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.
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.