Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs Motorola Droid Xyboard 10.1: Ten Inch Tablet War

Even though Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 came out in the summer, it holds up well to the newly released Droid Xyboard from Motorola. That helps explain why the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is about $50 less than Xyboard 10.1, but that number improves in Samsung's favor when you don't included the Verizon subsidy for the Xyboard. Off-contract, Xyboard is $700, and that is a chunk of change for a device that is the same size as the Galaxy Tab, runs the same software and is even a little bit heavier. Xyboard does have a better camera than Galaxy Tab, its battery lasts a bit longer and its processor is a bit faster. The devices offer a bit of a different feel physically as well. The Galaxy Tab has pretty comfortable to hold round corners and a plastic body. Droid Xyboard has an aluminum back with rubber edges, and the corners are not rounded instead going for a chopped corner look like the Droid Razr.

Additionally, whether you think it's an important feature or not, the Xyboard even comes with a stylus. So there are a few features that distinguish the devices, but now consumers have to decide how much those extra Xyboard features are worth. While it offers plenty of features, including 4G speeds if you buy the data plan, the price is high. It's a high price in general, but also relative to Galaxy Tab 10.1 that is pretty similar overall.

Most people won't miss the 4G speeds, but that means you have to get the off contract version for $700. That's too much, so the Galaxy Tab wins this tablet war. It might be a closer fight if it were known when these devices will get the Android 4.0 update. If it were the case that Xyboard was known to be getting the update well before the Galaxy Tab, then it would be more of tough call. Because there is still no official word on when any tablets will get the update, it doesn't come into play. Tell us in the comments if you're anxious to unwrap a new tablet this holiday season.