Premium tablets are easy to admire and harder to justify. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and S12+ have large AMOLED screens, an included S Pen, and software built for multitasking. The question is whether either can handle enough of your work to leave your laptop closed.
Price: From $1,199
Where to Buy: Samsung
The 14.6-inch Ultra starts at $1,399.99 in the U.S.; the more portable 12.6-inch S12+ starts at $1,199.99. Both are due October 7, and the keyboards that make them feel more like laptops cost extra. That makes this less a question of which tablet has the biggest screen and more a question of which tasks you actually need it to do.
The Ultra gives you more room to work
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has a 14.6-inch, 2960 x 1848 Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung lists a 5.1mm-thin body, up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness, IP68 dust and water resistance, and an 11,600mAh battery.
That screen is the clearest reason to choose it. Multi Window supports up to three sections, so you could watch a lecture, take notes, and keep a browser open at the same time. The extra space also makes sense for drawing, photo editing, and working in Samsung DeX.
It is still a very large tablet. The Ultra weighs 692 grams before you add a keyboard, making it better suited to a desk or a bag than to one-handed reading on the couch.
The Tab S12+ offers a more manageable 12.6-inch display, a 5.3mm profile, and a weight of 553 grams for the Wi-Fi model. It uses the same processor and retains enough screen space for split-screen work. If you plan to carry your tablet regularly, the Plus may be the more practical choice.
Both tablets support microSD cards up to 2TB. The S12+ comes with 12GB of memory and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. The Ultra offers those configurations too, plus a 1TB model with 16GB of memory.
Performance claims need real-world testing
Both models use MediaTek’s 3nm Dimensity 9500 processor and a redesigned 3D vapor chamber. Samsung claims up to 61% faster NPU performance, 19% faster CPU performance, and 17% better GPU performance compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.
Those are Samsung’s figures, not independent test results, and they do not mean every app will feel 19% faster. The improvements may matter most when switching among demanding apps, editing media, or using AI tools alongside other work.
Owners of the S11 Ultra should be especially cautious about upgrading. The S12 Ultra keeps the same 14.6-inch screen size, 120Hz refresh rate, 11,600mAh battery capacity, 45W charging support, and 5.1mm profile. The processor, cooling system, and four-channel spatial audio are the more notable hardware changes. This is an iterative update, not a redesign.
The S Pen is included; the keyboard is not
Samsung includes an S Pen with both tablets. That gives either model an immediate use for handwritten notes, sketches, PDF annotations, and precise edits without another accessory purchase.
If your goal is to replace some laptop tasks, the optional Pro Keyboard or Book Cover Keyboard Slim matters more. The Pro Keyboard adds a Galaxy AI Key, while Samsung DeX lets you open, resize, and arrange compatible apps in a desktop-style workspace.
DeX can work well for writing, browsing, email, presentations, messaging, and web-based tools. It is not Windows or macOS, though. If your job depends on desktop-only software, specialized business applications, or a particular editing workflow, check that your essential apps work the way you need before treating either tablet as a laptop replacement.
Samsung is offering 30% off either keyboard with a Tab S12 purchase for a limited time in the U.S. Even with that promotion, the keyboard is an added cost on top of an already expensive tablet.
Creative apps and AI add options
The Tab S12 series runs Android 17 with One UI 9. Samsung’s Note Assist can summarize text in Samsung Notes, while Now Nudge can suggest actions based on what is on your screen. Eligible buyers also get a six-month Google AI Pro trial.
Adobe Photoshop is listed in the Galaxy Picks folder on both tablets and launches through the Galaxy Store on October 7. Eligible Tab S12 buyers get four months of the Photoshop premium mobile plan. Samsung also highlights note-taking and creative apps including Notability and Goodnotes, although trial terms and availability vary.
These additions make the tablets more interesting for students and creators, but they do not remove the need to check your work. AI-generated summaries can miss details, and an available app may not support every feature or file-handling step you use on a computer.
Battery life depends on the job
Samsung rates the Tab S12 Ultra for up to 23 hours of video playback and the S12+ for up to 21 hours. Those estimates come from local 720p video playback at 162 nits with wireless connections turned off. They are not estimates for a day of DeX, video calls, high screen brightness, and creative work.
Both tablets support 45W charging. Samsung estimates a zero-to-full charge in about 95 minutes with a compatible 45W charger, which is sold separately. The charger is not included in the box.
Which Galaxy Tab S12 should you buy?
Choose the Tab S12 Ultra if its 14.6-inch canvas will make a measurable difference to how you draw, edit, or arrange multiple apps. At $1,399.99 before a keyboard, screen space needs to be something you will use often, not just something that looks impressive in a store.
Choose the $1,199.99 Tab S12+ if you want the same processor, S Pen, and core software features in a tablet that is easier to carry. If you already own a recent high-end Galaxy Tab, wait for independent testing before paying to upgrade.
Price: From $1,199
Where to Buy: Samsung
Neither model replaces a laptop for everyone. For someone whose writing, research, notes, and creative work already fit Android apps, however, the Tab S12 series could become the computer they reach for most often.
