No-one could accuse Samsung of lacking confidence.

Having already shipped one million Galaxy S units to retail in the US and unveilved its new dual Cortex A9 Orion processor due to launch in 2011, Samsung product executive Hankil Yoon has revealed the firm intends to ship 10 million Galaxy Tabs to retail by next year.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Yoon said Samsung is banking on Galaxy Tab – the first real challenge to iPad's current dominance – taking a third of the global tablet market in 2011.

Significantly though, it seems as if you'll only be able to buy a Galaxy Tab via an operator. Obviously this will enable a subsidised price compared to iPad's upfront $499+, albeit at the cost of a monthly contract.

Tablets on the table

Taking on iPad won't be easy though, with many analysts claiming iPad will sell somewhere in the region of 10 million units in FY2010 following its stellar start.

Any exclusivity deals for GalaxyTab in the US appear out of the question too, with Yoon confirming Samsung is currently in talks with multiple carriers in North America.

On this side of the Atlantic, Vodafone has already confirmed it will sell the device in European markets from October 2010.

Yoon also backed up previous statements made by those at Samsung by confirming Galaxy Tab will be just one release in a whole line of devices, with six and/or 10 inch versions apparently being considered.

[source: Wall Street Journal]