Recent rumours have pointed to Samsung making a new push into the entry-level smartphone and tablet space with a number of Lite versions of current devices. Among them is the Galaxy Tab 3 Lite which could sell as low as €100 (about CA$145). Details have now emerged about possible specifications for what would be Samsung’s cheapest tablet to date if that price holds true.
Pulling together information from a number of sources, it looks like the Galaxy Tab 3 Lite, with model number SM-T110 for the Wi-Fi model and SM-T111 for the 3G variant, will come with a Cortex A9 processor-based processor with an undetermined number of cores running at 1.2GHz, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, and a 7-inch WSVGA (1024×600) display. In fact, the original Galaxy Tab 3 runs similar specifications with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor but an older version of Android. It is already a pretty bare bones device with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of onboard storage and rear 3MP and 1.3 front cameras.
Component prices have likely dropped since the original Galaxy Tab 3 was announced but have they dropped enough for Samsung to leave specifications relatively unchanged and still push the price down by about 20%? If not, what components will Samsung downgrade to meet this price point?
Samsung could simply replace the Galaxy Tab 3 with a relatively unchanged Lite model in its device portfolio and at the same time unveil a new Galaxy Tab 3, think a 2014 Edition like it did with the Galaxy Note 10.1 earlier, alongside with upgraded specifications. It would certainly explain the need for a Lite designation.
With a launch expected in the first weeks of January, all may be revealed very soon.
I’m a big fan of Samsung devices and this tablet is a huge disappointment. The short story is that it falls short on almost every relevant front. If interested I blogged about it here: http://blog.vimware.com/2013/10/samsung-galaxy-tab-3-move-on-nothing-to.html