Nexus 7 & iPad Mini Killers? Galaxy Tab 3 Lite & Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 to Topple Compact Slate Leaders Apple, Google

As previously rumoured, Samsung, by way of the 2014 CES, unleased its latest barrage of tablets that obviously are designed to slay the Nexus 7 and iPad Mini.

All in all, four Galaxy tablets were revealed but getting the most attention is the 8.4-inch Galaxy Tab Pro. Clearly, the device represents Samsung fresh attempts to dislodge Apple from its rule as the compact tablet leader.

And the specs, which speak volume, seem to afford Tab Pro just the right chops to slug it out with the iPad Minis out there. That would mean this tablet contender is able to take on both the first edition and the 2013 build that is Retina-toting.

From the 8-inch screen that was seen in the Galaxy Tab 3, Samsung opted to widen a bit the Tab Pro display panel, reaching 8-inch diagonally. From BGR, the Tab Pro's 8.4-inch screen "packs more pixels than Apple's new iPad mini with Retina display."

Now that counts as killer punch number one against the two Minis and even the Nexus 7 - also both the 2012 and 2013 versions.

Then comes the powerhouse Snapdragon 800 quad-core processing chip, which in the Tab Pro will hum away at 2.3GHz. Easily, this muscle-car of a CPU will upend the dual-core A7 chip that fires up the Retina iPad Mini even if it is a 64-bit chip.

The basic built-in storage is 16GB, which signals that Samsung is eliminating the 8GB variant from its premium tablet lines. A 32GB edition is also an option and as the usual case, the device memory is expandable thanks to card slot that can take in a 64GB of extra space.

Such capacious room should take in the loads of pics and images that can be created with the Tab Pro's 8MP rear shooter, which Samsung paired with a 2MP front cam.

As for the RAM provision, 2GB will be on-board, improving from the Galaxy Tab 3 and ensuring that performance will be smooth and snappy. Take note that KitKat is running the show, Samsung said.

And the overall look is pretty much similar with that of the 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3, also bearing the same control keys configuration. The only difference is the location of front cam sensors, which in this iteration sits on the right top portion of the device.

No mention of pricing and specific release date is given for now (though availability should be within Q1 2014) but if the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 will prove too pricey for the budget-conscious then there is the Galaxy Tab 3 Lite.

The device is missing in action as far as the 2014 CES is concerned but according to DigiTimes, the Tab 3 Lite is coming out within the first three months of the year likely in black and white finish.

"The Galaxy Tab 3 Lite reportedly features a 7-inch 1024-by-600 display, a 1.2GHz Cortex A9 processor, 1GB of storage, a 3-megapixel camera and Android 4.2," said the same report, indicating that its entry-level capabilities will be underwhelmed when lined up against the iPad Mini and Nexus 7

However, one thing about the Tab 3 Lite that could merits lots of attention from consumers is its price tag. The device will retail for only $130, making it as the most affordable small tablet that is manufactured by a major industry player.

No doubt, the price point will enable the Galaxy Tab 3 Lite to undercut the Nexus 7 and the iPad Mini, which sells for $230 and $300 (or $300 for the Retina-boasting iPad Mini 2) respectively.