Samsung has unveiled its new Galaxy Tab S12 lineup, pairing ultra-thin hardware with high-end performance, large Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, Galaxy AI features, and a collection of productivity-focused apps and accessories.
Samsung is giving its tablet lineup another major push with the introduction of the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+, two premium tablets designed to blur the line between portable entertainment devices and serious productivity machines.
The new tablets combine large displays, upgraded processing power, long battery life, S Pen support, and Samsung's latest AI features. The idea is straightforward: give users enough screen and computing muscle to handle demanding work without making them haul around a traditional laptop.
Samsung says the Galaxy Tab S12 series is built for people learning new skills, pursuing careers, creating content, and juggling multiple tasks. In other words, it is targeting users who expect their tablet to do considerably more than play videos and display emails.
Thin enough to turn heads, powerful enough to work
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra measures just 5.1mm thick, making it Samsung's thinnest Galaxy Tab yet. Despite the remarkably slim profile, Samsung says it delivers the strongest performance of any Galaxy Tab to date.
Both models are built around a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor, with the new 3nm platform delivering improvements over the previous-generation Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.
Samsung reports up to 61% faster NPU processing, 19% faster CPU performance, and 17% improved GPU performance compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Those gains are particularly relevant for AI workloads, creative applications, multitasking, and other demanding tasks.
To help keep temperatures under control during extended workloads, Samsung has equipped the tablets with a redesigned 3D Vapor Chamber. The cooling system is intended to help maintain consistent performance during activities such as video editing and graphic design.
The tablets also carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, adding some protection against the everyday hazards that come with carrying a large-screen device around.
Two big screens, with plenty of room to multitask
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is the larger of the two models, featuring a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2960 x 1848 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Galaxy Tab S12+ steps down to a still-generous 12.6-inch display, with a 2800 x 1752 resolution and the same 120Hz refresh rate.
Both panels can reach 1,600 nits of peak brightness, while Samsung's updated Vision Booster technology automatically adjusts brightness according to surrounding lighting conditions.
For people who like to multitask, the expansive displays are particularly useful. Samsung's Multi Window feature supports splitting the screen into as many as three sections, allowing users to work with multiple applications simultaneously.
That could mean taking notes in Samsung Notes, watching an online lecture, and using an AI assistant at the same time. The S Pen can then be used to capture notes and ideas without constantly jumping between applications.
Battery life designed for long work sessions
A huge screen and powerful processor are only useful if the battery can keep up.
Samsung rates the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra for up to 23 hours of battery life, while the Galaxy Tab S12+ is rated for up to 21 hours on a single charge. Both support 45W charging, with Samsung saying a full charge takes approximately 95 minutes using the company's 45W adapter.
The Ultra packs an 11,600mAh battery, while the S12+ has a 10,600mAh battery.
Those capacities, combined with the claimed battery runtimes, make the new tablets particularly suited to extended study sessions, travel, office work, and creative projects away from an outlet.
Galaxy AI takes center stage
Artificial intelligence is one of the biggest themes surrounding the Galaxy Tab S12 series.
The tablets run Android 17 with Samsung's One UI 9, bringing Samsung's latest Galaxy AI features to the large-screen form factor.
Samsung is also including a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, giving users expanded access to Google's AI models.
One of the more interesting additions is Gemini Notebook, which can bring together notes, images, recordings, and files in a single workspace. Samsung says users can use the feature to create summaries, podcasts, and quizzes based on their material.
The tablets also include AI-oriented browser functionality. Samsung Browser can analyze content across open webpages, consider context across multiple tabs, and surface information from previously visited pages. That could prove useful for research-heavy workflows where the number of open browser tabs tends to multiply faster than anyone would like to admit.
S Pen comes standard
Samsung is including an S Pen with both the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+.
The stylus is designed for handwriting, annotations, sketching, and precise editing. Samsung's Note Assist feature can also summarize notes, giving users a way to turn handwritten or typed information into more digestible material.
For users who want something closer to a laptop-style workstation, Samsung offers its Pro Keyboard, which features an aluminum finish and a dedicated Galaxy AI Key for quick access to AI assistants.
There's also a Book Cover Keyboard Slim, aimed at users who want a lighter keyboard solution while maintaining comfortable viewing and typing angles.
Adobe Photoshop arrives pre-installed
Samsung is also using software partnerships to make the Galaxy Tab S12 series more appealing to creative professionals.
For the first time on an Android tablet, Adobe Photoshop comes pre-loaded on the Galaxy Tab S12 series. The tablet-optimized interface works with the S Pen and includes AI-powered capabilities, including Adobe's AI Assistant and generative AI features based on Adobe Firefly.
Samsung says Galaxy Tab S12 owners receive four months of free access to the Photoshop mobile plan.
Other software perks include Notability, which comes pre-loaded with a six-month trial and 20% off the first subscription.
Samsung is also offering one year of Goodnotes access, a 66% discount on LumaFusion, one month of Notion Plus, and a six-month Clip Studio Paint trial with 20% off the first subscription.
Additional apps include MyScript Math, MyScript Notes, Noteshelf 3, and ArcSite, expanding the tablets' appeal to students, artists, professionals, and people working in technical fields.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs. Tab S12+
The two tablets share much of the same hardware foundation, but there are some important differences.
| Feature | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S12+ |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2960 x 1848 | 2800 x 1752 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1,600 nits | 1,600 nits |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 |
| RAM/storage options | Up to 16GB + 1TB | Up to 12GB + 512GB |
| microSD | Up to 2TB | Up to 2TB |
| Battery | 11,600mAh | 10,600mAh |
| Charging | 45W | 45W |
| Weight | 692g Wi-Fi / 695g 5G | 553g Wi-Fi / 555g 5G |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Rear camera | 13MP + 8MP ultrawide | 13MP |
| Front camera | 12MP ultrawide | 12MP ultrawide |
| S Pen | Included |