Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Tactical Edition brings military-grade tech to the field

Samsung is no stranger to rugged devices, but its latest launch, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Tactical Edition, takes toughness, security, and field-readiness to a whole new level. Developed in close collaboration with the US Department of Defense, the new tablet is part of Samsung’s expanding Tactical Edition lineup and is engineered for high-stakes environments, whether that’s a combat zone, disaster site, or mission-critical first responder operation.

Unlike mainstream consumer devices, the Tab Active5 Tactical Edition is not about screen refresh rates or slim bezels. It’s about being operational in the harshest conditions while supporting secure, multi-domain communications. Samsung describes it as “mission-ready,” and based on its specifications, it’s easy to see why.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Tactical Edition: Everything you need to know

At its core, the Galaxy Tab Active5 Tactical Edition runs on Samsung’s 5nm Exynos 1380 processor with an 8-inch display and comes bundled with a rugged S Pen for field annotations. It includes a 13 MP rear and 5 MP front camera, but that’s hardly the focus. The real draw lies in its battlefield integrations which include support for tactical radios, drones, laser range finders, and external GPS hardware.

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It’s also AT&T FirstNet Ready and supports everything from 5G and LTE to Wi-Fi 6E and CBRS. A unique 5G band-locking mode lets users restrict connectivity to secure, certified networks. In situations where stealth is paramount, military users can activate Stealth Mode, which disables LTE, e-911, and radio frequency broadcasting.

Covert Lock goes a step further by shutting down baseband communications and GPS modules entirely minimising the device’s RF signature to avoid detection.

Field missions require more than just connectivity; they need visibility. The Tactical Edition supports Night Vision mode for use with night optics, and is optimised for ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit) and BATDOK (Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Observation Kit), both essential tools for military and emergency response teams.

Security is a major cornerstone of the device. Built on Samsung Knox, the platform meets NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) compliance and includes Dual Data at Rest (DualDAR), a dual-layer encryption system for storing classified information. The tablet also uses Hypervisor Device Manager (HDM) to enforce strict controls over LTE and GPS functions when needed.

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As expected, this is not a delicate piece of tech. The Galaxy Tab Active5 Tactical Edition is MIL-STD-810H certified, meaning it’s been tested to withstand everything from extreme temperatures and humidity to high altitudes and repeated vibrations. The tablet can survive drops from up to 1.5 meters, carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and includes a replaceable battery; a feature that’s all but extinct in mainstream devices.

The screen is responsive even when wet or used with gloves, and the rugged S Pen fits snugly into its holster, ready for fieldwork annotations, tactical planning, or quick note-taking in the middle of chaos.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 Tactical Edition:

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 is priced starting at €699 for the Wi-Fi variant (approximately Rs 66,856). The model with both 5G and Wi-Fi will set you back by around €809 (around Rs 77,377). It’s available through select IT channel partners in the US at the moment. There’s no word on an India launch yet, but for now, you can check out the Samsung tablets we’ve listed below.

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