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Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 hits July 7th, includes $399 price, underwhelming specs

The Android 4.2 tablet seeks to lead the 10-inch tablet market but, realistically, lags behind the pack.

Xiomara Blanco Associate Editor / Reviews - Tablets and monitors
Xiomara Blanco is an associate editor for CNET Reviews. She's a Bay Area native with a knack for tech that makes life easier and more enjoyable. So, don't expect her to review printers anytime soon.
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Eric Franklin Former Editorial Director
Eric Franklin led the CNET Tech team as Editorial Director. A 20-plus-year industry veteran, Eric began his tech journey testing computers in the CNET Labs. When not at work he can usually be found at the gym, chauffeuring his kids around town, or absorbing every motivational book he can get his hands on.
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Xiomara Blanco
Eric Franklin
2 min read
The 10.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 meekly reaches for the stars, only to be dragged down by reality. Samsung

According to Samsung, the recently announced Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 is "built to be the leading 10-inch tablet in the market." This market Samsung speaks of must be in a galaxy far, far away, because the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1's underwhelming specs and high price, may make its latest effort at creating the top 10-inch tablet over before the device even hits stores.

The tablet hits U.S. shores on July 7th for $399 with 16GB of storage. Pre-orders start on June 25th.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 features a 1,280x800-pixel resolution PLS display, houses an Intel Z2560 1.6GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB of RAM, and will run Android 4.2. The tablet includes a microSD expansion slot, IR Blaster, a 3-megapixel rear camera, and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.

As the largest tablet in the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 lineup, it has a similar look to the 7- and 8-inch models, but with the Home button on the bottom bezel, switching orientations for a more landscape-centered experience.

Top-performing tablets, like the Google Nexus 10, sport high 2,560x1,600-pixel resolutions and put the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1's 1,280x800-pixel resolution to shame. Overall, the Tab 3 10.1's specs are subpar in comparison with top, high-performing tablets, making its lofty market-leading goal as confusing and spacey as its name.

At $399, the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1's specs are painfully unimpressive with the 1,280x800-pixel screen resolution as its most egregious offense. The IR blaster, however, is a nice, if expected, extra for a Samsung tablet. While 16GB of storage feels low, the microSD slot somewhat softens the blow.

That all said, as of now, all we have to judge the Tab 3 10.1 on are specs. Hopefully we'll have a chance before its actual release to get some extended time with it.