Hey I'm u/SammyTabGuy. My mental health has struck again and I had another meltdown so I nuked that account (my karma is gone QwQ). Life is kinda shitty RN so bear with me lol

Anyway, I just learned yesterday that there are two versions of the cellular Tab Active 5. In the US, we are sold the SM-X308U model, and this heavily impacts what we can do on cellular data as the calling and messaging (independently on its own SIM card) is disabled. European and models in other regions have the X306B model which have those enabled. That means if you're in the US or Canada you're screwed if you want to use your tablet as an actual phone since we have the X308U model. There are workarounds however, if you want to get the X306B model you would either have to import it or buy from a trusted seller on eBay with that exact model code.

Because of the ridiculously high price of all models, especially cellular (which at that point is an investment for long term usage), I can no longer recommend the Tab Active 5 as a 8 inch tablet, given its quality of life issues (heavy weight, mono speaker) as well as the massive USB 2.0 downgrade from 3.1 on Tab Active 3, and now this cellular model debacle. This is why Make and Believe on YouTube couldn't get his tablet to make phone calls and texts independently since he lives in the US and got the X308U model from Samsung directly.

This is such a shame. Personally, only the weight and mono speaker affects me (especially weight because I use this as my eReader), but I now heavily regret purchasing this tablet. For $548.99 I know it's a rugged tablet but you are paying so much money for what it gives you compared to the Tab Active3 with wireless DeX and ability to make phone calls.

In my personal opinion, Samsung has cut too many corners this time especially with USB 2.0. Now, this is my recommendation for 8 inch tablets:

1. iPad Mini 7 (might have OLED) or current iPad Mini6

2. Lenovo Legion Tab/Y700 2023

3. iPlay 60 mini pro/50 pro NFE

4. Galaxy Tab A9

5. Galaxy Tab Active 3

For a enterprise, the Tab Active 5 shouldn't be too bad for you, but as a regular consumer I am now advising everyone to stay away from the Active 5.