Samsung has officially taken the wraps off the Galaxy Tab S12 series — and it is setting a new benchmark for what a tablet can do. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ are thinner, lighter, faster, and more capable than any Samsung tablet before them. At just 5.1 mm thin, the Ultra model is practically a laptop replacement when paired with its keyboard accessories.
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ — Samsung's thinnest and most powerful tablets yet.
🎯 Quick Answer
- What: Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra (14.6-inch) and Tab S12+ (12.6-inch) — flagship Android tablets.
- When: Global and India sales begin October 7, 2026.
- India price: Starts at ₹1,29,999 (Tab S12+ Wi-Fi) and ₹1,49,999 (Tab S12 Ultra Wi-Fi).
- Key upgrade: Samsung's thinnest Galaxy Tab ever at 5.1 mm, 3 nm Dimensity 9500 chip, up to 23-hour battery, Android 17, 7 years of updates.
What Samsung Launched
Samsung announced two tablets under the Galaxy Tab S12 banner. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is the larger model with a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The Galaxy Tab S12+ is the slightly smaller sibling at 12.6 inches, now with slimmer bezels than the Tab S11+.
Both tablets run on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 — a 3 nm processor. Compared to the previous generation (Tab S11 Ultra), Samsung claims up to 61 percent faster NPU (the AI brain), 19 percent faster CPU, and 17 percent better GPU performance. In plain English, everything from multitasking to video editing should feel noticeably snappier.
At 5.1 mm, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is Samsung's thinnest tablet — ever.
Why the Tab S12 Series Feels Like a Laptop
The headline story here is design. The Tab S12 Ultra measures just 5.1 mm thick and weighs 692 grams for the Wi-Fi model. The Tab S12+ is 5.3 mm thick at 553 grams. Both are thin enough to slip into a bag and light enough to hold with one hand for extended reading.
But portability is only half the equation. Samsung sells a Pro Keyboard with a premium aluminium finish and a dedicated Galaxy AI Key. There is also a lighter Book Cover Keyboard Slim. Attach either one and the Tab S12 Ultra turns into something very close to a full productivity machine — a laptop in everything but name. Both keyboards are sold separately.
The S Pen ships inside the box with both models. It supports note-taking, sketching, and precise editing without any extra cost.
Battery and Durability
Samsung says the Tab S12 Ultra lasts up to 23 hours on a single charge (video playback). The Tab S12+ lasts up to 21 hours. Both support 45W fast charging and go from zero to full in about 95 minutes. The 45W adapter is sold separately.
A redesigned 3D Vapor Chamber keeps things cool during heavy workloads like video editing. Both tablets also carry an IP68 rating — meaning they can survive submersion in 1.5 metres of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. The included S Pen is IP68 rated as well.
Both models ship with the S Pen inside the box — no extra purchase needed.
Software and Galaxy AI
Both tablets ship with Android 17 and One UI 9. Samsung promises up to seven generations of OS upgrades and security updates — that is among the longest software support commitments on any Android device.
Galaxy AI features are baked in. Note Assist can automatically summarise your handwritten notes. Samsung Browser can understand webpage content across multiple tabs and surface relevant sources from your browsing history. A six-month trial of Google AI Pro is also included, giving access to Google's most capable AI models.
Pre-loaded Apps and Bundled Value
In a first for any Android tablet, Adobe Photoshop comes pre-loaded on the Tab S12 series. Galaxy Tab S12 buyers get a four-month free Photoshop mobile subscription. Other bundled apps include Notability (six-month trial), Goodnotes (one-year free access), LumaFusion at a 66 percent discount, Notion (one-month Plus plan), and Clip Studio Paint (six-month trial). Samsung values the total bundle at approximately $600.
With the Pro Keyboard attached, the Tab S12 Ultra works like a full laptop.
Galaxy Tab S12 Series: Full Specifications
| Spec | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra (14.6″) | Galaxy Tab S12+ (12.6″) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 208.5 × 326.3 × 5.1 mm | 187.8 × 289.5 × 5.3 mm |
| Weight | 692 g (Wi-Fi) / 695 g (5G) | 553 g (Wi-Fi) / 555 g (5G) |
| Display | 14.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960 × 1848, 120 Hz | 12.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2800 × 1752, 120 Hz |
| Brightness | Peak 1,600 nits / HBM 1,000 nits | Peak 1,600 nits / HBM 1,000 nits |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3 nm) |
| RAM + Storage | 16 GB + 1 TB, 12 GB + 512 GB, 12 GB + 256 GB | 12 GB + 512 GB, 12 GB + 256 GB |
| Expandable Storage | microSD up to 2 TB | microSD up to 2 TB |
| Battery | 11,600 mAh / 45W charging | 10,600 mAh / 45W charging |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Camera (Rear) | 13 MP + 8 MP ultra-wide | 13 MP |
| Camera (Front) | 12 MP ultra-wide | 12 MP ultra-wide |
| Audio | Quad Speaker (4-channel Spatial Audio) | Quad Speaker (4-channel Spatial Audio) |
| S Pen | Included (BLE not supported) | Included (BLE not supported) |
| Durability | IP68 | IP68 |
| OS | Android 17, One UI 9 | Android 17, One UI 9 |
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Gray, Silver |
Global and India Pricing
In the US, the Tab S12 Ultra starts at $1,399.99 and the Tab S12+ starts at $1,199.99. Both represent a $100 increase over the previous generation.
India Prices (All Variants)
| Model | Variant | Connectivity | Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tab S12 Ultra | 12 GB + 256 GB | Wi-Fi | ₹1,49,999 |
| Tab S12 Ultra | 12 GB + 512 GB | Wi-Fi | ₹1,69,999 |
| Tab S12 Ultra | 12 GB + 256 GB | 5G | ₹1,64,999 |
| Tab S12 Ultra | 12 GB + 512 GB | 5G | ₹1,84,999 |
| Tab S12+ | 12 GB + 256 GB | Wi-Fi | ₹1,29,999 |
| Tab S12+ | 12 GB + 512 GB | Wi-Fi | ₹1,49,999 |
| Tab S12+ | 12 GB + 256 GB | 5G | ₹1,44,999 |
| Tab S12+ | 12 GB + 512 GB | 5G | ₹1,64,999 |
⚠️ Note: The 16 GB + 1 TB variant of the Tab S12 Ultra is available globally but is not listed among the official India SKUs at the time of writing (October 6, 2026).
Samsung is offering launch benefits in India, including up to ₹5,000 bank cashback, up to ₹5,000 upgrade bonus, and multi-buy offers when purchased alongside select Samsung flagship smartphones. If you are planning to finance this through store loans, check out our guide on RBI's new EMI device-locking rules.
Will It Come to India?
It already has. Samsung has confirmed India availability from October 7, 2026. The tablets will be available through Samsung's official website, Samsung exclusive stores, and retail partners. Both Wi-Fi and 5G variants are launching in India.
What Indian Buyers Can Do Right Now
- Pre-order: Check Samsung India's website and major retail partners like Croma for early availability starting October 7.
- Wait for launch offers: Bank cashback and upgrade bonuses are available at launch — these often disappear within the first few weeks.
- Know your EMI rights: If you plan to buy on retailer finance or no-cost EMI, read our breakdown of RBI's new EMI device-locking rules: what it means for buyers before signing up.
- Compare carefully: If you mainly need a tablet for content consumption, the Tab S12+ saves you ₹20,000 over the Ultra while offering a very capable 12.6-inch screen.
Should You Wait or Buy Now?
If you have been eyeing a premium Android tablet, the Tab S12 series is the best Samsung has made so far. The combination of a near-laptop form factor, 7 years of software support, and a genuinely powerful 3 nm processor makes a strong case. For anyone currently using a Tab S10 or older, the upgrade is significant.
However, these are expensive devices. The starting price of ₹1,29,999 puts even the smaller Tab S12+ firmly in premium laptop territory. If you are budget-conscious, consider waiting a few weeks for early offers and price drops on shopping festivals.
Available in Gray and Silver — both tablets carry Samsung's premium design language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Galaxy Tab S12 series support a keyboard?
Yes. Samsung offers two optional keyboards: the Pro Keyboard with an aluminium build and Galaxy AI Key, and the Book Cover Keyboard Slim for a lighter setup. Both are sold separately.
Is the S Pen included with the Tab S12?
Yes. Both the Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ come with the S Pen inside the box at no additional cost. However, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) features are not supported on this version of the S Pen.
Does the Tab S12 support expandable storage?
Yes. Both models have a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 2 TB — a feature that competing tablets like the iPad Pro do not offer.
How long will Samsung update the Tab S12 series?
Samsung has committed to seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. This is among the longest update commitments for any Android device.
What processor does the Tab S12 use?
Both the Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ use the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, a 3 nm chip. It is not a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, which Samsung has used in some previous Galaxy Tab models.
Our Take
The Galaxy Tab S12 series is Samsung's clearest statement yet that tablets can genuinely replace laptops for many users. At 5.1 mm, the Ultra is as thin as the iPad Pro — but it comes with the S Pen in the box, offers expandable storage, and runs a full multitasking-friendly version of Android 17. The pre-loaded Adobe Photoshop and the bundled app value of roughly $600 make the overall package hard to ignore.
For Indian buyers, the confirmed India launch on October 7 is welcome news. Prices are steep — starting at ₹1,29,999 — but launch offers with bank cashback can soften the blow. If productivity on the go is your priority, this is the Android tablet to beat in 2026.
🔗 Sources
Last updated: October 6, 2026
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