US pre-order for Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 gives clue to local pricing

Best Buy — a popular consumer electronics retailer in the US — has started pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9. Two versions are available, a 16GB WiFi version for US$469.99 and a 32GB WiFi version that will be selling for US$569.99. The pre-order page however didn’t yet include a launch date for the device.

We have been told that the Galaxy Tab 8.9 will be making it to Malaysia in about a month’s time after the launch of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. We’re nearing the one month mark since the Galaxy Tab 10.1 was launch but we haven’t seen any indication that Samsung Malaysia is planning another launch soon. It’s either that they really nothing planned at the moment or they are keeping a very tight lid on things.

Either way, with the US pricing of the Galaxy Tab 8.9 now a known quantity, it gives us some indication of how much the device might retail for when it comes to Malaysia.

In this instance we’re pegging the Galaxy Tab 8.9 (16GB WiFi) to retail in the range of RM1,600 to RM1,500. We’re using the US retail price of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and its difference with the Malaysia selling price as a marker, which means our estimate, at the moment, is an educated at best. Even so, it looks some may see the Galaxy Tab 8.9 as expensive.

But for those who are waiting for the Galaxy Tab 8.9, don’t you worry. We’ll keep a close eye on things. When we get the latest details, you’ll know it.