Key takeaways
- The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra starts at $1,399.99, $200 more than last year, and the Tab S12+ starts at $1,199.99.
- Both use MediaTek's Dimensity 9500, include an S Pen and come with Adobe Photoshop for Tablet preloaded.
- There is no 11 inch model this year, and Samsung promises seven years of OS and security updates.
Samsung's newest big screen tablets are now on sale in the US. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+ went on sale on October 7, starting at $1,399.99 and $1,199.99, and they arrive with a twist Android tablet fans have wanted for years: Adobe Photoshop preloaded. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra keeps its huge 14.6 inch display and slim body, gains a faster MediaTek chip, and costs $200 more than last year's Ultra, according to Gadget Hacks. Here is what you get, what changed, and who should actually consider one.
What happened
Samsung announced the two tablets on September 30 and set October 7 as the start of sales in select markets, including the US. Tech-ish reported US pricing of $1,399.99 for the Ultra and $1,199.99 for the S12+. Gadget Hacks noted that SamMobile has reported a possible staggered rollout by region, so stock may not show up everywhere at once.
One thing is missing this year. Unlike the Tab S11 pair, there is no smaller 11 inch model in this launch, according to Tech-ish. If you wanted a compact Samsung flagship tablet, you will need to look at older models for now.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra specs at a glance
Both tablets share a lot, so the choice mostly comes down to size and a few extras.
Display
The Ultra uses a 14.6 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel at 2960 x 1848, while the S12+ has a 12.6 inch panel at 2800 x 1752. Both run at 120Hz and reach a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, Gadget Hacks reported. The S12+ screen is 0.2 inches bigger than the one on the Tab S10+.
Chip, memory and storage
Both models use MediaTek's Dimensity 9500. Samsung claims the Ultra is up to 19% faster at CPU tasks, 17% faster at graphics and 61% faster at AI processing than the Tab S11 Ultra, according to Tech-ish. Those are Samsung's own figures, so independent testing will tell the real story.
The Ultra offers up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The S12+ tops out at 12GB of RAM and 512GB.
Battery, charging and build
The Ultra carries an 11,600mAh battery, the same capacity as last year. The S12+ moves up to 10,600mAh. Both support 45W charging. The Ultra measures 5.1mm thick and weighs 692g for the Wi-Fi model, while the S12+ is 5.3mm and 553g.
Samsung calls the S12 Ultra its thinnest Galaxy Tab yet, but Tech-ish pointed out that its published thickness matches the S11 Ultra. Both new models carry an IP68 rating, include four channel spatial audio, and come in Grey and Silver.
Connectivity
The Ultra supports Wi-Fi 7. The S12+ sticks with Wi-Fi 6E. For most homes that difference will not matter yet, but it may if you have recently bought a Wi-Fi 7 router.
The Photoshop deal and other extras
The headline software feature is Adobe Photoshop for Tablet. It arrives on the Galaxy Store on October 7 and will be exclusive there for at least six months, Tech-ish reported. Samsung bills this as a first for Android tablets.
There are a few things to understand before counting it as free. Buyers get four months of a premium plan, plus six month trials of Google AI Pro and Notability. Samsung puts the total bundle value close to $600, but Gadget Hacks noted that most of that value is temporary. After the trials end, you pay or you lose access.
The S Pen is still included in the box, which remains a real advantage over rivals that sell styluses separately. Samsung's Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim are sold separately, so a laptop style setup costs more than the sticker price suggests.
On the software side, both tablets run Android 17 with One UI 9. Split screen multitasking supports three apps at once, and Note Assist can summarize text inside Samsung Notes. Samsung's US announcement promises up to seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, according to Tech-ish. That is a long support window and helps justify the price over time.
Why it matters
At $1,399.99 before a keyboard, the Ultra lands in the same price zone as premium laptops. Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra, for comparison, starts much higher, but plenty of capable Windows and Mac laptops sit near this tablet's price. Samsung is betting that creative pros will value a large OLED canvas, an included pen and now Photoshop enough to choose a tablet instead.
The $200 price jump on the Ultra is the part buyers will notice most. The year over year hardware changes are modest: same screen size, same battery, a faster chip and newer software. If you own a Tab S11 Ultra, there is little here that demands an upgrade.
Who should consider one
Artists and photo editors. The included S Pen, big AMOLED display and Photoshop support make the Ultra the most compelling Android option for visual work.
Students and note takers. The S12+ may be the better pick. It is lighter, cheaper and still gets the pen and long software support.
People who mainly stream and browse. Either model is far more tablet than you need. A midrange tablet will do the job for a fraction of the cost.
Laptop shoppers. If most of your work happens in a browser and office apps, a laptop may still be the more flexible tool. Our guide on how to choose a laptop without overpaying can help you compare.
What to do before buying
- Price the full setup. Add the keyboard you would actually use, then compare against a laptop at the same total.
- Check which apps you need. Photoshop on a tablet is not identical to the desktop version, so confirm the tools you rely on are there.
- Set reminders for trial end dates so you are not charged for services you do not use.
- If you already use a Galaxy phone, Samsung's ecosystem features will feel more natural. Our recent look at Samsung Wallet adding USDC transfers shows how much Samsung is adding to its devices.
What to watch next
Independent reviews will show whether Samsung's performance claims hold up and how the Dimensity 9500 handles heat in a 5.1mm body. Watch, too, for early discounts, since Samsung tablets often see price cuts within weeks of launch.
Apple's next moves matter as well. Apple has its own launch planned for October 13, which we covered in our report on the expected Apple home hub. For more launches and buying advice, visit our gadgets section.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra cost?
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra starts at $1,399.99 in the US, which is $200 more than last year's Ultra. The Tab S12+ starts at $1,199.99.
Does the Galaxy Tab S12 come with an S Pen?
Yes. Both the Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ include an S Pen in the box. Keyboards are sold separately.
Is Photoshop free on the Galaxy Tab S12?
Photoshop for Tablet comes preloaded, but the bundled premium access lasts four months, so expect to pay after that if you want to keep the full features.
Is there a smaller Galaxy Tab S12 model?
Not in this launch. Samsung released only the 14.6 inch Ultra and the 12.6 inch S12+, with no 11 inch model.
Sources
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