Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v Android tablet (preview)
- — 14 February, 2011 13:30
Samsung was the first manufacturer to provide a credible iPad competitor with its Samsung Galaxy Tab and the company has just lifted the lid on its predecessor, the larger, more powerful Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v.
Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 hands-on, and check out our guide to the best upcoming tablets in 2011.
UPDATE: The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v will be available for a limited time only, both online and in selected Vodafone stores. The device will cost $729 as an outright purchase which includes 6GB data with a three month expiry, or a $259 upfront payment, plus $39 per month over 12 months. The latter includes 1.5GB of data per month.
As its name suggests, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v has a 10.1in display with a resolution of 1280x800. The original Galaxy Tab had a smaller 7in display, so the new model will compete directly with the 9.7in iPad and the upcoming iPad 2, which is rumoured to be the same size as the current iPad.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v Android tablet also features a rear 8-megapixel rear camera that doubles as a 1080p HD video recorder, and a 2-megapixel front camera for video calls. The Galaxy Tab 10.1v is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor, has 1GB of RAM and 16GB or 32GB of internal memory, but has no microSD card slot for extra storage. It has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, but uses a proprietary charging and synchronising port; the same port used on the original Galaxy Tab.
Like its Samsung Galaxy S II Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v is made from sturdy feeling plastic, and features a carbon-like finish on the rear. This adds style, and makes the tablet easy to grip. In our brief hands-on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v feels well constructed but manages to remain lightweight at 599g.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v runs Android 3.0 Honeycomb, which has specifically been designed for tablet devices. Samsung has stated the software will not come with any UI additions and will instead by a "vanilla" version of the Honeycomb OS. Key features of Android 3.0 Honeycomb include tabbed Web browsing, support for 3D graphics, added enterprise features like encrypted storage, a redesigned keyboard, and completely redesigned interface that aims to take advantage of the larger tablet screen.
Comments
Peer T.
1
The original 7" Samsung Galaxy Tab came-out at roughly the same price as the most expensive 64G/3G/Wifi version of the iPad, yet it had less features. That raises the question of how much a 10" Tab is going to cost. If it costs more than an iPad, I fail to see how it could sell. As well, the new 10" Tab will only be available on Vodafone. How many people are going to be silly enough to get involved with Vodafone, given the on-going publicity with their network problems. The last thing the Vodafone network needs is a bunch of 10" Tabs all trying to download YouTube movies. It will cripple their network! I wish Samsung success, but I have my doubts . . .
sharath
2
Hi
Price would be great issue... but however with vodaphone.... even if they offer it for 5 $... i guess anyone would buy it.....
cheer's
sharath
3
Hi
Samsung Would FAIL instantly if they launch it through vodaphone... cause Vodaphone SUX BIG TIME.... Hey marketing gurus from Samsung .... plz go to vodafail.com and check out the reviews abt VODAPHONE .....
CHEER"S
Will
4
I'm looking forward to this one and the possibility of a 8.9' version too. The tablet is nextG ready so unlocking it and going to telstra is a great selling point for me. Last year is had a high price possibly because it was the only really suitable android tablet on the market, now there is the LG, Motorola and Toshiba ones coming. The motorola is around the $800 mark, pricy yes but worth it for flash support.
The only real question i have is to do with the battery, hopefully is around 10 hours or i'm going to be disappointed.