The Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is a tough, thick, and heavy tablet. Add its included case, and it gets even tougher, thicker, and heavier. Its design and materials make it clear that Samsung engineered the tablet to endure bumps, scrapes, and drops.
(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
The tablet measures 6.70 by 9.56 by 0.40 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.5 pounds. The case adds 6.21 ounces to the package, making the combined weight 1.89 pounds. (Adding a 5G connectivity increases the weight negligibly.) The Active5 Pro is backward compatible with the Active4 Pro’s accessories, which could help save some cash for those looking to upgrade.
In price and performance, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ and the Apple iPad Air (starting at $599) are the Active5 Pro’s closest competitors. These are mass-market tablets, though, and not designed for tough, outdoor environments like worksites. Third-party case makers do offer ruggedized protection for the Tab S10 FE+ and iPad Air at an additional cost.
The Active5 Pro features an IP68 rating, which means it is resistant to dust and water. Its MIL-STD-810H certification ensures the device can withstand a drop of 5 feet 11 inches with its case or 4 feet 11 inches without. Samsung uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ to protect the screen. The Tab S10 FE+ also has an IP68 rating, while the iPad Air isn’t IP-rated at all.
(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
A thick black bezel surrounds the display and contains physical buttons for Android’s task switcher, home, and back functions. The home button doubles as a fingerprint sensor, which works well in testing. A power button, volume rocker, and an assignable lime green Active button are on the top edge. Speaker grilles are on the short edges. A USB-C (3.2 Gen 1) port and a 3.5mm headphone jack are on the right edge. Pogo pins are on the bottom edge for connecting select accessories. The frame is covered in textured plastic.
(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
The back features a ridged pattern for added grip, a Samsung logo, a single camera with a flash, and an indent to pry off the flexible cover. Upon initial setup, you must install the two removable batteries, which are keyed, so they only fit one way. A microSD card slot sits to the left of the batteries.
(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
The asymmetrical case fits snugly, leaving the tablet’s ports exposed through cutouts on the bottom and right side. Its thicker left edge makes the tablet easy to hold securely and has a slot for the included S Pen. Case-mounted buttons along the top operate the tablet’s physical controls with good responsiveness, and the case’s matching lime-green Active button is easily visible.
(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
Samsung offers the Tab Active5 Pro exclusively in a dark shade of green.
