On paper the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 looks pretty good when compared with Apple’s recently unveiled iPad 2. Both machines have 10 inch displays, dual core processors, and the latest tablet-friendly operating systems (Android 3.0 and iOS 4.2). In fact, you could make the case that the Tab looks even better on paper thanks to the higher resolution 1280 x 800 pixel display, flash card reader, and high resolution 8MP camera.
But the iPad 2 has at least three things going for it:
- It’s super-thin, at just 8.8mm or about 0.34 inches thick.
- Apple’s and third party developers have been working with tablets for a while, and the user interface and app ecosystem is pretty solid at this point.
- The iPad 2 will have a low starting price of just $499.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a Samsung official says the company is reconsidering its pricing for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in light of the iPad 2. The plan had been to sell the Galaxy Tab 10.1 for more money than the 7 inch Galaxy Tab that was introduced in 2010.
At launch, the 7 inch tablet ran about $600, with discounted pricing if you signed up for a 3G mobile broadband contract. Today it’s much cheaper.
It’s too early to tell what this means in terms of real-world pricing. Samsung hasn’t officially announced the price for the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but Vodafone has been making noise about offering it for between €349 to €699 in Europe. Hopefully this means the price could drop a bit before launch, although I wouldn’t be shocked if Yonhap News is taking the Samsung’s execs out of context.
The exec also reportedly said Samsung needs to “improve the parts that are inadequate,” but I doubt that means the company will be pulling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 off the assembly line to retool the tablet before launch. It’s more likely that he’s talking about making sure the company’s next tablet is designed to keep up with the Joneses Apples.
via Engadget
I’ve been wondering on why other companies can’t tone down the price on tablets and why they can’t compete to apple slates. Anyway, heads up to samsung for being humble and vocal on the issue