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Still carrying a heavy laptop around just to get real work done? Samsung wants to change that with the new Galaxy Tab S12 series, and it’s going all in on power, AI and creative tools.
I’ve been a fan of Samsung’s Tab S lineup for a while now, and every year it gets closer to replacing a laptop. In today’s post, we’ll be looking at the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ to see if this is the year it finally happens. Here’s what we’ll cover: models, display, performance, design, battery, software, and price.
Models
First off, there are only two models this time: the Galaxy Tab S12+ and the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. There’s no regular Tab S12 this year, so if you wanted a cheaper entry point, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Display
The Ultra gets a huge 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, while the Tab S12+ gets a 12.6-inch one. Both run at 120Hz and go up to 1,600 nits of brightness. In a nutshell, you can watch movies, edit photos, or work near a bright window without squinting.
Performance
Samsung has gone with the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 on both tablets. According to Samsung, the CPU is 19% faster, the GPU is 17% faster, and the NPU (neural processing unit, the part that handles AI tasks) is 61% faster than before.
The Ultra goes up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and both tablets take microSD cards of up to 2TB. To be honest, that’s more storage than most people will ever need on a tablet.
Design
The Ultra is just 5.1mm thin and weighs 692g, while the Tab S12+ is 5.3mm thin. Both are IP68 rated, which means they can handle dust and a dip in water. Of course, the S Pen comes in the box, so you don’t have to buy it separately.
Battery Life
The Ultra packs an 11,600mAh battery, and the Tab S12+ gets 10,600mAh. Both support 45W charging, and Samsung says a full charge takes about 95 minutes. With our power situation here in Nigeria, a big battery like this is always welcome.
Software
You get Android 17 with One UI 9, and Samsung is promising 7 years of updates. That aside, Adobe Photoshop comes pre-installed, which Samsung says is a first for Android tablets, and you get four months free. There’s also Galaxy AI with Note Assist and Gemini, plus you can run up to three apps on screen at once.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big, bright 120Hz AMOLED screens
- Dimensity 9500 with a big jump in AI performance
- S Pen in the box
- IP68 dust and water resistance
- Huge batteries and 7 years of updates
- Photoshop pre-installed
Cons
- No cheaper regular Tab S12 this year
- The Ultra costs $200 more than the Tab S11 Ultra did
- 45W charging still takes about 95 minutes for a full charge
Price
The Galaxy Tab S12+ starts at $1,199.99, which is around ₦1,662,000. The Tab S12 Ultra starts at $1,399.99, which is around ₦1,939,000. Both come in Gray and Silver and go on sale from October 7 in selected markets, with US pre-orders already open. Expect local prices in Nigeria to be higher.
Finally, should you get the Galaxy Tab S12 series? Here’s my verdict.
If you want an Android tablet that can actually handle work, the Tab S12 Ultra looks like the one to beat right now. On the other hand, the price jump is hard to ignore. If you already own a Tab S11 or Tab S10, I’d hold on to it for now.