SAMSUNG announced its new flagship tablet lineup, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+, on September 30. Both are powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 9500 and run One UI 9 based on Android 17. The Ultra packs a 14.6-inch display into a body just 5.1mm thick, making it SAMSUNG's thinnest Galaxy Tab. Sales start October 7 in select markets, with US pricing from 1,399 USD (about 220,000 yen) for the Ultra and 1,199 USD (about 190,000 yen) for the S12+.
A 14.6-Inch Screen in a 5.1mm Body
The Ultra is the star of the series, with a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at 2,960 x 1,848 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1,600 nits. The S12+ steps down to 12.6 inches (2,800 x 1,752 pixels) while sharing the same display technology.
The Ultra measures 5.1mm thick and the S12+ 5.3mm. The Ultra weighs 692g in its Wi-Fi version and 695g in the 5G version; the S12+ weighs 553g and 555g respectively. Despite the slim profile, both carry IP68 dust and water resistance and an in-display fingerprint sensor.
How the Two Models Differ
Both tablets share the same chip, so the differences come down to screen size, memory, battery, cameras and wireless standard.
| Item | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S12+ |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 14.6 inches | 12.6 inches |
| RAM / Storage | 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB, 16GB/1TB | 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB |
| Battery | 11,600mAh | 10,600mAh |
| Rear camera | 13MP + 8MP ultrawide | 13MP |
| Front camera | 12MP ultrawide | 12MP ultrawide |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| US price | From 1,399 USD | From 1,199 USD |
Both support Bluetooth 6.0 and microSD cards of up to 2TB. Wired charging tops out at 45W, which SAMSUNG says takes a battery from 0% to 100% in about 95 minutes. The company quotes up to 23 hours of battery life for the Ultra.
Galaxy AI and a Google AI Pro Trial
The software is One UI 9 on Android 17, with a multi-window layout of up to three panes and the latest Galaxy AI features. Buyers also get a six-month Google AI Pro trial, which includes Gemini and a notebook feature for organizing research and notes.
Adobe Photoshop comes pre-installed, a first for an Android tablet. An S Pen ships in the box with both models, while the Pro Keyboard and the slim Book Cover Keyboard are sold separately. SAMSUNG also promises seven years of OS and security updates, a quiet but significant assurance for a device people tend to keep for a long time.
Audio and Cooling
The four speakers deliver 4-channel spatial audio, which SAMSUNG says is double the previous generation. The Dimensity 9500 is paired with a 3D vapor chamber to shed heat in the thin chassis. The tablets come in Gray and Silver.
Japan Availability Still Unclear
Sales begin October 7 in select markets. We have not been able to confirm a launch date or pricing for Japan, and will update when domestic details emerge.
※Exchange rate as of October 5, 2026: 1 USD = 157.7 JPY (approximate).
Summary
Built around the 5.1mm Ultra, the Galaxy Tab S12 series combines a large battery, the Dimensity 9500 and a seven-year update promise in a clearly premium package. The bundled S Pen and pre-installed Photoshop make a strong case for anyone who wants a laptop alternative. With prices above 1,000 USD (about 160,000 yen), though, Japanese pricing will be worth watching.
