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Topic: Mobility

Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

Summary: Samsung is rolling out a WiFi only Galaxy Tab for $349, but I think a 3G Galaxy Tab makes more sense with the 7 inch display.

Matthew Miller

By for The Mobile Gadgeteer |

Samsung is getting ready to roll out the WiFi only Galaxy Tab for $349 that has the same specs as the GSM versions of the device. It looks to be a great deal, but one of the reasons I found mine so compelling was the integrated 3G radio. As I mentioned in my reasons to consider a 3G iPad a 3G radio in a Samsung Galaxy Tab is even more compelling to me since the device is likely to be with you even more than a larger display iPad.

The 3G models of the Galaxy Tab now sell for $199.99 (Sprint and Verizon), $249 (T-Mobile), and $549.99 (AT&T with no contract). I think it is a wonderful form factor at 7 inches for out and about and for satisfying your Android needs. I am not sure if it is such a compelling device without 3G though. With WiFi only, I think people are more likely to use it at home when an iPad, Xoom, or upcoming larger display devices might be more useful.

Even though it has Android 2.2, I found the Samsung Galaxy tablet-optimized apps (Calendar, Contacts, Media Hub, etc.) more compelling than anything currently found on Honeycomb and MUCH more stable. Honeycomb has a few more months to go to be a decent OS, IMHO, and hackers may eventually even get it working on the Galaxy Tab.

$349 for the 16GB WiFi Galaxy Tab comes in at less than any iPad, including last year's models. You can also expand the memory with a microSD card, up to 32GB more, and have one heck of a media player and ebook reader. If the price drops to less than $300, then these should do really well since they offer quite a bit of power in a small package.

Topics: Mobility, Hardware, iPad, Networking, Samsung, Tablets, Wi-Fi

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27 comments
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  • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

    If it comes under 299, then it has chance, otherwise no way. Carriers will not push this because of no 3G and they have no incentive on WiFi only models. 349 is not a bad price to start but average consumer who is not techie would choose iPad Original WiFi at 399 over Samsung Galaxy Tab. Also the h/w on Samsung Galaxy is not of that quality. I have a Sprint Galaxy Tab and I know the issues.
    Ram U
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

      @Rama.NET
      Agreed and it runs Android?! who would want Android when iOS is way better.
      Hasam1991
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

        @Hasam1991 Everyone that isn't blatantly stupid.
        blueskip
        Reply Vote

      • Clearly Rama.NET did as he owns one?!

        @Hasam1991
        DevJonny
        Reply Vote

    • The Nook color is $100 cheaper than the Galaxy

      @Rama.NET At $250 for the Nook, that price-point is more compelling. I'm guessing than the Galaxy has a little more processing power, but I'm not sure if most people would notice the difference.
      K B
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

    Kind of, but with the WebOS tab coming soon, I'll wait.
    dalspartan
    Reply Vote

  • 6 months ago.

    But for $50 more you can get eh iPad version 1.
    Bruizer
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

      @Bruizer I'd rather get the cheaper BETTER product than another walled garden from Apple.
      blueskip
      Reply Vote

  • RE: "...and hackers may eventually even get it working on the Galaxy Tab"

    Please take these comments as being observations only and not as a knock on Android and/or it's implementations on tablet devices to date. Also, I have no first hand use with the software being discussed.

    Now .. having said those disclaimers, allow me to pose these questions.

    Android 3.0 has been available for quite sometime now (in technology based time periods). Even if it were a moderately difficult thing to do, I would have expected someone by now reporting a successful port of Honeycomb to the Galaxy Tab. The fact that it hasn't occurred yet indicates that it is a really difficult task and, perhaps also an indication that Honeycomb itself may not be "consistently stable" enough to allow installation to the Galaxy Tab device.

    Again, I have no experience with Honeycomb so any "stability issues" suggested with this OS are results of online reviews. (More than one ZDNet blogger has reported stability issues with a Honeycomb based device.)

    Therefore .. if anyone is contemplating a purchase of this first gen Android tablet device, they should consider the likely possibility that only the tablet's current Android OS will launch any and all installed Android apps during this devices lifetime.
    kenosha77a
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

      @kenosha7777
      The device comes with 2.2 Froyo; not even 2.3 Gingerbread. It makes me wonder if it is capable of being upgraded, especially to Honeycomb. I had a quick look on-line and most discussion seems to be workarounds for 2.3 upgrades, not official upgrades. Someone who is an Android user should be able to provide better information.
      Restricted_access
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

      @kenosha7777 "Android 3.0 has been available for quite sometime now"

      This is a flat out wrong statement. Google is currently holding back the source code for 3.0, so developers are unable to port it onto this device. Once Google releases the source for 3.0 I guarantee it will be quickly available for almost every tablet.

      Please make sure you know what your talking about before you write misleading comments.
      http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/googles-decision-to-delay-android-30-code-is-unacceptable/8559
      ryanmc
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

        @ryanmc
        I would think it would be a possibility, at least, that Samsung programmers would have access to Honeycomb source code. (Since they plan on releasing new Honeycomb tablets in a few months)

        If that is the case than there are only two scenarios that make sense. Samsung is really having a hard time adapting Honeycomb to the Galaxy Tab or that Samsung has chosen not to do it, for whatever reason.
        kenosha77a
        Reply Vote

    • Gingerbread and Honeycomb ROMs already available

      @kenosha7777 - your premise is wrong. The Tab was rooted for Gingerbread almost immediately, and a beta Honeycomb ROM has been out for a few weeks now, very close to being considered stable - having been released within a couple of weeks of Honeycomb's availability.<br><br>E.g., <a href="http://www.theandroidsoul.com/android-3-0-honeycomb-galaxy-tab/&rct=j&q=galaxy%20tab%20rooted%20to%20honeycomb&ei=HLqeTa6oCaKM0QGIjq2JBQ&usg=AFQjCNE9HRQ6X_iKZL1PHlHf2O45bqTVVQ&sig2=YpOP7_TvhvIS3Ov-5OAOhw&cad=rjt" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://www.theandroidsoul.com/android-3-0-honeycomb-galaxy-tab/&rct=j&q=galaxy%20tab%20rooted%20to%20honeycomb&ei=HLqeTa6oCaKM0QGIjq2JBQ&usg=AFQjCNE9HRQ6X_iKZL1PHlHf2O45bqTVVQ&sig2=YpOP7_TvhvIS3Ov-5OAOhw&cad=rjt" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.theandroidsoul.com/android-3-0-honeycomb-galaxy-tab/&rct=j&q=galaxy%20tab%20rooted%20to%20honeycomb&ei=HLqeTa6oCaKM0QGIjq2JBQ&usg=AFQjCNE9HRQ6X_iKZL1PHlHf2O45bqTVVQ&sig2=YpOP7_TvhvIS3Ov-5OAOhw&cad=rjt</a></a><br><br>My prediction - it'll take another year or so, but then Android tablets will be in the same position vis-a-vis iPads that Android phones are the iPhone - selling more, still sniped at by iFans, not quite as refined as iPads, but a better value for many people. Humble opinion only.
      daboochmeister
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

    It's hard to believe the experience will beat the iPad. I personally would not like the smaller size.
    pgstocker
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

    This price is a non starter. With the Asus 10.1" tablet starting at $399, a 7" tablet needs to be under $300 to be good. I think the $250 price for the Nook color is almost perfect if it had slightly better hardware. Make the Galaxy Tab $250 and I might buy.
    ryanmc
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

      @ryanmc This is true
      blueskip
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

      @ryanmc The 7" form factor does not necessarily "scale" in price in a linear fashion. The fact is that for me, I would want a 7" tablet to complement my ultra-thin 15" notbook. A 10" tablet is an awkward size (for me), so I would pay up to 75% of a 10" tablet for the "right" 7". I have already bought and rooted a Nook Color, and I find the form factor excellent.
      dimonic
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

    I am prefer to have one without 3G. But for that price they should have made it 32gb instead of 16gb. Still too pricey.
    tommcd64
    Reply Vote

  • Yes, with carrier subsidies.

    If Verizon, or T-Mobile or anyone wants to sell a TON of these while growing their base and/or holding onto customers via 2 year agreements, this is their chance. Here's a sample ad.

    T-Mobile offers the Galaxy Tab for $149 with 2 year tethering agreement. Purchase any Android/Blackberry/Windows mobile phone (with normal subsidy) with the new GTab tether app (or download separately for existing phones) and enjoy.

    Perks for the carrier.
    1) They will sell a boatload of these things.
    2) They help to keep their postpaid customers on their network.
    3) It will directly and extremely successfully compete with Apple.
    BobsYourUnclw
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Is a non-3G Samsung Galaxy Tab attractive at $349?

    I would recommend waiting till the 3rd gen of android. The OS develops and refreshes so rapidly with new features and implementations that a sweet spot would a strong hardware featured tablet that goes against the ipad3. This is only the initial ramp up so I don't think they will do well a la' 1st gen android smart phones.
    The good news is that the increased competition is going to assure that all the companies develop and cater to your needs at a rapid pace.
    Frankly I think they need to compete even harder than they are right now.
    rgor@...
    Reply Vote
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