Samsung’s biggest tablet just got faster, but it didn’t get bigger, thinner or lighter. And it costs $200 more than last year’s model. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra goes on sale in the US today, October 7, 2026, starting at $1,399.99, alongside the 12.6-inch Galaxy Tab S12+ from $1,199.99.
So is it a real upgrade or a price bump with a new chip? Let’s break it down: what it costs, what’s inside, how it stacks up against the S12+ and the S11 Ultra, and which configuration makes sense for you.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra at a Glance
Here are the headline facts, taken from Samsung’s US newsroom and product page.
| Detail | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S12+ |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | September 30, 2026 | September 30, 2026 |
| US on-sale date | October 7, 2026 | October 7, 2026 |
| Starting price | $1,399.99 | $1,199.99 |
| Display | 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960 x 1848, 120Hz | 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2800 x 1752, 120Hz |
| Chip | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3nm) |
| RAM / storage | 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1TB | 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB |
| Battery | 11,600mAh, up to 23 hours video | 10,600mAh, up to 21 hours video |
| Thickness / weight | 5.1mm / 692g | 5.3mm / 553g (Wi-Fi) |
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Gray, Silver |
| In the box | S Pen | S Pen |
When Can You Buy the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra?
Right now. Samsung announced the Tab S12 series on September 30 and set the US on-sale date for October 7, according to Samsung’s US announcement. There was no separate pre-order window mentioned in that release, so today is effectively day one.
Samsung notes that availability and timing may vary by market, carrier or model, so cellular versions may not land everywhere on the same day.
The key takeaway here is simple: if you were waiting for a release date, the wait is over.
How Much Does the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra Cost?
Officially, Samsung lists only the starting prices: $1,399.99 for the Ultra and $1,199.99 for the S12+. Per-configuration pricing wasn’t spelled out in the press release, but a pre-launch leak from tipster Roland Quandt, reported by SamMobile in August, laid out the full US ladder. Treat these as reported figures and check Samsung’s store before you buy.
| Configuration (Wi-Fi) | Reported US price |
|---|---|
| Tab S12+ 12GB + 256GB | $1,199.99 |
| Tab S12+ 12GB + 512GB | $1,399.99 |
| Tab S12 Ultra 12GB + 256GB | $1,399.99 |
| Tab S12 Ultra 12GB + 512GB | $1,599.99 |
| Tab S12 Ultra 16GB + 1TB | $1,999.99 |
Now compare that with last year. The Tab S11 Ultra launched at $1,199 for 256GB, $1,319 for 512GB and $1,619 for 1TB, per SamMobile’s 2025 pricing report. That means the entry Ultra is up $200, and the 1TB model is up roughly $380 if the leaked figures hold.
Here’s the thing. Samsung isn’t alone in raising prices this year, as memory costs have pushed hardware up across the board. If you want the bigger picture, our look at why your next iPad and Mac will be 20% more expensive explains the RAM squeeze that’s hitting tablets and laptops alike.
“A $200 jump for a new chip is a big ask, so the bundle has to do some of the heavy lifting.”
What’s New in the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra?
You see, the outside barely changed. The inside is where Samsung spent its effort, along with software and bundled apps.
Faster chip and AI hardware
The MediaTek Dimensity 9500 replaces the Dimensity 9400+ used in the S11 Ultra. Samsung claims 61% faster NPU processing, 19% faster CPU performance and 17% better GPU power compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. That NPU number is the one Samsung clearly cares about, because it powers on-device Galaxy AI features.
Android 17, One UI 9 and seven years of updates
The tablet ships with Android 17 and One UI 9, and Samsung promises 7 OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates. For a $1,400 device, that long support window is a genuine selling point. You also get 6 months of Google AI Pro and Gemini integration, including a Notebook feature.
If you’re weighing Samsung’s AI against Apple’s, our Apple Intelligence vs Galaxy AI comparison breaks down where each one is ahead.
Photoshop arrives on an Android tablet
This is the headline for creatives. Adobe Photoshop comes preloaded, and Samsung calls it an exclusive Android tablet debut, with 4 months free. The bundle also includes 6 months of Notability Plus, 6 months of Clip Studio Paint EX and 1 year of Goodnotes Essential, plus trials or discounts for LumaFusion and Notion. Samsung values the whole package at about $445.
A redesigned S Pen, still in the box
The S Pen is included and now has a pencil-inspired shape. Many rivals charge extra for a stylus, so factor that in.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs Tab S12+ vs Tab S11 Ultra
Sounds like a clean generational leap, right? Not quite. Put the three side by side and you’ll see how much carried over.
| Spec | Tab S12 Ultra | Tab S12+ | Tab S11 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch price (US) | $1,399.99 | $1,199.99 | $1,199 |
| Screen | 14.6-inch, 120Hz | 12.6-inch, 120Hz | 14.6-inch, 120Hz |
| Chip | Dimensity 9500 | Dimensity 9500 | Dimensity 9400+ |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB |
| Max storage | 1TB | 512GB | 1TB |
| Battery | 11,600mAh | 10,600mAh | 11,600mAh |
| Charging | 45W | 45W | 45W |
| Thickness | 5.1mm | 5.3mm | 5.1mm |
| Weight | 692g | 553g (Wi-Fi) | 692g |
| Rear cameras | 13MP + 8MP ultrawide | 13MP | 13MP + 8MP ultrawide |
S11 Ultra figures are from NanoReview’s spec comparison and SamMobile’s 2025 pricing; S12 figures are from Samsung.
Let’s back up a little. The display size, resolution, battery capacity, thickness, weight and camera setup are effectively identical between the S12 Ultra and the S11 Ultra. SamMobile flagged back in June that the battery wasn’t getting an upgrade, and the final spec sheet confirms it.
The key takeaway here is simple: the S12 Ultra is a performance, software and bundle update, not a redesign.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Early verdicts agree on the hardware and split on value.
Tom’s Guide gives it a Recommended badge and calls it “the best one out there” among large OLED Android tablets, praising the “gorgeous 14.6-inch OLED panel.” Its cons list is blunt, though, leading with the “$200 price hike.” In its web-browsing battery test, Tom’s Guide measured 11 hours 31 minutes, which it says is a little shorter than the S11 Ultra managed.
Expert Reviews also recommends it, but reaches a different battery result. Its video playback test hit 19 hours 44 minutes, which it describes as “more than two and a half hours longer than the Tab S11 Ultra.” It measured Geekbench 6 gains of 23% single-core and 21% multi-core over the predecessor.
Here’s the catch. The two outlets used different test methods, so battery life depends heavily on what you do. Video playback looks better than year-over-year; mixed web use may not.
On Apple’s side, Tom’s Guide notes the M5 iPad Pro is “still not comparable” on performance and delivers brighter HDR, while Samsung’s colors look “more vivid.” Expert Reviews points to the app gap as the biggest weakness, writing that Android’s tablet app ecosystem “is still a long, long way behind” what iPad owners get.
“The hardware is excellent. The question is whether your apps can keep up with it.”
Should You Upgrade? Who the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra Is For
That depends entirely on what you’re holding now. Here’s how to decide.
1. Skip it if you already own a Tab S11 Ultra
Same screen, same battery, same body, same cameras. You’d be paying $1,399.99 or more for a faster chip and a software bundle. The S11 Ultra will also keep getting updates for years, so there’s no pressing reason to move.
2. Upgrade if you’re on a Tab S9 Ultra or older
Fast forward two or three generations and the jump becomes meaningful: a much faster NPU for on-device AI, Photoshop on board, a 5.1mm body and support stretching well into the 2030s. If your current tablet is slowing down, this is the moment.
3. Pick the S12+ if portability matters more than canvas size
The S12+ uses the same Dimensity 9500 chip, weighs 553g instead of 692g and saves you $200. Unless you need 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage or the second rear camera, you give up surprisingly little.
4. Choose the Ultra if you draw, edit or run DeX all day
That 14.6-inch screen is the reason to buy this tablet. Artists using the Photoshop and Clip Studio bundles, and anyone splitting the screen into three apps with Multi Window, will feel the extra space every day.
Which Storage Configuration Should You Buy?
More storage isn’t always smarter. Both tablets support microSD cards up to 2TB, according to Samsung’s product page, which changes the math.
- 12GB + 256GB: The best value for most people. Add a microSD card for photos, video and offline media.
- 12GB + 512GB: Worth it if you install large creative apps and keep big project files on internal storage, where they load fastest.
- 16GB + 1TB: Only for heavy video editors or multitaskers who need the extra 4GB of RAM, since it’s the only way to get 16GB. At a reported $1,999.99, it’s a lot of money for a tablet.
The key takeaway here is simple: buy the RAM you need, then let a microSD card handle the bulk storage.
How to Save on a Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra
Deals on a launch-day tablet are thin, but there are a few verified ways to cut the cost.
1. Grab the keyboard while it’s 30% off
If you plan to use the tablet as a laptop stand-in, buy the Pro Keyboard or Book Cover Keyboard Slim now, while Samsung’s 30% launch discount applies.
2. Use the software bundle you’re paying for
Photoshop, Notability, Clip Studio Paint and Goodnotes trials add up to about $445 in Samsung’s estimate. Set reminders before each trial ends so you don’t roll into subscriptions you don’t want.
3. Watch the big sales events
New tablets rarely see deep cuts in their first weeks, but keep an eye on retailer events. Our Prime Big Deal Days 2026 tech deals roundup is a good place to track discounts on Samsung tablets and accessories, including the S11 Ultra if you’d rather save.
The Bottom Line on Samsung’s Newest Tablet
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is a refined, powerful tablet with a gorgeous screen, a stylus in the box and seven years of updates ahead of it. It’s also a familiar one, wrapped around last year’s body at a higher price.
If you’re coming from an older Galaxy Tab, or you’ve been waiting for Photoshop on Android, this is the most capable big-screen Android tablet you can buy today. If you already own an S11 Ultra, enjoy what you have. And if you’re still torn between ecosystems, Apple’s next move is close, so check our Apple October Event 2026 preview before you commit.
Either way, the bar for big-screen tablets just moved up again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Samsung announced it on September 30, 2026, and it goes on sale in the US on October 7, 2026, starting at $1,399.99.
Yes, the Tab S12 series includes the 14.6-inch Tab S12 Ultra and the 12.6-inch Tab S12+. Both run Android 17 with One UI 9 and use the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip.
Yes, the S Pen comes in the box with both the S12 Ultra and S12+. Samsung redesigned it with a pencil-inspired shape for note taking and editing.
Samsung promises 7 OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates, which makes it one of the longest-supported tablets you can buy.
It’s rated IP68 for water and dust resistance. GSMArena lists that rating as covering immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Only if you need the faster Dimensity 9500 chip or the software bundle. The display, battery, weight and cameras are essentially unchanged, and the S12 Ultra costs $200 more at launch.
