Tablets and laptops aren't as far apart as they used to be. The best tablets can now handle many of the same everyday tasks once reserved for a traditional computer. Writing assignments, drafting layouts, editing photos and taking projects through to completion can all be done from a single portable device.
Samsung's new Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is designed with exactly that kind of flexibility in mind. Combining powerful hardware, Galaxy AI features, desktop-style software tools and a large 14.6-inch AMOLED display in a remarkably thin chassis, it gives users a practical alternative for productivity, learning and entertainment wherever they happen to be.
For studying, productivity and travel, the Samsung Tab S12 Ultra's appeal isn't simply that it can perform laptop-like tasks. It's that it packages those capabilities into a device that's easier to carry, flexible enough to use in a wider variety of environments, and better suited to people who regularly switch between reading, writing, note-taking, research and content creation throughout the day.
The rundown
- Measuring just 5.1mm thick with IP68 water resistance, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra’s lightweight chassis slips easily into a backpack while holding up against daily commuting.
- An included S Pen enables natural handwriting, sketching, and direct PDF markup with the Samsung Tab S12 Ultra right out of the box, without requiring extra accessory purchases.
- Built-in Galaxy AI tools streamline heavy study sessions by quickly transcribing recordings, translating text, and turning messy notes into clean summaries.
- Samsung DeX and Multi Window provide a genuine desktop-style interface, letting you run up to three side-by-side apps across the expansive display.
- Samsung Tab S12 Ultra’s vibrant 14.6-inch AMOLED panel reaches up to 1,600 nits for outdoor readability and pairs with an 11,600mAh battery for unplugged productivity.
1. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra’s thin, lightweight and built for life on the move
One of the biggest advantages of the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is its portability. At just 5.1mm thick, it's easy to throw into a backpack or carry bag and take wherever the day leads. Anyone regularly carrying a laptop, charger and a few other essentials will appreciate how lightweight it is and how little space it takes up.
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra’s slim profile becomes particularly useful when moving between lectures, libraries, cafes, coworking spaces or airport lounges. Instead of carrying a device designed primarily around desk use, users have access to a large-screen productivity device that can be comfortably used in a wide variety of environments.
In his review, Tony Polanco (Senior Computing Writer here at Tom's Guide) mentions that the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra's "thin, lightweight, and sturdy design makes it an unobtrusive travel partner." That's likely to resonate with anyone who spends their day moving between different locations and still needs reliable access to notes, documents and research along the way.
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has also been tested in accordance with IP68 lab standards for water and dust resistance, helping it better withstand the realities of daily commuting, outdoor study sessions and frequent travel. The combination of a slim profile makes the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra easy to carry from place to place and withstand the rigours of both indoor and outdoor use.
2. The included S Pen makes note-taking and annotation on the Tab S12 Ultra feel natural
From an input standpoint, most laptops are entirely reliant on a keyboard and trackpad. However, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra's included S Pen gives you another level of interaction. It makes it easy to switch from typing to handwritten notes, annotating documents or making quick sketches in an instant — and without the need to purchase an additional accessory.
Some subjects naturally lend themselves to handwritten notes, particularly when dealing with formulas, diagrams, lecture notes or visual concepts that are awkward to create with a keyboard alone. In that sense, being able to type notes or jot them down by hand on the same device is genuinely useful.
The S Pen can also help streamline your workflow. For instance, students no longer have to print out documents or work from paper notebooks — with the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, it's possible to annotate PDFs, highlight readings and write directly on course materials, all on the one device. They can also quickly sketch diagrams during classes and tutorials, instead of juggling notebooks, printouts and digital files. The Samsung Notes app makes it easy to keep track of it all — especially with the AI-powered Note Assist feature, which can turn hastily scribbled notes into clean, formatted text.
3. Galaxy AI helps turn information into useful insights faster
One of the most practical uses of AI for learning isn't content generation, but rather the way it can make sense of large amounts of information in less time.
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra includes integrated Galaxy AI features that can assist with organisation, note-taking and summarisation. In the Samsung Notes app, tools such as Note Assist can help turn lengthy notes into more digestible summaries.
For students dealing with lecture recordings, transcripts, research papers and extensive course materials, these tools can reduce the amount of time spent sorting and organising information. Having transcription and translation available on the device can also make it easier to revisit lectures, meetings and other study resources later on.
The experience extends further through Samsung's inclusion of six months of Google AI Pro membership (valued at AU$197.94), giving users access to additional AI-powered tools for research, productivity and learning. Taken together, these features help answer a common question about the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra: yes, it can assist with summarising lecture notes, organising study materials and helping users manage large volumes of information more effectively.
4. Samsung DeX and Multi Window make multitasking on the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra feel more like a desktop
Multi Window and Samsung DeX are two of the features that help the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra bridge the gap between a tablet and a traditional laptop, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously when there's complex work to be done.
Multi Window functionality lets users open and interact with up to three applications simultaneously, along with up to five floating pop-up windows. That could mean reading a research paper while taking notes and drafting an assignment, or participating in a video meeting while monitoring email and reference documents. Instead of constantly jumping between apps, documents and notes can remain visible at all times.
The extra screen real estate plays a major role here too: in his review, Tony Polanco also notes that the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra's 14.6-inch display is well suited to "juggling multiple apps," a task that benefits from having more screen space to work with.
Samsung DeX takes things a step further by providing a desktop-style interface that's optimised for productivity, whether you're working from the tablet itself or connected to an external monitor. Paired with an optional detachable keyboard (such as the Pro Keyboard or Book Cover Keyboard Slim), the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra can support document editing, presentations, spreadsheets, web research and other everyday productivity tasks in a familiar desktop-like environment. For users asking whether the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra can replace a laptop for everyday productivity, features like DeX and Multi Window make a strong argument.
5. A large AMOLED display and all-day battery are built for long study sessions
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra's 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display isn't just notable for its size — its panel is also one of the brightest screens we've seen on a tablet. Much of this is thanks to Samsung's Seamless Vision Booster technology and a peak brightness rating of up to 1,600 nits. That makes it easier to work with documents, notes and other content when you're outdoors or in other high-brightness environments.
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra's huge display is especially handy when working with complex documents, large spreadsheets or multiple apps at once. Students can keep references, notes and assignments visible simultaneously, while professionals can manage meetings, documents and communications side by side.
A device this large also has room for a sizeable battery, with Samsung rating the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra's 11,600mAh cell for up to 23 hours of video playback. That should be reassuring for anyone who spends long stretches away from a charger. There's also support for 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (via a separate charging brick that’s available to purchase) for when it's eventually time to top that big battery up.
The bottom line
For students, professionals and frequent travellers, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra brings together many of the qualities people look for in a productivity device. Its 5.1mm design, IP68 rating, bundled S Pen, Galaxy AI features, Samsung DeX mode, three-way Multi Window support, large 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and long battery life allow it to adapt to a wide range of study, work and entertainment scenarios.
It can function as a digital notebook, research tool, productivity workstation and media device in a slim slate form factor. Combined with its AI-powered learning features, desktop-style multitasking capabilities and travel-friendly build quality, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is designed to handle many of the tasks people would traditionally reach for a laptop to complete — which is one of the key reasons why we ultimately described it as "one of the best Android tablets around" in our review.
The Galaxy Tab S12 Series is available now online and in-store. Visit Samsung.com.au for more information.
Please refer to Samsung.com.au for full product and feature details, terms and conditions.
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