Zebra TC-Series Mobile Computers Compared: Current Lineup, Discontinued Models, and Which One Fits Your Deployment

The Full Zebra TC-series lineup at a glance

The Current TC-Series Lineup

These six models are Zebra’s actively sold TC-series lineup today. Each has its own dedicated Scalefusion device page with full deployment detail — the sections below cover what distinguishes each model, not a repeat of that page’s content.

TC22 and TC27

The entry point into the current generation, both built on the same 6.0″ FHD+ body with an IP68/IP65 rating and a 5 ft (1.5 m) drop spec to concrete. TC22 is Wi-Fi (WLAN) only, built for indoor, four-walls environments like retail floors and warehouses. TC27 adds 5G/WWAN cellular, the model Zebra positions explicitly for fieldwork outside a Wi-Fi footprint. TC22 replaces the discontinued TC21; TC27 replaces the discontinued TC26.

• See Scalefusion’s TC22 device page
• TC27 device page

TC53e and TC58e

The mid-tier of the current lineup, replacing the discontinued TC52/TC52x/TC52ax family (TC53e) and TC57/TC57x (TC58e). Same 6.0″ FHD+ body and IP68/IP65 rating as the TC22/TC27 pair, with a stronger 8 ft (2.4 m) drop-with-boot spec. TC53e is Wi-Fi 6E, WLAN only; TC58e adds 5G/WWAN. Both add a newer Qualcomm processor with Secure Element support and housings using 25% post-consumer recycled plastic over their predecessors — real generational upgrades, though what Zebra’s “e” actually stands for isn’t defined anywhere on its own site or in distributor materials; treat it as a model-family designation rather than an abbreviation with a confirmed meaning.

• TC53e device page
• TC58e device page

TC73 and TC78

The most rugged of the current line, rated for a 10 ft (3.05 m) drop at room temperature and 2,000 tumbles. TC73 is Wi-Fi/Bluetooth only; TC78 adds 5G WWAN, dual-SIM (one physical Nano-SIM plus one eSIM), and wireless charging — the only model in the current lineup with wireless charging built in. TC78 replaces the discontinued TC77.

• TC73 device page
• TC78 device page

Still Running an Older TC-Series Model? Here’s What to Know

If a fleet still includes any of the seven models below, they’re no longer sold new — but that doesn’t mean they stopped working or that Scalefusion stopped managing them. Here’s the real status of each, not a guess.

TC21

Discontinued as of February 28, 2025; Zebra’s support commitment for units already in the field runs through March 31, 2028. WLAN-only, 5.0″ HD screen, IP67-rated, rated for a 4 ft (1.2 m) drop to concrete (5 ft with a boot case). Zebra’s own page names TC22, TC27, or HC20 as replacement options depending on connectivity and use case.

TC26

Same discontinuation and support-end dates as TC21 (they were released together), same 5.0″ HD body, but WWAN/cellular where TC21 was Wi-Fi only. Zebra names TC22, TC27, or HC25 as replacements.

TC57

Discontinued October 31, 2024; supported through December 31, 2028. A 5.0″ HD, WWAN/cellular device rated IP68/IP65 with a 6 ft drop-with-boot spec. Its direct successor is the current TC58e (also TC58, a non-“e” variant that remains in Zebra’s lineup outside the six models this comparison focuses on) — which adds Wi-Fi 6E, newer 5G, a Secure Element chip, and recycled-plastic housing over TC57’s original design.

TC25

Discontinued the longest of any model here — last sold December 10, 2020, with Zebra’s support commitment already ended (March 30, 2024). A smaller 4.3″ WVGA screen, WLAN only, IP65-rated. TC25 originally shipped with Android 7.1 Nougat and was later upgraded via an over-the-air update to Android 8.1 Oreo — both versions are real, just at different points in the device’s life; if one is still deployed today, it’s worth confirming which OS version it’s actually running before assuming what it can or can’t do. Its named successor, TC26, is itself now also discontinued (see above) — a real case where the direct replacement path has moved twice.

TC70

Discontinued since February 28, 2020, with Zebra’s support window already closed (March 31, 2025). A 4.7″ HD, Wi-Fi-only device rated IP65/IP67 with a strong 6 ft (1.8 m) full-temperature-range drop spec. One thing worth knowing if a fleet has a mix of these: base TC70 units shipped on Android 5.0 Lollipop, while a later hardware revision (TC70x) shipped on Android 8.1 Oreo — and Zebra also offered a Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise variant of this device alongside the Android version. Zebra’s own page names TC73 as the successor.

TC75

Same discontinuation timeline as TC70 (they were released together) — last sold February 2020, support ended March 2025. Same 4.7″ HD body and rugged rating as TC70, but WWAN/cellular instead of Wi-Fi only, and no Windows variant was found for this specific model. Base units shipped on Android 5.1 Lollipop; the TC75x revision moved to 8.1 Oreo. Zebra’s own page names TC78 as the successor.

TC77

The most recently discontinued model in this line — last sold October 31, 2025, with support running all the way to December 31, 2030. A 4.7″ HD, WWAN/cellular device rated IP65/IP68, notably rugged even by TC-series standards (2,000 tumbles at 3.3 ft, plus a 6-8 ft drop spec depending on temperature range). Its successor isn’t entirely clear-cut: Zebra’s own TC77 discontinuation notice names TC73 as the replacement, but TC78’s own product page separately states “Replaces TC77” — and TC78, not TC73, is the cellular model that actually matches TC77’s connectivity. A Zebra reseller (Levata) states the connectivity-matched mapping explicitly — TC78 as the primary successor, with TC73 offered as a Wi-Fi-only alternative for anyone who doesn’t need cellular — and several other independent sources are consistent with that reading. If cellular connectivity matters for the replacement, TC78 is the model to evaluate first; if not, TC73 is the Wi-Fi-only option Zebra’s own page names directly.

How Scalefusion Manages TC-Series Devices, Current or Legacy

Whichever model is in the fleet, Scalefusion’s Zebra device management capabilities apply the same way — for a broader introduction, see Scalefusion’s complete guide to Zebra device management:

• StageNow enrollment — rapid, barcode/QR-based provisioning built specifically for Zebra’s own staging tool, avoiding manual per-device setup.
• LifeGuard OTA — scheduled firmware and OS patch rollout across the fleet, syncing, installing, or hiding updates at the device or group level.
• OEMConfig and DataWedge policies — deep, Zebra-specific configuration access beyond what standard Android Enterprise APIs expose, including scan-engine behavior.
• Kiosk mode — locking a device to approved task apps, the same capability covered in Scalefusion’s Zebra kiosk-mode guide.

The practical result: aging TC-series hardware stays in service longer without becoming a support burden, and standardizing on a new model doesn’t mean re-learning how the fleet gets managed.

One real caveat worth knowing for older hardware specifically: StageNow enrollment and OEMConfig-based policies require Android 8.0 and up on the device. Scalefusion’s general floor for corporate-owned Android enrollment is lower (Android 5.0+), so a base TC70 or TC75 unit still running its original Android 5.x can likely still be enrolled and managed as a standard Android Enterprise device — but the Zebra-specific StageNow and OEMConfig workflows above are built for 8.0 and up, and older units that haven’t been upgraded may not support them the same way. If a fleet includes original, non-upgraded TC70/TC75 units, confirm the actual OS version each is running before assuming which management path applies.

What Zebra TC-Series Devices Cost

Zebra doesn’t publish list pricing for any TC-series model, current or discontinued — every product page routes to “Request a Quote” or a reseller, with actual pricing depending on configuration, volume, and region. For an accurate number, the right next step is a quote from Zebra directly or an authorized reseller, not a published price list.

How To Decide: A Practical Framework

Connectivity first. Across nearly every model pair in this line, WLAN vs. WWAN/cellular is the real, consistent decision point, not a marketing distinction. If the deployment stays within a Wi-Fi footprint (a single warehouse or store), the WLAN-only model in a given generation is the simpler, typically less expensive choice. If workers move outside that footprint — delivery, field service, multi-site — the WWAN/cellular sibling is the one to evaluate.

Rugged tier against the actual environment. Drop specs and IP ratings climb across generations (TC21/TC26’s 4 ft concrete drop vs. TC73/TC78’s 10 ft), but a device rated for more abuse than an environment requires is just added cost. Match the rating to how the device actually gets used, not the highest number available.

Current vs. “I already own one of these.” If sizing a new deployment, the six current models above are the only ones Zebra sells new. If a fleet already includes a discontinued model, the honest question isn’t “should I replace this today” — it’s whether the specific device still meets the management and OS-version needs of the fleet, and if not, which current model is the right like-for-like replacement based on the connectivity and ruggedness it was originally chosen for.

For warehouse and logistics deployments specifically, see how Zebra devices fit into warehouse management — TC-series handhelds are typically one piece of a broader mixed fleet alongside vehicle-mounted computers.

Ready to simplify Zebra device management? See how Scalefusion fits your workflow

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Ready To Manage Your TC-series Fleet?

Whether it’s a fresh deployment of the current TC22–TC78 lineup or a fleet still running earlier TC-series hardware, use Scalefusion to enroll devices via StageNow, keep them patched with scheduled LifeGuard OTA updates, and lock them down with Zebra-specific OEMConfig policies — so IT can manage the whole TC-series fleet the same way, regardless of which generation is deployed. See how Scalefusion manages Zebra devices or start a free trial.

Comparing MDM/UEM platforms more broadly for a Zebra fleet? See the top Zebra MDM solutions compared.

Methodology & author

How this comparison was built: every device status (current/discontinued), lifecycle date, and specification in this piece was verified directly against Zebra’s own product and support pages, not third-party aggregators alone. Where Zebra’s own materials conflicted with each other (TC77’s successor) or with Scalefusion’s own documentation (TC25’s Android version history), that conflict is stated plainly rather than resolved by guessing. No Zebra hardware pricing is cited, since Zebra does not publish list pricing for this product line.

Author: Swapnil Shete, Vice President — Marketing at Scalefusion. Last updated: July 2026.

FAQs

1. Is the Zebra TC70 discontinued?

Yes. Zebra stopped selling the TC70 on February 28, 2020, and its support commitment ended March 31, 2025. Zebra names TC73 as its successor.

2. Is the Zebra TC75 discontinued?

Yes, on the same timeline as TC70 (last sold February 2020, support ended March 2025). Zebra names TC78 as its successor.

3. What replaced the Zebra TC77?

This isn’t fully settled by Zebra’s own materials. Zebra’s TC77 discontinuation page names TC73; Zebra’s TC78 product page separately says “Replaces TC77.” Since TC78 is the cellular (WWAN) model and TC77 was also cellular, TC78 is the closer connectivity match — and third-party sources describe it the same way. TC73 remains the Wi-Fi-only alternative Zebra’s own page names directly.

4. What’s the difference between the Zebra TC22 and TC27?

Same device generation and body. TC22 is Wi-Fi (WLAN) only; TC27 adds 5G/WWAN cellular for use outside a Wi-Fi footprint.

5. Is the Zebra TC25 still supported?

No — Zebra’s support commitment for TC25 ended March 30, 2024, the earliest end date of any model in this line. It originally shipped on Android 7.1 Nougat and was later upgradeable to Android 8.1 Oreo via an over-the-air update.

6. Can Scalefusion manage a discontinued Zebra TC-series device?

In most cases, yes — Scalefusion’s device management doesn’t depend on whether Zebra still sells a model new. The real factor is the Android version the specific device is running: Scalefusion’s Zebra-specific StageNow enrollment and OEMConfig policies require Android 8.0 or higher, so older, non-upgraded hardware on Android 5.x or 7.x may be limited to standard Android Enterprise management rather than the full Zebra-specific workflow.

7. What does the “e” in TC53e and TC58e mean?

Zebra doesn’t define it publicly. What’s confirmed is what the “e” models add over their base counterparts: Wi-Fi 6E, newer-generation 5G, a Secure Element security chip, and housings using recycled plastic.

8. How much does a Zebra TC-series device cost?

Zebra doesn’t publish list pricing for any TC-series model — pricing comes from a direct quote through Zebra or an authorized reseller.