Subscribe

A new Galaxy arrives

Christine Greyvenstein
By Christine Greyvenstein, ITWeb journalist.
Johannesburg, 30 Apr 2013
Samsung's latest 7-inch tablet offering is set to take on the iPad Mini and Google's Nexus 7.
Samsung's latest 7-inch tablet offering is set to take on the iPad Mini and Google's Nexus 7.

Samsung yesterday introduced its new 7-inch tablet, the Galaxy Tab 3.

It is the latest addition to Samsung's range of tablets, replacing the Galaxy Tab 2. The Tab 3 is lighter and thinner than its predecessor, and builds on the Korean manufacturer's new design features.

Samsung said in a statement that the Tab 3 WiFi version will be available globally at the beginning of May and the 3G version will follow in June.

The announcement follows a month after Samsung revealed the Samsung Note 8.0, which is expected to be available in SA from next month.

Rivalry

This week, research by Strategy Analytics revealed that global tablet shipments reached an all-time high of 40.6 million units in the first quarter of 2013. Tablet shipments in the first quarter of 2012 were measured at 18.7 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, tablet shipments grew by 74% year-on-year, to reach 46.6 million units.

The Galaxy Tab 3, powered by Android, is set to take on Apple's iPad Mini as well as Google's Nexus 7.

When looking at tablet market share, Apple has been the top seller worldwide since the launch of its iPad in 2010, but ABI Research suggests the landscape is changing. Mobile devices senior practice director at ABI, Jeff Orr, says while the tide is definitely turning towards Android tablets, Apple will not go down without a fight.

"The iPad Mini was a timely introduction in 2012, though ABI Research remains cautious about the bottom line impact this is having for Apple. The first quarter of 2013 should be the first time where production was able to meet market demand, and a better sense of how much 9.7-inch iPad volume has switched to the smaller, lower-cost mini will be understood," says Orr.

Apple is expecting to ship 55 million iPad Mini devices in 2013, while Google doesn't reveal sales figures for its Nexus 7.

Specifications

The 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3 is powered by a 1.2GHz Dual Core processor with either eight or 16GB of internal storage, plus up to 64GB of expandable memory with microSD. It has a WSVGA (1 024 x 600, 169 PPI) TFT display with 1080p Full HD playback.

It is equipped with a 3MP camera rear camera and 1.3MP camera in the front of the device. The gadget runs on the latest Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and has a built-in GPS.

Samsung could not immediately confirm whether the Galaxy Tab 3 would be heading to South Africa.

Share