Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and S12+ launch from $1,199

Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+ on September 30, 2026. The Ultra starts at $1,399 and the S12+ at $1,199, and both go on sale on October 7. Both run on MediaTek's Dimensity 9500 chip and come with seven years of Android and security updates.

That update promise matters as much as the hardware. A tablet bought this month should keep getting software support into 2033, which makes it easier to justify the price for work use.

Two sizes, one chip

The two models differ mainly in size, battery and weight. GSMArena and gHacks report these specifications:

	Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra	Galaxy Tab S12+
Screen	14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X	12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution	2,960 x 1,848	2,800 x 1,752
Chip	MediaTek Dimensity 9500	MediaTek Dimensity 9500
Memory and storage	12GB or 16GB; 256GB, 512GB or 1TB	12GB; 256GB or 512GB
Battery	11,600mAh	10,600mAh
Claimed battery life	Up to 23 hours	Up to 21 hours
Thickness	5.1mm	5.3mm
Weight	692g	553g (Wi-Fi), 555g (5G)
Rear cameras	13MP + 8MP	13MP
Front camera	12MP ultrawide	12MP ultrawide

GSMArena gives the Ultra's screen a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, meaning it redraws the image up to 120 times a second. A higher rate makes scrolling and pen strokes look smoother.

gHacks lists the features both share. Each has 45W wired charging, peak brightness of 1,600 nits and an IP68 rating against dust and water. Each also has an in-display fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth 6.0 and a microSD slot that takes cards up to 2TB. Samsung's S Pen stylus comes in the box.

Image: Samsung

Software and updates

Both tablets ship with One UI 9, Samsung's version of Android, built on Android 17, SamMobile reports. Samsung promises seven years of operating system and security updates for both models. SamMobile also notes better cooling and spatial audio, which makes sound seem to come from around the listener.

Prices and release date

Sales start on October 7, 2026, in major markets, with other countries following in stages, SamMobile reports. These are the starting prices for the 12GB and 256GB models:

Market	Tab S12 Ultra	Tab S12+
United States	$1,399	$1,199
United Kingdom	£1,399	£1,199
Europe (euros)	€1,569	€1,329

The top Ultra configuration has 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage.

What this means for developers

Test your app on a large Android screen. A 14.6-inch display at 2,960 x 1,848 shows the gaps in phone-only layouts quickly. Check that your app resizes cleanly, uses the extra width and works in split-screen with another app.

Target Android 17. Both tablets ship on it, and they will keep getting new Android versions for years. Build against the newest API level and test how One UI 9 handles your app.

Support the S Pen if your app involves drawing, notes or markup. The pen comes with every unit, so tablet users are likely to try it in your app. Basic stylus input and palm rejection go a long way.

Test on MediaTek hardware. Both models use the Dimensity 9500. Apps with native code, games or on-device AI models should be checked on this chip, not just on the phones your team carries.

Mind the new install rules in four countries. In Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, Samsung's Galaxy Store is one of seven stores now enforcing Android developer verification. If you ship tablet apps there through Galaxy Store, register as a developer first.

For buyers, the seven-year promise is the main reason to pay this much. A 2TB microSD slot and an included pen also cut the cost of add-ons.