Report: Samsung set to launch the Galaxy Tab S2 next week?

Tablet aficionados are no doubt chomping at the bit over the lack of love their favorite form factor has received so far this year. Amid reports of poor sales, and a general feeling of consumer apathy, it’s tough times finding a flagship tablet. Samsung, having arguably released several last year, has been on a far more reserved tone in 2015, with only the Galaxy Tab A and Galaxy Tab E under its belt so far. We’ve heard talk of the Galaxy Tab S2 for months now, yet nary a press-release in sight has made even the most patient ask when the time is right to let them loose in the market, especially given their recent skirt through government regulatory inspection.

A new report is suggesting the follow-up to last year’s Galaxy Tab S will be announced as soon as next week, in both 8-inch and 9.7-inch variants, conforming to the new 4:3 aspect ratio Samsung has chosen for this year’s tablets. This would make sense, as barring any further delays, the devices run the risk of being overshadowed by the possible August 12th launch of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. Along with the release date report, two new pictures have been leaked, though they raise a fair question that has been lurking since the very first images appeared:

The picture looks to be a press render and matches with the images seen from China’s regulatory committee, as well as various leaks over the past months. Still, there is the curious question as to just why Samsung has apparently decided to remove the LED-flash from the rear camera. Given that this is a flagship product, and in-light of last year’s Tab S pair having such a component, it raises the possibility of cost-cutting measures. Considering these devices are expected to retail between $440 and $650 (for the LTE variant), there is arguably no excuse for such doings. The pictures also further the understanding that both black and white variants will ship with a rather standard-affair trim as opposed to the more nuanced, striking bronze colored one that adorned last year’s offerings.

The Galaxy Tab S2 series is purported to feature a 2048 x 1536 Super AMOLED display, an Exynos 7-series SoC, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of on-board storage, microSD support, and Android Lollipop (the exact version of which is seemingly less clear). They are expected to come in at a svelte 5.4mm. Because the specs aren’t wildly different from last year’s offerings, we expect Samsung to push the new aspect ratio, inclusion of the S6’s fingerprint sensor, a possibly updated build of TouchWiz, and the metal unibody construction.

Will you be purchasing any of the Tab S2 variants? Leave us a comment below along with a note as to which one(s).