A cheaper, Wi-Fi only version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab is expected to launch ahead of the Christmas rush after spy shots of a Best Buy sales catalogue revealed the existence of a silver Sammy tablet that has scrapped the 3G mobile internet signal.

Priced at $499 on the Verizon network, the Wi-Fi only Galaxy Tab is believed to be readying for a black Friday launch with the 7-inch, Android 2.2 devices further looking to challenge Apple’s market leading tablet  the iPad which is available in a variety of storage sizes for both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models.

Whilst there is no official word from Samsung on such a device, UK pricing of the 3G inclusive 1GHz processor packing pocket-friendly tablet emerged last week ahead of is official launch on November 1st.

Carphone Warehouse was the first distributor to announce pre-order prices for the Samsung Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi + 3G with the iPad competitor lining up at a hefty £499 subsidised by a monthly contract or £530 as a standalone device, a price point later matched be supermarket giant Tesco which began its own pre-orders shortly after.

Would a lower priced Wi-Fi only option tempt you in to buying the Samsung Galaxy Tab over the Apple iPad or other tablet devices? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.