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Samsung launches yet another tablet

by Scott Bicheno on 30 September 2011, 15:30

Tags: Samsung (005935.KS)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qa7hv

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Incremental progress

Less than a month ago Samsung launched two Android devices - one with a 5.3 inch screen and another with a 7.7 inch one. These were apparently intended to be filling the supposed gap in the market between 4.5 inch smartphones, and the already launched 8.9 inch Galaxy Tab.

But in the intervening four weeks Samsung realised that there remained a gaping chasm in the market between the two and moved swiftly to fill it. Hence we have the launch today of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, for people who found the 7.7 still to be just that little bit too big.

Simon Stanford, mobile boss of Samsung UK and Ireland said: "The Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus packs power and productivity into a lightweight design. The latest addition to Samsung's Galaxy Tab range demonstrates our ongoing dedication to designing a variety of premium tablets and continued innovation to suit different needs and lifestyles. We are delighted to be able to introduce the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus to the Galaxy family in the UK later this year."

That's it really. Samsung seems determined to have a spectrum of device sizes from three to ten inches that grow in increments of a fraction of an inch. It's hard to envisage a situation when a prospective tablet buyer contemplates buying a Galaxy Tab 7.7, but thinks "if only it was 0.7 of an inch smaller", but what do we know?

Come to think of it, maybe this launch has nothing to do with focus groups and everything to do with Apple's lawyers. Immediately after announcing the 7.7 Apple's lawyers forced Samsung to remove the produce from its display at IFA, which must have left deep emotional scars. If we remember rightly at least one of the Apple actions was due to come into effect in October,  so maybe this is a new ‘Apple-proof' tablet.

Pix ‘n' spex

 

 

Network

 HSPA+ (HSDPA 21Mbps /HSUPA 5.76Mbps) 900/1900/2100
EDGE/GPRS   850/900/1800/1900

Processor

1.2GHz Dual Core

Display

 7-inch WSVGA(1024 x 600) PLS LCD

OS

Android 3.2(Honeycomb)

Camera

Main(Rear) : 3 MP AF with LED Flash

Sub (Front) : 2 MP

Action Shot, Panorama Shot, Smile Shot

Video

Codec : MPEG4, Divx, Xvid, H.263, H.264, VC-1, WMV7/8, VP8

Format : 3GP, MPEG4, WMV, AVI, MKV

Playback : 1080p Full HD

Recording : 720p HD

Audio

Codec : MP3,WMA, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, AAC, AAC+, e-AAC+, AC-3, Flac

Midi(SMF), WAV, OGG

apt-X Bluetooth Codec

Music Player with SoundAlive

Value-added Features

Samsung Apps

Samsung Kies 2.0

Samsung Kies air (downloadable via Samsung Apps)

Samsung TouchWiz : Live Panel, Mini Apps

Social Hub
- Integrated Messaging(Email, SMS, SNS, MMS), Contacts/ Calendar Sync

- POP3/IMAP Email & Exchange Active Sync

Readers Hub/Music Hub

(will be available for download via Samsung Apps after launch)

GoogleTM Mobile Services

- GmailTM, Google TalkTM, Google SearchTM, YouTubeTM, Android Market TM,

- Google MapsTM

 Smart Remote

 A-GPS

Enterprise Solutions

Adobe Flash

Document Editor

Connectivity

Bluetooth® technology v 3.0

USB 2.0 HS & Host

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 & 5 GHz)

Wi-Fi Channel bonding & Wi-Fi Direct

Sensor

Accelerometer, Gyro, Digital compass, Ambient Light, Proximity

Memory

1GB(RAM) + 16/32GB Internal memory + microSD (up to 64GB)

Size

 193.65 x 122.37 x 9.96 mm, 345g

Battery

 Li-on 4,000 mAh

 

* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

 

HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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Posted by miniyazz - Fri 30 Sep 2011 16:05
Shouldn't that be the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Minus? :p
Posted by scaryjim - Fri 30 Sep 2011 16:21
Why would it be minus? It's an evolution of the original Galaxy Tab which was always a seven inch tablet meaning that this launch isn't about plugging gaps because there aren't any!</rant> ;)

Have to say I did wonder what the point of the 7.7“ tab was when it was announced, as it had no obvious advantage over the existing 7” Tab as a form factor. The problem with this is that it's probably going to end up priced over £400, which means it simply won't sell. Tablets are going to end up being a companion device to either a larger laptop or a desktop, and people aren't going to pay £400 for a companion device. Get it nearer £200, and we'll start talking ;)
Posted by Scott B - Fri 30 Sep 2011 16:41
scaryjim
Why would it be minus? It's an evolution of the original Galaxy Tab which was always a seven inch tablet meaning that this launch isn't about plugging gaps because there aren't any!</rant> ;)

Have to say I did wonder what the point of the 7.7“ tab was when it was announced, as it had no obvious advantage over the existing 7” Tab as a form factor. The problem with this is that it's probably going to end up priced over £400, which means it simply won't sell. Tablets are going to end up being a companion device to either a larger laptop or a desktop, and people aren't going to pay £400 for a companion device. Get it nearer £200, and we'll start talking ;)

Good point - I thought of speculating about it being a response to the Kindle Fire. Let's see what it ends up costing, because if it's much over £200 then it isn't an adequate one.
Posted by scaryjim - Fri 30 Sep 2011 17:04
Scott B;2131769
… I thought of speculating about it being a response to the Kindle Fire. …

I'd love it if that were true - I'm not sure what the BOM on a 7" capacitative tablet is though, and without the services arm to support it it may simply be impossible for a tier 1 company to make a profit out of selling tablets for £200.

HP may have got the right idea about mobile - people either want Apple or want cheap, and if it's too hard to deliver a good, cheap product…
Posted by Scott B - Fri 30 Sep 2011 17:29
scaryjim
I'd love it if that were true - I'm not sure what the BOM on a 7" capacitative tablet is though, and without the services arm to support it it may simply be impossible for a tier 1 company to make a profit out of selling tablets for £200.

I suspect you're right.

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