Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 Rugged Tablet is Now Available in the US

With new enhancements for seamless workflow, and a growing partner ecosystem, Tab Active3 sets a new standard for ruggedized devices

Samsung today announced the U.S. availability of the Galaxy Tab Active3, a rugged tablet built to meet the rigors of today’s mobile workforce. Designed to help frontline workers increase efficiency and boost productivity in the harshest of environments—whether indoors, on the road, or in the field—the Tab Active3 delivers military-grade¹ ruggedness in a sleek, lightweight tablet.

Tab Active3 brings back key capabilities of the award-winning Tab Active2—including its military-grade design, enhanced touch for use with gloves², and a replaceable battery—and adds new innovations such as a programmable key, Wi-Fi 6/MIMO connectivity, and Samsung wireless DeX³. It enables multi-task performance using a single device, giving industries such as manufacturing, transportation, retail and the public sector a new tool to succeed through digital transformation.

“Frontline workers require the right tools to conduct business in a digital-first world, so we worked closely with our B2B customers and partners to understand what they need in a rugged device,” said Taher Behbehani, Head of the Mobile B2B Division, SVP and General Manager, Samsung Electronics America. “The Tab Active3 is a durable and sleek mobile business solution, created to streamline workflows, increase productivity and reshape how work gets done.”

Galaxy Tab Active3

Built for the Frontline

Rugged devices for business use are on the rise. According to IDC, 41 percent of U.S. enterprises are using or planning to purchase more rugged devices in 2021⁴. Additionally, 93% of rugged devices shipped by 2024 are expected to be Android-based⁵, as more enterprises mobilize frontline workers.

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 battery⁷.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3

New Tab Active3 capabilities focus on boosting worker efficiency and productivity:

• Samsung wireless DeX delivers a PC-like experience while mobile by extending the tablet’s view onto a larger monitor or smart display, improving employee workflow and customer interactions.
• Wi-Fi 6 with MIMO connectivity helps workers keep up with digital business through greater data transfer speeds, even across large workforces using many devices simultaneously.
• A programmable key allows instant access to critical business apps, such as push-to-talk⁸, scanning, emergency functions, or other apps tailored to industry needs.
• ‘No Battery Mode’ supports operation without the battery—ideal for all day, in-vehicle use, such as in forklifts or trucks⁹.
• Knox Capture¹⁰ transforms Tab Active3 into an easy-to-use, flexible enterprise-grade barcode scanning solution. 

A Rugged Solution Ecosystem

Samsung’s rugged portfolio is backed by an ecosystem of partners and customers with deep expertise in frontline industries, driving new solutions for specific business needs. Many have already developed applications for Samsung rugged devices, and will support Tab Active3, including: BusPatrol, Veras Retail and Mesilla Valley Transportation.

• Improving Student Safety: BusPatrol, a leader in stop-arm enforcement technology, uses Samsung rugged tablets to modernize school buses and improve student safety. Through integration with telematics, GPS and cellular data, Tab Active3 is the interface for school bus drivers to access modern safety tools provided by BusPatrol’s programs. This includes push-to-talk, sideload video stream, turn-by-turn navigation, inspection compliance reporting, and driver coaching.
• Assisted Selling for Retail:  Veras Retail, a leading provider of omnichannel solutions for retailers, uses its Affinity AI-powered clienteling solution on Samsung rugged tablets to arm sales associates with personalized recommendations to better engage with shoppers. Through access to relevant data, associates can be aware of shopper preferences—before they start a conversation.
• Connected Vehicles: Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT), a pioneering truckload carrier, equipped all of their 1,600 trucks with rugged Samsung tablets that use a cloud-based telematics solution from Platform Science. This improves in-cab experiences, and safely provides drivers with easy access to all apps, including workflow, routing, diagnostics, and electronic logging of service hours.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3

Samsung’s Leading Mobile Protection

Tab Active3 is the first U.S. tablet to be Enterprise Edition¹¹-ready out of the box. Enterprise Edition includes a set of mobile services that provide administrators the ability to easily secure, deploy and manage mobile devices across a distributed workforce. This includes 1 year of Knox Suite, 3 years of market availability, and up to 5 years of security updates (click here for further details).

Additionally, Tab Active3 supports up to three generations of Android OS upgrades, provides regular Android security updates, and is protected by the company’s defense-grade Knox security platform from the chip up all the way to the apps.

The Samsung Tab Active3 is available in the U.S. today in Wi-Fi and LTE connected versions¹² via Samsung’s distribution channels and Samsung.com. It will also launch as one of Samsung’s Android Enterprise Recommended (AER) devices upon its Android 11 upgrade¹³. Pricing starts at $489.99 for Wi-Fi and $589.99 for LTE models. For more information, visit here.

Executive Quotes

BusPatrol, Jean Souliere, CEO & Founder

“BusPatrol is the most deployed stop-arm program in North America, and we rely on advanced technology to make sure our program is both seamless and easy to use. After deploying thousands of Samsung Tab Active2 devices to fleets of school bus drivers, we look forward to bringing customers new benefits with Tab Active3. We needed a way to interface with all the safety tools we’re developing; something we could put in the hands of school bus drivers. Samsung’s rugged tablet became that dashboard—a device they rely on to make the journey to and from school safer for children.”

Platform Science, Scott Kopchinsky, VP of Engineering
“Platform Science is focused on providing the best in-cab driver experience for our enterprise customers in the trucking industry. Having a single secure and ruggedized mobile solution to access all essential information is a top priority for our fleet customers, and based on driver feedback on Tab Active2, we’re excited to bring our Connected Vehicle technology to customers using Tab Active3.”

Veras Retail, Rohit Vir, Founder & CEO
“We’re impressed with the versatility of Samsung’s rugged tablets, which offer key capabilities retailers need, in a sleek, highly-durable device—without using costly external sleds. Since Tab Active3 includes DeX, we can use it for many in-store capabilities, including powering customer- and associate-facing POS and displays, and connecting to peripherals like cash drawers and payment devices. This helps retail workers transition from serving customers to completing purchases, using one handheld device.”

IDC, Bryan Bassett, Senior Research Analyst

“When selecting leaders for IDC’s MarketScape for Worldwide Rugged Mobile Device Vendors report this year, Samsung was recognized for their rugged device portfolio. It delivers exceptional durability and a premium experience at a competitive price. The new Galaxy Tab Active3 addresses a range of rugged mobile use cases, and equips businesses with a digital solution to increase employee productivity through seamless workflow and advanced communications.”

Galaxy Tab Active3 Specifications

1 These devices passed military specification (MIL-STD-810H) testing against a subset of 23 specific environmental conditions, including temperature, dust, shock/vibration, and low pressure/high altitude. Real world usage varies from the specific environmental conditions used in MIL-STD-810H testing. Samsung does not guarantee device performance in all extreme conditions

2 Applies to standard thin work gloves

3 Samsung DeX can be activated via Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 with or without a cable only on supported displays. Accessories and display sold separately. Connection is also possible with Samsung DeX by using an HDMI adapter or multi-port adapter. Using a genuine Samsung adapter or cable qualified for Samsung DeX is recommended.

4 IDC, The State of U.S. Enterprise Mobile Workers Webinar: Information, Frontline, and Work-from-Home Trends in 2020 (doc #WC20200728, July 2020)

5 IDC Worldwide Rugged Mobile Device Forecast 2020-2024, (DOC #US45155820 / SEPTEMBER 2020)

6 Water and dust resistant based on IP68 rating under IEC standard 60529, which tests submersion in freshwater up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. Resistance may decrease as a result of normal wear. Rinse residue/dry if wet.

7 Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4,900mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.

8 A third-party app or solution required to use Push-To-Talk

9 No Battery Mode is an optional battery safety feature developed to enable Galaxy Tab Active3 to operate without battery with fixed and continuous power supplied. It must be added to Quick Panel via your settings before use. It requires a dedicated power source accessory and once enabled may limit device CPU performance and reduce brightness and maximize volume. Requires separate purchase of third-party accessory for in-vehicle charging.

10 Samsung Knox Capture is available on Google Play.

11 Each Enterprise Edition device includes one-year seat of Knox Suite, starting from the date of license activation. Following the first year, customers may purchase a Knox Suite license renewal through their Samsung reseller.

12 LTE functionality is available from select major U.S carriers, and requires a monthly plan that cannot be purchased through Samsung. WiFi6 and MIMO support coverage may differ depending on environment and coverage.

13 The Android Enterprise Recommended program certifies that devices and services meet Google’s enterprise requirements.