Samsung Galaxy Tab: A Contract and Price Could Keep iPad on Top

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab could become the biggest threat yet to the Apple iPad.  I know we have seen the same song and dance with the HP Slate, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab is actually going to come to market. The Android based device will be more of a smartphone/tablet computer hybrid – more in line with the Dell Streak.

At the IFA 2010 in Berlin, the Samsung Galaxy Tab was unveiled.  It seems to be coming with a price tag of 759 Euro (according to InformationWeek), which depending on the exchange rate works out to be near or over $1,000.

Of course, the pricing could be the “no strings attached” pricing.  If the tablet is launched on a cell phone carrier, it could come with the subsidies that come with contracts.

However, you can buy a no-strings-attached iPad for as little as about $500 – and a little over $600 if you need the wifi version.  If the Samsung Galaxy Tab comes with a 2 year contract plus a hefty price tag, people may be reluctant to take the leap.

Besides, Tablets are going to evolve quickly over the next couple of years.  Locking yourself into a contract means you are “stuck” with the device you pick for a couple of years.

However, there’s no indication of what the US pricing will be, and what type of carrier arrangement there will be.  The plans may be the “no strings attached” plans we are used to seeing with Apple and AT&T.

The potential iPad killer won’t bring the iPad down from the top if it’s priced too high, or comes with a hefty commitment.  I’d bet that more and more improvements to tablets will come in the next few years, so it’s better not to lock yourself in to a plan for even a year. We will have to see, though – Samsung may surprise us.

Click here to view the Galaxy Tablet teaser video.