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 ID RWA40.30-USB is a versatile desktop reader designed for contactless data exchange with common 125 kHz transponders. It is suitable for various office, administration, and industrial applications. With its USB interface, it allows for easy power supply and data exchange with a computer or other equipment. The reader has its own local intelligence, enabling both online and offline operation.
- Dimensions: 144 mm x 84 mm x 18 mm
- Weight: approximately 105 g
- Housing: Plastic (ASA) / Acrylic glass
- Color: white / black
- Protection class: IP42
- Operating frequency: 125 kHz
- MTBF: 500,000 h
- Supply voltage: 5 V, USB Bus powered
- Current consumption: max. 140 mA
- Antenna: integrated
- Interface: USB Full-Speed (12 MBit/s)
- Optical indicators: 2 LED (Green: Power and online/offline Blue: Transponder communication)
- Operation mode: Polling-Mode
- Supported transponders: 125 kHz Read Only transponders, 125 kHz Read / Write transponders
- USB CDC device driver: Windows 2000 SP4, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP SP2, Vista 32 Bit
- EEPROM: 512 Byte (1 x 106 write cycles)
- FLASH: 128 Byte (firmware update in application possible)
- Temperature range: Operation: -20 degree C up to +60 degree C, Storage: -40 degree C up to +85 degree C
- Relative air humidity: max. 95% (non-condensing)
The UHF Mid-Range Antenna ID ANT.U150/150 by FEIG ELECTRONIC GmbH is a robust, compact, and aesthetically pleasing antenna designed for a variety of demanding environments. With a circular polarization that ensures optimal performance and reliable read ranges up to 4 meters, this antenna is ideal for logistics, industrial applications, railway systems, waste management, and retail inventory tracking. Its IP68 protection class makes it suitable for permanent outdoor use, even in harsh industrial settings. The ID ANT.U150/150 features a VESA100 standard mounting for easy installation and is compatible with multiple FEIG UHF readers, making it a versatile solution for efficient asset tracking and inventory management.
- Dimensions: 151 mm x 150 mm x 14.5 mm
- Weight: 230 g
- Housing: ABS, UV resistant, and fire-retardant
- Protection Class: IP68
- Gain: Approximately 5 dBic
- 3 dB Beam Width: 105 x 105
- Polarization: Circular (RHCP)
- Antenna Connector: SMA (female)
- Operating Frequencies:
EU Variant: 865 Mz – 868 MHz
FCC Variant: 902 MHz – 928 MHz
The ID ANT.U75/50 is a UHF antenna designed for short read ranges. It operates at frequencies of 865-868 MHz and 902-928 MHz, making it suitable for use with the UHF Reader module ID MU02-02 and the Mid Range Readers ID MR(M)U102. With its compact design and low installation depth, it is an ideal choice for applications requiring a compact UHF antenna.
- Dimensions: 75 mm x 50 mm x 3 mm
- Connection: U.FL connector
- Operating frequencies: 865-868 MHz (EU), 902-928 MHz (FCC)
- Impedance: 50 ohm
- Maximum input power: 300 mW
- Read range:
- Far Field Tags: up to 20 cm
- Near Field Tags: up to 4 cm
- Gain: -20 dBi (linear)
- SWR:
- EU: <5:1
- FCC: < 2.0:1
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 4 Channel Antenna Multiplexer (ID CPR.ANT.MUX-M4) is a device that allows the connection of up to 4 external antennas to the reader module ID CPR74. With this multiplexer, it is possible to create up to 5 reading areas by utilizing the internal antenna of the ID CPR74. The control of each active antenna can be easily configured through the CPR74 or via two digital inputs with external control electronics. The multiplexer features non-wearing electronic switching of the outputs and has a high switching speed of less than 1 ms.
- Weight: 12 g
- MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): 500,000 hours
- Power supply: +5 V DC ± 5%
- Current consumption: Less than 40 mA
- Digital inputs: Low level: 0 -0 V, High level: 3.8 V – VCC, Pull-Down: 10 kohm
- LED: 4 yellow LEDs for indicating active antennas
- Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
- RF power: Maximum 500 mW
- Reader connection: U.FL connector
- Antenna connection: 4 x U.FL connectors for external antennas
- Temperature range: Operation: -25 degree C up to +70 degree C, Storage: -40degree C up to +85 degree C
- Relative air humidity: Maximum 95% (non-condensing)
- Standard conformity: EMC: EN 301 489, Safety & Health: EN 62368-1, EN 50364, Environment: WEEE-2002/96/EC, RoHS-2011/65/EC
The ID ANT.MUX.M4 is a 4 channel Multiplexer Module designed for switching between RFID antennas operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. It allows multiple single antennas and gate solutions to be operated with just one reader. The Multiplexer is controlled via the antenna cable connected to the reader, making installation easy and hassle-free. With non-wearing electronic switches and high switching speed, this Multiplexer ensures efficient and reliable communication between the reader and antennas.
- Dimensions: 137 mm x 77 mm x 15 mm
- Weight: approximately 80 g
- Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
- 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: 1x input (SMA jack), 4x output (SMA jack)
- RF switches: electronic switches (non-wearing) with switching speed < 1 ms
- Triggering reader: communication via RF input 1
- Signal indicator: 1 x LED per channel, 3 x LED (Run / HF / Communication)
- Temperature range: Operation: -25 degree C to +65 degree C (-13 F to +149 F), Storage: -40 degree C to +80 degree C (-40 F to +176 F)
- 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)