Samsung announced two tablets in its Galaxy Tab S12 lineup on September 30, 2026: the 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and the 12.6-inch Galaxy Tab S12+. The headline is only partly true across the range: the S12+ is thinner than its S10+ predecessor, but the S12 Ultra matches the S11 Ultra’s listed thickness. Samsung claims performance gains for the Ultra, while reported launch prices put it above its predecessor in the US, UK and Australia.
Which Galaxy Tab S12 models did Samsung announce?
The launch lineup comprises the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+. Samsung’s announcement does not name a standard, non-plus Galaxy Tab S12. The Ultra is the larger model, with a 14.6-inch display; the S12+ has a 12.6-inch display. Both use Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with adaptive refresh rates up to 120 Hz. Samsung’s global announcement and its US product page provide the announced lineup and specifications.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Are the new tablets thinner than their predecessors?
Not both, based on Samsung’s listed dimensions. The S12+ measures 5.3 mm thick, compared with 5.6 mm for the S10+. The S12 Ultra is listed at 5.1 mm, the same thickness as the S11 Ultra. Samsung describes the S12 Ultra as its thinnest Galaxy Tab, but that does not make it thinner than its direct predecessor. Dimensions and specifications can vary by market; confirm the exact regional model on Samsung’s product page.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →How much faster is the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra?
Samsung says its 3 nm processor delivers up to 61% faster NPU performance, 19% faster CPU performance and 17% improved GPU performance versus the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. These are Samsung’s comparison claims, not independent benchmark results, and the company notes that actual performance depends on conditions, device environment and software. The cited percentage comparison specifically uses the S11 Ultra as its baseline; it should not be treated as a separately verified S12+ result. See Samsung Newsroom US for the manufacturer’s qualifications.
#1 Best Overall
- NO Warranty in the USA. Tablets are only WIFI, no Calls or Data. Country selection may not be available during setup. select any country, as Country will updated later after Connecting to WIFI in Settings. English Language is available
- Connectivity Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, EHT320, MIMO, 4096-QAM USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 Bluetooth v5.3 Bluetooth Profiles A2DP,AVRCP,DI,HID,HOGP,OPP,PAN,PBP,TMAP Location Technology GPS,Glonass,Beidou,Galileo,QZSS Earjack USB Type-C MHL No Wi-Fi Direct Yes
- 14.6” Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz Anti-Reflective, 2960 × 1848 (WQXGA+) Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Light Sensor Size (Main_Display) 369.9mm (14.6" full rectangle) / 367.2mm (14.5" rounded corners)
- Front: 12 MP UW Rear: 13 MP + 8 MP UW UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@30fps dimmesion : 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.20 in.
What are the main differences between the S12 Ultra and S12+?
| Specification | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S12+ |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Thickness | 5.1 mm | 5.3 mm |
| Battery capacity | 11,600 mAh | 10,600 mAh |
| Samsung video playback estimate | Up to 23 hours | Up to 21 hours |
| Connectivity listed on Samsung US page | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E; 5G option |
Samsung lists peak brightness up to 1,600 nits for the series and outdoor High Brightness Mode up to 1,000 nits. The playback figures are manufacturer estimates, not guarantees: network, settings, file, brightness and battery condition affect results. Connectivity and other specifications are market-dependent, so check the precise SKU. Full model details and footnotes are on Samsung’s US product page.
How long does the battery last?
Samsung estimates up to 23 hours of video playback on the S12 Ultra and up to 21 hours on the S12+. Those figures describe video playback under Samsung’s stated methodology; they are not an all-day-use promise for mixed work, gaming or high-brightness use. The capacities are 11,600 mAh and 10,600 mAh respectively. Samsung’s global launch announcement includes battery and playback qualifications.
Rank #2
- Brilliant 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display – Features ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and crisp 1848x2960 resolution. Powered by an 11,600 mAh battery. Includes S Pen and 25W Samsung Super Fast Charger.
- Premium Performance & Storage – Backed by 256GB storage, 12GB RAM, and expandable microSD slot (dedicated). Runs on the advanced Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ (3nm) chipset, Octa-core CPU, and Immortalis-G925 MC12 GPU with Android 16 and One UI 8.
- Advanced Camera & Connectivity – Rear: 13MP (f/2.0 wide) + 8MP (f/2.2 ultrawide); Front: Dual 12MP (wide & ultrawide). Also supports Bluetooth 5.4, USB Type-C 3.2, and magnetic connector for seamless accessory pairing.
- Wi-Fi Only Model – Designed for high-speed wireless use. This model does not support SIM cards or cellular network connections.
- International Version – Global model without U.S. domestic warranty. Covered under return policy for hassle-free protection.
What do the Galaxy Tab S12 tablets cost?
TechRadar reported these regional launch starting prices. They are launch-market figures, not universal or live quotes, and storage and connectivity configurations may differ.
| Model | US | UK | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | $1,399 | £1,399 | AU$2,299 |
| Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra launch price | $1,299 | £1,269 | AU$2,099 |
| Galaxy Tab S12+ | $1,199 | £1,199 | AU$1,999 |
On those reported launch starting prices, the S12 Ultra costs more than the S11 Ultra did at launch in all three markets. Compare like-for-like storage and connectivity before drawing a value conclusion. The S12+ figures are its reported starting prices; they are not a predecessor price comparison. Source: TechRadar’s launch coverage.
Rank #3
- INNOVATIVE ART POWER: Turn your simple sketches into works of art instantly using Sketch to Image¹ with Galaxy AI.²
- SEARCHING MADE EASY: Quickly search for just about anything you see on your Tab — all without switching apps — using Circle to Search with Google.³
- MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT: Capture your lecture, meeting, or daily notes and let Note Assist⁴ with Galaxy AI² do the hard work of organizing and even summarizing them for you.
- NEXT-LEVEL NOTE TAKING: Get transcripts and summaries of recorded lectures and meetings, just like that.⁵
- PACKED WITH POWER: No matter what you take on or where you take your Galaxy Tab S10+, enjoy every experience with a powerful tablet processor.
What comes in the box, and what can you add?
- S Pen: Samsung says an S Pen is included with both models; a separate pen is not necessary on the basis of the announced bundle.
- Charger: The charger is not included. Samsung says its 45 W adapter is sold separately.
- Storage expansion: Samsung lists a microSD card slot supporting cards up to 2 TB. A card is not stated to be included.
- Keyboard accessories: Samsung’s US page identifies optional Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim accessories. Check regional listings and exact model compatibility before buying.
These bundle and accessory details are from Samsung’s announcement and its US product page.
How portable and durable are they?
The S12+ is the smaller-screen option and is listed on Samsung’s US FAQ at 553 g for Wi-Fi and 555 g for 5G. The Ultra offers a larger 14.6-inch workspace at a listed 5.1 mm thickness. Samsung gives both tablets an IP68 rating, but that is a laboratory rating with limits: resistance can diminish with wear, and Samsung advises against beach or pool use. Weight, durability details and availability should be checked against the local product listing because specifications can vary by market. See Samsung’s product FAQ and global announcement.
Which model makes more sense?
- Choose the S12 Ultra if the larger 14.6-inch display is worth the higher reported starting price and you want the model for which Samsung published the performance comparison against the S11 Ultra.
- Consider the S12+ if a 12.6-inch screen suits your work better, or if the smaller footprint and lower reported starting price matter more than the Ultra’s larger display.
Samsung positions the series around productivity, but the practical choice hinges on display size, exact regional configuration and price—not on treating manufacturer performance claims or battery estimates as guaranteed everyday results.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
