Samsung has launched two new flagship tablets, both powered by a MediaTek chip. The Galaxy Tab S12 series is official, featuring the Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+, with the regular Tab S12 left out again. The big change is the processor and the AI features built around it.
Prices have gone up. The Tab S12+ starts at $1,199.99 and the Tab S12 Ultra at $1,399.99, with sales beginning October 7. Here is what you get for that money.
MediaTek Takes Over
MediaTek announced on September 30, 2026 that its Dimensity 9500 platform powers the new Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+. That follows an earlier Android Authority APK teardown that found a Dimensity 9500 reference inside Samsung’s AI Core app, so the leak turned out right.
The last two generations also used MediaTek. Samsung used MediaTek chips in the Galaxy Tab S10 and Tab S11 families. The Snapdragon era for Samsung’s top tablets looks over.
Key Details
The Dimensity 9500 is built on TSMC’s 3nm process, with an all-big-core CPU, the MediaTek NPU 990 and a Generative AI Engine 2.0. It also has a 12-core GPU with hardware ray tracing.
Against last year’s chip, the NPU is 61% faster, the CPU 19% faster and the GPU 17% faster, with a new 3D vapor chamber keeping performance steady under heavy loads. Those are company-backed figures, so wait for independent benchmarks.
AI & Long Support
This is a Samsung flagship tablet built around on-device AI. Drew Blackard, Samsung’s SVP of Product Management, said the chip combined with on-device Galaxy AI should open up new options for productivity, creativity and entertainment.
Samsung is also promising long support. It backs the tablets with 7 generations of Android OS and security updates. That helps justify a $1,400 purchase.
Features and Specifications
| Spec | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S12+ |
| Display | 14.6-inch, 120Hz AMOLED | 12.6-inch, 120Hz AMOLED |
| Chip | Dimensity 9500 | Dimensity 9500 |
| RAM / Storage | Up to 16GB / 1TB | Up to 12GB / 512GB |
| Battery | 11,600mAh | 10,600mAh |
| Thickness | 5.1mm | 5.3mm |
| Charging | 45W wired | 45W wired |
Sources for the table: display sizes, thickness and Ultra battery, memory and storage options, Plus thickness.
More details:
- Display: The Ultra is a 2960 x 1848 Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with up to 1,600 nits peak brightness and IP68 dust and water resistance.
- Weight: The Ultra weighs 692 grams in Wi-Fi form and the Plus weighs 553 grams.
- Cameras: The Ultra has a 13MP plus 8MP ultrawide rear setup, the Plus has a single 13MP rear camera, and both have a 12MP ultrawide front camera.
- Software: Both ship with Android 17 and One UI 9.
- Battery life: Samsung rates the Ultra at up to 23 hours of video playback and the Plus at up to 21 hours.
- Charging: A full charge takes about 95 minutes, and no charger is in the box. An S Pen is included.
- Storage expansion: The Ultra supports microSD cards up to 2TB.
Read Also: Google Launches Gemini 4 Argon, Its Most Advanced AI Model Yet
Galaxy AI Features
On the software side, Note Assist summarizes transcripts, and the updated Samsung Browser can summarize information across multiple open tabs. The optional Pro Keyboard gets an aluminum finish and a dedicated Galaxy AI key.
Samsung is also adding extras. The bundle includes a free 4-month Photoshop subscription, six months of Google AI Pro and six months of Notability.
Prices
| Market | Tab S12+ (starting) | Tab S12 Ultra (starting) |
| United States | $1,199.99 | $1,399.99 |
| India | ₹1,29,999 | ₹1,49,999 |
| Europe | Up to €1,299 | €1,539 |
- US pricing
- India pricing is for Wi-Fi 12GB + 256GB models, and the Ultra 5G with 512GB tops out at ₹1,84,999.
- European base prices from Notebookcheck’s table
India buyers who want the keyboard should budget more. The Pro Keyboard Cover costs ₹27,999 for the Ultra and ₹26,499 for the Plus.
Availability
Both tablets go on sale in the US on October 7. India sales also start October 7 through Samsung’s online store, partner stores and select online platforms. Both come in Gray and Silver. Some regions may see a staggered rollout.
Industry Impact
Samsung is raising prices while pushing AI harder. Investing.com reports the launch comes ahead of expected iPad refreshes from Apple. Premium Android tablets now compete on software support and AI tools, not only on screen size.
Pros, Cons and Who Should Buy
Pros
- Big, bright 120Hz AMOLED screens
- Very thin body with a large battery
- 7 years of updates
- S Pen included
Cons
- Higher prices than last year’s models
- Charger not included
- Pro Keyboard sold separately
- AI and performance claims still need independent testing
Who should buy it: Buyers on a Tab S8 or older, artists, note-takers and anyone who wants a laptop-style tablet for Android apps. If you own a Tab S11, the upgrade is modest.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy Tab S12 series is a solid step up in chip power and AI features. It also costs more. Whether that works for you depends on how much you’ll use the S Pen, the bundled apps and the new AI tools.
