Zebra – TC501 Mobile Computer | Rugged Mobile Computing Reimagined for the AI-Powered Frontline
The Zebra TC501 is a powerhouse enterprise mobile computer engineered for frontline workers who need to run demanding AI applications in the field. At its core sits Qualcomm’s Dragonwing Q-6690 processor — delivering up to 300% more performance than legacy TC5 devices — paired with a dedicated AI engine and up to 12 GB RAM and 256 GB Flash storage. This makes the TC501 uniquely suited to industries where speed, accuracy, and real-time intelligence translate directly into operational results.
Designed for retail associates, field service technicians, postal carriers, and warehouse operations, the TC501 consolidates barcode scanning, UHF RFID reading, high-resolution imaging, NFC, and 5G cellular into a single hardened device. Its 6-inch AMOLED display with 1500 nits of brightness keeps workers productive in any environment — from bright outdoor docks to dimly lit stockrooms. Built to survive 8 ft. drops and thousands of tumbles, the TC501 is the most durable TC5 Series device Zebra has ever produced. Develop and deploy AI applications in days — not months — using Zebra’s Frontline AI Suite.
Specification
Physical Characteristics
- Dimensions: 6.42 x 3.07 x 0.61 inches (163.15 x 77.9 x 15.5 mm)
- Weight: 9.63 oz (273 g) with 5000 mAh battery / 10.69 oz (303 g) with 7240 mAh battery
- Display: 6.0-inch AMOLED, Full HD+ 2160×1080, 1500 nits, adaptive refresh rate, optically bonded
- Glass: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
- Touch Panel: Multi-mode capacitive; bare or gloved fingertip; water droplet rejection; fingerprint-resistant coating
- Buttons: Dual scan buttons, push-to-talk, volume up/down; programmable
- Ports: USB Type-C (USB 3.1) bottom and back I/O (USB 2.0)
- Notifications: Audible tone, multi-color LEDs, vibration
Performance
- Processor: Qualcomm Dragonwing Q-6690 octa-core, up to 2.9 GHz
- OS: Android (Zebra Lifeguard for Android)
- RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 128 GB UFS 3.1 or 12 GB LPDDR5 / 256 GB UFS 3.1
- Expansion: MicroSD up to 2 TB
- Security: Android Strongbox, Secure Element IC, FIPS 140-2 Validated, Common Criteria certified, Secure Boot
Wireless Connectivity
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz), 2×2 MU-MIMO, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7
- WWAN: 5G Release 17; private 5G, CBRS, dual SIM/dual standby
- SIM: 1 physical SIM + dual eSIM
- Bluetooth: v6.0, Class 1 & 2, 2×2 Tx, secondary BLE beaconing
- GPS (WWAN SKU): Triple-band GNSS — GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
Data Capture
- Scanners: SR500 (all lighting), SR560 (high motion), AC670 long-range up to 100 ft.
- Rear Camera: 50 MP autofocus with PDAF; HDR; optional 50 MP with QPD AF
- Front Camera: 8 MP fixed focus
- Ultra-Wide Camera (optional): 13 MP autofocus, PDAF
- Time-of-Flight (iTOF): Select SKUs — depth, distance, volume measurement
- Integrated UHF RFID: 200+ tags/sec, up to 6.5 ft.; EPC Class 1 Gen2 / Gen2 V2; EU & US bands
- NFC: ISO 14443 A/B, FeliCa, ISO 15693; contactless payment; Apple ECP 1.0/2.0; Google Smart Tap
- OCR: On-device; license plates, VINs, TINs, and custom document scanning
Power
- Standard Battery: 5000 mAh (19.45 Wh), PowerPrecision+
- Extended Battery: 7240 mAh (28.16 Wh), PowerPrecision+
- Wireless Charge: Qi compatible, 5000 mAh
- Fast Charging: 0–70% in 45 minutes
- Hot Swap: Yes — zero downtime
Ruggedness & Environment
- Drop: 8 ft. to concrete (9 ft. with rugged boot); exceeds MIL-STD-810H
- Sealing: IP68 and IP65 (IEC 60529)
- Tumble: 2000 x 1.6 ft. standard; 2000 x 3.3 ft. with rugged boot
- Operating Temp: -4°F to +122°F (-20°C to +50°C)
- Storage Temp: -40°F to +158°F (-40°C to +70°C)
- Humidity: 5%–95% non-condensing
- ESD: ±20 kV air / ±8 kV direct / ±10 kV indirect
- Thermal Shock Tested: Yes
Environmental Compliance
- RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU; REACH SVHC 1907/2006; EPEAT Gold Certified
Benefits
The Qualcomm Dragonwing Q-6690 with a dedicated AI engine delivers up to 300% more performance than legacy TC5 devices. With up to 12 GB RAM, 256 GB Flash, and a 2 TB MicroSD slot, the TC501 runs the most data-intensive AI workloads without compromise.
Survives 8 ft. concrete drops (9 ft. with rugged boot), 2,000 tumble cycles, thermal shock, and IP68/IP65 sealing. Backed by Secure Boot, Android Strongbox, and FIPS 140-2 validation — built to minimize downtime and reduce total cost of ownership.
Built-in UHF RFID reads 200+ tags/sec up to 6.5 ft. The AC670 scanner reaches 100 ft. A 50 MP camera, on-device OCR, NFC, Wi-Fi 7, and 5G combine every data capture and connectivity need into a single device.
Related Products
The Shielded HF Pad Antenna, ID ANTS370/270-A and ID SPAD102, is a contactless data exchange antenna designed for desktop applications in offices and libraries. It allows for traceability of files and documents, as well as detection of lendable items at check out or return points. With a read range of over 30 cm, these antennas offer outstanding performance and modern design.
- Dimensions: 376 mm x 276 mm x 27 mm (14.8 inch x 10.0 inch x 1 inch)
- Weight: approx. 2.0 kg (4.4 lbs)
- Housing: Acrylic glass pad, plastic SB upper part, zinced steel lower part
- Color: Transparent or black pad, similar RAL 9003 (white) upper part
- Protection class: IP30
- Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Max. transmitting power:5 W
- Antenna connection: RG58 coaxial cable with SMA connector (50 ohm); approx. 2.3m long
- Indicator, optical: 1 LED (blue; switchable via DC voltage at the antenna output of the reader)
- Temperature range: Operation: -25 degree C up to +55 degree C (-13 F up to 131 F), Storage: -25 degree C up to +70 degree C (-13 F up to 158 F)
- Relative air humidity: 5% up to 95% (non-condensing)
The ID CPR40.30-A is a versatile desktop reader designed for contactless data exchange with common transponders according to ISO14443-A and ISO14443-B, as well as NFC devices according to ISO 18092. It is ideal for various desktop applications such as eTicketing, eDocument, loyalty cards, and public transport. With its “SoftCrypto” and “SAMCrypto high level” functions, it provides a comfortable and fast interface for accessing encrypted data of mifare DESFire EV1, mifare PLUS, and mifare Ultralight C.
- Dimensions (w x h x d): 144 mm x 84 mm x 18 mm
- Weight: approx. 260 g
- Housing: Plastic (ASA) / Acrylic glass
- Color: white / black
- Protection class: IP42
- RFID Interface: ISO 14443-A/-B (106 – 848 kBit/s)
- Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Transmitting power: 100 mW
- MTBF: 500,000 h
- Supply voltage: 5 V DC ± 10 % ripple
- Current consumption: max. 140 mA
- Antenna: integrated
- Interface: RS232 (4,800 up to 230,400 Baud)
- Indicators, optical: 2 LED (green / blue)
- Contact interface: ISO 7816
- Operation modes: Polling-Mode, Scan-Mode
- Supported transponders: mifare classic, mifare UltraLight, mifare DESFire, mifare PLUS, mifare UltraLight C, my-d move, JewelTM, FeliCa, NTAG, mifare/NTAG Ev2 Crypto, NFC Devices in Card Emulation Mode (Tag Type 1 … 4)
- Software Development Kits: Windows (C++, .NET, Java), LINUX (C++, Java), Raspberry Pi
- USB driver, PC/SC driver: Windows Server 2012 and 2016, Windows 7, 8 and 10; 32 / 64 Bit
- Temperature range:
- Operation:-20 degree C up to +60 degree C
2. Storage:-40degree C up to +85 degree C - Relative air humidity: max. 95% (non-condensing)
- Standard conformity:
- Radio license: Europe – EN 300 330
2. EMC: EN 301 489
3. Safety & Health: EN 60950, EN 50364
4. Environment: RoHS-2002/95/EC, WEEE-2002/96/EC - Order descriptions: ID CPR40.30-A – Desktop Reader RS232
- Scope of delivery: ID CPR40.30-A, 2.5 m cable (permanently mounted) for power supply (5.5 mm coaxial connector) and interface (9-pin D-Sub connector), Installation manual
The ID ANT240/180 Pad Antenna is a highly efficient and compact solution for contactless data exchange with RFID transponders. Its flat and sleek design allows it to seamlessly fit into desktop environments, making it ideal for file tracking, library applications, and office use. The antenna provides an impressive read range of up to 42 cm, ensuring reliable performance in close-range RFID applications. Equipped with an optical feedback feature via a blue LED, the antenna offers real-time operational status updates. It connects easily to RFID readers using the included coaxial cable, providing a hassle-free installation process.
- Dimensions: 240 mm x 180 mm x 13 mm (9.45 in x 7.09 in x 0.51 in)
- Weight: 0.36 kg (0.8 lbs)
- Housing: Upper part Plastic ABS, lower part Plastic plate
- Color: Black (Pad), White (Upper part, RAL 9003)
- Protection Class: IP30
- Operating Frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Max. Transmitting Power:5 W
- Antenna Connection: RG174 coaxial cable with SMA connector (50 ohm), 2.2 m long
- Indicator: 1 Blue LED for operational status (switchable via DC voltage)
- Operating Temperature: -25degree C to +55degree C (-13F to 131F)
- Storage Temperature: -25degree C to +70degree C (-13F to 158F)
- Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% (non-condensing)
- Standard Compliance: EMC EN 301 489, Safety & Health EN 62368-1, EN 50364
The ID ANT.U290/290 and ID ANT.U580/290 are robust UHF RFID antennas designed for optimized reading performance. With circular polarization, these antennas allow for the identification of transponders in different orientations, enabling 3-dimensional identification in gate applications. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, with a high protection class IP67 rating. These antennas have a modern and elegant design, and they are available in different dimensions and colors. They have TNC connectors and VESA connection for easy installation. The ID ANT.U580/290 has a 30° beam width, making it particularly suitable for vehicle identification and Free Flow Tolling systems.
- Dimensions (ID ANT.U290/290): 288 mm x 288 mm x 65 mm
- Dimensions (ID ANT.U580/290): 576 mm x 288 mm x 80 mm
- Housing: PC / Aluminium
- Color: Anthracite, translucent
- Weight (ID ANT.U290/290): 1,550 g
- Weight (ID ANT.U580/290): 3,850 g
- Protection class: IP67
- Gain (ID ANT.U290/290): Approx. 9 dBic
- Gain (ID ANT.U580/290): Approx. 11 dBic
- 3 dB beam width (ID ANT.U290/290): 65 x 65
- 3 dB beam width (ID ANT.U580/290): 30 x 65
- Polarization: Circular
- Antenna connection: TNC socket (50 ohm)
- Temperature range (ID ANT.U290/290): -25 degree C up to +55 degree C
- Temperature range (ID ANT.U580/290): Not specified
- Storage temperature range (ID ANT.U290/290): -25 degree C up to +80 degree C
- Tolerances: ±0.5 mm
The Dynamic Antenna Tuner ID DAT is a versatile device designed for automatic tuning and retuning of RFID Long Range Antennas operating at 13.56 MHz. With its easy “Plug & Play” functionality, it eliminates the need for additional tuning devices. The tuner can be driven via HF connection and allows for parameters or calibration status to be sent to the host. It also features an electronic switch to disconnect the antenna circuit when necessary.
- Dimensions: 118 mm x 90 mm x 19 mm
- Weight: approximately 100 g
- Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Supply voltage: 7 – 12 V DC
- Current consumption: maximum 150 mA (DC)
- Transmitting power: maximum 10 W
- Antenna switch: electronic switch (mind maximum antenna power!)
- Antenna connection: cable terminals (d = 2 – 9 mm)
- Reader connection: SMA socket (50 ohm)
- Triggering reader: via RF connection
- Signal indicator: 1 x “Run”-LED (green), 2 x “Protocol”-LED (red)
- Outputs: 3 x open collector: 5 V DC / maximum 15 mA
- Carrier frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Impedance: 50 ohm
- Tuning range inductivity: 0.7 – 2.5 microH
- Quality: 10 – 50
- Temperature range:
- Operation: -25 degree C up to +75 degree C
- Storage: -40 degree C up to +85 degree C
The ID ANT.MUX/ ID ANT.MUX.M8is an HF 8 channel Multiplexer that allows for the operation of up to 8 antennas with just one reader. It facilitates communication between the reader and the multiplexer via an antenna cable. The outputs of the multiplexer can be controlled by the reader, a host, or digital inputs. It features non-wearing electronic switching of the outputs and has a high switching rate of less than 1 ms. The multiplexer is available in a housing or as a module, with options for 8 channel or 4 channel configurations.
- Dimensions (w x h x d): 182 x 110 x 90 mm
- Weight: approximately 550 g
- Housing: Plastic ASA, with screwed plexiglas lid
- Protection class: IP65
- Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Grommet: 12 x screwed cable gland M16 x 5
- Supply voltage: 12 – 24 V DC
- Power consumption: maximum 4.0 W
- Attenuation per channel: maximum 0.5 dB
- Max. perm. switching power: 8 W
- RF connections: 2x input (SMA jack), 8x output (SMA jack)
- RF switch: electronic switch with switching speed less than 1 ms
- Triggering: Reader via RF input 1, external pulse generator via digital input
- Digital inputs: 1x optocoupler (max. 24 V DC / 20 mA)
- Signal indicators: 1 x LED per channel, 3 x LED (Run / HF / Communication)
- Temperature range: Operation: -25 degree C up to +65 degree C, Storage: -40 degree C up to +80 degree C
- Standard conformity: EMC (EN 61000-6-3, EN 61000-6-2), Vibration (EN 60068-2-6, 10 Hz to 150 Hz: 0.075 mm / 1 g), Shock (EN 60068-2-27, Acceleration: 30 g)