Samsung has unveiled its latest Android flagships, the Galaxy Tab S12+ and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, set to launch on October 7, 2026. The devices start at 1,329 euros and 1,569 euros respectively, both powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip.
TL;DR
- Samsung's new tablets, the Galaxy Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra, launch on October 7, 2026, starting at 1,329 euros and 1,569 euros respectively.
- The tablets feature the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip, offering significant AI performance improvements over the previous generation.
- While the hardware is refined, the update is not revolutionary, with reviewers noting incremental improvements over the Tab S11 series.
What happened
Samsung officially announced the Galaxy Tab S12+ and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra on September 30, 2026, with a launch date set for October 7, 2026. Both tablets are equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip, which delivers substantial AI performance gains. The Tab S12+ starts at 1,329 euros (1,199 dollars), while the Tab S12 Ultra starts at 1,569 euros (1,399 dollars).
The Tab S12 Ultra features a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. The Tab S12+ has a 12.6-inch display with similar specifications. Both models include the S Pen and come with preinstalled Adobe Photoshop, along with a four-month free subscription.
Why it matters
For developers and startups, the Dimensity 9500 chip's 61% NPU performance boost over the previous generation is significant, enabling more robust on-device AI functions. This could be particularly useful for applications requiring real-time AI processing without relying on cloud servers.
Investors should note that Samsung continues to dominate the high-end Android tablet market, with few direct competitors at this price point. The company's commitment to seven years of OS updates and security patches also underscores its focus on long-term software support, which could attract enterprise and professional users.
Key facts
- Launch Date: October 7, 2026
- Starting Prices: Galaxy Tab S12+ at 1,329 euros (1,199 dollars), Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra at 1,569 euros (1,399 dollars)
- Chip: MediaTek Dimensity 9500
- Display: Tab S12+ 12.6-inch, Tab S12 Ultra 14.6-inch, both Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120 Hz refresh rate
- NPU Performance: 61% improvement over the previous generation
- CPU Performance: 19% improvement over the previous generation
- Graphics Performance: 17% improvement over the previous generation
- Battery: Tab S12+ 10,600 mAh, Tab S12 Ultra 11,600 mAh
Context
Samsung's Galaxy Tab series has long been a leader in the Android tablet market, offering high-end specifications and features tailored for productivity and creativity. The inclusion of the S Pen and Adobe Photoshop, along with long-term software support, positions these tablets as strong contenders for professionals and power users.
The Dimensity 9500 chip's AI performance improvements are particularly noteworthy, as they enable more sophisticated on-device AI applications. This aligns with the broader trend in the tech industry towards edge AI, where processing is done locally on the device rather than in the cloud, offering benefits in terms of privacy, latency, and connectivity.