Over the past few weeks, rumors abounded that Samsung was preparing to launch a full-sized 10.1-inch tablet version of its Galaxy Note 5.3-inch hybrid smartphone / tablet device. Alas, during Mobile World Congress the company unveiled the Galaxy Note 10.1, which is essentially a larger version of the latter device with the same stylus-based input functionality.

On the surface, one might expect that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1-inch and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1-inch are the exact same device, with one featuring S-Pen stylus support. What we've learned, however, is that the Galaxy Note is actually a faster device.



As a comparison, the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 features a 1280x800 display, a 1.0GHz dual-core Samsung Exynos Cortex A9, 1GB of RAM, a 3-megapixel rear camera and up to 32GB of internal storage. On the other hand, the Galaxy Note 10.1 features a 1280x800 display, a 1.40GHz dual-core Samsung Exynos Cortex A9, 1GB of RAM, a 3-megapixel rear camera, S-Pen support, Wi-Fi channel bonding for better Wi-Fi performance on supported routers and up to 64GB of internal storage.



While both new tablets run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is equipped with Samsung's TouchWiz UI and a number of optimizations for the S-Pen, including shortcuts to bring up the S-Notes app. Based on initial reports, the tablet "feels" like a Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 fused with Galaxy Note functionality. As stated best by The Verge, however, "the hard task for Samsung will be to convince the iPad-buying public that what they really want in a tablet is a stylus."