The tablet wars are heating up. We’ve been saying that ever since the release of the iPad, but it has turned out to be a slow simmer rather than a fast boil. There are more tablets on the way, many more tablets on the way, but so far, for the most part, we have been left to stare longingly at the specs and pictures of what will soon be the next wave of tablets. One of those tablets, perhaps one that will actually be able to rival the iPad, is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. While we do not have an exact U.S. release date yet, we now know the price.
The Galaxy Tab will retail for between $200 and $300, but the final pricing will vary based on wireless-carrier subsidies; no U.S. carriers have been announced. According to the Wall Street Journal, Samsung is in talks with multiple carriers, and the tablet will likely not be sold by Samsung, but rather through the carriers that agree to carrier the device. The Galaxy Tab is technically similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S smartphone, which is now being carried by T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and soon to be Verizon.
The Galaxy Tab should first debut in Italy next month, then Vodafone will debut the tablet in several European markets shortly after. It is expected to be available worldwide in time for the holidays, and Samsung has claimed that it expects to ship 10 million Galaxy Tabs this year, which would give it one-third of the tablet market in the world. Following the release of the seven-inch tablet, Samsung is also considering increasing the Galaxy family to include a six- and a 10-inch model, but neither have been officially confirmed.
The Galaxy Tab features a seven-inch touch screen, an Android 2.2 operating system, Bluetooth 3.0, two cameras and a 1Ghz Cortex processor. Check out our head-to-head between the Galaxy and the iPad for a full list of the specs.
[Read in to my comment a bit of frustration....]
But I don’t want a carrier involved in the purchase of a tablet. I just want to buy a tablet. PERIOD.
If a ‘non phone’ (i.e. tied to a carrier) is not offered, sorry, but this is a swing and a miss.
smaller than the iPad? no thanks…plus if can run my iPad off of a Clear 4G iSpot for $25 a month unlimited with no contract…
i’m with drew on this. i don’t pay a carrier for my laptop? i don’t need a 3g or 4g tablet, a wifi tablet would be just fine with me and that’s something that i shouldnt have to pay a carrier for. i wish i could say i was buying this because of how impressed i am with my captivate. oh well…
AT&T I meant
Blackfrog14@gmail.com All I know is that if the galaxy tab supports google voice I'm buying hahaha free calls, i would also like 3G wifi version, only because there's. Always that location when u might need connection, and u don't have it, hahahahahahaha not like tat would save the day but it is helpful
@ Nano. The reason people would want the Wi-Fi only version is because it's not like wi-fi is scarce. Also, not everyone would use it for internet on the go. It's nice to have a tablet instead of carrying around a laptop to do things like take notes at seminars and the like.
Wi-Fi only version does not make any sense for this kind of device, because it's designed an a portable gadget with Internet on-the-go. Why would anybody want wi-fi only version? I have no idea!
I hate samsung phones, ask anyone who's tried to attach the charger pin, hopefully the tablet has better quality! After using the ipad for few months, I really don't care about the camera option, I got my apps to play with and I need more battery time, TWO keys points where ipad scores. Why are folks talking about 3G, isn't the samsung tablet a 4G?
Im sure you can get it without a plan, youll probably still have to buy it from a carrier but just in the same way you can buy a phone with no plan (still works, just cant call or use 3g) and as long as they dont price gouge it Ill just buy it and use wifi
Buy 3g+wifi version and then just use wifi!!! use 3g when needed why wifi alone what if i need 3g.
um… judging by just the image alone. the use of the convex diminishing line symbol usually connotes that there are some wireless capabilities. I think I secondary wifi only version would be unnecessary.
Plus I would assume that you can use this without active cell connectivity.
Get the archos 70. They've been around for ages and if "experience is a teacher" . . their new line should be very good, and is WiFi only! NO MONTHLY CHARGES . .and almost all the functions of the galaxy tab.
Here is the huge disadvantage the Galaxy Tab has over the iPad the way I see it.. There is NO option to use the thing without being attached to a wireless carrier. There is no wi-fi only version mentioned in this article or any other article I've seen about it, so I'll take that in terms of overall cost of ownership, the iPad still wins despite being more expensive upfront.
I am sure it will have WiFi, from my understanding, there will be like 4-5 different Samsung Tabs to choose from. I hope you are right, not having WiFi would just be dumb IMO.
He meant a wifi ONLY version. As in no 3g and therefore no monthly cost. I'd pay in the neighbohood of $500 for this device unsubsidized if it meant there was no monthly carrer charge. With a carrier charge? Not remotely interested.
Agreed. I do think they will have a WiFi only version though. That would be idiotic if they didn't. But who knows….we have all seen worse right? haha
Sounds like it won't be available through Samsung, only through the carriers which means no Wi-Fi version.
There's a wifi version following up shortly after 3g enabled tablets come.