On Tuesday Samsung introduced the Galaxy Tab 3, the 7-inch successor to the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 tablet that was released in April 2012. This new model will feature a thinner bezel than the previous model, measuring just 9.9-mm compared to the former tablet's 10.5-mm thickness. A Wi-Fi version will be made available globally beginning in May, and a 3G version will follow in June.
The specs reveal that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 will sport a dual-core SoC clocked at 1.2 GHz – possibly the 32-nm Exynos 4212 which has two ARM Cortex-A9 cores clocked between 1.2 GHz and 1.4 GHz. The former tablet has an OMAP4430 with two Cortex-A9 cores clocked at 1.0 GHz, but the company seems to be moving away from third-party SoC solutions.
In addition to the SoC, the new tablet will have a 7-inch TFT WSVGA screen with a 1024 x 600 resolution (169 PPI), a 3MP camera on the back and a 1MP camera on the front. Storage will consist of either 8 GB or 16 GB of internal space, and up to 64 GB of additional space via a microSD card slot. The tablet will also have 1 GB of RAM, backed by Google's Android 4.1 "Jelly Bean" OS.
As for connectivity, the tablet will have a dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n component, meaning it will have access to both the 2.4 GHz (300 Mbps max) and 5.0 GHz network bands (450 Mbps max). The tablet will also support WiFi Channel Bonding, WiFi Direct, and include Bluetooth 3.0 and USB 2.0 connections. For the 3G model, the tablet will support HSPA＋21 / 5.76 Quad 850/900/1900/2100 (3G) and EDGE/GPRS Quad 850/900/1800/1900 (2G) networks.
Samsung said the Galaxy Tab 3 will come packed with Google's typical Mobile Services, the company's own ChatON mobile communication service, and both Samsung Kies and Samsung Kies Air which allows the user to backup and/or transfer data onto a PC or Mac, manage media files, install firmware and so on. Of course there's Samsung Apps for installing specific Android apps offered by Samsung, and the Samsung Hub.
"With the new Galaxy' Tab 3, Samsung has evolved its range of innovative tablets, making them smaller and easier to carry, while increasing the user experience overall," the company said. "Its compact, one-hand grip form factor ensures users can hold comfortably for hours as well as store in a pocket or small bag for reading and entertainment on the go."
Samsung didn't reveal how much the Galaxy Tab 3 will retail when it begins to arrive this month, but currently the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with 8 GB of storage and Wi-Fi only retails for $199.99 USD (Titanium Silver) and $219.99 (Garnet Red).