra-sao-20250729134240071.htm
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