At IFA last week, we got to spend some time with LG's new tablet, the G Pad 8.3, and we have to say that we came out quite impressed. The G Pad 8.3 is solid and well designed, boasts a decent spec sheet, and some of its software features, like Q Pair, really add value for the user.
However, in the small tablet space (7 to 8 inches), there's one aspect that can really make or break a device, and that is the price. The LG G Pad 8.3 will face off popular devices like the Nexus 7 (2013), which starts at $230, the Apple iPad Mini, which starts at $329, and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, starting from $380. So, how competitively priced will the G Pad be?
Sources familiar with the matter told Android Authority that the LG G Pad 8.3 would be priced “very competitively”. While our sources couldn't confirm the final price, they did say that it could be in the $300 range.
At $300, the LG G Pad 8.3 would be priced quite reasonably for what it offers: an aluminum build, a crisp Full HD LCD display, and a fast Snapdragon 600 processor. Most importantly, it would be cheaper than both the iPad Mini (2012, and probably 2013 edition) and the Galaxy Note 8. The Nexus 7 (2013) is still cheaper, but the device is not accessible internationally at a good price point, like it is in the US and the other markets where Google sells it from the Play Store.
As for the LG G Pad 8.3 release date, our sources told us to expect it "towards the end of September." We assume that LG will go for a staged rollout, so don't expect to see the G Pad 8.3 available in stores worldwide this September. We officially know, however, that LG wants to offer the G Pad 8.3 in 30 countries by the end of 2013, which fits in nicely with a debut in late September.
Stay tuned for more coverage, and we'll keep an eye out as more info on the LG G Pad 8.3′s release date and pricing becomes available.
Update: While our sources report that the LG G Pad 8.3 will be “competitively priced” and could be around $300, Chinese site Zol is now reporting that the exact price will be $299. Keep in mind that LG has yet to confirm device pricing one way or another, so it’s important to treat this claim as a rumor for now. If the G Pad really does come in at $299, LG’s latest tablet could end up as a major homerun for the company.
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