Why my new favorite Samsung tablet model isn't the FE or Ultra (and it's full of surprises)

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is disposable starting astatine $659 for the 128GB version, with 5G models starting astatine $769.
• It's an exceptionally rugged tablet with removable dual batteries and bundle updates for 8 years.
• RAM is simply a spot constricted astatine 6GB, and the included S Pen doesn't enactment wireless Bluetooth functions.

Get much in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add america arsenic a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.

A mates of months agone I popped the SIM retired of my Galaxy S25 Ultra and spent a fewer weeks with the rugged Galaxy XCover7. To spell on with that durable phone, Samsung conscionable released the Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro tablet, and I've been hiking, kayaking, and exploring with it for the past fewer weeks. 

Also: The champion rugged tablets you tin buy: Expert tested

The Tab Active5 Pro improves upon the Active4 Pro successful a fewer areas requested by regular users, including stereo speakers, expanded RAM with an updated Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, and importantly improved artillery capableness with dual hot-swap capability. 

As a trade-off, the rear camera solution has been decreased from 13MP to 12MP, but it's inactive perfectly susceptible of capturing documents and images portion retired successful the field.

With 10,100 mAh of artillery capableness contained successful 2 user-replaceable cells, the Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is built to service its relation continuously. You tin adjacent permission 1 artillery successful the instrumentality and support it moving portion you swap the different out. If you don't person immoderate different charged batteries, the tablet volition enactment successful no-battery mode if it is connected to a powerfulness source, which is simply a large solution for in-vehicle usage successful the field.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

In bid to trial the Tab Active5 Pro successful the field, I took it connected a sportfishing travel to a precocious upland water successful Washington State. It turns retired determination was nary longer a way to the lake, truthful I navigated done the overgrown wood down highly steep terrain to the pristine lake. 

Also: The tablet that replaced my iPad and Kindle got a worthy successor - and I'm loving the upgrades

I did not mean to trial the tablet's rugged durability since those kinds of utmost tests are not allowed with loaners, but the conditions contiguous during my trek resulted successful immoderate hard falls, h2o immersion, and real-life tract investigating of the tablet. It survived unscathed and was a joyousness to use.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

As a nonrecreational naval architect, I survey ships and enactment successful shipyards, with physics drawings guiding me. The rugged Tab Active devices person worked good for my teams and maine successful the past successful shipyards successful Florida and Washington. 

Over the past mates of weeks, the ample spike S Pen has worked flawlessly for navigating astir and marking up drawings. I particularly admit the unafraid retention silo successful the protective case. The larger diameter of the S Pen made it casual to usage with gloves on, and the show tin beryllium manipulated successful mitt mode.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Three carnal buttons connected the bottommost of the tablet, successful scenery orientation, marque it casual to unlock and navigate the idiosyncratic interface. A lime greenish fastener connected the top, identified arsenic the progressive button, tin beryllium customized with actions for property and press/hold actions. 

Also: I replaced my Samsung S25 Ultra with this rugged exemplary that's fractional the terms - and don't regret it

In addition, the broadside fastener supra the measurement buttons tin beryllium acceptable up with double-press and long-press actions, truthful determination are plentifulness of options for accessing your favourite apps and utilities done carnal fastener actions, arsenic anyone with acquisition moving successful the tract volition appreciate. 

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The show is not arsenic vibrant arsenic I americium utilized to with AMOLED phones and watches, but it worked good for the extracurricular conditions wherever I was utilizing the tablet. The agelong artillery beingness was much important for keeping maine powered up portion navigating the distant wilderness and if you are looking for a rugged tablet for tract enactment past the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is decidedly a tablet to consider.

ZDNET's buying advice

If you're looking for a tablet to usage extracurricular the bureau oregon successful conditions wherever it'll beryllium subjected to the elements, you should see a rugged tablet made for those usage cases. The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is built to execute for years with precise agelong artillery life, respective carnal buttons to navigate the tablet, and 8 years of updates. It's reasonably priced and built to grip unsmooth conditions.