The theory that the Galaxy Tab could become the first genuine challenger to Apple's iPad in the media tablet marketplace is about to be put to the test with Samsung's 7-inch offering going on sale in the U.S. this week. At the same time the possibility of a Super AMOLED screen on the next-gen Galaxy Tab has also surfaced with Samsung Mobile Display showing a 7-inch AMOLED screen at the International Flat Panel Display forum in Japan.

The Galaxy Tab runs on Android 2.2, has a 1GHz Hummingbird processor and two cameras – a 3.2-megapixel main camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat. The unit weighs 380 g and measures 190 x 120 x 11.9 mm (7.4 x 4.7 x 0.47 inches).

T-mobile is selling the Galaxy Tab for US$400 on 2 year contract (with a $50 mail-in rebate) while Verizon has it at $600 with data plans starting at $20 per month for 1 GB.

Sprint will release the Galaxy Tab on November 14 at a price of $400 (also after a $50 rebate) with data plans starting at $30 per month for 2 GB. A release from AT&T is expected later this month.

The first-gen Galaxy Tab has a 1024 x 600, 7-inch TFT display but it looks like the rumored AMOLED (or possibly Super AMOLED) display could appear on the next version with Samsung Mobile Display showing a 7-inch panel in Japan.

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