Zebra WS501 Mobile Computer

Zebra WS501: Compact Android Wearable Computer for Enterprise Use

Hardware and Computing

 The processor is a Qualcomm QC2290. RAM is 3 GB, internal Flash storage 32 GB. The 2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 460 × 460 pixels is capacitive and supports both bare finger and gloved input. The scan window and touch panel are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. The battery has a capacity of 1,300 mAh (5 Wh), supports hot-swap replacement without reboot, and charges fully in under three hours. Two freely programmable keys allow device-specific assignments, such as Push-to-Talk or application launch.

Wireless Communication

 The WLAN module supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) with 2×2 MU-MIMO on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Maximum data rates are 1,201 Mbit/s (5 GHz) and 286.8 Mbit/s (2.4 GHz). Supported security standards include WPA3 Personal and Enterprise, WPA2, WEP and Enhanced Open. Bluetooth 5.3 covers Classic BR/EDR and BLE (Class 1). NFC supports ISO 14443 Type A/B, FeliCa and ISO 15693. Interfaces include USB 2.0 High Speed (Host and Client) via docking contacts.

Scan Module SE4770 The omnidirectional SE4770 imager captures 1D and 2D barcodes at an image resolution of 1,280 × 800 pixels. The field of view is 48° horizontal and 30° vertical; the scan angle covers 360° rotation and ±60° tilt and pan. Supported symbologies include common 1D formats (Code 39, Code 128, UPC/EAN, etc.), 2D formats (QR Code, DataMatrix, PDF417, Aztec, etc.) as well as OCR-A and OCR-B. Multi-Code Data Formatting and NG SimulScan enable simultaneous capture of multiple codes in a single trigger event.

Ruggedness and Environmental Conditions

The WS501 is IP65-rated against dust and water jets and withstands repeated drops from 1.8 m onto concrete across the full operating temperature range of −10 °C to +50 °C. The tumble specification is 2,000 cycles from 0.5 m height per IEC standards. Storage temperature ranges from −40 °C to +70 °C. Electrostatic discharge tolerance is ±15 kV (air discharge) and ±8 kV (contact discharge). The front housing is field-replaceable.

Software and Device Management

The device runs Android and is complemented by the Zebra DNA software portfolio, including: LifeGuard for ongoing Android security updates, DataWedge for rule-based data capture and routing without programming, StageNow for mass deployment via barcode or NFC, OEMConfig for EMM-based configuration, and Zebra Zero Touch for automatic EMM enrollment on first power-on. Device Diagnostics enables on-device self-testing; Device Guardian supports locating misplaced devices. Optional service plans via Zebra OneCare provide depot repair, advance device replacement and cloud monitoring via VisibilityIQ.

Technical specification