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Verizon announced on Wednesday that it will sell Samsung’s Android-based tablet for $599.99 just a few weeks after the nation’s largest wireless carrier begins selling Apple’s iPad. The two touchscreen tablets will compete on the same carrier and in the same stores.

Samsung’s tablet will sell for $30 less than a 16GB iPad with 3G, though Apple’s device has a larger, 9.7-inch screen. In Verizon stores, the iPad will be bundled with a 3G MiFi wireless hotspot at a cost of $629.99, and at AT&T, the iPad has integrated 3G.

But Apple still maintains has a price advantage at the entry level — the 16GB, 9.7-inch Wi-Fi iPad lacking built-in 3G connectivity is just $499.

In September, Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab would be available on all four major U.S. wireless carriers. At the time, no prices or dates were given.

The device maker also plans to offer a Wi-Fi-only version of the Galaxy Tab, but has not announced a release date. The iPad sold through Verizon, bundled with a MiFi will be Wi-Fi-only.

The Galaxy Tab includes support for Adobe Flash 10.1 and a 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application processor. Verizon also touted the device’s ability to access V CAST Music and V CAST Song ID, VZ Navigator, Slacker Radio, Kindle for Android, Blockbuster On Demand presented by V CAST Video, and the exclusive golf game, “Let’s Golf.”

Like with the iPad and MiFi combo, Verizon will offer data plans for the Galaxy Tab starting at $20 for 1GB.

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