Korean manufacturer Samsung has entered the tablet market hot on the heels of Apple and Dell with the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which is their first Android tablet. It has a 7 inch display and is about half the size and weight of the Apple iPad at 190 x 120 x 12mm and 380 grams, it is an Android 2.2 device which means it fully supports Flash and it can also play DivX movies.
When comparing it to the Apple iPad it is much smaller, with the iPad having a 9.7” display, however they have pretty much similar resolutions, the Galaxy though does have a 1.3 megapixel camera for video calling on the front and a 3 megapixel camera with autofocus and an LED flash on the back. You can also use the Galaxy Tab to make calls too, although due to its size it’s probably easier to do this via the Bluetooth headset, you also easily insert a SIM into a slot in the side of the Galaxy Tab which is great if you only need it from time to time.
Inside the Galaxy Tab you get a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of Flash memory, there is also a microSD slot that can house another 32GB, there is also WiFi support (including 802.11n support), 3.5G data (with maximum download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and uploads up to 5.7Mbps) and Bluetooth 3.0 and DLNA connectivity. To finish off it also has A-GPS support which means you can use it as an oversized satellite navigation device.
There are also some accessories included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab like docking options for putting the Galaxy Tab on a desk, attaching a keyboard and putting it in a vehicle and to protect it you also get a leather pouch and a “book cover” style case.
So far the only known carrier that have confirmed they will carry the device is Vodafone who say that it will be available in certain territories from October onwards, however there is no word on pricing yet or availability in the UK.
Samsun Galaxy Tab