Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ Launch

Samsung has announced the Galaxy Tab S12 series, two Android tablets named the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and the Galaxy Tab S12+. According to the company, the Ultra is the thinnest Galaxy Tab Samsung has made at 5.1mm and, together with the S12+, offers the most powerful performance of any Galaxy Tab to date. Samsung says the series goes on sale starting October 7 in select markets in two colors, Gray and Silver. This guide covers what is confirmed in Samsung's announcement, who each model suits, and what to verify before you buy. For a short reference to this page, here is our Galaxy Tab S12 series launch guide. All details come from Samsung's global newsroom release dated September 30, and the performance and battery numbers are Samsung's own test claims. The release does not state prices, so we do not give any.

Two sizes, one design idea

The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has a 14.6-inch display, and the Galaxy Tab S12+ has a 12.6-inch display with slimmer bezels than its predecessor, according to Samsung. Both use Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels at 120Hz that reach up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness, and Samsung says an upgraded Vision Booster adjusts brightness in real time based on lighting. The Ultra's resolution is listed as 2960 by 1848 and the S12+'s as 2800 by 1752.

In thickness, the Ultra measures 5.1mm and the S12+ 5.3mm. Weights are listed as 692 grams for the Ultra on Wi-Fi and 695 grams for 5G, and 553 grams and 555 grams for the S12+. Both models are rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, and Samsung says they have a redesigned 3D Vapor Chamber to dissipate heat during demanding tasks such as editing video or designing graphics for hours.

Performance and the chip

The spec table lists the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 in both models, and the release describes it as a cutting-edge 3nm processor. Samsung says it delivers up to 61 percent faster NPU processing, 19 percent faster CPU performance and 17 percent better GPU performance compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. These are percentages against Samsung's own previous Ultra, measured under conditions the release does not detail, so they show direction, not guaranteed everyday speedups.

Memory and storage vary by model. The Ultra is offered in 16GB with 1TB, 12GB with 512GB and 12GB with 256GB, while the S12+ is listed with 12GB and either 512GB or 256GB. Both support microSD cards up to 2TB, which is a practical advantage for people who store large media libraries or project files. The table also lists Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 on the Ultra, Wi-Fi 6E on the S12+, 5G on both and dual SIM using a physical SIM and an eSIM.

Battery and charging

The Ultra has an 11,600 mAh battery and the S12+ a 10,600 mAh battery, both with 45W charging. Samsung says the all-day battery lasts up to 23 hours on the Ultra and up to 21 hours on the S12+, and that charging from 0 to 100 percent takes about 95 minutes with a 45W adapter. Read the footnotes: the battery figures are based on internal tests of video playback at 720p saved on the device, with a pre-release model connected to earphones over Bluetooth, and Samsung says real use will vary with network, settings, brightness and battery condition. A tablet used for gaming, video calls or heavy multitasking will not last that long. Also check whether a charger is in the box, since the release only refers to the 45W adapter for the charge time.

Software, S Pen and keyboards

The tablets run Android 17 with One UI 9 and Galaxy AI. Samsung says users can split the screen into up to three sections in Multi Window, for example taking notes in Samsung Notes while a lecture plays and an AI assistant is open on the other side, and that Note Assist can summarize notes. An S Pen is included in the box for both models, though the specification table notes that the S Pen does not support BLE. Accessories include the Pro Keyboard with a premium aluminum finish and a Galaxy AI Key, the Book Cover Keyboard Slim, a Book Cover, an anti-reflecting screen protector and, for the Ultra only, a Frame Cover. Accessories are sold separately.

The series comes with a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, giving access to Gemini and a feature called Gemini Notebook that combines notes, images, recordings and files and can make summaries, podcasts and quizzes. Samsung Browser can summarize information across open pages and surface a relevant source viewed days earlier. Samsung also says Galaxy AI basic features are free, while future releases may include enhanced features offered on a paid basis, and that third-party AI features may have different terms.

Apps and bundled offers

Samsung is leaning on the app story. Adobe Photoshop comes pre-loaded, which Samsung describes as a first for Android tablets, with four months of free access to the Photoshop mobile plan, exclusively for this series, and generative features powered by Adobe Firefly. Notability is newly pre-loaded with a six-month free trial and 20 percent off the first subscription. Goodnotes gets one year of free access, LumaFusion is offered at 66 percent off, Notion gives one month of its Plus plan free and Clip Studio Paint comes with a six-month trial and 20 percent off the first subscription. Samsung says the apps and benefits are worth approximately $600. Note that these are trials and discounts, not permanent entitlements, and offers may differ by market and expire.

Updates and warranty

Samsung says both models support up to seven times of OS upgrades and security updates, which matters for a device people keep for years. It also promotes Samsung Care+ for accidental damage, extended warranty and repair coverage. Galaxy phone users running One UI 9 can check a tablet's Samsung Care+ status and enroll through the Warranty and care menu on their phone, according to the release.

Who is this for

• Students and lifelong learners who take lectures, annotate PDFs and handwrite notes. The bundled S Pen and note apps are aimed at them.
• Creative users who want a large Android canvas with Photoshop and video editing apps, mostly the 14.6-inch Ultra.
• Commuters and travelers who value the thin body, IP68 rating and the battery claims, especially the lighter S12+.
• People who want a laptop-style setup using the Pro Keyboard and multi-window, but who should check if Android apps cover their workflow.

If you only watch video and browse, a smaller and cheaper tablet may be enough, and you do not need the Ultra size or the pro accessories.

What to check before buying

• Price and region. Samsung did not publish prices, and availability applies to select markets. Compare local listings.
• Storage tier. The 1TB option is only on the Ultra with 16GB, and the entry configurations start at 256GB.
• Accessories cost. The keyboards and cases are sold separately and can add substantially to the total.
• Trial offers. Read the terms for the Photoshop, Notability and AI Pro offers, including when billing starts.
• Size and weight. At around 692 grams, the Ultra is not a light handheld. Try holding it before committing.
• Real battery life. Use independent tests rather than the video-playback figure.

Weak points and open questions

The announcement leaves out prices, camera sample quality, speaker measurements and sustained performance data. Performance gains are measured against Samsung's own previous model, and no independent benchmarks exist yet. Some features, including Galaxy AI services and apps, may vary by country, region and carrier, which Samsung states in its notes.

Bottom line

The Galaxy Tab S12 series is a polished iteration of Samsung's flagship tablets: thinner, more powerful and bundled with a long list of productivity apps and a long software support promise. The Ultra is the choice for people who want a big canvas, and the S12+ is the more portable option. Wait for prices and independent battery and performance tests before deciding, especially if you plan to buy accessories as well.