As expected, Sprint has officially announced the Android-based Galaxy Tab for November 14th.  The carrier has just issued a press release which says the 7-inch tablet will debut with a $399 price tag when customers sign up with a new 2-year service agreement on a 3G Tablet Mobile Broadband plan.  In a split from Verizon, Sprint customers will have two options when it comes to plans: 2GB data plan with unlimited messaging for $29.99 per month or a 5GB data plan with unlimited messaging for $59.99 per month.  Verizon, by comparison, is offering a 1GB data plan for $20 a month however customers aren’t required to sign a contract.  Instead, they get to buy their Tab outright at $599 a pop.
If you’re interested in picking up a Tab from Sprint come next month, you can pre-order yours at a participating Sprint Store with the purchase of a $50 Sprint gift card!
OMG – Sprint has shot themselves in the foot again. Why a contract? They should provide the data at the least cost and at least match Verizon and AT&T on data prices – in fact as the #3 provider they need to be cheaper to attract more business. Offer the unit just as Apple does the WiFi+3G with a month to month data service you can turn on and off as needed online. I’d pay the full $599 price with no contract and the ability to turn on and off the data as I need it.