Comparison

Zebra MC3400 vs MC9400: mid-range or ultra-rugged keypad device?

The MC3400 is lighter and comes as gun or straight shooter; the MC9400 is the ultra-rugged gun with seven keypads, IP68 and freezer models. Same platform.

5 min Difficulty: Easy Updated: By SCANSHOP team
Best for most users
Zebra MC3400 Terminal (MC3401-0G1K43SS-A6)
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Alternative
Zebra MC9400 Terminal (MC9401-0G1R6CSS-A6)
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In this guide

    Both are Zebra keypad Android computers on the same Qualcomm 4490 platform with Wi-Fi 6E, and both can scan up to 30.5 m with the SE58 engine. The MC3400 is the lighter, more compact all-rounder with a gun or straight-shooter body. The MC9400 is the ultra-rugged gun: bigger display, more keypad choices, tougher drop and sealing ratings, and freezer and non-incendive versions.

    MC3400 MC9400
    Body styles Gun or straight shooter Gun only
    Weight with battery 528 g (gun), 442 g (straight shooter) 743 g
    Size (gun, L × W × H) 208.5 × 73.5 × 165.3 mm 240 × 88 × 189 mm
    Display 4 in WVGA (800 × 480); 350 nits Standard, 600 nits Expanded/Full 4.3 in WVGA (800 × 480), 600 nits
    Keypads 29-key numeric, 38-key function numeric, 47-key alphanumeric Seven backlit, field-replaceable keypads, 29 to 58 keys, including 5250 and VT terminal emulation
    Scan engines SE4710, SE4770, SE55 (over 12.2 m), SE58 (up to 30.5 m) SE4770, SE58 (over 30.5 m)
    Processor Qualcomm 4490 octa-core, 2.4 GHz Same
    Memory (RAM / flash) 4/64, 6/64 or 6/128 GB 6/128 GB
    Cameras 5 MP front, 13 MP rear (Full tier) 8 MP front, 16 MP rear (camera package)
    Battery 7,000 mAh, hot swap 7,000 mAh, hot swap; 5,000 mAh freezer battery
    Drop to concrete 2.4 m at 23 °C; 1.8 m across −20 to +50 °C 3.65 m; 2.4 m across −20 to +50 °C
    Tumble (1 m) 4,000 tumbles 6,000 tumbles
    Sealing IP65 and IP67 IP65 and IP68
    Operating temperature −20 to +50 °C −20 to +50 °C; freezer model −30 to +50 °C
    Special versions None Freezer (heated scan window and touch panel), Non-Incendive (North America)
    Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E, 2.4/5/6 GHz, 2×2 MU-MIMO Same
    Bluetooth 5.3, Class 1 and Class 2 configurable 5.3, Class 2
    Ports Bottom connector and side USB-C Bottom connector (USB via snap-on cup or cradle)
    5G version MC3450 MC9450
    Final Android version Android 15 (Standard) or Android 18 (Expanded, Full) Android 18

    Figures from Zebra's MC3400/MC3450 and MC9400/MC9450 spec sheets and its supported Android versions list. Scan ranges are maximums and depend on barcode size, print quality and light.

    Choose the MC3400 if
    • Users hold the device all shift and weight matters
    • You want a straight-shooter body or a side USB-C port
    • Your sites are warehouses, stores or production floors at normal temperatures
    • You already run MC33 cradles and batteries
    Choose the MC9400 if
    • Devices are dropped from height, hosed down or used outdoors in ports and yards
    • You work in freezers or need a non-incendive device
    • Users type a lot or run 5250/VT terminal-emulation apps and need a full alphanumeric keypad
    • You are replacing MC9300 devices and want to keep their cradles

    What is the same

    Both run Android with Google Mobile Services on the same processor, use Zebra DataWedge for scanning into any app, support battery hot swap, and offer a 5G model with nano SIM, eSIM and GPS (MC3450 and MC9450). Wi-Fi setup and the Enterprise Reset path in Settings are the same, and on both gun models you hold the trigger during a restart to open recovery mode. The hard reset key combination differs. See the MC3400 setup guide and the MC9400 setup guide.

    Accessories do not cross over

    Each model uses its own accessory family. The MC3400 is designed to reuse MC33 series cradles, chargers and batteries. The MC9400 reuses MC9300 accessories, and older MC9000 to MC9200 cradles work with a charge-only adapter cup. If you mix both models on one site, plan separate cradles and spare batteries for each. On the MC9400 you can swap the keypad on site with a Torx T8 screwdriver, which lets you move a device to a different job without replacing it.

    Easy Steps | Keypad Replacement in your MC9400/MC9450 Ultra-Rugged Mobile Computer

    Video: Zebra Technologies

    Compare the configurations on our MC3400 and MC9400 product pages.

    Frequently asked questions

    Does the MC9400 scan further than the MC3400?

    Not with the best engine. Both offer the SE58, which Zebra rates to about 30.5 m. Both also offer the SE4770; the MC3400 adds the SE55 and SE4710.

    Can I use MC3400 cradles for the MC9400?

    No. The MC3400 uses MC33 series accessories and the MC9400 uses MC9300 series accessories.

    Is there a freezer version of the MC3400?

    Zebra's MC3400 spec sheet lists no freezer model. For cold stores, the MC9400 Freezer is rated to −30 °C and has heated scan window and touch panel.

    Which is lighter, the MC3400 or the MC9400?

    The MC3400 gun weighs 528 g and the straight shooter 442 g, against 743 g for the MC9400, all with battery.

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