Bluebird S20 – 5G mobile computer: what sets it apart and who it is for
The Bluebird S20 is a lightweight 5G mobile computer with a 2.4 GHz Qualcomm QC4490 processor and IP65/IP68 protection. Its battery can be replaced without switching the device off. The S20 runs Android 13 and can be upgraded to Android 17. An authorised service centre in Poland performs warranty repairs.
This article describes how the S20 differs from similar mobile computers and how it performs in the warehouse, in production and in the field. It also lists the accessories to buy separately. The full specification is on the product page.
Table of Contents
Who manufactures Bluebird mobile computers
Bluebird is a Korean manufacturer of mobile computers, headquartered in Seoul. The company was founded in 1995 as a software developer. Today, Bluebird manufactures mobile computers, tablets, payment terminals and RFID readers.
In November 2024, the Taiwanese company TSC Auto ID completed the acquisition of 96.51% of Bluebird shares. After the acquisition, Bluebird continues to operate independently. The two companies cooperate on product roadmaps, technical support and sales.
Bluebird mobile computers have been in the Etisoft portfolio since 2024, when TSC acquired Bluebird. The reason is practical: TSC printers sell very well and are among the most important brands in the Etisoft portfolio. Today, the Bluebird mobile computer and the TSC printer come from one group, and Etisoft supplies the labels for the printers.
What sets the Bluebird S20 apart from similar mobile computers
Three things set the S20 apart: a powerful platform with 5G and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, a battery that can be replaced during operation, and delivery and warranty service in Poland.
The Qualcomm QC4490 is an eight-core processor with a clock speed of 2.4 GHz. The S20 connectivity includes 5G and certified Wi-Fi 6E.
The S20 standard battery has 4,000 mAh, and the optional extended battery has 6,000 mAh. Both batteries support hot-swap: the battery is replaced without switching the mobile computer off. The worker changes the battery during the shift and does not need to restart the device.
An authorised service centre in Długołęka, Poland, performs warranty repairs. As a rule, warranty repairs are free of charge unless mechanical damage has occurred. The price of a post-warranty repair depends on the configuration and accessories, so it is set in the quotation.
| Parameter | Bluebird S20 |
| Processor | Qualcomm QC4490, 8 cores, 2.4 GHz |
| Operating system | Android 13, upgrade to Android 17 |
| Display | 6″ FHD+ (1080 × 2160), Corning Gorilla Glass, operation with gloves and stylus |
| Dimensions and weight | 165 × 76.9 × 12.5 mm, 235 g |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh or 6,000 mAh, hot-swap |
| Protection | IP65 and IP68, multiple drops from 1.5 m (1.6 m with the rugged boot), MIL-STD-810H |
| Connectivity | 5G FR1, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
Parameters according to the Bluebird S20 datasheet. Weight according to the TSC product page; the datasheet from June 2025 states 243 g.
How the S20 features affect daily work
A mobile computer is judged by how it performs in the hand during a full shift, not by a processor benchmark score. Below, the S20 features are described by their effect on work:
Thickness of 12.5 mm and weight of 235 g. The manufacturer designed the S20 to fit most hands. During a full shift, the low weight puts less load on the wrist.
Hot-swap as standard. In multi-shift operation, the battery is replaced during the shift, and the mobile computer does not return to the charger.
Certified Wi-Fi 6E. The S20 supports the 6 GHz band. In a facility with a Wi-Fi 6E network, it connects in a band that older devices do not use.
Dedicated PTT button. With the BOS™ PTT subscription service, the S20 works as a walkie-talkie over the Wi-Fi network. It also supports PTT applications from other companies, including Zello and ESChat.
NFC with contactless payments. As an option, the S20 accepts payments and has Apple VAS certification, so it reads loyalty cards from Apple Wallet.
Android on the Bluebird S20: how long the device receives updates
The S20 ships with Android 13, and the manufacturer states that it can be upgraded to Android 17. The datasheet sets two conditions. The system version can change depending on Qualcomm’s plans. The Android update service requires a Bluebird warranty programme.
BOS™ SecureCare for Android software is responsible for system security. Bluebird offers after-sales support in the BluebirdCare™ service plans.
For this reason, three things must be agreed at the start of a fleet purchase. The first is the Android version on delivery. The second is whether the warranty programme with updates is included. The third is the end date of patches for that version. Mobile computers in a warehouse usually operate longer than phones, so these dates affect when the hardware is replaced.
GMS on the Bluebird S20: what it provides and when to restrict it
All S20 models include Google Mobile Services (GMS). There is no choice between a GMS version and a non-GMS version. The decision is which services will be active on the device.
In the field, GMS provides Google Maps, the Chrome browser and sign-in with a Google account. Independently of GMS, the Bluebird Zero-Touch tool makes it easier to deploy many devices at once: the device is configured by scanning.
In a closed warehouse with one WMS application, Google services are often unnecessary. In that case, the Non-GMS OS Control function in the BOS package controls which Google services stay active. BOS Kiosk restricts access to applications and device functions. One model is sufficient, configured for a specific process.
Bluebird S20 in the warehouse
In the warehouse, the S20 handles goods receipt, order picking, stocktaking and dispatch checks. Performance depends on the scanner and accessories selected for the task:
| Task | What to select |
| Hands-free order picking | wrist strap with ring scanner |
| Intensive batch scanning | trigger handle connected through the connector on the back of the mobile computer |
| Reading from high racks | SE55 extended-range scanner |
| RFID stocktaking | Bluebird RFR900 UHF RFID reader (900 tags/s) or RFR901 (1,200 tags/s) |
| Multi-shift operation | spare battery and charging and communication cradle with 1 Gb/s Ethernet |
| Fleet control | battery with a BLE beacon that helps to locate the mobile computer |
The RFID readers come from the same manufacturer as the S20. They connect to the S20 through a dedicated mount, Bluetooth or NFC. There is no need to find a compatible reader from another company.
Bluebird S20 in production
In production, the mobile computer is rarely the main tool. More often, it closes the information loop between the workstation and the system. It confirms operations in the MES, records batches for traceability and reads markings on the line.
In quality control, the camera is important. The S20 rear camera has 16 MP, autofocus, an LED flash, a torch mode and HDR. It documents a defect with a photo directly at the workstation. The touchscreen works with work gloves.
The IP65 and IP68 ratings mean protection against water jets and immersion. These ratings are not equivalent to resistance to chemicals. Before a workstation is washed, the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations must be checked.
Production also shows the advantage of one supplier group. The Bluebird mobile computer reads the code, and the TSC printer prints the label on material supplied by Etisoft. The mobile computer, the printer and the labels can therefore be bought from one supplier.
Bluebird S20 in the field
The manufacturer intends the S20 for couriers, service technicians and retail staff, among others. In the field, network coverage, battery life and drop resistance are important.
Versions with cellular connectivity have 5G, a nano SIM slot, eSIM and GPS. As an option, they have a dual-band GNSS receiver (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou). A courier confirms delivery with location data and accepts contactless payment through NFC. The PTT button connects the courier to the dispatcher.
The S20 withstands multiple drops from 1.5 m onto tiles laid on concrete, and from 1.6 m onto concrete with the rugged boot. The S20 operates at temperatures from -20 °C to 50 °C. In a vehicle, a vehicle cradle holds the device, and a cigarette lighter charger charges it.
Bluebird S20 accessories: what must be bought separately
The S20 is sold without accessories. Accessories, including forklift mounts and belt holsters, are selected separately. For this reason, the workstation set is agreed during the quotation.
When cradles are ordered, it must be clear whether the S20 will operate in the rugged boot. Without the rugged boot, the S20 requires a shim adapter to sit correctly in a 1-slot or 4-slot cradle. The vehicle cradle is available in separate versions: standard and for the rugged boot.
| Accessory | Manufacturer code | Notes |
| 1-slot charging and communication cradle | CRD-E1S1BSH-S2#&RFR90#-TA-V1 | 1 Gb/s Ethernet, also charges a spare battery |
| 4-slot charging and communication cradle | CRD-E4S4BSH-S2#&RFR90#-TA-V1 | 1 Gb/s Ethernet, also charges spare batteries |
| Cradle adapter (shim) | CRD-SHIM-S2#-TA-V1 | required for the S20 without the rugged boot |
| 4-battery charger | SBC-4SCBSH-S2#-TA-V1 | standard and extended batteries |
| Standard battery | BTRY-STD-S2#-TA-V1 | 4,000 mAh |
| Battery with BLE beacon | BTRY-STDBLE-S2#-TA-V1 | 4,000 mAh, makes the mobile computer easier to locate |
| Wrist strap with ring scanner | WRBL-FULLKIT-S2#-TA-V1 | fits both battery types |
| Rugged boot | CASE-RB-S2#-TA-V3 | increases drop resistance to 1.6 m |
| Tempered glass screen protector | SCRNPT-GLSAF-S2#&S5#-TA-V1 | with installation kit |
| Holster with belt clip | HLSTR-FBRC-L175MM-TA-V1 | – |
| Vehicle cradle | CRD-VC1S0B-S2#-TA-V1 | version for the rugged boot: CRD-VC1S0B-S2#RG-TA-V1, requires a mounting bracket |
| Vehicle charger | PWR-ADPT-CLA5V4A-TA-V1 | 5 V / 4 A, USB-A to USB-C cable sold separately |
Cradles and chargers require a separate power supply, and the required power depends on the device.
Who the Bluebird S20 is the right choice for
The manufacturer positions the S20 as a compact mobile computer at a reasonable price. The S20 fits three situations in particular:
- the company needs 5G, Wi-Fi 6E and a powerful processor in a lightweight device,
- the mobile computers operate across several shifts, and the battery must be replaced without switching the device off,
- the company wants to buy mobile computers, printers and labels from one supplier with warranty service in Poland.
The S20 can be tested in the company’s own processes before purchase: Etisoft lends the mobile computer for tests, subject to model availability. A description of the work for the mobile computer is sufficient for a test or quotation request.
Looking for the optimal equipment for your processes? We will help you choose the right solution.
FAQ
Can the Bluebird S20 battery be replaced without switching the device off?
Yes. The Bluebird S20 supports hot-swap, so the battery is replaced without switching the mobile computer off or restarting it. A standard 4,000 mAh battery and an optional extended 6,000 mAh battery are available.
Which operating system does the Bluebird S20 use?
The Bluebird S20 runs Android 13, and the manufacturer states that it can be upgraded to Android 17. The Android update service requires a Bluebird warranty programme, and the system version depends on Qualcomm’s plans. All S20 models offered by Etisoft include Google Mobile Services (GMS).
Is the Bluebird S20 waterproof and drop-resistant?
The Bluebird S20 has IP65 and IP68 ratings and meets MIL-STD-810H. It withstands multiple drops from 1.5 m, or from 1.6 m with the rugged boot. The S20 operates at temperatures from -20 °C to 50 °C.
Does the Bluebird S20 support 5G and eSIM?
Yes. The Bluebird S20 supports 5G FR1, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 and NFC. Versions with cellular connectivity have a nano SIM slot and eSIM.
What is included with the Bluebird S20, and what must be bought separately?
Etisoft sells the S20 without accessories. Forklift mounts, belt holsters and other accessories are ordered separately.
