Samsung Galaxy Tab 3: 10.1 and 8 Inch Models Announced, 8 Inch's Specs Better?

Samsung has already announced a 7-inch device in the Galaxy Tab 3 series, and now it is officially adding an 8-inch and 10.1-inch model to the mix. The South Korean technology giant revealed the full line up of its next-generation Galaxy tablet Monday, along with specs and features.

Rumors had been going around before that Samsung was working on an 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3 and a 10.1-inch version, and it looks like they were well-founded. Samsung has announced that the Galaxy Tab 3 series of tablets will be released globally in the beginning of this month, promising customers "various ways to view, listen, create, and share meaningful events and special content" with their friends and family.

Both new Galaxy Tab 3 devices will run Android Jelly Bean 4.2, along with Samsung specific apps and services, and both displays will support 1280 x 800p HD max resolution. The 8-inch variant will be powered by a 1.5GHz dual core processor assisted by 1.5GB RAM. It will be powered by a healthy 4,450 mAh battery.

The 10.1-inch version of the Galaxy Tab 3 will have a 1.6GHz dual core processor with 1GB RAM, and will run on a 6,800 mAh battery. Both versions will have an optional 16GB or 32GB internal storage with expansion of up to 64GB through a microSD card slot. Both will also feature Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G or 4G LTE connectivity.

Interestingly enough, the 8-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 looks to be the better offering of the two; despite a smaller screen size, it will pack 189 pixels per inch (ppi) resolution compared to the 10.1-inch's 149 ppi. That puts the 8-inch Tab 3 in competition with the current generation of the iPad mini with its 163 ppi, though, according to theNextWeb, the Nexus 7 still beats it in the display game with 216 ppi.

Additionally, the 8-inch model will come with a 5 megapixel main camera, while the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 3 will only have a 3 megapixel primary shooter. (Both will have a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera.) All of this, and the 8-inch tab is just under a half-a-pound lighter than its 10.1-inch cousin.

No details on the pricing or exact release date has been set for the new Galaxy Tab 3 additions, but check back with us for more information as it becomes available.