Galaxy Tab 2 Specs: New 7-Inch Samsung Slate To Run Android 'Ice Cream Sandwich'

Will Samsung's new Galaxy Tab 2 prove that good things really do come in small packages?

According to a company press release published on February 13, the 7-inch followup to Samsung's Android-powered line of Galaxy tablets will go on sale in March. The new device is Samsung's first to run Google's latest Android 4.0 operating system, commonly referred to as Ice Cream Sandwich.

The next generation of Samsung's Galaxy Tab will feature a redesigned user interface with a new app gallery layout, embedded Google applications, a Face Unlock feature that employs facial recognition software, and access to a wide variety of multimedia through Samsung Hub services.

According to CNET, the Galaxy Tab 2 will also be the first out of all Samsung mobile devices to feature its AllShare Play service, which enables users to stream media to their tablet from a PC, Samsung smartphone, or cloud drive.

Other features include a front-facing VGA webcam and rear-facing 3-magapixel webcam; options for 8GB, 16G and 32GB storage, plus 1GB RAM; plus a bodyweight of 0.76 pounds, per Samsung's release.

TechCrunch reports that the device's processor is slightly slower than its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, which was released near the end of 2011. According to Tech Crunch, the Galaxy Tab 2 is built around a 1 GHz dual-core processor, while the older version features a 1.2 GHz processor.

The device will launch in the U.K. first and should be released around the world soon after. As for pricing, Sammy Hub has obtained price tag information for Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Depending on the country, an 8GB Galaxy Tab 2 with WiFi-only will likely be priced between $420 and $460. 3G units are priced above $520.

Samsung's Galaxy Nexus smartphone was the first Android smartphone to ship with Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) already up and running on the device. Some of Samsung other devices, however, have only recently received ICS or are still awaiting an update.The Samsung Nexus S phone, for example, just received this latest version of the Android OS in December, and The Next Web reports that both the Galaxy S II and the Galaxy Note are slated to upgrade to ICS as early as March 1. Unfortunately, both the original 7-inch Galaxy Tab tabet and the Galaxy S smartphone will not be receiving a full update to ICS. According to ComputerWorld, the following popular Samsung tablets will be getting ICS upgrades sometime in the next few months: Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Comments

[Rendy Bee Mulyono]

12:00 PM on 02/15/2012

Yawn. When will people realize that new laptops and android tablets are so boring...

[Clarity22]

11:15 AM on 02/15/2012

Okay...I'm putting it out there. If Android cleaned up the security, battery life and sandboxed the apps I'd have one + my iPhone. Each device offers different aspects which suits each indivdual tastes. I liked the freedom and ability to customize on the Android but didn't enjoy it wiping out my information. So to each his/her own.

[RattleCat]

07:27 AM on 02/15/2012

It looked really good until the "8GB Galaxy Tab 2 with WiFi-only will likely be priced between $420 and $460."  Thats way too much for a 7".  For another $40 you can get a 10".  And for $200 less there are still nice 7" options.

[JackHoffman]

04:01 AM on 02/15/2012

They work well when chopping up some rails.

[LemonMeringue]

01:52 AM on 02/15/2012

Samsung buys parts from Foxconn. But then they all do.

[fabfreddie]

12:17 AM on 02/15/2012

Blackberry's Playbook runs circles around this and all other tablets, for a much better price to boot.

[LemonMeringue]

01:50 AM on 02/15/2012

The apps haven't kept up at all with the competition.

[gthnk]

07:03 AM on 02/15/2012

this month the PB will open up to the andriod market place, although with de-branded apps. Should change the functionality of the PB by a wide margin.

[PhillyKing]

10:45 AM on 02/15/2012

RIM released a tablet that couldn't even do anything without being tethered to a BB phone.. no active-sync, no calendar, no apps etc... but u BB addicts keep touting about how it 'runs circles' around (insert name of competitor).... get over it... they screwed the pooch... so did HP... nokia's following right behind them as well.. either give consumers what they want or see urself go out of business.

[Tyrone Saul]

08:54 PM on 02/14/2012

never going to buy this thing, maybe when they file for bankruptcy protection and catch that firesale.

[elicourey]

07:56 PM on 02/14/2012

I want the one with the WiFis and bigger GeeBees

[stopgeorge]

07:13 PM on 02/14/2012

Wake me up when it's a well designed hybrid.

[nowpolitics]

05:57 PM on 02/14/2012

Overpriced. A 7-incher should be in sub $300 price range to be competitive.

[Clarity22]

05:35 PM on 02/14/2012

My son came home yesterday with a $721.00 Samsung Galaxy Nexus, needless to say today he is back to his iPhone 4S!!

[miamorphos]

06:02 PM on 02/14/2012

You're happy about that kind of erratic behavior? I'm hoping he has a job or supports himself somehow. Buying a grannyphone after spending money on a good Samsung? The indecency!

[Clarity22]

06:11 PM on 02/14/2012

LOL! Na, he returned the 'good' Samsung and is back to enjoying the 'complete package' iPhone. You know the battery life on Androids are hideous, along with security issues and malware...

[Clarity22]

06:16 PM on 02/14/2012

I say this because I've had an Optimus One, Samsung Galaxy and Nexus. So you can see where the erratic behaviour has come from :D

[PhillyKing]

11:00 AM on 02/15/2012

he should have gone with the SGS2 not the nexus... and there's no way the battery life is the reason as the 4s is horrendous... the 4 was better

[Clarity22]

11:10 AM on 02/15/2012

I'm in full agreement with you...regarding the battery life ;)

[Flight]

05:07 PM on 02/14/2012

As with phones, can't keep up with the ever-changing market on the tabs either.

[TheNewShadeofBlue]

04:58 PM on 02/14/2012

The 420 to 520 price tag puts this waaaay out of my expectations for a 7 inch device.

[accordingtoxen]

05:16 PM on 02/14/2012

Agreed - and here I was thinking that the iPad 2 is hardly worth its price.

[Cael]

04:33 PM on 02/14/2012

wow, overpriced big time. Are they clued out to what is happening in the market with 7 inch?

[theveggiedude]

04:01 PM on 02/14/2012

If it supports full 24-bit colour than yes, it will be the first of its kind. iPad had it on day one.

[PhillyKing]

11:03 AM on 02/15/2012

did ipad also have flash/sd card/hdmi out/drag & drop from day 1? or yet?? nope?? move along fanboi... when will u learn to stop parroting ur fanboi talking points that are so easy to dismiss?

[theveggiedude]

02:49 PM on 02/15/2012

No they didn't, but then, they did not advertise that they did. Your point?