- November 5, 2026
GALAXY TAB S12 BUYING GUIDE
Same chip and S Pen, but 14.6 inches versus 12.6 inches.
Updated October 26, 2026 · Manufacturer specifications · Not a hands-on review
Samsung made the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and S12+ available October 7, 2026. Both use a Dimensity 9500 chip, adaptive 120Hz AMOLED 2X, Android 17 / One UI 9, DeX and an included S Pen. Their important differences are screen size, Wi-Fi generation, RAM/storage ceiling, physical weight and launch price.
Best for: Desk-based artists, multiwindow workers and people who truly need a 14.6-inch canvas.
✓ 14.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel
✓ Up to 16GB RAM / 1TB
✓ Wi-Fi 7 and 11,600mAh
• 692g can be cumbersome for handheld reading
• Higher U.S. launch MSRP
Best for: Students, commuters and travelers wanting a more portable premium Samsung tablet.
✓ 12.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel
✓ 139g lighter for Wi-Fi model
✓ Lower U.S. launch MSRP, same S Pen
• Smaller multitasking area
• Wi-Fi 6E, storage ceiling 512GB
Source: manufacturer-published details. Storage, regional bundles and pricing can vary; launch MSRP is historical, not a live quote.
| Specification | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S12+ |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | October 7, 2026 | October 7, 2026 |
| Display | 14.6-inch AMOLED 2X, 120Hz | 12.6-inch AMOLED 2X, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 2960×1848 | 2800×1752 |
| Chip | Dimensity 9500 | Dimensity 9500 |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB by storage tier | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB; microSD | 256GB / 512GB; microSD |
| Wi-Fi weight | 692g | 553g |
| Battery | 11,600mAh | 10,600mAh |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| S Pen | Included | Included |
| Dust/water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| U.S. launch MSRP | From $1,399.99 | From $1,199.99 |
Drawing and side-by-side apps: Ultra’s extra two diagonal inches can matter more than the shared chipset.
Commuting or lectures: S12+ gives the same pen and DeX ecosystem in a lighter footprint.
Storage and connectivity: Ultra offers higher top internal storage and Wi-Fi 7. Check whether you actually need either before spending extra.
For most shoppers wanting a flagship Galaxy tablet, S12+ strikes the more portable balance. Choose Ultra when a 14.6-inch canvas, higher storage tier or Wi-Fi 7 clearly matters. Both offer the same named chip and included S Pen, so size should drive the decision.
Yes, the S Pen comes in the box.
Both list the Dimensity 9500; real performance depends on workloads and thermals, not size alone.
It was the U.S. launch MSRP gap; promotions and actual configurations change.
Editorial method: desk research using official manufacturer specifications, reviewed October 26, 2026. We have not personally tested these tablets, measured benchmarks, or checked live stock levels.
Samsung official S12 specifications
Samsung U.S. availability and launch prices
Affiliate disclosure: Links to manufacturer specifications on this page are informational. If future retailer affiliate links are added, any commission relationship should be disclosed clearly at the point of recommendation. Browse all 2026 tablet comparisons.