Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE

Available now
30th August 2011

An upgraded version of the original Galaxy Tab 8.9, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE adds 4G support and a faster processor, plus the latest version of Android.

Although the existing Galaxy Tab 8.9 is a good device, it is massively overpriced, coming in at a shocking €550 for the base model when you can pick up a basic iPad 2 for less than €400 if you shop around. Hardly any consumers would chose anything other than the Apple, so it is no surprise that sales of the Galaxy Tab 8.9 have been very low indeed.

So, perhaps the upgrades in the 8.9 LTE will make it more attractive. The dual-core processor has been upped to 1.5 GHz from 1 GHz and it now runs Android 3.2, a much more polished version of the OS than the first generation. It retains the 1280 x 800 pixel 8.9" display, 3 megapixel primary camera and 2 megapixel front-facing camera of the original.

One other major upgrade is the support for 4G LTE technology, and also HSPA+ and standard 3.5G and 3G connectivity options. No doubt this will add to the price, although the competing 3G enabled iPad 2 is a lot more expensive than the base model as well.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE measures 231 x 158 x 9mm and weighs 455 grams. It comes with a 6100 mAh battery and either 16GB or 32GB of memory. In Nordic countries it should be available by Q1 2012, although some markets may have it by the end of 2011.