Samsung Galaxy Tablet

The Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy Tab -- an Android 2.2 Froyo tablet -- will cost less at the cash register than the competing Verizon Wireless version, but comes with a two-year, $30 or $60 monthly contract.

Sprint is going to sell the Tab subsidized at $400. In order to get that price, customers will have to choose one of two plans. The 3G Tablet Mobile Broadband Plans cost either $30 for 2GB of data, or $60 for 5GB of data. That amounts to about $720 or $1440 over the course of two years (before taxes and fees).

By way of comparison, Verizon Wireless announced that it will sell the Galaxy Tab for $600 with no contract. It is offering a month-to-month data plan that offers 1GB for $20 per month. Customers who purchase the Galaxy Tab from Verizon will have no obligations, and will own the device outright from the start.

Some quick math shows is that the Sprint Tab will cost a minimum of $1120 over a two-year span ($400 + $720), while the Verizon Tab will cost $1080 over two-years ($600 + $480) if they choose the $20 monthly plan. It would appear to almost be a wash, however, Verizon users can ditch the $20 plan at any time if they aren't using it and find enough access with Wi-Fi alone.

UPDATE: Sprint said that it will also sell a no-contract version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab for $600.

Sprint also announced that -- for an additional $30 per month -- the Galaxy Tab can act as a mobile hotspot and allow up to five other devices tether to the mobile internet. All of the plans include unlimited text and picture messaging.

"Samsung Galaxy Tab is another Android innovation for Sprint, adding a new category of wireless devices to the Sprint portfolio," said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development, Sprint, in a prepared statement. "Samsung Galaxy Tab is a powerful entertainment device and business tool that offers our customers high-end features, including a blazing-fast processor, beautiful touchscreen for watching videos and Web browsing, two cameras, video chat capabilities and access to the Sprint 3G network with affordable rate plans that let customers take advantage of the advanced data capabilities their device offers."

The Samsung Galaxy Tab, which was announced in September, runs Android 2.2 Froyo, has a 1GHz processor on board, Adobe Flash Player Mobile 10.1, a seven-inch touch display, and dual cameras. It also has Samsung's AllShare service, which wirelessly shares stored music, pictures and HD-like video (720p) to other DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) home electronics, including HDTVs, monitors, digital cameras and printers.

Perhaps the biggest shame is that the Sprint Samsung Galaxy Tab doesn't come with WiMax on board. That would really have helped to set it apart from the competing variants offered by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.

Interested customers can pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Tab starting today with the purchase of a $50 Sprint gift card.