Samsung launches Galaxy Note 8 tablet, a direct challenge to the iPad mini, released in October 2012.

Samsung was promoting the Galaxy Note 8 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. It will launch worldwide in the second quarter of 2013.

The eight-inch screen comes with a resolution of 1280×800 pixels which comes to 189 pixels per inch (ppi), greater than the Pad mini, which has screen resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels with 163 ppi.

The tablet runs on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating System and includes the Samsung stylus pen to compliment the touch-screen.

The tablet comes with a 5-megapixel camera and will operate on the 3G or Wifi network.

Most other mini tablets on the market have 7-inch screens and time will tell if consumers are ready to accept a large mini tablet.