Samsung denies rumors of design change
Despite the CEO calling the device "inadequate" Samsung denies it is changing the design. Samsung

Consumers and journalists weren't the only ones impressed by Apple's announcement of the iPad 2. Rival tablet execs were stunned as well.

Samsung mobile division vice president Lee Don-joo told Yonhap News that the announcement of the iPad 2 has made his company reevaluate their approach to the Galaxy Tab. Lee said Apple's decision to slim down the iPad from 0.5 inches to 0.4 would force Samsung to follow suit. We will have to improve the parts that are inadequate. Apple made it very thin, Lee said.

Lee was surprisingly candid in his assessment of how the Galaxy Tab was shaping up compared to the iPad 2.

Pricing was particularly important. The 10-inch [Galaxy Tab] was to be priced higher than the 7-inch [Galaxy Tab] but we will have to think that over, Lee added.

The seven-inch Galaxy Tab 7 costs $549, fifty dollars more than the cheapest model of the iPad. Though no price has been announced the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is expected to cost around $1,000.

Keeping tablet prices competitive has been a major hurdle for iPad competitors. Motorola's Xoom, which was released Feb. 24, runs for $799 without a carrier subsidy. Samsung has had a similar inability to offer a tablet cheaper than the iPad. Its Galaxy Tab tops even the most expensive iPad model.

Issues of pricing will continue for Samsung ahead of its rumored announcement of an 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab, which will be in the same screen size class as Apple's iPad.

To contact the reporter responsible for this story call (646) 461 7294 or email r.bilton@ibtimes.com.

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