Android Lollipop-driven Samsung Galaxy Tab A series listed for pre-orders on Amazon and Best Buy

Samsung confirmed it will launch two Galaxy A series tablets in the US on 1 May, and in fact the Galaxy Tab A 9.7 and the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 are now available to pre-order from Amazon and Best Buy.

The smaller Galaxy Tab A 8.0 has been priced at $230 (£155), while the Tab A 9.7 can be purchased for $300. The two devices will be available in retail stores next month.

Prospective buyers of the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 and Galaxy Tab A 9.7 can also check out the official Samsung web portal for placing pre-orders.

The tablets are available in Smoky Blue, Smoky Titanium and White outer colour schemes.

Samsung is also offering the Limited Edition Galaxy Tab A 9.7 that comes along with a customised S Pen costing $350. This slate will be available for purchase across the US from 17 May.

Hardware aspects of the new Galaxy Tab A slates are as follows:

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0

• 8in LCD having display resolution of 1024x768 pixels
• Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system; straight out of the box
• 1.2GHz quad-core processor
• 5MP rear camera
• 2MP front camera
• 1.5GB RAM
• 16/32GB internal storage area
• MicroSD card slot for expansion of internal storage
• Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and microUSB connectivity
• 4,200 mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7

• 9.7in LCD having display resolution of 1024x768 pixels
• Android 5.0 Lollipop; out of the box
• 1.2GHz quad-core processor
• 5MP rear camera
• 2MP front camera
• 1.5GB RAM
• 16/32GB internal storage
• MicroSD card slot for expansion of internal storage
• Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and microUSB connectivity
• 6,000 mAh battery.