Comparison

Zebra TC501 vs TC701: which rugged handheld to choose?

The TC501 and TC701 share screen, processor, scan engines, batteries and Android. The TC701 takes harder drops; the TC501 is lighter and takes a rugged boot.

5 min Difficulty: Easy Updated: By SCANSHOP team
Best for most users
Zebra TC501 Terminal (TC5010-021B1A0001-A6)
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Alternative
Zebra TC701 Terminal (TC701G-341E2B1A01-A6)
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In this guide

    The TC501 and TC701 are built on the same platform: same 6-inch screen, processor, scan engines, batteries, Wi-Fi 7 and Android version. The difference is toughness and size. The TC701 belongs to Zebra's TC7 Series and survives higher drops and more tumbles without a boot; the TC501 from the TC5 Series is slightly smaller and lighter and takes an optional rugged boot. Our two configurations also differ in connectivity: our TC501 is Wi-Fi only, our TC701 has 5G.

    TC501 TC701
    Zebra series TC5 Series TC7 Series
    Our configuration Wi-Fi only (WLAN) 5G and Wi-Fi (WWAN)
    Mobile network and SIM None in our configuration 5G, 4G LTE, 3G; one physical SIM and dual eSIM
    Satellite positioning None in our configuration (WWAN models only) GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, triple-band
    Size 163.15 × 77.9 × 15.5 mm 165.0 × 77.9 × 15.5 mm
    Weight 273 g (5,000 mAh battery), 303 g (7,240 mAh) 284 g (5,000 mAh), 314 g (7,240 mAh)
    Drops to concrete, no boot 1.83 m across −20 to 50 °C; 2.44 m at room temperature 2.44 m across −20 to 50 °C; 3.66 m at room temperature
    Rugged boot Optional: 2.13 m across the temperature range, 2.74 m at room temperature Not in Zebra's accessory list
    Tumbles 2,000 × 0.5 m; 2,000 × 1.0 m with boot 3,500 × 1.0 m
    ESD protection ±15 kV air, ±8 kV direct and indirect ±20 kV air, ±8 kV direct, ±10 kV indirect
    Charging cradles TC501 cradles (CRD-TC5A), rugged versions for the boot TC701 cradles (CRD-TC7A); cups for older TC72/TC77 cradles
    Sealing IP68 and IP65 Same
    Operating temperature −20 to 50 °C Same
    Display 6.0 in. AMOLED, 2160 × 1080 (FHD+), up to 1,500 nits, Gorilla Glass Victus Same
    Touch Bare or gloved finger, passive stylus, water droplet rejection Same
    Processor and memory Qualcomm Dragonwing Q-6690, up to 2.9 GHz; 8 GB/128 GB or 12 GB/256 GB; microSD up to 2 TB Same
    Battery Hot-swappable: 5,000 mAh standard or 7,240 mAh extended; a 5,000 mAh wireless charging battery is also listed Same batteries
    Scan engine options SR500, SR560 or long-range AC670 Same
    RFID and NFC Integrated UHF RFID up to 2 m; NFC Same
    Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Wi-Fi 7 (2.4, 5 and 6 GHz), Bluetooth 6.0 Same
    Android Android 15; final supported version Android 19 Same

    Figures from Zebra's TC501 and TC701 spec sheets, product reference guides and accessory lists. Mobile bands vary by region and operator.

    Choose the TC501 if
    • The device stays inside your Wi-Fi coverage, for example in a shop, warehouse or distribution centre
    • You want the smallest and lightest of the two
    • You prefer to add protection only where needed, with the optional rugged boot
    Choose the TC701 if
    • Devices are dropped often or work in yards, docks and vehicles
    • Staff need 5G mobile data, calls or satellite positioning away from Wi-Fi
    • You want the higher drop and tumble ratings without a boot
    • You already run TC72 or TC77 cradles and want to reuse them with replacement cups

    Our configurations

    Zebra's Android 15 release notes list our TC501 (TC5010-021B1A0001-A6) as a WLAN model and our TC701 (TC701G-341E2B1A01-A6) as a WWAN model. Zebra also builds a 5G TC501 and a Wi-Fi-only TC701, so the model choice is mainly about toughness, and the configuration about connectivity. Memory, scan engine and camera options for each are on the product pages. You can tell the engine by its aimer: the SR500 and SR560 show a red dot, the long-range AC670 a green dash-dot-dash line.

    What both models share

    Setup, settings and scanning are the same. Both use DataWedge for scanning into any app, the same touch panel modes for gloves and styluses, and the same battery hot swap. The batteries (BTRY-TC5A7A series), the 4-slot battery charger and the USB-C cable fit both models; the cradles and trigger handles are model-specific. Our TC501/TC701 setup guide and troubleshooting guide cover both.

    Introducing the TC501 & TC701: AI-Powered Mobile Computers

    Video: Zebra Technologies

    Comparing with the previous generation? See TC53e vs TC58e, or browse all TC501 and TC701 guides.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is the TC701 more rugged than the TC501?

    Yes. Without a boot, Zebra rates the TC701 for 2.44 m drops to concrete across its operating temperature range and 3,500 tumbles from 1 m. The TC501 is rated for 1.83 m and 2,000 tumbles from 0.5 m, or more with its rugged boot.

    Do the TC501 and TC701 use the same batteries?

    Yes. Both take the same 5,000 mAh standard and 7,240 mAh extended batteries and use the same 4-slot battery charger. The charging cradles are different.

    Does the TC501 have 5G?

    Zebra makes the TC501 in Wi-Fi-only and 5G versions. Our TC501 configuration is Wi-Fi only; our TC701 configuration has 5G.

    Do they have the same screen and scanner?

    Yes. Both have a 6-inch AMOLED screen with up to 1,500 nits and the same scan engine options: SR500, SR560 or the long-range AC670.

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