TEST: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 - I can replace the battery! Alas, the durability is not bad either

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 is a tablet (what a surprise), but we won't see it in the hands of the average Slovenian. Not because it is not good or because it is not powerful enough, but simply because it is not intended for everyday use.

I believe that you already realized from the picture that it is a robust tablet PC. A device designed for the toughest conditions, for example for work on construction sites, warehouses, healthcare, or for those who spend their free time in caves, mountains and anywhere else where an ordinary fall could mean a fatal end.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 price in Slovenia?

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5 5G 6/128GB: €599

More about purchasing at www.samsung.com. 

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 – the shape of the classic tablet hides many surprises

I will not discover hot water. The Galaxy Tab Active5 looks like an ordinary tablet. If we take a closer look, we notice some little things that cannot be found on an ordinary tablet. First of all, there are three physical buttons that disappeared a decade ago and were replaced by virtual buttons. On the left side is the connector for charging with the help of the #141 POGO charging station, below is the 3.5 mm headphone jack, and on the right side is a yellow-green active button that can be programmed for faster access. to any application. By default, Camera is selected and the active button in this case still functions as a trigger. Å code only that the active button does not work when the screen is off.

At the back is a robust plate with a pattern that resembles pipes and four screws that are a decorative accessory. The back plate of the #141 is the #141; just pinned and not screwed. On the left side, there is a convenient pin for easier opening, and under the cover hides a huge battery with a relatively modest capacity of 5050 mAh, at least by tablet standards. I have to say that a wave of nostalgia washed over me when I could easily remove the battery from the case without having to screw, change gaskets, glue and so on. No tools and no "hackers". This is great for the longevity of the tablet, because after a few years I could just open the lid and change the battery in a second. I could also undertake the repair/replacement of other components, since as far as I can see, access to the components is not difficult, provided, of course, that spare parts are still available at that time.

Nevertheless, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 still has all the necessary ratings for ruggedness: IP68 and MIL-STD-810H. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

The tablet is not excessively heavy. Compared to the previous Active4 model, they have reduced the weight by as much as 200 grams. The fingerprint reader in the physical Home button is quite responsive, and facial recognition is among the fastest I've tested so far.

Screen “le” LCD (TFT)

It is available in 8 inches, the resolution is WUXGA (1920 x 1200), and the aspect ratio is 16:10. The panel is only LCD, which can be a moot point, since it is still 600 € and OLED should come in closer selection. Since the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 tablet will mostly be used in difficult environments, responsiveness, durability and clarity are more important to me than resolution and panel type. The screen refreshes at 120 Hz, which ensures a smooth user experience. However, I noticed minor stuttering when moving between menus or possibly starting a new application, the first sign that the Exynos čchip is not able to keep up with every task.

The brightness was satisfactory, but it could be better. 600 threads are farč from what we are used to from screens in 2024. I don't need 2500 threads like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, nič but it wouldn't be wrong to upgrade it above the 1000 nits mark, especially since the tablet will often be used in direct sunlight.

As already said, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, a slightly older protection, which should still do its job well. I also put on gloves and tested it as if you would use it somewhere in the field. I can confirm that the screen remained just as responsive though. I also sprayed the screen with drops of water, where I encountered an occasional inability to detect commands, but nothing. shockingly disturbing.

Dolby Atmos support is a somewhat surprising addition. The sound quality is solid, I was relatively satisfied with it, but any headphones are a better choice.

I also received a protective case with an included S Pen and according to my information, it is always included with the purchase. Although it could be used for design tasks or even for general browsing on the phone, I guess in this case the pen is more intended for filling out documents, signing and similar business tasks.

Performance is average, but sufficient for intended use

The Exynos 1380 is a strictly average chip. It will suffice for the business use for which the tablet is intended, but I cannot give it any special recognition. It is also able to run popular games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile) at medium resolution, but for long-term use, I would recommend even lower settings. I did not see excessive overheating.

128 GB of space is a bit insufficient for today's time, 256 GB should be the default configuration. The saving grace is the support for microSD card expansion up to 1 TB. Android 14 with One UI 6.0 skin is installed.

All known technologies are included: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, NFC and eSIM. Samsung provides 4 years of Android upgrades and 5 years of security patches.

There is only one camera (13 MP) on the back, which you will not use to create photo collages, but rather to scan barcodes and the like. There is a 5 MP camera on the front for possible video calls.

The battery lasted me a good day and a half on average, which is quite a solid lifespan. I assume that it will last much longer for exclusively business tasks.

It's great as a rugged tablet, but a little less so for everyday use

In my opinion, you should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5 if you plan to use it in environments where rough handling is expected. Companies can easily use it in warehouses, production, in the field and anywhere else where this type of media comes in handy. For more commercial use, I can only see her as a companion on hill climbs and similar activities. I can hardly recommend it for ordinary use. Its durability is a very welcome feature, but the average user is more interested in the performance, quality of the screen and cameras than whether the tablet has a military certification for resistance.