Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 4.2

Available n ow
6th March 2012

The Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 4.2 looks like a mobile phone, but it is actually a compact Android tablet that follows on from last year's Galaxy S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0.

In essence, this really is a smartphone with the 3G / GSM circuitry and supporting software removed. That makes it much cheaper to make, although these days we suspect that the bulk of the cost is in paying licenses for the technology rather than the hardware itself. So if you don't want to use mobile cellular networks then this is obviously a good thing.

The Galaxy S WiFi 4.2 itself has pretty straightforward specifications. Inside is a 1GHz processor with 512MB of RAM, the display is a 4.2" 480 x 800 pixel panel, on the back is a basic 2 megapixel camera with a secondary 0.3 megapixel camera on the front for video calling. WiFi, Bluetooth and USB connectivity are included, but obviously not 3G or any other cellular network. One unusual feature is a built-in remote control application for various types of TV (we guess Samsung ones).

Internal memory is 8 or 16GB plus a microSD slot, and the handset comes with a 1500 mAh battery and measures 124 x 66 x 8.9mm and weighs 118 grams. The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.2 runs Android 2.3 with the usual Samsung add-ons, and it will do everything that any other Android device will do.. apart from phone calls of course.

Although Samsung have been selling these mini tablets or media players for a while, we're not entirely clear who the market is meant to be, and it doesn't look like these things have exactly been flying off the shelves.. you probably wouldn't want one of these if you already have a decently powerful smartphone.

We don't know when the Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 4.2 will be available or how much it will cost, but the existing versions retail for €170 (for the 4" version) and €230 (for the 5" version) so we would expect this new tablet to cost something roughly in the region of €200 when it comes to market.