Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 arrives in US w/ Wireless DeX, removable battery, rugged hardware

Ben Schoon | Jan 19 2021 - 6:30 am PT

samsung galaxy tab active 3 receiving November 2021 security update

Samsung’s tablet portfolio has included rugged options for quite some time, and today the company is launching another model. The Galaxy Tab Active 3 brings mostly mid-range specs, but some welcome additions too.

On board the Galaxy Tab Active 3 you’ll find an 8-inch 1920×1200 display, Exynos 9810 chipset, 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage with microSD, as well as Android 10. There’s also a 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, optional 4G LTE, USB-C, a fingerprint sensor, and POGO pins for some accessories.

This all comes wrapped in a super rugged IP68-rated body that is also designed to absorb drops from up to 1.5m with an included protective case. Samsung also includes a waterproof S Pen with the tablet. There’s also a neat programmable key that can be used for push-to-talk or opening important apps.

Another neat feature is a removable battery. The 5,050mAh cell can be removed and swapped, as well as opening the ability to use the tablet without a battery entirely on constant power from a kiosk or in a vehicle.

In terms of software, the Android 10 build brings One UI and supports Samsung’s very useful Wireless DeX feature that debuted first on the Galaxy Note 20 series. Samsung will also be supporting up to three generations of Android updates and will be a part of the Android Enterprise Recommended program when it gets Android 11. Pricing starts at $489 for Wi-Fi and $589 for LTE.

Tab Active3 is tailored to meet these demands through military-grade MIL-STD-810H certification and IP68 rated⁶ water and dust resistance — able to withstand high altitudes, changes in temperature and humidity, and tough conditions. Other frontline features include Touch Sensitivity for tablet interaction while wearing work gloves, a ruggedized IP68 Certified S Pen that makes digital interaction simple in inclement weather, and a replaceable long-lasting 5050mAh battery