Compare · iPad or Android for Zone 1

i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 vs Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch

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.

Our verdict

Which should you choose?

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.

Choose the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 if…

  • Your sites need IECEx or a North American listing: it holds IECEx EPS 19.0034X and a Class I Division 1 Groups A to D listing, while the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch is ATEX only, with IECEx planned and no North American listing in our data.
  • Your sites run hot: it is certified up to +60 °C ambient, against +45 °C for the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch.
  • Your crews carry the tablet all shift and need a dedicated alarm control: it weighs 890 g against 1,350 g, i.safe rates it IP68 and MIL-STD-810H, and it has a red SOS key and two freely programmable keys, where the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch has no programmable hardware key.
  • Some of your crews work underground: the i.safe MOBILE IS930.M1 mining version adds Group I certification.
  • A client or site asks for UKCA-marked equipment: it has a UKEX certificate as well as ATEX and IECEx, and our data lists none for the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch.
i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 in full

Choose the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch if…

  • Your hazardous-area study includes gases that ignite below 135 °C: it is rated T6 (85 °C) and T80 °C for dust, against T4 and 135 °C for the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1.
  • You are buying a fleet for years of service: i.safe’s security updates for the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 end in Q1 2027, while Xshielder expects 7–8 years for this tablet, based on previous iPad Pro support.
  • Your inspectors take photos, video and 3D scans: the 12 MP camera with 4K ProRes video and the LiDAR scanner work through the cover, and our data lists no depth sensor for the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1.
  • You want faster hardware and an 11-inch screen: an M5 with 12 or 16 GB, up to 1,000 nits, 5G on cellular models and Wi-Fi 7, against 4 GB, 4G LTE and Wi-Fi 5.
Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch in full

Key differences

Where they differ

  • Temperature class

    i.safe MOBILE IS930.1
    T4 (≤ 135 °C)
    Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch
    T6 (≤ 85 °C)

    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.

  • Published certificates and approvals

    i.safe MOBILE IS930.1
    EPS 19 ATEX 1 071 X
    Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch
    ATEX certified

    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.

  • Security updates

    i.safe MOBILE IS930.1
    Until Q1 2027
    Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch
    7–8 years (based on previous iPad Pro support)

    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.

  • Maximum ambient temperature

    i.safe MOBILE IS930.1
    −20 °C to +60 °C
    Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch
    −20 °C to +45 °C

    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.

  • Weight

    i.safe MOBILE IS930.1
    890 g
    Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch
    1350 g (including the tablet)

    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

Head to head, by kind of work

Gas coverage and temperature class

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.

Approvals, heat and where you can work

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.

Updates, platform, screen and cameras

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.

Carrying, controls and field work

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

Full specifications side by side

i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 vs Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch: full specifications
i.safe MOBILE IS930.1Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch
Ex rating
Certified forZone 1/21Zone 1/21
ProtectionIntrinsic safety (Ex ib)Flameproof enclosure (Ex db)
Gas groupIICIIC
Temperature classT4 (≤ 135 °C)T6 (≤ 85 °C)
Mining versioni.safe MOBILE IS930.M1: also certified for Group I (underground mining)Not in our data
Certification
ATEX markingII 2G Ex ib IIC T4 Gb / II 2D Ex ib IIIC T135°C Db IP6XII 2G Ex db IIC T6 Gb / II 2D Ex tb IIIC T80°C Db
ATEX certificateEPS 19 ATEX 1 071 XATEX certified
IECEx markingEx ib IIC T4 Gb / Ex ib IIIC T135°C Db IP6XNot in our data
IECEx certificateIECEx EPS 19.0034X (Issue 0, 2019-12-20)Not in our data
UKEX certificateCML 21UKEX2490XNot in our data
Other approvalsEAC, KCs (Korea), INMETRO (Brazil), Japan-Ex, IA (South Africa), PESO (India), TELECLanyard hole to NS-9611 (pending testing)
North AmericaNEC 500: Class I Div 1 Groups A, B, C, D T4; Class II Div 1 Groups E, F, G T135°C; Class III Div 1Not in our data
Protection level (EPL)Gb / DbGb / Db
Dust groupIIICIIIC
Max surface temperature (dust)135 °C80 °C
Safe use
Ambient temperature (Ta)−20 °C to +60 °C−20 °C to +45 °C
ChargingOutside the hazardous area onlyNot in our data
Battery swapOutside the hazardous area onlyOutside the hazardous area only
Ports and accessories in the zoneOpening 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 accessoriesMaker 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 1Xshielder 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 certificateIP6X (dust marking)Not in our data
Operating temperature−20 °C to +60 °C−20 °C to +45 °CUnconfirmed, see note 3
Conditions of useIECEx 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
TypeDedicated Ex tabletCertified Ex case
Tablet insideNot in our dataiPad Pro 11-inch (M5)
Also fitsNot in our dataiPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
FittingNot in our dataFitted by the makerUnconfirmed, see note 4
Tablet can be removedNot in our dataYes, but only by Xshielder authorised personnel (lid glued on the ATEX version)Unconfirmed, see note 4
Launched2019Unconfirmed, see note 52026
Part numbersModel M93A01 (DoC); article numbers not published on maker pageXS1-TB-G01-C01-S01; datasheet ref. iPad11P-000033-1
Operating systemAndroid 14iPadOS 27
EditionAndroid 14iPadOS (consumer; no LTSC or enterprise edition)
OS at launchAndroid 9Unconfirmed, see note 6iPadOS 26
OS upgradesNot in our dataStill supported by iPadOS 27 (current)
Security updatesUntil Q1 20277–8 years (based on previous iPad Pro support)
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon SDM660 octa-coreApple M5 (up to 10-core CPU)
Processor architectureArmArm
Memory (RAM)4 GB12 (256/512 GB) / 16 (1/2 TB)
Storage64 GB, microSD up to 512 GB256 GB, 512 GB, 1024 GB, 2048 GB
What works through the housing or case
Face ID / Touch IDNot in our dataYes: Face ID works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder)
Apple Pencil / stylusNot in our dataYes: stylus input works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder); Xshielder capacitive stylus (22 g, interchangeable tips, lanyard) offered
Side and volume buttonsNot in our dataYes: usable through the cover (Xshielder: all iPad Pro functions available)
Rear camerasNot in our dataYes: 12 MP Wide camera with 4K video and ProRes works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder)
LiDARNot in our dataYes: LiDAR works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder)
Front cameraNot in our dataYes: landscape 12 MP Center Stage camera with Face ID works through the cover (confirmed by Xshielder)
TouchscreenNot in our dataYes: works through the cover (Xshielder: all iPad Pro functions available)
ChargingNot in our dataUSB-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 microphonesNot in our dataYes: all 4 microphones and 4 speakers usable (confirmed by Xshielder)
Headset audioNot in our dataYes: 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 portNot in our dataYes: accessible for charging and data, as on a standard iPad Pro (confirmed by Xshielder)
SIM cardNot in our dataeSIM only (1 x eSIM, cellular models); no SIM tray
Removed or disabledNot in our dataNothing removed or disabled: all iPad Pro features available (confirmed by Xshielder)
Mounting pointsNot in our data1/4-inch tripod mount; lanyard hole to NS-9611 (pending testing)
Field capabilities
Push-to-talkVia 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 / SOSBuilt in (dedicated red SOS key)Not in our data
Lone workerVia app (LWP ready: third-party application required, per maker page)Via app (third-party lone-worker apps)
Barcode scanningVia app (camera-based; no dedicated scan engine listed)Via app (camera-based scanning; no scan engine)
NFC readingBuilt in (NFC)Not possible (no NFC reader on any iPad)Unconfirmed, see note 7
3D scanning / LiDARNot possible (no depth sensor listed)Built in (iPad Pro LiDAR); Xshielder lists 'Pro camera with LiDAR'
Remote expert / video callsVia 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 softwareNot possible (Android)Not possible (iPadOS only)
Bluetooth gas detectorsNot in our dataVia app (Bluetooth 6 (M5) / 5.3 (M4); vendor app; no maker-certified integration listed)
Display and camera
Display8-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
ResolutionNot in our data2420 × 1668 (264 ppi)
BrightnessNot in our data1000 (SDR max)
TouchUsable with gloves (maker); wet-touch not statedNot in our data
Pen / stylusNot in our dataApple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C); magnetic attach and charge, hover
Rear camera13 MP autofocus12 MP Wide, f/1.8, True Tone flash
Front camera5 MP fixed focus12 MP Center Stage, landscape, TrueDepth (Face ID)
VideoNot in our data4K video, ProRes
Depth sensingNot in our dataLiDAR scanner
Connectivity
Network4G LTE (no 5G)Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular (5G sub-6 GHz)
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/e/k/r/h) with hotspotWi-Fi 7 (802.11be), 2x2 MIMO
BluetoothBluetooth 5Bluetooth 6
NFCYesNot in our data
Satellite positioningGPS, 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
SIMMicro-SIMeSIM only (cellular models)
Physical and power
Weight890 g1350 g (including the tablet)
Dimensions237 × 156 × 22 mm289 × 217 × 16 mm
Ingress protectionIP68IP65 (pending testing)Unconfirmed, see note 8
RuggednessMIL-STD-810HNot in our data
Battery8160Unconfirmed, see note 68160Unconfirmed, see note 9
Battery energy30.2Unconfirmed, see note 1031.29
Battery lifeNot in our dataUp to 10 hours web or video on Wi-Fi
Hot-swap batteryNoUnconfirmed, see note 6No
Replaceable batteryNoNo
Ports and expansionUSB-C; 24-pin docking interface; magnetic charger port; earphone jack; microSD slot; micro-SIMThunderbolt / USB 4 (USB-C, up to 40 Gb/s); Smart Connector; magnetic Apple Pencil connector
DockingOffice dock IS-DS930.1 (RJ45, 3 x USB); IS-MC930.1 six-bay multi charger; vehicle mountUSB-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.
KeyboardNo (slate)Smart Connector (Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro)
Controls & Accessibility
KeysSOS key (red); two freely programmable keysTop button (no Touch ID; Face ID model), volume buttons; no programmable hardware key
Push-to-talk keyNoNo
Glove touchYesNot in our data
BiometricsNot in our dataFace ID
Fleet and support
Manufactureri.safe MOBILE GmbH, GermanyXshielder 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.

Xshielder

Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch cover for Zone 1/21

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

Common questions

Is the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 better than the Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch?

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.

Can either tablet be used in Zone 0?

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.

Is either tablet approved for North America or IECEx?

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.

Which gets security updates for longer?

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.

Can you charge either tablet in the hazardous area?

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.

Is there a mining version of either tablet?

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.

How much do the i.safe MOBILE IS930.1 and Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch cost?

Prices depend on volume, configuration and region, so both are on request. Contact us for a price.

Notes on unconfirmed values

  1. i.safe MOBILE IS930.1: Not checked against the certificate for this exact model.
  2. Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch: Not checked against the certificate for this exact model.
  3. Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch: From a single source.
  4. Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch: Not stated by the maker for this exact model.
  5. i.safe MOBILE IS930.1: Approximate: the maker doesn't publish a launch date. Based on the certificate date or the maker's announcement.
  6. i.safe MOBILE IS930.1: From a single or secondary source; the maker doesn't state it for this model.
  7. Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch: Not confirmed by the maker for this exact model.
  8. Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch: From a single source; not stated in the Ex certificate.
  9. Xshielder iPad Pro 11-inch: Apple states battery capacity in watt-hours only; this figure is from the case maker's documents.
  10. i.safe MOBILE IS930.1: Calculated from the maker's battery capacity and voltage; the maker doesn't state watt-hours.

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.