Skip to main content

Motorola Xoom to launch Feb. 17, cost $699-$799

motorola-xoom-tablet-professional-picture
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Supposed employees of Best Buy and Verizon have leaked release date and pricing info for the Motorola Xoom tablet (complete impressions), but we keep hearing conflicting reports. These are rumors,with pictures to back them up, nothing more.

Xoom to launch on Feb. 17

Engadget has received a hot tip from someone claiming to be a Best Buy employee. The tipster cites an internal Best Buy document (seen below) that pegs the tablet at a Feb. 17, 2011 release date. The retail chain will receive its shipments on the 16th. The anonymous source also tells the site that it will launch with 32GB of storage and price in at $699.99–a price that (sort of) comes into conflict with our next rumor.

motorola-xoom-best-buy-leak-engadget-jan-2011
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Xoom to cost $799, HTC Thunderbolt $249

AndroidCentral got its hands on an actual table (seen below) showing the Motorola Xoom with a MAP (minimum advertised price) of $799.99. This picture comes from an anonymous source claiming to work for Verizon Wireless. The document also pins the recently unveiled HTC Thunderbolt 4G at $249, with a contract.

motorola-xoom-htc-thunderbolt-leaked-pic-price-jan-2011
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Conclusion

While the February 17 release date sounds plausible, the price of the Motorola Xoom is still up for debate. It’s possible that the Xoom will cost $700-$800, but both price points look like suicide on ink. A 64GB 3G iPad cost $829; why would someone pay an equal amount for a device with half the storage (Xoom has 32GB)? Also, keep in mind that Apple sells a 16GB Wi-Fi model for $499–that is the price to match. Hopefully, the non-3G version of the Xoom (if there is one) will have a more competitive price. The 32GB Wi-Fi iPad costs $599.99. Xoom shouldn’t be a penny more. People will pay a premium to buy Apple products, but I’m not sure Motorola has the following to demand a high price for its first tablet.

Jeffrey Van Camp
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…
Don’t buy this new Motorola phone — get this other one instead
Renders of the Moto G 5G (2024) and Moto G Power 5G (2024).

the Moto G 5G (left) and Moto G Power 5G Digital Trends

Budget phones can slip under the radar when shiny, powerful flagships launch. But if you're in the market for a smartphone that gets the job done and won't blow a four-figure hole in your bank balance, then a great budget smartphone is the way to go.

Read more
Get 32% off the cellular model of the iPad Pro 12.9 this weekend
The iPad Pro on a desk next to a stylus and AirPods.

If you've been thinking about getting the iPad Pro with cellular connectivity but you've been hoping to buy the tablet from iPad deals for a discount, this may be what you've been waiting for -- a 32% discount from Amazon's Woot on the 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular model of the 2021 Apple iPad Pro with 128GB of storage. From $1,199, it's down to just $810, which is a steal price for this device with savings of $389. However, while there are still several days left on this offer, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase immediately because there's a chance that stocks don't last that long.

Why you should buy the 2021 Apple iPad Pro 12.9
It's not the latest version of Apple's top-of-the-line tablet -- the honor goes to the 2022 Apple iPad Pro -- but the 2021 Apple iPad Pro is still a pretty powerful device by today's standards. That's because it's equipped with Apple's M1 chip, which promises fantastic speed and excellent graphics when you're working on your multimedia projects, multitasking between several apps, or playing console-level games. With its 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR touchscreen, you'll enjoy high-brightness and high-contrast content, and its mini-LED display provides deeper black levels and more vibrant colors.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. A54: all the big changes, explained
Renders of the Samsung Galaxy A55 next to the Galaxy A54.

Galaxy A55 (left) and Galaxy A54 Digital Trends

Samsung has been on a roll with new phone releases in 2024. At the end of January, Samsung released the flagship Galaxy S24 lineup. It's fantastic, but not everyone can afford the latest and greatest flagship. Thankfully, Samsung also makes budget-friendly alternatives, and that’s the appeal of the new Galaxy A55.

Read more