Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 production halted to add quad-core
Samsung has reportedly stopped production of its Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 tablet, but only so that it can shove a quad-core processor inside it.
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We may have only recently laid our eyes on the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 over at Mobile World Congress, but apparently Samsung has already stopped its production. Don't worry though -- it's only so it can stuff a quad-core processor inside.
The news comes via a Samsung insider, speaking to Netbook News. He wasn't heavy on details, but indicated that Samsung has halted the production of the GT-P 5100, the codename for the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, in order for it to be upgraded to a quad-core CPU.
If true, it's possible the chip in question will be Samsung's latest Exynos 4412 chip -- a quad-core beast capable of running at 1.5GHz. It's the same chip we're hoping to see in the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S3 and is touted as running 25 per cent faster than current CPUs while keeping battery usage to a minimum.
There's no mention of the smaller 7.7-inch Galaxy Tab 2, so it's safe to assume that model will keep its dual-core engine.
The Tab 2 was only unveiled a couple of months ago, so it's surprising to see Samsung tinkering with it so soon -- especially as it's not even on sale yet. The Tab 2 was initially packing a 1GHz dual-core processor, which may have been fairly nippy in our hands-on, but is far down the ranks in the power stakes compared to the slew of quad-core slates cropping up at the moment.
Samsung is evidently hoping to offer a more realistic challenge to Apple's new iPad, but I hope Samsung realises that power isn't everything -- it's going to need a stunning screen on it to compete with the iPad's retina display. The 10-inch Tab 2 packs a 1,280x800-pixel display, which while good for most Android slates, pales next to the iPad's 2,048x1,536-pixel screen. Fingers crossed Samsung boosts the resolution as well as the processor.
We'll have to wait and see what tweaks Sammy makes to the slate and what price tag it decides to slap on it, but keep your eyes peeled on CNET UK for more info as it arrives.
What do you think to the Galaxy Tab 2? Would a quad-core chip make it a serious iPad rival? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or over on our Facebook page.