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Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZW) said it will begin selling the 4G LTE Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 July 28, becoming the first provider of a 4G-powered Samsung tablet.
Verizon is selling the 4G LTE Tab 10.1, which is slightly thinner and lighter than Apple’s iPad 2 at 8.6 millimeters and 1.25 pounds, in two models. The 16GB model costs $529.99 and the 32GB model is $629.99, both on two-year contracts.
The data plans Tab 10.1 buyers may choose from are: $30 a month for up to 2GB; $50 a month for 5GB; or the heftier $80 a month for 10GB for power users.
Customers may choose to buy the Android 3.1 “Honeycomb” based slates in metallic gray or glossy white from Verizon stores and Website.
The Galaxy Tab is powered by a 1 GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor along with a 3 megapixel rear-facing camera and 2 megapixel front-facing camera for video chat. The slate also offers 1080p HD video playback.
The version eWEEK tested was speedy enough, powered by WiFi and Verizon’s 3G network via the Samsung mobile broadband hotspot Verizon sells.
Verizon claims its 4G LTE network is 10 times faster than its existing 3G network. The carrier said customers can expect download speeds of 5-12M bps and upload speeds of 2-5M bps in any of its 100-plus 4G coverage areas.
It will be interesting to hear how the 4G model does; no doubt some prospective Honeycomb tablet buyers have been waiting for a faster tablet than what is currently offered.
The question is whether this is enough to make the Tab 10.1 a hit. No Honeycomb tablet has rocked any retail stores or Websites to date.
Verizon is also offering Galaxy Tab 10.1 buyers a free $25 Samsung Media Hub credit for TV program purchases. The Media Hub lets customers play back TV and movies on their TV through an HDMI adapter.
Verizon is also selling a 16GB WiFi-only Tab 10.1 July 28 for $499.99, though this device will only come in metallic gray. T-Mobile sells two WiFi Galaxy Tab 10.1 models that run $499 for the 16GB version and $599 for the 32GB version.