Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ is the mid-sized model of Samsung's 2026 premium Android tablet family, going on sale from 7 October 2026 next to the larger Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. It has a 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor, 12 GB of memory, an IP68-rated body that is just 5.3 mm thick, and an S Pen in the box. This page is a review based on the published specifications and manufacturer information. It looks at how the tablet fits into Samsung's range, what the hardware and software offer, what the battery claims mean and where the compromises lie.

Where it sits in the lineup

The Tab S12 series has two members: the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, with a 14.6-inch screen, and the Tab S12+, which Samsung describes as the model that prioritises portability. In the US the S12+ starts at $1,199.99 for the 256 GB Wi-Fi version, according to Samsung's store listing. Last year's top model is covered on the page for the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, and the comparison Galaxy Tab S12+ vs Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is useful for anyone choosing between a newer mid-size tablet and an older large one. Those who are considering Apple instead can look at Galaxy Tab S12+ vs iPad Pro M5 and Galaxy Tab S12+ vs iPad Air M3 to see how the Android approach differs from iPadOS.

Design and display

Samsung says the S12+ is about 5.3 mm thick, thinner than the 5.6 mm Galaxy Tab S10+, and weighs about 553 g in the Wi-Fi version and 555 g for the 5G model. The tablet is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, with the usual caveat that the protection is not permanent and Samsung advises against beach or pool use. It comes in Gray and Silver. The bezel is 7.9 mm, down from 8.1 mm on the Tab S10+, and the front is dominated by a 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel (12.5 inches if the rounded corners are taken into account). Samsung gives peak brightness as 1600 nits, with 1000 nits in high brightness mode, up from 650 nits on the previous S10+, and says the display supports a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz across the S12 series. A feature called Seamless Vision Booster adjusts brightness and contrast continuously to the ambient light.

An AMOLED panel at this size is one of the main reasons to choose a Galaxy tab over a cheaper LCD tablet. Black levels are deep, colours are strong, and video and illustration look good both indoors and in bright rooms. The 5.3 mm profile and the weight make it easy to hold for reading or sketching, although any 12.6-inch tablet will be a two-hand device for long sessions. Four speakers deliver 4-channel spatial sound, and Samsung says even two-channel material is processed into four channels, which should give wide, fuller audio for films and music.

Performance and software

Inside is the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, built on a 3 nm process, which Samsung describes as a flagship processor. Compared with the Tab S10+, Samsung states a 141 percent faster NPU, a 48 percent faster CPU and a 67 percent faster GPU. These are the company's comparisons rather than independent measurements. Cooling uses a newly designed 3D vapor chamber that is meant to keep performance steady during long sessions of gaming, rendering or editing. Memory is 12 GB, with 256 GB or 512 GB of storage, and a microSD card slot supports expansion of up to 2 TB, which is rare on premium tablets and a clear benefit for anyone with a large media library.

The tablet ships with One UI 9, and Samsung promises up to seven generations of OS upgrades and security updates, counted from the first year of global release. For a device with a launch price above $1,000, that long support window matters. The software stack includes Samsung DeX for a desktop-like window environment and a range of Galaxy AI tools: Now Nudge suggests next steps in multi-window mode, Ask anything in Samsung Browser answers questions from the current page and open tabs, Now Brief offers personalised cards, Automated App Action handles multi-step tasks and Creative Studio can turn S Pen sketches into finished artwork. Samsung also lets owners switch between AI assistants, including Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity. Availability of AI features varies by region, and Samsung says the basic Galaxy AI tools are free while future enhanced services may be paid.

S Pen and productivity

The S Pen is included in the box, with ultra-low latency for handwriting and drawing. That is a significant difference from Apple, where the Pencil is a separate purchase. Compatible accessories include the Pro Keyboard with an aluminium body and trackpad, the Book Cover Keyboard Slim, a Book Cover with a stand and an anti-reflecting screen protector; all are sold separately. The bundled package contains the tablet, the pen, a USB Type-C cable, an ejection pin and a quick start guide, but not a charger. Samsung says the tablet can handle apps such as Adobe Photoshop for Android, Lightroom, LumaFusion, Notability and Clip Studio Paint, and it describes the combination with DeX and a keyboard as laptop-like. It also notes that a laptop may still be needed for specialised software and graphics-heavy work, which is a fair caveat.

Battery and charging

The battery has a typical capacity of 10,600 mAh, with a rated minimum of 10,392 mAh. Samsung claims up to 21 hours of video playback in laboratory conditions, about five hours more than the Tab S10+. Wired charging is rated at 45W, but the charger is sold separately, so buyers should budget for an adapter. As always, real-world endurance will depend on brightness, the 120 Hz refresh rate, network use and how often demanding apps run, and the 21-hour figure is a best case for video. By comparison, the S12 Ultra has a larger 11,600 mAh battery and a claimed 23 hours.

Who it is for

The Tab S12+ suits people who want an Android tablet that can serve as a media device, a note-taking tool and a light laptop substitute, but who find the 14.6-inch Ultra too big for a bag or a train seat. Students, illustrators and professionals who annotate documents will like the in-box S Pen and the long software support, and the microSD slot and 5G options help frequent travellers. Android users who already own a Galaxy phone will benefit from the tight integration between the two, such as Quick Share and the DeX environment.

Compromises to consider

The price is the main obstacle: at $1,199.99 for the base model, it costs as much as some laptops, and the keyboard and charger are extra. Android tablet software is still less optimised for large screens than iPadOS in some third-party apps, although DeX and multi-window features help. Samsung's launch material does not provide a clear rear camera specification for this model, so photography should not be a deciding factor; the camera is a small part of the package and worth ignoring in favour of the screen. Some of the creativity software offers advertised on Samsung's site are time-limited trials that become paid subscriptions, and the Samsung statement that AI features may eventually include paid tiers is a reminder to check what remains free. Lastly, a thin IP68 tablet with a glass back is still fragile in a drop, so a case is advisable.

Bottom line

Based on the published information, the Galaxy Tab S12+ is a polished premium tablet that offers a bright AMOLED screen, a flagship processor, an S Pen and long update support in a body that is easy to carry. It is expensive, and buyers will want to compare it with the larger Ultra and with Apple's alternatives. For more on how it ranks against other tablets, see the tablet rankings page.