Samsung has modest ambitions vs Apple tablet

Samsung may have only modest ambitions for the Galaxy Tab despite its being setup as an iPad rival, part suppliers contended on Friday. They estimated for DigiTimes that initial production of the Android tablet sits at 100,000 per month, or less than a tenth of Apple's sales rate. Over 3.27 million iPads were sold just in the spring and is likely to increase as international reach and holiday demand picks up.

While it would have modest expectations, Samsung is nonetheless thought to be worried about the iPad's effect on netbooks and to be focusing more on tablet development as a way of shoring up falling netbook sales in Europe. ASUS is already believed to be facing a similar effect and has lowered Eee PC production, possibly as a direct reaction.

Unofficially, the suppliers believed the Galaxy Tab was a preemptive strike against a seven-inch iPad rather than a direct attempt to counter the 10-inch original. The Galaxy Tab uses a seven-inch screen from the start and is likely to compare to a Wi-Fi iPad in price even with 3G and dual cameras.

By Electronista Staff