Earlier in the month, we reported on a rumour that Telstra was set to offer a 4G-capable 8.9in tablet from Samsung to compliment its LTE network.
Telstra has now confirmed that the rumours were true, with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 4G officially launching on its network today.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 4G is an 8.9in Android tablet that comes with a 1280×800-pixel HD display covered in Corning Gorilla Glass. Other highlights include a 1.5GHz dual core processor, 3-megapixel AF camera with inbuilt flash, a 6100 mAh battery and a choice between 16GB and 32GB flash storage.
The device runs on Android 3.2 (AKA Honeycomb) but Telstra has promised it will be upgradable to Android 4.0 "in the future".
“In 4G coverage areas GALAXY Tab 8.9 4G can offer speeds typically reserved for the office which will make it hugely popular with businesses too," claimed Warwick Bray, Executive Director of Telstra Mobile.
Telstra is quoting download speeds of up to 40Mbps for customers on the 4G network and a maximum upload speed of 10Mbps. Our experience with the network has been positive so far. (Read our review of the HTC Velocity 4G).
You can purchase the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 4G on a variety of Telstra plans. The cost of +Telstra's 4G plans currently match its 3G offerings. You can see a list of consumer plans for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 4G in the table below:
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It can also be bought outright for $720 (16GB) or $840 (32GB).
The speed benefits of 4G are a good match for tablets, particularly when it comes to Web browsing. That said,
you need to reside within the network's coverage area to take advantage.
The 4G network is currently available in Australia’s eight capital city CBDs plus around 80 regional and metropolitan centres. (On the plus side, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 boasts 3G dual channel HSPA+ connectivity, which is expected to give a speed boost to customers in 3G-only areas.)
