Samsung Galaxy Tab hits big Australian retailers – can it challenge the iPad?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab will finally reach the mainstream Australian market today as Optus begins selling the gadget through its outlets and Harvey Norman stores, after months of fierce court battles against iPad maker Apple.

Although the gadget has been available through online portals and some other stores for the past two weeks since the company was given the legal go-ahead to sell, the distribution through Optus and Harvey Norman is sure to put the gadget finally into the mainstream market.

But what exactly is the Galaxy Tab, the tablet device that had Apple accusing Samsung of patent infringement?

The Galaxy Tab itself has a 10.1 inch screen, weighs only 565 grams and is 8.66 millimetresthick – giving it a striking resemblance to the iPad. It’s also powered by a 1Ghz dual-core Nvidia, chip, and comes in either 3G or Wi-Fi.

The device itself has cornered edges, a plastic backing and a strong glass front. Software wise, the device runs on Android, but early reports indicate it runs incredibly smoothly. It also comes with some pre-installed software, such as Polaris Office 3.0 so users able to edit documents right out of the box, while they will also be able to access the Android market as usual.

It’s important to note this version of the Galaxy Tab is slightly different than some versions released in other countries. But early reports indicate the device is a winner.

Over at CNET, the publication praises the design of the device and its performance, nothing that actually using the device is a “pleasant” experience. It also praised battery life, noting that it could use the gadget for two days under heavy usage – although said the iPad 2 was better for video files.

At Gizmodo, the publication also praised Samsung for including some software such as the Polaris Office suite, and also praised the user interface, saying the inclusion of the TouchWiz UX makes the OS look “much better”. It notes the inclusion of Live Panel widgets which show off information such as weather and shortcuts for other apps.

However, both publications have noted some disappointments, including the lack of a full-size USB port and a micro-USB port, and the plastic backing, which can feel a little cheap.

It was also pointed out that despite this being one of the best Android devices on the market, it may be surpassed by competition at next year’s CES, with more quad-core tablets appearing likely to use newer versions of Android.

And although the Optus deals are quite cheap – they range from $19-79 per month with as much as 16GB of data – Samsung may have been forced to wait too long to make a significant dent in the market before Christmas. While it may be the best Android tablet on the market, it may not stay that way for long.

The price itself – at $579 for Wi-Fi and $729 for a 16GB 3G version – is also a premium for an Android-based device.

Telsyte research director Foad Fadaghi told SmartCompany earlier this month that despite Samsung winning the right to sell the tablet, it may face more competition than first feared.

“A full priced Galaxy Tab may still find the market challenging with regard to some of its discounted competition. There’s a lot more going on in the market right now, and it’s more complicated than just Apple versus Samsung,” he said.