The clash for the best budget tablet heated up with the launch of Acer Iconia Tab A110 recently and the new tablet will be joined by the likes of the Google Nexus tablet, Amazon Kindle Fire 2 and possibly even an iPad Mini later this year.
Acer quietly unveiled the Iconia Tab A110 at Computex 2012 in Taipei and the device specifications include Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, 7-inch (1024 x 600) display, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, front-facing camera and micro HDMI, USB and SD card slots.
These features are definitely commendable and Acer has made the release even more attractive by announcing that Iconia Tab A110 will be available for less than $200.
This automatically points to the fact that Acer with Iconia Tab A110 has slated a direct competition to Amazon Kindle Fire, which if compared has less feature capabilities against Acer's new tablet.
Ever since the Amazon Kindle Fire launched last year for $199, that figure has been viewed as the sweet spot for Android tablets. Rightly so too, as Amazon was estimated to have shipped six million Fire's over that first holiday period. It went on to become the most used Android tablet in the US by the end of February 2012.
Acer Iconia Tab A110 is expected to arrive in the market during the third quarter of 2012 and industry analysts predict that the consumers will certainly be excited to get their hands on it.
The new iPad remains the market leader in the media tablet segment for now. However, a couple of months ago, a research conducted by market research firm ABI Research suggested that out of 220 tablet models selling around the world, Apple will maintain its market share dominance only for a short-term, as the consumer base will steadily move closer to lower-cost models.
In their press release, ABI predicted that in half a decade people will be more interested in affordable tablets, where affordable means $400 or less.
Well, the research seems almost accurate, as major manufacturers are gearing up to bring on their budget tablet in the market by the end of 2012. Hence, Acer surely has to face tough competition ahead. Let's find out the top three tablets rivals which are expected to hit the market in the near future with promising features and will battle against the Acer with Iconia Tab A110.
Google Nexus Tablet (Rumored price: $250-$200)
There have been a lot of rumors swirling around that Google may expand their popular Nexus line this year with its first tablet.
Freshest reports have emerged from Phone Arena, in which they have leaked supposed press image drafts of the upcoming Google Nexus tablet manufactured by Asus. If credible, the gadget will sport a white front and a two-tone gray/black rear panel playing host to the Google and Asus logos.
According to recent reports, the tablet will sport a 7-inch screen powered by Nvidia's Tegra 3 SoC.
Additionally, it has an earpiece and the tablet will be powered by NVIDIA's KAI Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and would be running on Android 4.1 OS and is expected to be priced around $250. If past rumors are accurate this slate could be available in late July for around $199.
Amazon's New Kindle Fire (Rumored price: $199-$299)
Amazon Kindle Fire is the second highest-selling tablet in the market. And if the past Digitimes reports are to be believed, Amazon will launch the Kindle Fire 2 in spring 2012 in the UK market.
Prior to that, few reports also claimed that the major online retailer is working on three new models of its Kindle Fire tablets, including one with a high resolution as well. Analysts assumed that this high resolution tablet may be able to give a tough fight to all the expensive tablets, including the new iPad 3.
Past reports also suggest that Amazon was in serious dialogue with many Chinese and Taiwanese component manufacturers like Quanta to produce components for its Kindle Fire 2.
Further, rumor has it that the next version of 7-inch tablets will carry a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels display at 215ppi.Meanwhile, Amazon's new Kindle Fire is reportedly set to be launched in the third quarter and is expected to be priced around $199-299.
Apple's iPad Mini (Rumored price: $200-$250)
Rumors have been rife for a long time that the Cupertino-based company is planning to make a 7-inch tablet at a price tag between $200 and $250, which could be named iPad Mini to crank out the growth of 7-inch Kindle Fire.
Recently, Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White reportedly supported the speculation and informed that with the launch of the next iPhone, Apple also plans to unveil the iPad Mini this September.
Earlier reports have also noted that Apple is not only planning to produce a smaller version of the iPad, but has also started the production of a 7.85-inch iPad in its labs.
Though, Macotakara reports suggested a couple of months ago that the device is believed to have a resolution of 1,600 X960 pixels, or 1,280 X960 pixels and is expected to hit the market sometime in 2013. According to reports, Apple is working with the Asian LCD suppliers to prepare the new product.
