Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and S12+: 14.6-Inch Screen, 5.1mm Thin and a Laptop Price

Samsung announced its new flagship tablets on October 1, 2026: the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+, on sale from October 7. The numbers impress — a 14.6-inch AMOLED, 5.1mm thickness, 11,600mAh and up to 23 hours of battery — but so does the price: $1,399 for the Ultra and $1,199 for the Plus. That is laptop money. Is it worth it?

Quick answer: what changed?

The main change is the processor: Samsung switched to the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 on both models. The Ultra has a 14.6-inch display (2960 × 1848) at 120Hz, 5.1mm and 11,600mAh; the Plus, 12.6 inches (2800 × 1752), 5.3mm and 10,600mAh. Both reach 1,600 nits of peak brightness, charge at 45W, run One UI 9 on Android 17 and ship with the S Pen in the box. Colors: Gray and Silver.

Spec sheet compared

Can it replace a laptop?

For drawing, note-taking and media, yes — with advantages: the S Pen is in the box (Apple charges separately), the 14.6-inch screen is bigger than any thin laptop’s, and 23 hours of battery beat any notebook in the class. DeX turns the interface into something close to a windowed desktop. What still blocks it: heavy professional software, code compilation and any workflow that depends on Windows or macOS. The keyboard, which completes the experience, is still sold separately.

The price math

At $1,399, the Ultra sits above a base 13-inch iPad Pro and in the same territory as aluminum Arm laptops. With the S Pen included, the head-to-head against the iPad improves — but the keyboard pushes the bill back up.

Why the chip changed

Swapping Exynos/Snapdragon for the Dimensity 9500 in flagship tablets is a cost and supply move, in a year when memory and 2–3nm capacity became scarce and expensive. For users, what matters is sustained performance and thermal efficiency in a 5mm body — something only independent testing will settle.

Pricing and alternatives

For most buyers, discounted previous generations (S10 and S11) make more sense, and the S Pen remains compatible:

Why this matters to you

The Tab S12 Ultra is the most capable Android tablet ever made, but the price pushes it into a niche: illustration, architecture and video professionals already working on Android. For study and media, a discounted Tab S11 delivers 90% of the experience for half the money. And if your goal is replacing a laptop, do the full math: tablet plus keyboard plus case often exceeds the price of a laptop that runs everything.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra cost?

$1,399 in the U.S.; the Galaxy Tab S12+ costs $1,199. Sales begin October 7, 2026, in Gray and Silver.

Is the S Pen included?

Yes. Samsung includes the S Pen in the box with both models. The keyboard is sold separately.

What processor does the Galaxy Tab S12 use?

Both models use the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 and run One UI 9 on Android 17.

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