The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro 5G is a tablet that you can take anywhere. The rugged exterior protects the device from all weather conditions, but the inside can take a beating as well.

The rugged tablet market may be a niche market, but there are certainly situations where it’s not an unnecessary luxury. For example, imagine a construction manager who needs to measure the progress of work based on wind and weather. Samsung is responding to this niche with the Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro 5G, a name that’s on the tip of your tongue.

Samsung is addressing a different target group with this robust tablet than with its Galaxy Tab A and S models, which are aimed more at the consumer market. The Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro 5G is aimed at business users who need to work from anywhere and in any circumstances.

Sturdy crockery

The tablet is wrapped in a thick shell designed to protect the device from various types of damage. Good news for the clumsy user who sometimes drops their device: the case can absorb the shock of a fall (we found we open it). The screen is also reinforced with Gorilla Glass. The IP68 rating indicates that the tablet can withstand some water and dust. Keep in mind that if the tablet comes into contact with water, the USB-C connector must be sufficiently dry before connecting the charger or an external device.

Despite the sturdy looks, Samsung has managed to keep the device light. The total weight is only 833 grams. If you don’t need the cover, you can theoretically remove it. We say theoretically, because in practice, that involves a lot of tugging and tugging. There are no less than 28 points of contact between the case and the tablet. In other words, leave the case in place. The cover also serves as a place to store the included stylus.

The very thick screen edges, in which large control buttons are housed, are also striking. With the buttons on the side you can adjust the volume, open the camera or check your agenda with the push of a button. Wired earphone lovers will appreciate the presence of a 3.5mm audio jack. Overall, the device makes a robust impression, but at the same time it is easy to hold.

Display: bright, but somewhat matte

The display measures 10.1 inches from the top left to the bottom right corner. The picture specifications, while not striking, are sufficient for the intended uses of this device. The resolution is 1,920 x 1,200 pixels and the screen can be refreshed at a maximum of 60 Hz. The fact that Samsung does not offer 120 Hz support, as with the Galaxy Tab S8, is not a criticism of this device.

Samsung has also thought of outdoor use in the picture settings. The display has a high brightness (490 cd/m²).², which is more than the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra) so that the screen remains easy to read even in bright sunlight. In addition, you can set an adaptive brightness to adapt it to the circumstances. You can also do the same for the screen sensitivity, so you can operate the screen even with gloves on. We put on our work gloves and found that it works great: from scrolling to typing emails, gloves make it effortless.

Of course, we also made a lot of use of the stylus. The display reacts smoothly and smoothly to touch. The pen is also great for taking notes. An additional advantage is that you never have to charge the pen and it is also resistant to dust and water.

Like to watch a video or play a game on the go? This is possible with this tablet, but you quickly realize that it is not a multimedia specialist. The colors are rather dull due to the lack of AMOLED technology and the sound coming from the speakers also lacks depth. With this tablet, it’s all work, not play.

Slow starter

Under the stable shield is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778 5G, a mid-range processor from the Qualcomm family that is often found in Android tablets. Among other things, the processor enables 4G/5G connectivity, which is handy on the go. The interior is complemented by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage expandable up to 1TB with an SSD card.

In the chart below, we compare processor performance to some Android tablets we’ve recently released. We already point out that the comparison with the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, the absolute top model from Samsung, is not entirely representative. The comparison with the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is the fairest, but the Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro 5G costs almost four hundred euros more.

When it comes to CPU performance, the tablets are more or less the same. The Lenovo model is powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 1300T. In previous tests of mid-range smartphones, we have already established that there is hardly any difference between Qualcomm and MediaTek processors in the budget segment, Qualcomm primarily excels in the premium segment.

The processor ensures that apps run smoothly and switching between applications is effortless. Even when performing tasks, you do not feel the tablet warming up, which is a good sign for the condition of the interior. Only the start takes time. The tablet is a diesel engine that needs some time to warm up.

The graphics compartment makes less impression. As expected, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra clearly stands out, but one would expect the Galaxy Tab Active to be better able to keep up with the Lenovo competitor. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, which backs up our previous claim that this tablet isn’t an entertainment monster.

Cameras get a pass

Tablets are rarely known for their high camera quality and we didn’t have too high expectations in advance. On the back we see a 13 MP lens. The quality of the photos is decent, but you can’t get razor-sharp or colorful pictures. Good for a quick photo, but the phone in your pocket will most likely give better results.

When it comes to video calls, the 8 MP front camera more than holds its own. The built-in microphone also picks up your voice clearly. This tablet is therefore a good device for video conferences on the go and still offers more screen space than a smartphone. Good lighting is necessary because the camera cannot artificially compensate for the loss of sharpness. The front camera dares to make you look a bit pale in photos.

Long-lasting battery

Considering that you’ll probably be using this device a lot on the go, the battery is an important specification. After all, you don’t always have a charger at hand. On paper, a 7,600 mAh battery doesn’t sound particularly impressive for a tablet. However, our long-term tests show that the battery lasts a long time and that its more expensive cousin easily completes a marathon. So you can get through a day without battery worries.

To save the battery, you can remove it from the device and No batteryActivate the mode. You can then use the tablet without a battery, provided that the power is supplied via the USB-C port. For example, you can use this in the car if you are not behind the wheel.

Just make sure you start the day with a full battery. Finally, Samsung refuses to go along with the trend towards faster and faster charging devices and extends this line to tablets (whereby Lenovo performs even worse, see chart). The charging power is limited to a disappointing 15 W. It takes eighty minutes to charge the battery to fifty percent, and you can count on two to three hours (!) for a fully charged battery.

Software (almost) tailored for tablets

The tablet runs on Android 12, of course with the characteristic OneUI sauce on top. Samsung likes to put its own stamp here, so alongside Google apps you get tons of Samsung apps that actually do exactly the same thing. Also, Bixby, the virtual assistant everyone ignores, screams for attention every time you touch the power button.

Samsung didn’t go with Android 12L, although the OneUI shell adapts effortlessly to a tablet screen. Apps from Google and Samsung have long felt at home on larger screens, but many others are still designed exclusively for smartphones. This can cause applications to not display well on the screen or to behave strangely when you tilt the screen. The manufacturer can do little about this, it is up to the developers to treat tablets as equal.

Samsung is aiming at a professional audience with this device and is therefore also promoting the presence of DeX. The idea is that you turn your tablet into a mini PC. DeX can be found under the settings (under Connected Devices) and at the touch of a button you have a completely different interface. We maintain our position after reviewing the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra a year ago. Everything works fine, but DeX could use a fresh coat of paint.

In addition to DeX, Knox is also represented to satisfy the professional user. With Knox, admins can build additional security into employee devices. After all, you can count on long-term support for Samsung devices: three years for the operating system and five years for security updates.

Reliable work companion

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro stands for long-term reliability. Both the inside and outside are built to last. Working outside can be tiring, so you don’t have to stay indoors when the weather is bad. The removable battery and long software support contribute to the longevity of this device.

If you’re looking for a versatile all-rounder, this device might not be the best purchase. Media and entertainment are clearly secondary, which employers will be happy to hear. The performance does not always correspond to the asking price. With a price of 829 euros (including VAT), this model costs more than the regular Galaxy Tab S8, and the tablet does not perform any better than a 450-euro tablet. Robust hardware simply costs a little more.

With the Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro, Samsung wants to appeal to a niche audience that only uses their tablet during working hours and regularly has to leave the safe environment of the office. This tablet is a very reliable companion for this selected target group.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro 5G is available from 829 euros (6 GB/128 GB). Samsung promises five years of security updates and three years of OS updates.