The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra brings a new processor, revised cooling and a four-channel speaker design, but Samsung has kept several headline specs—including the display size, refresh rate, battery capacity and charging speed—from the previous Ultra. For S11 Ultra owners, the case for upgrading is not yet compelling on the available evidence; for first-time buyers, the S12 Ultra may make sense if its large-screen features suit their work and budget.
What changed in the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra?
Samsung announced the 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and 12.6-inch Tab S12+ on September 30, 2026. Its US announcement did not include a regular base Tab S12. Samsung says US availability for the S12 Ultra begins October 7, 2026, and lists a starting price of $1,399.99. Samsung’s announcement is the source for those launch details and specifications.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The most visible changes highlighted in TechRadar’s two-week hands-on are the new MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor, a heat chamber and a four-channel speaker design. The article says the screen size and refresh rate, battery capacity, charging speed, IP68 rating and thinness are retained from the previous model. That makes this an update concentrated more on internal performance and cooling than on a new display or larger battery.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPerformance claims are not benchmark results
TechRadar attributes claimed gains of up to 19% in CPU performance, 17% in GPU performance and 51% in NPU processing to Samsung’s new 3nm processor. These are manufacturer claims reported by TechRadar, not results from independent testing in its hands-on. They suggest where Samsung expects the new chip to matter, but do not establish how much faster the tablet will feel in a particular app or workload.
#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.
Core specifications Samsung lists
| Specification | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Display | 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 2960 × 1848; 120Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 |
| Battery and charging | 11,600mAh battery; 45W charging |
| Memory and built-in storage | 12GB with 256GB or 512GB storage; 16GB with 1TB storage |
| Expandable storage | microSD support up to 2TB |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Included pen | S Pen |
These are Samsung US specifications and configurations; storage and network details can vary by market. Samsung’s release says the S Pen is bundled with the tablet, so a second stylus is not a standard purchase requirement.
What the two-week hands-on shows—and what it does not
TechRadar’s Hamish Hector reported using the S12 Ultra for writing with a keyboard cover, multitasking, mobile gaming and watching video while travelling. Those examples show the kinds of jobs the large tablet can serve, but they are the reviewer’s reported use, not independently replicated tests of battery life, gaming performance or productivity.
The experience is relevant if you want one tablet for a large workspace, entertainment and travel. It does not answer whether the new processor produces a noticeable advantage over the S11 Ultra in demanding games or creative apps. A full review and measured comparisons would be needed to settle that question.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
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.
How the launch price changes the upgrade decision
Samsung lists the S12 Ultra at $1,399.99 to start in the US. TechRadar compares that with a $1,299 US launch price for the preceding Ultra, and reports UK launch prices of £1,399 for the S12 Ultra versus £1,269 for its predecessor. The US comparison is rounded in TechRadar’s account; Samsung’s official S12 Ultra figure is $1,399.99. These are launch-price comparisons, not a statement of current street prices for the older model.
The higher launch price matters most to someone considering an annual upgrade. If you already own an S11 Ultra, the confirmed changes are a new processor generation, cooling hardware and speaker design, while several central specifications carry over. Without independent performance results or a workload that benefits from the new chip, paying more for the new model is hard to justify on the available evidence alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should consider the S12 Ultra?
If you own a Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
Waiting is the sensible default unless you have a specific reason to replace your tablet now. That reason might be a need for the new model’s processor or cooling design, but the hands-on does not quantify their advantage over the S11 Ultra. Revisit the decision when independent testing or your own demanding workload shows a meaningful difference.
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.
If you are buying your first premium Android tablet
The S12 Ultra is a more straightforward candidate if a 14.6-inch screen, included S Pen, expandable storage and the reviewer’s reported mix of writing, multitasking, gaming and video use fit your needs. The value question is whether those features warrant its $1,399.99 US starting price for you—not whether it improves enough on a tablet you already own.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →If you mainly want a tablet for video or general use
Think carefully about whether you need the Ultra’s very large display and premium positioning. The early hands-on reports enjoyable video use while travelling, but supplies no comparison with smaller tablets or independent assessment of portability. Samsung also announced the 12.6-inch S12+, so buyers who do not need the Ultra’s 14.6-inch screen can compare the two models before choosing. The cited US announcement does not state the S12+ price.
Accessories and storage to factor in
Samsung lists Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim options, and Hector used a keyboard cover during his hands-on. A keyboard is an additional purchase, not part of the stated standard package; check that a particular keyboard model is compatible with the S12 Ultra before buying. Samsung says the S Pen is included. For local files, the tablet supports microSD cards up to 2TB, though the card itself is not included in the listed specifications.
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.
