Seoul, Korea – Samsung set second-quarter worldwide availability for its Galaxy Tab4 series of Android tablets, which will have Wi-Fi and 4G LTE versions and will replace the Tab3 series.
The fourth-generation Tab series, like the Tab3 series, consists of three models with 10.1-inch, 8-inch and 7-inch screen sizes with 16:1- aspect ratio. Each will be available in black or white. U.S. prices and ship dates weren’t announced.
Last year, the Wi-Fi-only versions of the Tab 3 series were launched in the U.S. at $199, $299, and $399. Only the Tab 3 7.0 was available in an LTE versions in the U.S. They ran on the Sprint and AT&T networks.
Compared to their predecessors, the new models add Android 4.4 OS, quad-core CPUs instead of dual-core CPUs, thinner bezels, lighter weight, and a capacitive recent-apps button below the touchscreen for easier multitasking and quick app switching, a spokesman said. The recent-apps button was introduced on the Note Pro and Tab Pro step-up tablets announced earlier this year and also on the Galaxy S5 smartphone.
Each of the three new models sports 1.2GHz quad-core processor, whereas the Tab 3 7.0 featured 1.2GHz dual core, the Tab 3 8.0 featured 1.5GHz dual core, and the Tab 3 10.1 featured 1.6GHz dual core.
In other upgrades, RAM and screen resolution go up in select Tab4 models, and the simultaneous display of two apps at a time expands to all models from one model.
In the Tab3 series, only the 8.0 lets users display two apps at a time in separate windows. Also in the Tab3 line, the 7.0 and 10.1 models featured 1GB RAM, and the 8.0 model featured 1.5GB RAM. But in the Tab4 series, all models feature 1.5GB RAM.
In the Tab3 line, the 8.0 and 10.1 models had 1,280 by 800 screens, and the 7.0 had 1,024 by 600 resolution. In the Tab 4 series, however, all three feature 1,280 by 800 WXGA resolution.
Here’s how each new model stacks up:
The Tab4 10.1 features 16GB storage, 64GB microSD Card slot, 6,800mAh battery, 3- and 1.3-megapixel cameras, 1080p 30fps video recording, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n , Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, GPS. BT4.0, USB2.0 and GPS.
The Tab 4 8.0 and 7.0 offer the same features but with a 4,450mAh battery.
