Samsung plans to launch an upgraded version of the 7-inch Galaxy Tab in Australia before Christmas, Smarthouse reports.

The upgraded model will feature a new Android Honeycomb 3.2 05 version, 1.2GHz dual-core processor and more embedded memory. However, it will be slimmer and lighter at 0.34 less weight and 1 cm width from the previous 1.2 cm.

It will be an improvement from the single-core 1GHz processor of the older model. The Honeycomb 3.2 replaces the Android 2.2 (Froyo) smartphone OS of the old model.

Among the additions to the 7.0 Plus are a Wi-Fi 802.11a, Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi channel bonding which improves Wi-Fi speed. The tablet would have a 16GB or 32GB embedded memory with 64GB MicroSD card slot. Reports said the new model will be available at Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and selected Australian retailers.

Samsung is locked in a legal battle with Apple over the launch of the 10.1 Galaxy Tab in different ongoing court cases in the U.S., Australia, Asia and Europe. To resolve their patent dispute in Australia, Samsung proposed a solution to the iPad maker over the disputed touch screen technology, Samsung lawyer David Catterns told a Sydney court on Friday.

Samsung agreed to place on hold the Australia launch of the Galaxy 10.1 until Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett rules on the Apple petition for an injunction because of the tablet's threat to the sales of the iPad2.

If Apple agrees to the Samsung proposal, the South Korean firm may roll out the tablet this week, Mr Catterns said. However, Apple lawyer Steven Burley told the court that the U.S.-based technology giant needs more time to study the Samsung offer.

Details of the proposal were not discussed in court, but Mr Burley indicated Apple could benefit from the deal.

"(Samsung's) inconvenience would be diminished and we would be comforted," Mr Burley was quoted by The Wall Street Journal.

Ms Bennett will resume hearing the legal dispute on Oct. 4.

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