Samsung Galaxy Tab (Samsung GT-P1000)

Available now
2nd September 2010

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is the Korean manufacturer's first Android tablet, sporting a 7 inch display in a package half the size and weight of the Apple iPad.

This is an Android 2.2 device which means that it has full support for Flash, and the Galaxy Tab can also play DivX movies. Samsung have added some of their applications for accessing media and social networking, but other than that this is a fairly typical Android experience.

The large 7" display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, much smaller than the 9.7" panel on the Apple iPad but with a broadly similar resolution. The front also houses a 1.3 megapixel camera for video calling, and more surprisingly there's a 3 megapixel camera with autofocus and an LED flash on the back, although the large size of the Galaxy Tab does not really lend itself to digital photography.

Inside is a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of Flash memory, plus a microSD slot that can house another 32GB. The Samsung Galaxy Tab also supports WiFi (including 802.11n support), 3.5G data (with maximum download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and uploads up to 5.7Mbps), it also supports Bluetooth 3.0 and DLNA connectivity. The Samsung Galaxy Tab also has A-GPS support.

You can actually use the Samsung Galaxy Tab to make phone calls, although the sheer size of the thing means that you'll want to use a Bluetooth headset. Size is relative - at 190 x 120 x 12mm and 380 grams it is about four times the size and weight of a typical mobile phone, but only about half the size and weight of the Apple iPad. One nice feature about adding a SIM card is that it goes into a slot in the side of the Galaxy Tab, making it very easy to put in a SIM if you only need it from time-to-time.

Accessories include docking options for putting the Galaxy Tab on a desk, attaching a keyboard and putting it in a vehicle. Because the Galaxy Tab has GPS, you can even use it as an oversized satellite navigation device. There's also a leather pouch and a "book cover" style case.

There's no word on pricing, and so far the only carrier we know of that has confirmed they will carry it is Vodafone, who say that it will be available in certain territories from October onwards. Our best guess is that the Samsung Galaxy Tab might retail for around £500 or €600 SIM-free, although cheaper if you buy it with a contract.

We think that this is one of the most appealing tablets around, and if you love the capabilities of your Android phone but are hankering after a decent sized screen, then perhaps it is time to start dropping hints about what you want for Christmas..

Samsung have more information at galaxytab.samsungmobile.com