In order to compete against its main rival – the common enemy Apple iPad 2, Samsung has officially announced the upcoming launch of its new Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (with 8.9-inch display) and redesigned Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (with 10.1-inch display) Android 3.0 Honeycomb-powered tablets, which the Korean company claim as the world’s thinnest mobile tablets (both are just 8.6mm thick – thinner than new iPad 2). Both of the Galaxy Tab tablets feature the same 1GHz dual-core application processor, WXGA (1280 x 800 pixels) touchscreen display, 3-megapixel AF camera with LED flash and HD video capture, 2MP front-facing camera, Readers Hub, Music Hub, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity, Samsung TouchWiz UX user interface, Quickoffice HD Editor, Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, HSPA+ network support and Adobe Flash Player 10.2 support.


“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,” commented JK Shin, President and Head for 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.”

The new redesigned Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (Wi-Fi only) which measures 256.6 x 172.9 x 8.6 mm and weighs at 595 grams will be available starting June 8 for an MSRP of $499 (16GB) and $599 (32GB). While Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (WiFi version) which measures 230.9 x 157.8 x 8.6 mm and weighs just 470 grams is expected to hit the market in early-summer 2011 for $469 (16GB) and $569 (32GB).