Mobile Technology

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 has "mid-range" written all over it

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Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab 3, a 7-inch tablet with decidedly mid-range specs
Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab 3, a 7-inch tablet with decidedly mid-range specs
Samsung's official press shot
The back of the Galaxy Tab 3
It looks a lot like the Galaxy Note 8.0
It's somewhat thin, at 9.9 mm
Here's a better look at it from several angles
View gallery - 6 images

Samsung’s original Galaxy Tab was Android’s first iPad rival. “Rival” probably isn’t the best word, though: the iPad sold in bunches while the overpriced (US$600) Galaxy Tab collected dust. Almost three years later, a much more popular Samsung has announced the 7-inch slate’s second proper sequel: the Galaxy Tab 3.

The Tab 3 takes some design cues from the Galaxy Note line, but make no mistake. This tablet is far from being a high-end piece of hardware.

We’re looking at a mediocre display: 1024 x 600, spread over 7 inches. It also sports a nondescript 1.2 GHz dual core processor and 1 GB of RAM. Its camera is low-res (3-megapixels in the rear shooter), and it even runs last year’s version of Android (4.1 Jelly Bean).

Budget pricing?

Here's a better look at it from several angles

So we’re probably also looking at budget pricing here. The US$400 Galaxy Note 8.0 doesn’t have the most cutting-edge hardware either, but – in addition to supporting the S Pen – its components are at least a notch or two above these ho-hum Galaxy Tab 3 specs.

Of course mid-range isn't necessarily a bad thing – when the price is right. Unless it somehow drops below the US$200 mark, though, it will have some tough competition. At least on paper, the Nexus 7 – which could soon come in a new version – easily outpaces the Tab 3.

The official word on pricing will have to wait, though, as Samsung hasn’t announced the Tab 3 for any specific markets yet. The global rollout for the Wi-Fi version begins in May, and a 3G version will follow in June. Yep, 3G: it also lacks LTE. Mid-range indeed.

Source: Samsung

View gallery - 6 images
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5 comments
Fahrenheit 451
Samsung should just drop this model and place its emphasis on its Note lineup.
Derek Howe
The note is made for purses & satchels.
BigGoofyGuy
I have the Samsung Tab 2 7inch tablet computer. I really like it. I bought the 'student edition' for $249; it came with an adapter and a keyboard. It was a good deal from Best Buy. I use it to play hidden object games, write using the keyboard attachement, surf the web. IMO; it does these very well. At the right price, I think this should do well too.
Samer Helmy
I agree with BigWarpGuy,
Tab clients are not gizmo-geeks looking for specs. I think it is smart to focus on lower range but efficient computing because all my relatives of the older generation are interested in a tab to surf, read, skype, and makes long trips easy through light games and music. Also families are looking for something for their kids and top-notch is just wasteful.
Key word here is pricing indeed.
bobby12
Sammy, WHY!? I owned the Tab 2.0 as a student (before it got stolen), and to be honest they're okay at best. The camera is good but too low-res for shooting fine text or OCR. The interface is laggy and apps like Temple Run struggle considerably. Seriously, charge more, but bump up the specs to make this thing useful, and not merely functional.