Samsung Electronics Co. will launch a WiFi-only version of the Galaxy Tab in the domestic market, which is one-third cheaper than its predecessor, the company said.
Samsung Electronics started to receive pre-orders for the WiFi-only Galaxy Tab at the price of 600,000 won ($536) this week through its online Web site and retail shops in Korea. It did not disclose the launch date.
The WiFi-only version has the identical specifications as the Galaxy Tab tablet computer except that it lacks connectivity to the cellular network. It cannot make voice calls or send text messages through cellular networks but has access to the Internet through WiFi networks.
Samsung’s first Galaxy Tab, which made a global debut in October last year, costs about $900 without a two-year contract from mobile operators. Samsung sold 2 million Galaxy Tab computers to mobile operators as of January. Pricing has been among the sticking points for the Korean company lately, after Apple Inc. announced last week the iPad 2 with upgraded features while keeping the same starting price at $499.
Samsung’s second generation of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, unveiled in February, is widely expected to be priced higher than the iPad 2. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 sports a larger screen, a lighter body and a faster processor than its earlier, 7-inch model. Market watchers said that the iPad 2’s competitive price may be pressuring Samsung to reconsider its strategy of putting a higher price tag for its latest tablet, which is larger and costs more materials than the earlier Galaxy Tab.
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