i.safe MOBILE
i.safe MOBILE IS930.1
- Zone 1/21
- IIC T4
- ATEX + IECEx + UKEX
- Class I Division 1
Compare · iPad or Android for Zone 1
These two tablets differ in approach and in how long they will be supported. The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 is an intrinsically safe (Ex ib) 8-inch Android tablet certified for Zone 1/21 under ATEX, IECEx and UKEX, with a North American Division 1 listing, a +60 °C ambient rating and a weight of 890 g, but i.safe’s security updates for it end in Q1 2027. The Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch is a flameproof (Ex db) cover around an iPad Pro 11-inch (M5), rated T6 instead of T4, with security updates expected for 7–8 years, but ATEX only, rated to +45 °C and 460 g heavier. Here is how they compare, and which we would choose for which team.
i.safe MOBILE
Xshielder
Our verdict
Pick by your gases, your sites and how long the tablets must stay in service. For hot sites up to +60 °C, crews who carry the tablet all shift, sites that need IECEx or a North American listing, and short projects or existing i.safe MOBILE fleets, we would choose the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1. For gases that ignite below 135 °C, a fleet bought to last several years, and crews who want the iPad Pro’s screen, cameras and LiDAR in Zone 1/21 under ATEX, we would choose the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch.
Key differences
The temperature class decides which gases a tablet may be used around. T6 (85 °C) is the stricter rating; T4 (135 °C) is fine for most gases, but not those that ignite below 135 °C. Check your site’s gases against it before anything else.
i.safe publishes ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certificate numbers and a North American listing for the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1. Xshielder confirms ATEX certification for the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch but has published no certificate number yet, and IECEx is planned. If your site or client needs IECEx or a Division listing, this decides the choice.
i.safe’s updates for the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 end in Q1 2027, which matters for anyone buying now. Xshielder expects 7–8 years for the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch, based on previous iPad Pro support: an expectation, not a date.
The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 is certified 15 °C higher than the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch, which matters for plants and yards in hot climates. Go by the ambient range in the certificate, not the operating range on a datasheet.
The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 is 460 g lighter than the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch, which weighs 1,350 g including the iPad. You notice the gap on a strap or in one hand through a shift.
In the field
Edge: Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch
Both tablets are certified for Zone 1/21 at protection level Gb/Db, with gas group IIC and dust group IIIC. The difference is the class. The Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch is rated T6, with a maximum surface temperature of 85 °C for gas and 80 °C for dust. The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 is T4, with 135 °C for both. T4 is fine for most gases, but not those that ignite below 135 °C. If your hazardous-area study lists none, the gap will not matter to you.
The protection methods differ too. The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 is intrinsically safe (Ex ib), which limits the energy in the device. The Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch is a flameproof (Ex db) cover that contains an explosion instead. Neither is certified for Zone 0. i.safe says the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 is charged outside Ex areas only, and our data has no value for charging the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch in the zone, so it is not confirmed either way.
Edge: i.safe MOBILE IS930.1
The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 has the broader certification spread. It holds ATEX EPS 19 ATEX 1 071 X, IECEx EPS 19.0034X and UKEX CML 21UKEX2490X, plus a North American listing for Class I Division 1 Groups A to D at T4, Class II Division 1 and Class III. It lists approvals for several other markets too, among them Brazil, South Africa, India, Korea and Japan. Xshielder confirms ATEX certification for the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch, has published no certificate number yet, and plans IECEx.
Heat and mining follow. The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 is certified from −20 °C to +60 °C, against −20 °C to +45 °C for the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch. For underground work, i.safe offers the i.safe MOBILE IS930.M1, certified for Group I, and our data lists no mining version of the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch. The i.safe MOBILE IS930.M1 marking includes IP64, while i.safe lists the standard tablet as IP68, so check the mining version’s ingress rating before ordering.
Edge: Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch
Support life comes first. i.safe’s security updates for the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1, a tablet that runs Android 14, end in Q1 2027. A short project or an existing i.safe MOBILE fleet can live with that, but a new multi-year rollout cannot. Xshielder expects security updates for the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch for 7–8 years, based on previous iPad Pro support. It runs iPadOS 27 with the same apps and Apple device management as any iPad.
The hardware follows the same pattern. The Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch has an M5 with 12 or 16 GB of memory, 256 GB to 2 TB of storage, Wi-Fi 7 and 5G on cellular models. The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 has a Snapdragon SDM660 with 4 GB, 64 GB plus microSD, 4G LTE (no 5G) and Wi-Fi 5. The 11-inch screen reaches 1,000 nits, and Xshielder confirms the 12 MP camera, LiDAR and Face ID camera work through the cover. The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 has a 13 MP camera, and our data has no resolution or brightness figure for its 8-inch screen.
Edge: i.safe MOBILE IS930.1
For a tablet that moves around, the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 is the easier one to live with. It weighs 890 g against 1,350 g, is rated IP68 and MIL-STD-810H, and works with gloves. The Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch’s IP65 rating is pending testing, and our data lists no ruggedness standard or glove-touch figure for it, which means unverified, not absent. Neither battery is user-replaceable, and both are swapped outside the hazardous area only.
On controls, the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 has a dedicated red SOS key and two programmable keys, with push-to-talk and lone-worker apps on top, and it reads NFC tags. The Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch has no programmable hardware key, so push-to-talk and lone-worker alerts run through third-party apps, and our data lists no built-in emergency function. Both scan by camera app with no dedicated scan engine. In the zone, i.safe allows no interface cover to be opened on its tablet, though a commercial microSD card may be used in its slot.
Specifications
i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 | Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch | |
|---|---|---|
| Ex rating | ||
| Certified for | Zone 1/21 | Zone 1/21 |
| Protection | Intrinsic safety (Ex ib) | Flameproof enclosure (Ex db) |
| Gas group | IIC | IIC |
| Temperature class | T4 (≤ 135 °C) | T6 (≤ 85 °C) |
| Mining version | i.safe MOBILE IS930.M1: also certified for Group I (underground mining) | Not in our data |
| Certification | ||
| ATEX marking | II 2G Ex ib IIC T4 Gb / II 2D Ex ib IIIC T135°C Db IP6X | II 2G Ex db IIC T6 Gb / II 2D Ex tb IIIC T80°C Db |
| ATEX certificate | EPS 19 ATEX 1 071 X | ATEX certified |
| IECEx marking | Ex ib IIC T4 Gb / Ex ib IIIC T135°C Db IP6X | Not in our data |
| IECEx certificate | IECEx EPS 19.0034X (Issue 0, 2019-12-20) | Not in our data |
| UKEX certificate | CML 21UKEX2490X | Not in our data |
| Other approvals | EAC, KCs (Korea), INMETRO (Brazil), Japan-Ex, IA (South Africa), PESO (India), TELEC | Lanyard hole to NS-9611 (pending testing) |
| North America | NEC 500: Class I Div 1 Groups A, B, C, D T4; Class II Div 1 Groups E, F, G T135°C; Class III Div 1 | Not in our data |
| Protection level (EPL) | Gb / Db | Gb / Db |
| Dust group | IIIC | IIIC |
| Max surface temperature (dust) | 135 °C | 80 °C |
| Safe use | ||
| Ambient temperature (Ta) | −20 °C to +60 °C | −20 °C to +45 °C |
| Charging | Outside the hazardous area only | Not in our data |
| Battery swap | Outside the hazardous area only | Outside the hazardous area only |
| Ports and accessories in the zone | Opening any interface or connector cover in an Ex area is not permitted. Wired data connection and charging only outside Ex areas (docking station IS-DS930.1, i.safe PROTECTOR cables). A commercial microSD card may be used in its slot in the Ex area (IECEx text). | Not in our data |
| Certified accessories | Maker page lists: IS-DS930.1 docking station set (RJ45, 3 x USB), IS-MC930.1 six-bay multi charger, i.safe PROTECTOR 2.0 / 3.0 USB-C cables, leather case with shoulder/belt/carry straps, vehicle mount. Charging and cable accessories are for use outside Ex areas. Which accessories are Ex-rated for use inside Ex areas is not stated for IS930.1.Unconfirmed, see note 1 | Xshielder Stylus (capacitive, 22 g, aluminium, with lanyard). Ex rating of the stylus not stated. Apple Pencil not mentioned.Unconfirmed, see note 2 |
| IP code in the Ex certificate | IP6X (dust marking) | Not in our data |
| Operating temperature | −20 °C to +60 °C | −20 °C to +45 °CUnconfirmed, see note 3 |
| Conditions of use | IECEx X conditions: battery may be charged outside explosion hazardous areas only; protect against permanent UV light and high electrostatic charge processes; permitted ambient temperature −20 °C to +60 °C. Safety instructions: all interface covers closed in Ex areas; charging only outside Ex areas (+5 to +35 °C); battery not interchangeable. | Not in our data |
| Device | ||
| Type | Dedicated Ex tablet | Certified Ex case |
| Tablet inside | Not in our data | iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) |
| Also fits | Not in our data | iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) |
| Fitting | Not in our data | Fitted by the makerUnconfirmed, see note 4 |
| Tablet can be removed | Not in our data | Yes, but only by Xshielder authorised personnel (lid glued on the ATEX version)Unconfirmed, see note 4 |
| Launched | 2019Unconfirmed, see note 5 | 2026 |
| Part numbers | Model M93A01 (DoC); article numbers not published on maker page | XS1-TB-G01-C01-S01; datasheet ref. iPad11P-000033-1 |
| Operating system | Android 14 | iPadOS 27 |
| Edition | Android 14 | iPadOS (consumer; no LTSC or enterprise edition) |
| OS at launch | Android 9Unconfirmed, see note 6 | iPadOS 26 |
| OS upgrades | Not in our data | Still supported by iPadOS 27 (current) |
| Security updates | Until Q1 2027 | 7–8 years (based on previous iPad Pro support) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon SDM660 octa-core | Apple M5 (up to 10-core CPU) |
| Processor architecture | Arm | Arm |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB | 12 (256/512 GB) / 16 (1/2 TB) |
| Storage | 64 GB, microSD up to 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1024 GB, 2048 GB |
| What works through the housing or case | ||
| Face ID / Touch ID | Not in our data | Yes: Face ID works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder) |
| Apple Pencil / stylus | Not in our data | Yes: stylus input works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder); Xshielder capacitive stylus (22 g, interchangeable tips, lanyard) offered |
| Side and volume buttons | Not in our data | Yes: usable through the cover (Xshielder: all iPad Pro functions available) |
| Rear cameras | Not in our data | Yes: 12 MP Wide camera with 4K video and ProRes works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder) |
| LiDAR | Not in our data | Yes: LiDAR works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder) |
| Front camera | Not in our data | Yes: landscape 12 MP Center Stage camera with Face ID works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder) |
| Touchscreen | Not in our data | Yes: works through the cover (Xshielder: all iPad Pro functions available) |
| Charging | Not in our data | USB-C charging as on a standard iPad Pro (confirmed by Xshielder); 50% in 30 min with a 60 W adapter (M5); no wireless |
| Speakers and microphones | Not in our data | Yes: all 4 microphones and 4 speakers usable (confirmed by Xshielder) |
| Headset audio | Not in our data | Yes: audio in and out works (confirmed by Xshielder); headsets via USB-C or Bluetooth, as the iPad Pro has no 3.5 mm jack |
| USB-C port | Not in our data | Yes: accessible for charging and data, as on a standard iPad Pro (confirmed by Xshielder) |
| SIM card | Not in our data | eSIM only (1 x eSIM, cellular models); no SIM tray |
| Removed or disabled | Not in our data | Nothing removed or disabled: all iPad Pro features available (confirmed by Xshielder) |
| Mounting points | Not in our data | 1/4-inch tripod mount; lanyard hole to NS-9611 (pending testing) |
| Field capabilities | ||
| Push-to-talk | Via app (PTT/PoC app on a programmable key; no PTT button accessory listed for IS930) | Via app (third-party PTT apps over Wi-Fi/cellular; no PTT key; Ex-rated? n/a) |
| Emergency / SOS | Built in (dedicated red SOS key) | Not in our data |
| Lone worker | Via app (LWP ready: third-party application required, per maker page) | Via app (third-party lone-worker apps) |
| Barcode scanning | Via app (camera-based; no dedicated scan engine listed) | Via app (camera-based scanning; no scan engine) |
| NFC reading | Built in (NFC) | Not possible (no NFC reader on any iPad)Unconfirmed, see note 7 |
| 3D scanning / LiDAR | Not possible (no depth sensor listed) | Built in (iPad Pro LiDAR); Xshielder lists 'Pro camera with LiDAR' |
| Remote expert / video calls | Via app (front and rear cameras, Wi-Fi/LTE; third-party app) | Via app (FaceTime, Teams or remote-assist apps; cameras and audio work through the cover) |
| Windows desktop software | Not possible (Android) | Not possible (iPadOS only) |
| Bluetooth gas detectors | Not in our data | Via app (Bluetooth 6 (M5) / 5.3 (M4); vendor app; no maker-certified integration listed) |
| Display and camera | ||
| Display | 8-inch Glove-usable touch display; Corning Gorilla Glass V3 stated on the IS930.M1 page (not on the IS930.1 page) | 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED, ProMotion 10-120 Hz, P3, True Tone, antireflective coating; nano-texture glass option on 1 and 2 TB |
| Resolution | Not in our data | 2420 × 1668 (264 ppi) |
| Brightness | Not in our data | 1000 (SDR max) |
| Touch | Usable with gloves (maker); wet-touch not stated | Not in our data |
| Pen / stylus | Not in our data | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C); magnetic attach and charge, hover |
| Rear camera | 13 MP autofocus | 12 MP Wide, f/1.8, True Tone flash |
| Front camera | 5 MP fixed focus | 12 MP Center Stage, landscape, TrueDepth (Face ID) |
| Video | Not in our data | 4K video, ProRes |
| Depth sensing | Not in our data | LiDAR scanner |
| Connectivity | ||
| Network | 4G LTE (no 5G) | Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular (5G sub-6 GHz) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/e/k/r/h) with hotspot | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), 2x2 MIMO |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5 | Bluetooth 6 |
| NFC | Yes | Not in our data |
| Satellite positioning | GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, Beidou (Galileo added on IS930.M1 page) | GPS/GNSS on Wi-Fi + Cellular models; digital compass and Wi-Fi location on all |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | eSIM only (cellular models) |
| Physical and power | ||
| Weight | 890 g | 1350 g (including the tablet) |
| Dimensions | 237 × 156 × 22 mm | 289 × 217 × 16 mm |
| Ingress protection | IP68 | IP65 (pending testing)Unconfirmed, see note 8 |
| Ruggedness | MIL-STD-810H | Not in our data |
| Battery | 8160Unconfirmed, see note 6 | 8160Unconfirmed, see note 9 |
| Battery energy | 30.2Unconfirmed, see note 10 | 31.29 |
| Battery life | Not in our data | Up to 10 hours web or video on Wi-Fi |
| Hot-swap battery | NoUnconfirmed, see note 6 | No |
| Replaceable battery | No | No |
| Ports and expansion | USB-C; 24-pin docking interface; magnetic charger port; earphone jack; microSD slot; micro-SIM | Thunderbolt / USB 4 (USB-C, up to 40 Gb/s); Smart Connector; magnetic Apple Pencil connector |
| Docking | Office dock IS-DS930.1 (RJ45, 3 x USB); IS-MC930.1 six-bay multi charger; vehicle mount | USB-C hubs and docks; Smart Connector or magnetic keyboard accessories where the iPad has them. Not usable through sealed Ex cases except the USB-C or Lightning charging port where the case exposes it. |
| Keyboard | No (slate) | Smart Connector (Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro) |
| Controls & Accessibility | ||
| Keys | SOS key (red); two freely programmable keys | Top button (no Touch ID; Face ID model), volume buttons; no programmable hardware key |
| Push-to-talk key | No | No |
| Glove touch | Yes | Not in our data |
| Biometrics | Not in our data | Face ID |
| Fleet and support | ||
| Manufacturer | i.safe MOBILE GmbH, Germany | Xshielder AS, Norway |
Only values we could check are listed; “Not in our data” means we have not verified it, not that the tablet lacks it. A numbered marker means a value is unconfirmed, and the matching note at the foot of the page explains why. Prices are on request for both.
Keep researching
Xshielder
A flameproof cover for the iPad Pro 11-inch (M5), certified IIC T6 for Zone 1/21 under ATEX, with the cameras, LiDAR and stylus input working through the cover. Tell us about your site and fleet size to get a quote. See the iPad Pro 11-inch cover.
FAQ
Neither is better across the board. The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 suits hot sites up to +60 °C, crews who want the lighter tablet with an SOS key, and sites that need IECEx or a North American listing. The Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch suits sites with gases that need T6, fleets meant to last for years and teams that want the iPad Pro’s screen, cameras and LiDAR. Both are certified for Zone 1/21.
No. Both are certified to protection level Gb/Db, which covers Zone 1/21 and Zone 2/22, and neither is certified for Zone 0.
The i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 is both: it holds IECEx EPS 19.0034X and a Class I Division 1 Groups A to D listing at T4 under NEC 500. The Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch is ATEX only. IECEx is planned, and our data has no North American listing for it.
The Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch. Xshielder expects 7–8 years, based on previous iPad Pro support, an expectation and not a date. i.safe’s security updates for the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 end in Q1 2027, so if you are buying now, that shorter window is the main thing to plan around.
Not the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1: it must be charged outside Ex areas, at +5 °C to +35 °C, and its battery is not user-replaceable. For the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch our data has no value for charging inside the zone, so it is not confirmed either way. Its battery swap is outside the hazardous area only.
For the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1, yes: the i.safe MOBILE IS930.M1 is also certified for Group I (underground mining). Our data lists no mining version of the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch, and its marking covers equipment group II only, so do not take it underground.
Prices depend on volume, configuration and region, so both are on request. Contact us for a price.
Facts last verified on against certificates, declarations of conformity and manufacturer data. The sources for each tablet are listed on its page: i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 and Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch. Always check the certificate for your exact model before use. Spotted an error? Tell us.