Samsung Unveils Larger Channel-Only Android Rugged Tablet for Business Users

By Todd R. Weiss

Samsung has updated its older Galaxy Tab Active2 tablet with a larger 10.1-inch display and other features requested by business and enterprise customers and channel partners, including a replaceable battery and Samsung DeX desktop compatibility.

The new Samsung Galaxy Active Tab Pro tablet, unveiled Wednesday at the Samsung Developer Conference in San Jose, California, is built with channel partners and their customers in mind and is only available through the channel and its distributors.

The Galaxy Active Tab Pro follows the ruggedized form factor of its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab Active2, which debuted a year ago with a smaller 8-inch display.

Built for use in harsh work environments outside typical business offices, the Galaxy Tab Active Pro includes a 10.1-inch WUXGA display (1920 x 1200 resolution), a Qualcomm SDM670 octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of onboard storage and a microSD slot that accepts flash cards up to 512GB. The Tab Active Pro also includes a 13-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel front camera and a USB 3.1 Type C port.

The device features Bluetooth v5.0, near-field communication and Wi-Fi connectivity, and is powered by a 7,600mAh replaceable battery.

The tablet measures 9.58 inches long, 6.7 inches wide, 0.38 inches thick and weighs 23 ounces.

Running Android P, the tablet is built to MIL-STD-810G and IP68 water and dust resistance standards for difficult and hazardous working conditions.

The tablet also incorporates a Samsung S Pen for writing and drawing on the screen, as well as Samsung Knox security support and biometric authentication.

The Tab Active Pro is available immediately in a Wi-Fi version for $600 and an LTE version starting Nov. 15 for $680.

The DeX desktop compatibility features, which allow users to connect the device to a desktop PC, a keyboard and a second monitor to do their work, requires an optional Tab Active Pro keyboard cover and DeX cable. The DeX capabilities are new to the Galaxy Tab Active Pro and were not available on the previous Galaxy Tab Active2 tablet.

The new device was designed and built using feedback received from Samsung channel partners and customers who have been using the previous Tab Active2 tablets, Michael Coleman, vice president of mobile channels for Samsung, told Channel Partners.

Samsung’s Michael Coleman

“It’s part of Samsung building a mobility practice in the channel,” he said. “A strong component of our success has been listening to our partners,” including at a recent partner’s forum.

“The fact is that this ruggedized category is powerful,” said Coleman. “The Tab Active Pro came out of feedback we got from partners, including that for some users the original Tab Active2 needed a larger screen and the addition of DeX.”

In addition, many partners asked that Samsung standardize the location of ports and mounts on all future Tab Active Pro chassis so they can continue to support the same mounting systems for users in a wide range of industries even as new versions are released, he said.

The tablets, which Samsung envisions midmarket companies to large enterprises using, are targeted at …

… public safety users, retailers, airlines, manufacturers and other verticals, said Coleman.

Mike McGuire, founder and CEO of Mobility Consulting Group, an Atlanta-based VAR, reseller and mobile solutions provider, said his company works with independent software vendors who build and sell the applications customers need for the tablets. The apps vary from logistics to barcoding, scanning, food safety and more, giving customers a wide range of applications to run on the tablets for their businesses, he said.

Mobility Consulting Group’s Mike McGuire

“The Galaxy Tab Active2 has given us tremendous business exposure because it its only available through the channel,” said McGuire. “When Verizon or AT&T gets a customer for the tablets, they contract with us. It has allowed us to grow our business through the channel tremendously. This rugged market that Samsung has found at this price point has been big for our business,” he added, compared to similar rugged tablets sold by other major vendors for $2,000-$3,000 each.

Being able to offer the new, larger Galaxy Tab Active Pro is going to be a bonus, said McGuire. “Now having a 10-inch screen is going to be key. Certain customers said they liked the earlier Tab Active2 version but wanted more screen size,” which makes it more productive for users.

“Customers will be calling about this new model,” he said. “I’ve got about six customers right now waiting for demos.”