Home News Handheld is retiring – what now? Prospects for industrial users

Handheld is retiring – what now? Prospects for industrial users

The mobile computing market continues to consolidate. Following CASIO’s recent discontinuation of its mobile data capture device division, another brand is now doing the same. MilDef provides tactical IT solutions for security and defense customers, as well as governments and companies with critical infrastructure. In September 2022, the Swedish company acquired our market companion, Handheld. Like WEROCK, MilDef manufactures rugged mobile computers, PDAs, and tablet PCs. Following MilDef’s announcement that it will discontinue Handheld’s business activities, many companies must make important strategic decisions. Users of Handheld products in areas such as logistics, production, and field service must now look for alternatives. The key question is: Which alternatives will ensure long-term stability, performance, and investment protection?

What are the specific implications of the end for handheld devices?

For users of devices such as the Nautiz X6, X41, and X2, the imminent discontinuation means one thing above all else: uncertainty.

Don’t wait — take action now instead of improvising later

Those who address replacement solutions in a timely manner gain technological advantages and organizational planning security. An early changeover allows you to:

  • keep your operations running seamlessly.
  • reliably continue or even improve existing scanning processes,
  • secure fixed service and support structures for the coming years, and
  • It also makes investment and operating costs transparent and controllable.

Handheld PDAs in comparison

Technical similarities of the models in detail

  • Display size: All models except the Nautiz X2 have approximately 6-inch displays.
  • Touchscreen: Capacitive multi-touch; can be operated with gloves
  • Camera: All models have an integrated 13 MP rear camera and a front camera ranging from 5 to 8 MP.
  • GPS/GNSS: All models support GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou.
  • Barcode options: All models are available with an optional 1D/2D barcode scanner.
  • MicroSD slot: Memory is expandable via a microSD card.
  • Touchscreen can be operated with gloves

Technical differences in detail

The Rockscan A260 series is more than just a replacement; it offers clear technical and functional advantages over discontinued handheld devices.

Feature

Rockscan A260/A265 (WEROCK)

Nautiz X81

Nautiz X6

Nautiz X41

Nautiz X2

Operating system

Android 14 (upgradeable to 16)

Android 12 (GMS)

Android 11

Android 11

Android 13

Processor & RAM

Dimensity 700 (7 nm), up to 8 GB RAM

MediaTek i350, 4 GB RAM

Snapdragon 626, 4 GB RAM

Helio P22, 4 GB RAM

Helio P22, 4 GB RAM

Display

6.5″ capacitive multi-touch

4.8″ capacitive multi-touch

6″

5″

4,7″

Camera (rear/front)

13 MP / 5-8 MP

13 MP / 5 MP

13 MP / 5 MP

13 MP / 5 MP

8 MP / 2 MP

Barcode scanner

Optional 1D/2D, up to 14 m range

Optional

Optional, short range

Optional

Optional

Battery / Charging

5,000 mAh, 33 W fast charging, interchangeable

6,600 mAh, fast charging via USB-C, interchangeable

8,000 mAh, QC 3.0

4,400 mAh

3,600 / 7,200 mAh

Connectivity

4G, 5G, Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.2, NFC

5G, Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.0, NFC

4G, BT 4.2, NFC

4G, BT 5.0, NFC

4G, BT 5.0, NFC

Weight

Approx. 300g

Approx. 380 g

Approx. 270 g

Approx. 270 g

Approx. 230 g

Further advantages of the Rockscan A260 series:

  • Climate-neutral product: Offsets all greenhouse gas emissions from production and transportation.
  • Future-proof thanks to guaranteed Android updates up to version 16 (or higher).
  • Replaceable battery with quick-charging function
  • Two-year warranty included, extendable with Warranty Plus

Tablet comparison

In addition to classic PDAs, WEROCK offers robust tablet alternatives to established handheld models.

Handheld ALGIZ 8X vs. WEROCK Rocktab S508W

First, we will compare the ALGIZ 8X handheld with the WEROCK Rocktab S508W. Both devices have an 8-inch display and are designed for use in logistics, warehouse management, and field services.

Feature

Handheld ALGIZ 8X

WEROCK Rocktab S508W

Operating system

Windows 10 Enterprise (IoT)

Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise

Processor

Intel® Pentium® N3710 1.60 GHz (2.56 GHz boost) 64-bit Quad-core

Intel® Celeron N5100 1.1 GHz 4-core processor (up to 2.8 GHz)

RAM

4 or 8 GB LPDDR3

8 GB LPDDR4

Internal memory

128 GB

128 GB SSD (expandable)

Memory expansion

microSD

microSD

Display

8″ (1280 × 800), 600 cd/m²

8″ (1920×1200), 550 cd/m²

Touch screen

Capacitive, can be operated with a glove, Gorilla Glass

Capacitive, stylus operable, Gorilla Glass

Camera (rear/front)

8 MP / 2 MP

8 MP / 2 MP

WLAN

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

Bluetooth

4.2

5.1

Battery

5900 mAh, hot-swap

5000 mAh, exchangeable

Protection class

IP65, MIL-STD-810G

IP65, MIL-STD-810G

Connections

USB-A 3.0, USB-C, Micro HDMI, Audio

USB 3.0, USB 3.0 Type C, Mini HDMI, Micro SDXC, Nano SIM, Docking port, Headset port

Weight

990 g

910 g

Special features

Optional barcode scanner

Optional NFC; optional barcode module

Handheld ALGIZ RT8 vs WEROCK Rocktab S508A

Now, we will compare the ALGIZ RT8 and the WEROCK Rocktab S508A. These two robust models are designed for industrial applications and have different technical features.

Feature

Handheld ALGIZ RT8

WEROCK Rocktab S508A

Operating system

Android 11

Android 14

Processor

Qualcomm® Snapdragon 625 MSM8953, 8 cores 2.0 GHz

Mediatek®  Helio G99 8-core processor (up to 2.2 GHz)

RAM

4 GB

8 GB

Internal memory

64 GB

128 GB

Memory expansion

microSD up to 256 GB

microSD up to 512 GB

Display

8″ (1920×1200 pixel)

8″ (1920 × 1200), 550 cd/m²

Touch screen

Capacitive, Gorilla Glass, can also be operated with a glove

Capacitive, Gorilla Glass

Camera (rear/front)

13 MP / 5 MP

13 MP / 5 MP

WWAN (mobile radio)

4G LTE

4G LTE

WLAN

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

Bluetooth

4.1

5.2

Battery

8200 mAh, replaceable

10000 mAh, replaceable

Protection class

IP67, MIL-STD-810G

IP65, MIL-STD-810H

Connections

USB-C, HDMI, 3.5 mm audio

USB 3.0, USB 3.0 type C, Micro SDXC, Nano SIM, docking port, headset jack

Weight

635 g

910 g

Special features

Optional NFC; optional barcode module

Handheld ALGIZ RT10 vs. WEROCK Rocktab S510A

After the comparison of the ALGIZ RT8 with the Rocktab S508A, the next device comparison now follows: the handheld ALGIZ RT10 and the WEROCK Rocktab S510A. Both tablets have a 10-inch format and are aimed at professional users who require robust technology for mobile use.

Feature

Handheld ALGIZ RT10

WEROCK Rocktab S510A

Operating system

Android 13

Android 14

Processor

Qualcomm® Snapdragon 480 SM4350, 8 cores 2.0 GHz

Mediatek®  Helio G99 8-core processor (up to 2.2 GHz)

RAM

6 GB

8 GB

Internal memory

128 GB

128 GB

Display

10.1″ (1920 × 1200), 600 cd/m²

10.1″ (1920 × 1200), 400 cd/m²

Touch screen

Capacitive, sunlight readable

Capacitive, Gorilla Glass

Camera (rear/front)

13 MP / 5 MP

13 MP / 5 MP

WWAN (mobile radio)

5G, 4G LTE

4G LTE

WLAN

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

Bluetooth

5.1

5.2

Battery

11,700 mAh, replaceable

10,000 mAh, replaceable

Protection class

IP67, MIL-STD-810G

IP65, MIL-STD-810H

Connections

x2 Type A USB 3.0 OTG, 3.5mm headphone jack, Micro SDXC, x2 Nano-SIM

USB-C, USB-A, Micro SDXC, pogo pins, 3.5mm headphone jack, Ethernet port (standard), RS232 or USB 3.0

Weight

980 g

1140 g

Special features

Optional NFC; optional barcode module

Handheld ALGIZ 10X vs. WEROCK Rocktab U210 G2

Finally, we will compare two robust Windows tablets with 10-inch displays and comparable processor performance: the ALGIZ 10X handheld and the WEROCK Rocktab U210 G2. Both tablets are powered by Intel Celeron processors and are designed for industrial and mobile work environments.

.

Feature

Handheld ALGIZ 10X

WEROCK Rocktab U210 G2

Operating system

Windows 10 Enterprise

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, Windows 11 Pro, Ubuntu 22.04

Processor

Intel® Celeron® N2930 1.83 GHz (2.16 GHz) 64-bit Quad-core

Intel® processor N100 Quad-Core max. 3.4 GHz

RAM

4 or 8 GB

16 GB

Memory

128 GB

Up to 1 TB

Display

10.1″ (1920 × 1200), 600 cd/m²

10.1″ (1920 × 1200), 800 cd/m²

Touch screen

Capacitive, glove operation

Capacitive multi-touch screen with 10 touch points, scratch-resistant, digitizer pen compatible, glove mode

Camera (rear/front)

5 MP

8 MP / 2 MP

Mobile radio (WWAN)

Optional 2G, 3G, 4G LTE

Optional 4G LTE

WLAN

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

Bluetooth

4.0

5.3

Battery

8000 mAh, exchangeable

4,170 mAh, replaceable

Protection class

IP65, MIL-STD-810G

IP65, MIL-STD-810G

Connections

USB A 3.0, Ethernet, 1x micro SD

Micro HDMI, USB 3.2 Gen2 (Super Speed+, Type A), USB 3.2 Gen2 (DP, Super Speed+, Type C with PowerDelivery), DC input, pogo pin, headset jack, RJ45, Micro SD, card slot, Nano SIM card slot

Weight

1300 g

996 g

Special features

Optional NFC; optional barcode module

Conclusion

Many companies are facing the challenge of re-evaluating their existing device fleet due to the announced withdrawal of handhelds from the market for rugged mobile devices. The good news is that WEROCK’s solutions offer powerful, future-proof alternatives in both the handheld PDA and tablet sectors.

Our devices combine modern technology, durable hardware, sustainable production, and long-term update strategies. They offer equivalent or superior options to previous handheld models in terms of operating system, computing power, battery life, and connectivity.

Switching to WEROCK in a timely manner allows companies to maintain uninterrupted operations, safeguard their investments, and strategically position themselves for the future. Those who act now will benefit twice: from technological advancement and long-term planning security.

Try it out now instead of improvising later.

Request a no-obligation offer or test device today under https://www.werocktools.com/contact/ to experience the performance, ergonomics, and compatibility of WEROCK devices for yourself.

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