Samsung Galaxy Tab Active2 SM-T397 Tablet 8" 2017, Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 7870, 3GB, 16GB, Cellular, Black

A tough, cheap, LTE-equipped work tablet that's perfect for field use and terrible for everything else. At $70 used, it's the best rugged beater you can buy, just don't expect it to be your daily driver.

The Exynos 7870 and 3GB of RAM land in the top 15% for CPU and top 1% for GPU in our database, which sounds impressive until you remember this thing runs Android 7.1 from 2017. Real-world performance is fine for work apps, inventory counts, and field reports, but don't expect snappy multitasking. The 16GB of storage is the real kicker, it's near the bottom of the barrel. You'll want a microSD card on day one.

Stacked against the Apple iPad 11th Generation or Lenovo Idea Tab Plus, the Active2 loses on every spec that matters for everyday use: screen, storage, battery, and software. But those tablets would shatter the first time you drop them on concrete. The UMIDIGI Active T1 is the closest modern competitor, also rugged with a bigger battery, but it costs more and lacks Samsung's Knox security. If you need a cheap rugged tablet with LTE and don't care about Android updates, the Active2 is the pick. If you want a tablet for Netflix and browsing, get literally anything else.

At $70 used, this is a no-brainer for the right buyer. You're getting a rugged tablet with LTE, a stylus, and a replaceable battery for less than a dinner for two. But don't buy it as a media device or general-purpose tablet. The screen and storage will drive you nuts. As a dedicated field tool or shop tablet, it's a steal.

The Galaxy Tab Active2 is a rugged workhorse from 2017 that still makes sense in 2024 if you need a cheap, glove-friendly tablet that can take a beating. It's not fast, it's not pretty, and the screen is rough by modern standards. But it's IP68 rated, MIL-STD-810G certified, and has a replaceable battery, which is more than you can say for most tablets at this price. The one thing to know: this is a tool, not a toy.

If you want a tablet for reading, streaming, or casual browsing, this isn't it. The 1280x800 screen is one of the worst in our database for reading, and the battery life is bottom-tier. Go get a used iPad or a Lenovo Tab instead. You'll be much happier.

Buy it if you need a disposable rugged tablet for field work, inventory, or a shop floor. The IP68 rating, S Pen, and LTE at $70 used make it a fantastic value for that specific use case. Skip it if you want a tablet for media, reading, or anything involving modern apps. Android 7.1 is a ghost town in 2024.