Ever since Samsung introduced the Galaxy Tab lineup over 15 years ago, its tablets have consistently been widely regarded as some of the best Android tablets available. Whether you’re a diligent student, a passionate professional or someone who’d benefit from having a companion device to make day-to-day life easier, you’ll be served well by one of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab devices.
Interested? We’ve got good news: The latest and greatest options — the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ and S12 Ultra models — have just been announced, and they're only days away from launching on October 7. Here’s an in-depth look at the new flagship units, how they’ve improved over the last generation and why they might be perfect for you if you’re in the market for a new tablet.
The rundown
- Samsung just announced its latest Galaxy Tab devices, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and the Galaxy Tab S12+. They’re scheduled to launch on October 7.
- Compared to the previous generation, the new Galaxy Tab S12 features significantly improved CPU, GPU and NPU (AI) performance, as well as a 20+ hour battery life, an AMOLED 2X 1,600-nit display and a thin 5.1mm design.
- The Galaxy Tab S12 also comes with Samsung’s versatile Galaxy AI assistant, support for a huge range of different software apps, an S Pen stylus in the box and more.
Big performance in a thin, lightweight package
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a new tablet is the hardware it comes with, as a device that slows down under a workload won’t give you the snappy and responsive performance you need. Thankfully, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 models already excelled in this regard, and the new Galaxy Tab S12 delivers even better results. Equipped with a top-of-the-line 3nm processor, the cutting-edge tablets sport performance improvements of up to 19% in CPU, 17% in GPU and a whopping 61% in NPU compared to their predecessors.
All of that horsepower means speedy processing and strong support for intensive workloads, along with much better performance when using Samsung’s Galaxy AI assistant software. And paired with either the 11,600mAh battery of the S12 Ultra or the 10,600mAh battery of the S12+, you’ll get up to 23 or 21 hours of all-day use with all that power, respectively.
Those are impressive capabilities — and they’ve been packed into a thin and lightweight chassis, with the S12 Ultra just 5.1mm thick. Accompanying it is a large 14.6-inch AMOLED 2X display with a max brightness of 1,600 nits, complete with Vision Booster technology that dynamically adjusts the tablet’s brightness level to keep it comfortable and clear to view in any lighting conditions. You’ll get that same screen with the S12+, so don’t worry about compromises if you want the more compact model.
Top-notch features, accessories and more
There’s a lot to love about the Galaxy Tab S12 beyond its design and what's under the hood. For example, there’s the incredibly useful Multi Window feature that allows you to split your display into three sections and use different browsers and applications in each one; with it, you can multitask easily and efficiently and avoid the clunky process of constantly closing and opening apps.
Samsung’s onboard Galaxy AI is at your fingertips and more efficient than ever thanks to the S12’s significantly improved NPU performance. It’s capable of condensing presentations, meetings and other media into short and succinct notes, transcribing video for easy reading, translating different languages, helping you edit photos and more.
The tablet also comes with a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, allowing you to call on Gemini whenever you come across a topic you’re unsure about for clear answers. Gemini Notebook, meanwhile, enables you to combine several sources of information into one for easy studying and even lets you make quizzes to put your learning to the test.
Want a more advanced way to make use of the touchscreen? Both S12 units come with Samsung’s S Pen stylus, so artists and those with a preference for handwriting can get started right away. There’s also the separately available Pro Keyboard or Book Cover Keyboard Slim accessories that transform the tablet into a convertible laptop, complete with a quick access Galaxy AI key.
Oh, and all the software you can dream of
The icing on the cake for Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 series is its remarkably vast suite of supported applications and programs, with countless work apps, productivity tools, games and more available across both the Galaxy Store and the Google Play Store. No matter which Android apps you want or need, you’ll find them on the S12.
Notably, the S12 comes preloaded with some of the most advanced photo editing software available on a mobile device. Out of the box, it has a selection of AI-supported note-taking tools complete with optimizations for S Pen — along with additional options for digital illustration and organization. In total, each tablet comes with roughly $600 worth of exclusive software benefits.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 just might be its best tablet yet
The latest tablet from Samsung’s prestigious Galaxy Tab line is shaping up to be one of the most impressive mobile devices we’ve ever seen from the company, as it sports cutting-edge hardware and performance, fantastic battery life, a sharp display and a razor-thin design.
An advanced array of AI features and software apps empower you with everything you need to study, work and play, with the included S Pen and add-ons such as the Pro Keyboard expanding functionality for artists, writers and those looking for a traditional typing experience.
If you’re looking to get your hands on a new tablet, then the Galaxy Tab S12 should absolutely be on your radar. Both the S12 Ultra and S12+ come out next week and will likely become some of 2026’s most popular new devices.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12’s release date?
Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and the Galaxy Tab S12+ are scheduled to release on October 7, 2026, in select markets.
What is the price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12?
Samsung hasn’t yet announced the price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 lineup, but it is sure to do so closer to the tablets' release date.
What colors are the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 tablets available in?
Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and the Galaxy Tab S12+ will be available in gray and silver colorways.
