CTIA 2011: Samsung unveils Galaxy Tab 8.9 and Tab 10.1

As expected, Samsung today unveiled its latest tablet, the Galaxy Tab 8.9, at CTIA 2011. It also announced plans to launch the Galaxy Tab 10.1, first unveiled at CES 2011, in the US. Both are billed as “the world’s thinnest mobile tablets,” measuring just 8.6 millimeters.

“The GALAXY Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are remarkable examples of Samsung’s constant innovation and show our dedication to designing premium tablets that fit the unique needs of consumers around the world”, said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “By combining Samsung’s innovations in design and display with our exciting new user experience, we’ve created a new class of products that will lead the tablet market.”

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 specifications:

  • Processor: Dual-core 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2
  • Operating system: Google Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) with TouchWiz UX
  • Cellular connectivity: Quad-band GSM/EDGE/GPRS / Quad-band HSPA+
  • Other connectivity: 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
  • Display: 10.1-inch WXGA capacitive touchscreen
  • Storage: 16G / 32G / 64G and microSD cards up to 32GB
  • Rear-facing camera: 3.0MP with auto-focus, LED flash and HD 720p video capture
  • Front-facing camera: 2.0MP
  • Battery: 6800mAh
  • Dimensions / weight: 256.6 x 172.9 x 8.6 millimeters / 595 grams
  • Other: Gyroscope, accelerometer, digital compass, ambient light sensor

Despite claims to the contrary, the Tab 10.1 has been slimmed down considerably. Dimensions announced at CES indicated that it would be 10.9 millimeters thick. The rear-facing camera has also been reduced from 8MP to a 3MP one.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 specifications:

  • Processor: Dual-core 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2
  • Operating system: Google Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) with TouchWiz UX
  • Cellular connectivity: Quad-band GSM/EDGE/GPRS / Quad-band HSPA+
  • Other connectivity: 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0
  • Display: 8.9-inch WXGA capacitive touchscreen
  • Storage: 16G / 32G / 64G and microSD cards up to 32GB
  • Rear-facing camera: 3.0MP with auto-focus, LED flash and HD 720p video capture
  • Front-facing camera: 2.0MP
  • Battery: 6000mAh
  • Dimensions / weight: 230.9 x 157.8 x 8.6 millimeters / 470 grams

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will go on sale in the US on June 8th and the Tab 8.9 will follow in “early summer”. The Tab 10.1 will sell for US$499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi-only model and US$599 for the 32GB one. The Galaxy Tab 8.9 will sell for US$469 for the 16GB Wi-Fi-only version and US$569 for the 32GB version.

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