The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is a measured refresh of the Tab S11 Ultra, not a wholesale redesign. Samsung’s main upgrade claim is faster NPU, CPU, and GPU performance; early coverage reports that the 14.6-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display, 11,600mAh battery, 45W charging, and 5.1mm thickness carry over. Samsung announced the S12 series on September 30, 2026. The reported October 7 availability date is still ahead as of October 2, so local stock and pricing may not yet be settled.
What changed from the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra to the S12 Ultra?
The clearest difference is the processor platform and the performance Samsung says it enables. Samsung’s September 30, 2026 announcement compares the S12 Ultra with the S11 Ultra and claims up to 61% faster NPU processing, 19% faster CPU performance, and 17% improved GPU performance. These are manufacturer-reported comparisons, not independent benchmark results established by the launch coverage.
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On the headline physical specifications reported so far, the S12 Ultra largely continues the S11 Ultra’s formula. TechRadar’s launch and early hands-on coverage describe the same large display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, charging rate, and slim body. That makes the S12 primarily a performance-led annual update on the available evidence.
| Area | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra | What the comparison indicates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor performance | Samsung claims up to 61% faster NPU processing, 19% faster CPU performance, and 17% improved GPU performance versus S11 Ultra. Samsung, September 30, 2026 | Baseline for Samsung’s comparison | The largest stated upgrade, but not independently verified in the cited launch-period coverage. |
| Display | 14.6-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, according to TechRadar launch coverage. TechRadar, 2026 | Early coverage describes the headline display specifications as similar to S12. TechRadar, 2026 | No major change to size or refresh rate is established. |
| Battery and charging | 11,600mAh battery and 45W charging, as reported by TechRadar’s early hands-on coverage. TechRadar, 2026 | Reported as familiar from the preceding model in the same coverage | No headline battery-capacity or charging-rate upgrade is indicated. |
| Thickness | 5.1mm, according to Samsung and TechRadar’s early coverage. Samsung, September 30, 2026; TechRadar, 2026 | Early coverage describes the S12’s headline thinness as unchanged from S11 | The slim design remains a defining feature rather than a newly established improvement. |
| Price and availability | TechRadar reported October 7 availability; that date is still in the future on October 2, 2026. Regional prices and stock are not established here. TechRadar, 2026 | Current regional price and stock are not stated in the cited launch-period coverage | Compare actual local listings and equivalent configurations before deciding value. |
How meaningful are Samsung’s performance claims?
The three percentages point to gains in different parts of the system: NPU processing relates to AI workloads, CPU performance to general processing, and GPU performance to graphics. Samsung describes the S12 Ultra as delivering the most powerful performance of any Galaxy Tab and calls it the company’s thinnest Galaxy Tab at 5.1mm. Those are Samsung’s promotional claims, not independent findings.
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- 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.
The available launch-period coverage does not provide independent benchmark testing that confirms the claimed gains or shows how they translate into particular apps, games, or sustained workloads. Treat the percentages as Samsung’s comparison with the S11 Ultra, not as a guarantee that every task will feel that much faster.
What stayed familiar: display, battery, and design
Large 14.6-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display
TechRadar reports a 14.6-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate for the S12 Ultra and describes the core display specifications as similar to the S11 Ultra. The evidence cited here does not establish a major change in screen size or refresh rate, so the choice between the two is not clearly a display-size upgrade.
11,600mAh battery and 45W charging
TechRadar’s early hands-on coverage reports an 11,600mAh battery and 45W charging for the S12 Ultra, describing these headline figures as carried over. Capacity and charging rate alone do not establish real-world endurance or charging time; no independent comparative battery test is presented in the cited material.
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- 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.
5.1mm body
The S12 Ultra is reported at 5.1mm thick, and early coverage says its slimness is unchanged from the prior model. Samsung describes it as its thinnest Galaxy Tab, a company claim that should not be mistaken for evidence of a generational reduction versus the S11 Ultra.
Software and multitasking: what can be compared?
Samsung’s S11-series announcement highlighted DeX Extended Mode with an external monitor and up to four customizable workspaces. The available S12 launch-period evidence does not settle whether those specific details carry over unchanged to the S12 Ultra. If a DeX capability is central to your workflow, confirm the exact S12 software features for your market and configuration rather than assuming full parity from the S11 announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you upgrade from the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra?
Based on the announced differences, an S11 Ultra owner has a clear reason to consider the S12 Ultra only if Samsung’s claimed performance uplift is relevant to their work or if they specifically want the newest model. The cited evidence does not show a changed display size, battery capacity, charging rate, or thickness that would by itself make the new tablet a compelling physical redesign.
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- 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.
There is not enough established price or independent testing information here to call the S12 Ultra a better value or to quantify the practical speed difference. Reassess once the S12 is available in your country: compare the same storage or connectivity configuration, the local S12 asking price, and the price of an S11 Ultra that is actually in stock.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsShould you wait for the S12 Ultra or buy the S11 Ultra?
On October 2, 2026, the reported October 7 S12 availability date has not yet arrived. If you need a tablet immediately, base the decision on products and prices actually available in your market rather than treating the reported date as guaranteed local stock. If you can wait, compare the S12’s real regional price and configuration with the S11 Ultra once listings are available. No current regional street prices or market-wide value comparison are established in the launch-period sources cited here.
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