Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 Release Date and Specs: July 7 for $399, Here's Why You Shouldn't Care

Samsung will unleash a new line of tablets upon Americans in a couple weeks with an update to its popular Galaxy Tab series. For those interested in the largest variant, the one with the 10.1-inch display, here's what to expect.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1-inch model will go on sale July 7 in the United States for the price of $399. If that sounds like a deal, it sure is, when compared to Apple's iPad, which sports a 9.7-inch Retina display and starts at $499. Bear in mind that there are Android tablets, such as the Google-endorsed Samsung Nexus 10 tablet, which cost $399 as well.

For $399, one can expect a full-sized Android tablet with the complete Samsung user interface experience. Samsung describes it as the "perfect tablet for the entire family" due to its media capabilities, and the tablet comes in at a time when there's been a relative lull - neither Google or Apple, the two other big players in the tablet market here in the United States, have announced any next-gen tablets. 

That all sounds great, until you get into the tablet's nitty gritty.

Underneath the Android 4.2 operating system installed onboard, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1-inch tablet sports an Intel 1.6GHz dual-core processor, a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera, and 1GB RAM. The display runs at a resolution of 1280X800. If none of these specs sound incredible, other than an Intel chipset in a new Samsung tablet, it's because they aren't. 

The Google Nexus 10 has a 10-inch display and  a resolution of 2560 x 1600, basically twice as good as the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1. The Nexus 10 also sports twice as much RAM and is guranteed to get Android updates far before the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 does.

All in all, if one is looking for an Android tablet for $400, there are definitely better options out there. If one is looking for the latest Samsung tablet running Android 4.2 for $400, only then the Galaxy Tab 10.1 becomes an option. There simply isn't enough spec-wise, considering the gimmicky nature of manufacturer user interfaces (tricks the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 can do: be used as a T.V. remote), to warrant this tablet a must buy.

Let us know if you decide to pick up a Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 and why in the comments section below.