Zebra MC3400 vs MC3300x: what changed and should you upgrade?
The MC3400 is the successor to the MC3300x. It keeps the familiar keypad-plus-touchscreen design and works with the same cradles and chargers, but adds a much newer processor, Wi-Fi 6E, tougher sealing and a longer Android roadmap. The MC3300x still offers body styles the MC3400 does not: a 45° scan head and a rotating turret.
| MC3400 | MC3300x | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm 4490 octa-core, 2.4 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 octa-core, 2.2 GHz |
| Memory (RAM / flash) | 4/64 GB (Standard), 6/64 GB (Expanded), 6/128 GB (Full) | 4/32 GB |
| microSD | Up to 2 TB | Up to 512 GB |
| Android | Android 13–15 today; final version Android 15 (Standard) or Android 18 (Expanded, Full) | Upgradeable to Android 14 |
| Display | 4 in WVGA (800 × 480); 350 nits Standard, 600 nits Expanded/Full | 4 in WVGA (800 × 480), LED backlight |
| Keypads | 29-key numeric, 38-key function numeric, 47-key alphanumeric | Same |
| Body styles | Gun, straight shooter | Gun, straight shooter 0°, straight shooter 45°, rotating turret |
| Scan engines | SE4710, SE4770, SE55 advanced range (over 12.2 m), SE58 extended range (up to 30.5 m) | SE965 1D (up to 4.9 m), SE4720/SE4770 2D, SE4850 extended range (up to 21.4 m) |
| Cameras | 5 MP front + 13 MP rear (Full tier) | 13 MP rear, optional (straight shooter and turret only) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E: 802.11ax, 2.4/5/6 GHz, 2×2 MU-MIMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz, 2×2 MU-MIMO |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, plus BLE beacon with optional BLE battery | 5.0 with BLE |
| Battery | 7,000 mAh PowerPrecision+, hot swap | 7,000 mAh PowerPrecision+, hot swap |
| Sealing | IP65 and IP67 | IP64 |
| Drop to concrete | 1.8 m across the temperature range; 2.4 m at room temperature (Wi-Fi gun only) | Multiple 1.8 m drops across the temperature range |
| Tumble (1 m) | 4,000 tumbles | 3,000 tumbles |
| Operating temperature | −20 to +50 °C | −20 to +50 °C |
| Weight, gun | 528 g | 522 g |
Figures from Zebra's spec sheets. Scan ranges are maximums for the best barcode.
Choose the MC3400 if
- You are buying new devices and want the longest Android support
- Your site runs, or will run, Wi-Fi 6 or 6E
- Devices get wet, hosed down or dropped often
- You need to scan labels on high racks, up to 30.5 m away with the SE58
- You want 5G on the road (MC3450)
Choose the MC3300x if
- You need a 45° scan head or a rotating turret
- You are topping up an existing MC3300x fleet on one software image
- Android 14 covers your apps for the life of the device
Accessories: what carries over
Zebra designed the MC3400 to reuse MC33 accessories. Its accessory guide lists these for both the MC3300x/MC3300ax and the MC3400/MC3450:
- Single-slot USB cradle CRD-MC33-2SUCHG-01, which also charges a spare battery
- Five-slot charge-only cradle CRD-MC33-5SCHG-01 and five-slot Ethernet cradle CRD-MC33-5SETH-01
- Four-slot cradle with four spare battery slots CRD-MC33-4SC4BC-01
- Four-slot spare battery charger SAC-MC33-4SCHG-01
Batteries work in both directions, with one catch. The MC34 batteries (BTRY-MC3X-70MA-01 and BTRY-MC3X-7BLE-01) are backwards compatible with the MC3300x and MC3300ax. Older MC33 batteries fit the MC3400, but Zebra says they reduce its ingress protection, so the IP65/IP67 rating is only met with MC34 batteries. For charging by cable, the MC3400 has a USB-C port on the side; Zebra lists the USB-A to USB-C cable CBL-TC5X-USBC2A-01 for it.
Who should upgrade
Upgrade when your MC3300x devices are nearing the end of their Android support, when you move to Wi-Fi 6E, or when breakages from drops and water are costing you time. Zebra describes the look and feel as nearly identical to the MC33 series, so users need little retraining, and your cradles stay in service. Zebra lists the current and final Android version of each model in its supported Android versions list.
Video: Zebra Technologies
Compare the configurations on our MC3400 and MC3300x product pages. Setting up a new device? Start with the MC3400 setup guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do MC3300x cradles work with the MC3400?
Yes. Zebra lists the MC33 single-slot, five-slot, Ethernet and spare-battery cradles and chargers for both the MC3300x and the MC3400.
Can I use MC3300x batteries in the MC3400?
They fit and work, but Zebra says older MC33 batteries reduce the MC3400's sealing. MC34 batteries keep the IP65/IP67 rating and also work in the MC3300x.
Does the MC3400 have Wi-Fi 6E?
Yes. The MC3400 supports 802.11ax on 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz. The MC3300x supports 802.11ac and earlier, without 6 GHz.
Is there an MC3400 with a rotating scan head?
No. The MC3400 comes as a gun or a straight shooter. The 45° head and rotating turret are MC3300x options.
Tags:
Previous
Zebra MC3400 troubleshooting: charging, scanning, keypad, Wi-Fi
Next
Zebra MC3400 troubleshooting: charging, scanning, keypad, Wi-Fi
