We wondered what we could expect from the second iteration of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, both in specs and naming convention. To a certain degree, our fears were confirmed today, in an announcement just ahead of Mobile World Congress. Having christened the latest iteration of the 7" variant the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), we are now blessed with the Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1). While not the most elegant naming convention, we do appreciate the consistency. Aside from the name we got some press shots that reveal an obvious landscape bias with larger speakers flanking the 10.1" screen, though chassis width is unaffected. The Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) powered Tab 2 (10.1) is a touch more than a milimeter thicker (9.7 mm) than its predecessor, which is a bit of a surprise given that the original 10.1 was designed to one-up the iPad 2 in thickness at just 8.6 mm. 

It is likely that the entire Galaxy Tab 2 will share the same, still unidentified, hardware platform; a 1.0 GHz dual-core SoC powers both the Tab 2 (7.0) and Tab 2 (10.1). These specs are quite similar to the Tegra 2 platform that powered the original Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the 10.1" screen is likely the same PLS panel from the original. Pair the relatively modest specs (in comparison to say the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime) and the rumors of a new 10.1" Galaxy Note with a ultra-high density display and a next-generation SoC, and it's likely that the Tab 2 line is being set-up as a lower priced, mainstream line. With component prices for the first generation of Android tablets coming down, we can expect this sort of stratification from all of the tablet OEMs in the next few months. If that's the case, then the Tab 2 line might not wow us with its performance, but it might make a compelling bargain purchase for those users that haven't tested the waters of the tablet market yet.

Tablet Specification Comparison
  Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Apple iPad 2 ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime
Dimensions 256.6 x 175.3 x 9.7mm 256.6 x 172.9 x 8.6mm 241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8mm 263 x 180.8 x 8.3mm
Display 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 PLS 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 PLS 9.7-inch 1024 x 768 IPS 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 Super IPS+
Weight 588g 565g 601g 586g
Processor 1GHz Dual-core SoC 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 (2 x Cortex A9) 1GHz Apple A5 (2 x Cortex A9) 1.3GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 (4 x Cortex A9)
Memory 1GB 1GB 512MB 1GB
Storage 16GB/32GB + microSD slot 16GB 16GB 32GB/64GB + microSD slot
Pricing $??? $499 $499 $499/$599
 

Aside from the fleshed out Tab 2 line, Samsung also introduced a new phone to the Galaxy family, the Galaxy Beam. The specifications are pedestrian at best: 1.0 GHz dual-core SoC, 4.0" WVGA (800x480) TFT display, 5MP camera and running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). What makes this a unique proposition is the microprojector contained within. Touted as providing a "high-definition" image at up to 50 inches, we were surprised to see that no detailed specifications on the projector unit were provided. Rumors that microprojectors would be the next big thing in phones have permeated the industry for a few years, this might finally be the year. We'll hopefully have some hands-on time with the device to flesh out some details. What we do know is that the phone is chunky at 12.5 mm, owing in large part to the projector, and that a substantial 7.4 Whr (2000 mAh) battery will keep your vacation slide shows rolling, untethered. 

MWC hasn't even started yet, so we'll have plenty more announcements to come. Stay tuned. 

Source: Samsung (1), (2)

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  • medi01 - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link

    Glad to see SD slot has returned.
  • flyguy29 - Friday, March 2, 2012 - link

    samsung giving in to pricing oressure and the crticism of cooyin Apple with the purposeful removal of sd card slots, mimicing thinness and proprietry 30pin. Reacting to the Kindle Fire to reinstate the SD card reader, not worrying abou thinness (maybe they are still mimicing Apple with the rumor of a thickness bump in iPad3), and lowering price (hopefully down to $299 for the 10.1), may be Samsung's hope to react to what consumers want: value over sexiness.

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