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The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is the largest tablet Samsung sells, and it is among the thinnest at its size. Samsung puts its body at 5.1 mm, and its UK product page lists a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen at 2960 x 1848 with a 120 Hz refresh rate. For readers who want a big, bright, fast Android tablet for media, notes and split-screen work, it is a strong option. Whether it is the right purchase depends on three things: whether you can comfortably hold a device this large, whether you will need a keyboard, and whether you expect DeX to replace a laptop. The independent reviews we looked at suggest that the screen, performance and battery are its strengths, while handling and DeX are its weak points.
What Samsung claims about the Ultra
Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab S12 series as two models, the S12 Ultra and the S12+. The Ultra is the larger of the two. Samsung’s own specification page for the Wi-Fi model is the most detailed source for hardware figures, and the table below uses those manufacturer values. Treat each one as a claim from Samsung unless an independent source is named.
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| Item | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra (Samsung UK specification page) |
|---|---|
| Display | 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960 x 1848, 120 Hz |
| Thickness | 5.1 mm (Samsung’s stated figure) |
| Weight | 692 g for the Wi-Fi model; 695 g for the 5G model |
| Battery | 11,600 mAh; up to 23 hours of video playback under Samsung’s test conditions |
| Charging | About 95 minutes from 0% to 100% with a 45W adapter (Samsung Global); the adapter is sold separately |
| Memory and storage | From 12 GB RAM with 256 GB or 512 GB storage, up to 16 GB RAM with 1 TB storage; availability varies by market |
| Connectivity and protection | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB Type-C, IP68 |
| In the box | Device, S Pen, USB Type-C to Type-C cable, ejection pin, Quick Start Guide. The device charger is not included. |
The 5G variant is 3 g heavier than the Wi-Fi model in Samsung’s UK listing, so confirm the exact SKU before comparing weights or prices. The full specification list is on Samsung UK’s Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra page.
Samsung also claims up to 61% faster NPU processing, 19% faster CPU performance and 17% better GPU performance than the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. These are Samsung’s own comparisons from its launch announcement, not independent benchmark results. The launch announcement is available on Samsung Global Newsroom.
#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.
Ultra or S12+: what the size difference actually buys
Choosing between the two models is mostly a question of screen size against portability. According to Samsung UK, both use the same MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor, so the decision is about the display and the body rather than speed.
| Factor | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S12+ |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14.6-inch | 12.6-inch |
| Wi-Fi weight | 692 g (Samsung UK) | 553 g (Samsung UK) |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (Android Central, Samsung UK) | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (Android Central, Samsung UK) |
| US launch price | $1,400 (Android Central launch coverage) | $1,200 (Android Central launch coverage) |
| Colours at US launch | Gray and Silver (Android Central) | Gray and Silver (Android Central) |
The Ultra’s extra screen area comes with about 139 g of extra weight in Wi-Fi form. That trade-off drives most of the practical decisions below.
Price and availability: check your market
Launch prices differ by source and region. Android Central reported US pricing of $1,400 for the Ultra and $1,200 for the Plus, with availability starting October 7, 2026. TechRadar’s launch coverage gives £1,399, $1,400 and AU$2,299 for the Ultra. Tom’s Guide’s review lists $1,399. These are launch-era figures reported by different outlets, not a guaranteed current price, so check the retailer in your country before you buy.
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What the independent review found
Tom’s Guide published a hands-on review dated September 30, 2026, based on a review unit with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB of storage. Its findings are the reviewer’s, not ours, and the numbers below are from that test.
- Display: 862 nits in SDR and 916 nits in HDR, with 149.8% sRGB coverage, according to Tom’s Guide’s own measurements.
- Battery: 11 hours 31 minutes in Tom’s Guide’s continuous Wi-Fi web-surfing test at 150 nits. The outlet says that result was more than 30 minutes shorter than the previous model’s result in the same test. This is a different test from Samsung’s 23-hour video-playback figure, and the two numbers should not be compared directly.
- Design and performance: The reviewer praised the OLED screen, the performance and the thin, relatively light body for its size.
- Price: The reviewer considered the price high for what they described as a modest year-over-year upgrade.
The full review is on Tom’s Guide.
Holding a 14.6-inch tablet
A 692 g slab with a 5.1 mm profile is comfortable to carry in a bag, but it is a different experience in the hand. Tom’s Guide found the device could be cumbersome to hold for extended periods. The weight is not extreme on paper, but the size makes it awkward to grip for long reading or drawing sessions, especially one-handed.
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.
In practice, the Ultra works best propped up on a stand, a desk or your lap, with a case or a keyboard giving it a stable base. If you mostly read in bed or on a train, the S12+ is the more practical choice, and the difference in screen size may matter less than the comfort of holding the device for an hour.
The keyboard and accessory bill
The S Pen is included. Nearly everything else that turns the Ultra into a writing or productivity machine is sold separately. Samsung UK lists the following compatible accessories as separate purchases:
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- Book Cover Keyboard Slim
- Book Cover
- Frame Cover
- Anti-Reflecting Screen Protector
- 45W adapter (Samsung Global says it is sold separately)
Prices for these accessories were not stated in the sources we reviewed, so check Samsung’s regional store for current costs. Confirm the exact keyboard and cover model that matches your Ultra’s size before buying, because the Ultra’s dimensions differ from the S12+ and older Tab S models. Budgeting for a keyboard and a charger is the realistic starting point for anyone planning to type at length on this tablet.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.DeX is not a laptop replacement
Samsung DeX gives the tablet a desktop-style window environment, which is the feature most likely to make the Ultra feel like a laptop. Tom’s Guide found that DeX fell short of the reviewer’s expectations for a Windows laptop experience. That is the most important limit for readers who want to leave their laptop at home.
DeX is useful for split-screen notes, reference documents and light multitasking. It is a weaker fit if your work depends on desktop applications that have no Android version, or on a workflow built around a Windows file system and software. Before you commit, list the apps you use daily and check that each one has a good Android version that works well in DeX.
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.
Performance and battery in context
The processor and battery figures are strong on paper, and the independent results support the general picture. The 23-hour video-playback claim from Samsung and the 11 hours 31 minutes Tom’s Guide recorded in continuous web browsing measure different things and under different conditions. Expect the real-world figure to depend heavily on screen brightness, refresh rate settings, connectivity and the apps you run. Samsung’s 45W adapter is the quickest route to a full charge, but it is not in the box.
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Who should consider the Ultra
- Buy the Ultra if you want a large, bright screen for reading, video, sketching or split-screen notes, and you plan to use it mostly on a desk or stand.
- Consider the S12+ if you want the same processor with a smaller screen and lighter body, or if you hold the tablet for long periods.
- Think twice if you need a true laptop replacement, rely on Windows-only software, or cannot justify the price plus keyboard and charger costs.
Bundled software offers
Samsung UK lists app offers for eligible S12 Ultra buyers, including a 4-month Photoshop subscription, 6 months of Notability Plus, 6 months of Clip Studio Paint EX, 1 month of Notion Business and 1 year of Goodnotes Essential. Samsung notes that offers vary by region, so check eligibility and terms in your market before counting on them.
What Samsung says about the series
Samsung Global Newsroom attributes this statement to Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics: “The Galaxy Tab S12 series is designed for people who are constantly exploring new ideas, developing new skills, and bringing their ambitions to life.” It is marketing language rather than evidence of performance. The independent test figures above are the better guide to how the device behaves.
Tom’s Guide also points to the competition. TechRadar frames the Ultra as a rival to the iPad Pro M5, and that comparison is worth reading if you are weighing an Apple tablet against it. The TechRadar article is at TechRadar.
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