Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Plus vs Ultra: What’s New and What’s Worth the Upgrade?


Samsung is continuing its annual refresh of the Galaxy Tab S lineup with the new Galaxy Tab S12 series. The latest generation includes the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, but Samsung is once again skipping a regular-sized model.

That makes this year's lineup slightly easier to understand. Buyers looking for a large Android tablet have two options, while anyone hoping for a smaller flagship Galaxy Tab will have to wait for a future generation.

The bigger question is how much has actually changed.

The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus receives several meaningful upgrades over the older Tab S10 Plus, including a larger display, a newer processor, a larger battery, and a slimmer design. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, meanwhile, is a more incremental update because Samsung already redesigned the Ultra model with the previous generation.

Galaxy Tab S12 Series: What Models Are Available?

Samsung's current flagship tablet lineup consists of two models:

  • Galaxy Tab S12 Plus

  • Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra

There is no standard Galaxy Tab S12 in this generation.

That means Samsung is continuing its recent approach of alternating the regular and Plus models while keeping the Ultra as a yearly flagship. For shoppers who prefer a smaller tablet, the absence of a regular Tab S12 is particularly noticeable.

The Plus model therefore becomes the more compact option in the current flagship lineup, while the Ultra remains aimed at users who want the largest possible display and top-tier specifications.

Galaxy Tab S12 Plus Gets the Bigger Upgrade

The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus is where the generational improvements are most noticeable.

Compared with the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, the new tablet has a slightly larger 12.6-inch display while also being thinner and lighter. That combination gives the device more screen real estate without simply making the tablet physically larger and harder to carry.

Samsung has also upgraded the internal hardware considerably.

The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus uses the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, which represents a significant jump from the Dimensity 9300 Plus used in the older Tab S10 Plus.

The battery has also grown to 10,600mAh, giving the new model additional capacity for longer sessions between charges.

These changes help explain the higher starting price.

Galaxy Tab S12 Plus Price

The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus starts at $1,199, making it $200 more expensive than the previous model's starting price.

That is a significant increase for a tablet, but the hardware changes are more substantial than a simple processor refresh.

The larger display, thinner body, newer chipset, and bigger battery collectively make the Tab S12 Plus feel more like a major generational update.

For someone upgrading from a Tab S10 Plus or an older Galaxy tablet, those changes are easier to notice than they are for someone who already owns a recent flagship.

Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra Keeps the Same Large-Screen Formula

The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra takes a different approach.

Samsung already introduced major physical changes with the Tab S11 Ultra, so the Tab S12 Ultra carries much of that design forward.

The tablet retains its enormous 14.6-inch display, 11,600mAh battery, and exceptionally thin 5.1mm body.

The main hardware upgrade is the newer chipset, while Samsung has also improved the audio system with four-channel spatial audio.

That same spatial audio upgrade is available on the Tab S12 Plus.

For existing Tab S11 Ultra owners, however, the changes are considerably less dramatic than those offered to Tab S10 Plus users moving to the S12 Plus.

Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra Price

The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra starts at $1,399, which is $200 more than the previous generation.

The higher price puts more pressure on the Ultra to justify its position above the Plus model.

Its massive display remains one of its defining features, especially for users who want a large canvas for drawing, editing, multitasking, or media consumption. But anyone upgrading from the Tab S11 Ultra will find much of the hardware familiar.

The Ultra's value therefore depends heavily on whether the latest processor and audio improvements are enough for a particular buyer's workload.

Bright OLED Displays Remain a Major Highlight

Both Galaxy Tab S12 models feature OLED displays with peak brightness reaching 1,600 nits.

That makes them well suited to everything from watching movies to editing photos and working with creative applications.

The Plus model gets the more noticeable physical display change because its screen grows to 12.6 inches. The Ultra continues with its enormous 14.6-inch panel.

For users who regularly work across multiple apps, the large displays also make the tablets more practical as laptop alternatives.

IP68 Protection Adds Durability

Samsung is also giving both models an IP68 rating.

That provides protection against dust and water exposure, adding some reassurance for users who carry their tablet between different environments.

While an IP rating does not make a device indestructible, it is a useful feature for a premium tablet that may be used at home, in the office, while traveling, or outdoors.

Seven Years of Android Updates

Long-term software support is another major part of Samsung's pitch.

Both tablets are set to receive seven years of Android updates. That extends the useful lifespan of the hardware and gives buyers more reason to consider keeping the device for several years.

Long software support also matters when moving from an older tablet to a new one. Users often accumulate large collections of photographs, documents, downloads, apps, and other personal content over time.

Before setting up a new Galaxy tablet, it helps to have a clear plan for moving that content.

Moving Your Data to a New Galaxy Tab

Upgrading to a new tablet is not only about choosing the right display or processor. There is also the less exciting task of moving your personal content to the new device.

If you're switching from an older Galaxy tablet or another device, you may need a copy my phone data app to move photographs, videos, contacts, documents, and other files as part of the setup process.

Smart Transfer can make that transition more straightforward by giving users a way to move personal content between devices without treating every type of file as a separate task. It can be particularly useful when you're moving from a phone to a larger tablet and want important content available on the new device.

The same applies to users who regularly work across phones and tablets. Features such as iPhone app transfer and iOS file sharing can become relevant when moving between different devices and ecosystems, especially when your existing content is spread across multiple platforms. Having a dedicated transfer workflow can reduce the amount of manual file management involved in setting up a new device.

Photoshop Is Coming to Android Tablets

One of the more interesting software additions is Adobe Photoshop for Tablets.

The Android version is making its debut on Samsung's Galaxy Store and will remain exclusive to Samsung for six months.

The tablet-focused Photoshop experience includes Adobe's AI features and support for the S Pen. That combination is particularly relevant to creative professionals and anyone who uses a tablet for image editing.

A large OLED display paired with an S Pen gives both Galaxy Tab S12 models a strong foundation for creative work, while the Photoshop release adds another reason to consider a flagship Galaxy tablet instead of a conventional Android tablet.

The S Pen Comes Included

Samsung continues to include the S Pen with both models.

That means buyers do not need to purchase a stylus separately to take advantage of handwriting, drawing, annotation, and supported creative applications.

For the Tab S12 Ultra in particular, the combination of a 14.6-inch display and S Pen makes the tablet more suitable for detailed creative work than smaller devices.

Galaxy Tab S12 Plus vs Tab S12 Ultra

The differences between the two models come down largely to size, hardware positioning, and how much of an upgrade you are getting from an existing device.

Galaxy Tab S12 Plus

The Plus model offers:

  • 12.6-inch OLED display

  • 1,600-nit peak brightness

  • MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset

  • 10,600mAh battery

  • Thinner and lighter design compared with the Tab S10 Plus

  • IP68 rating

  • Seven years of Android updates

  • Included S Pen

  • Four-channel spatial audio

  • Starting price of $1,199

Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra

The Ultra offers:

  • 14.6-inch OLED display

  • 1,600-nit peak brightness

  • MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset

  • 11,600mAh battery

  • 5.1mm-thick design

  • IP68 rating

  • Seven years of Android updates

  • Included S Pen

  • Four-channel spatial audio

  • Starting price of $1,399

The biggest distinction is the display size. The Ultra is built around maximum screen space, while the Plus provides a slightly more manageable format with a more substantial upgrade over the older Tab S10 Plus.

When Will the Galaxy Tab S12 Series Be Available?

The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra are scheduled to go on sale on October 7th.

Both tablets target users looking for premium Android hardware, but their upgrade stories are different.

The Tab S12 Plus makes a stronger generational leap, particularly for owners of the Tab S10 Plus or older tablets. The Tab S12 Ultra is more of a refinement for existing Tab S11 Ultra users, with the new chipset and audio improvements sitting alongside a design that remains largely unchanged.

Should You Upgrade to the Galaxy Tab S12?

The answer depends largely on which tablet you currently own.

For Tab S10 Plus owners, the combination of a larger display, slimmer design, newer processor, and bigger battery makes the Tab S12 Plus a substantial hardware refresh.

The Tab S12 Ultra is a different story. Its large OLED display, thin body, S Pen, long software support, and powerful processor remain compelling, but the year-over-year changes are relatively limited compared with the previous generation.

Samsung's new lineup therefore feels less like a universal upgrade and more like a targeted refresh. The Tab S12 Plus gets the more noticeable transformation, while the Ultra continues to refine an already established flagship design.

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