Samsung to Launch Galaxy Tab 3

Samsung has announced the latest addition to its lineup of Android tablets—the Galaxy Tab 3. The new device features a 7-inch screen and will compete against other “mini” tablets, like the Apple iPad Mini, the Google Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire.

The Washington Post’s Hayley Tsukayama reported, “Samsung will be adding a new device to its Galaxy Tab line — a 7-inch tablet set to hit stores in late spring or early summer. The Galaxy Tab 3, with its smaller form, will be another competitor in the mini-tablet market, which includes the iPad mini, Nexus 7, Kindle Fire, Samsung’s own Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and, to a lesser extent, its higher-end Galaxy Tab 2 7.7.”

Computerworld’s Matt Hamblen added, “The new white Galaxy Tab 3 is slightly smaller and lighter than the Tab 2 7.0, but nonetheless supports more expandable memory. The updated device still runs Android 4.1, the same OS in the Tab 2, and uses the same size battery, at 4,000 mAh, and the same dual core 1.2 GHz processor.”

InformationWeek’s Eric Zeman noted, “It is powered by a dual-core 1.2-GHz processor with 1 GB of RAM, and it runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Samsung didn’t specify whether the processor is made in-house or by a third party such as Qualcomm. In addition to Jelly Bean, the Tab 3 includes Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface overlay and the accompanying Samsung services, such as Samsung Hub, ChatOn and Samsung Apps. The device will come with two internal storage options, either 8 GB or 16 GB. The Tab 3 supports microSD cards up to 64 GB for additional storage.”

CNET’s Charlie Osborne wrote, “According to Samsung, the Wi-Fi version will be available worldwide from next month, whereas the Wi-Fi/3G version will be hitting store shelves in June. Tablet availability will depend on individual markets, and the device will be rolled out gradually. Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 is yet to be released.”