There is no single winner: choose a Galaxy Tab S12 if you want Android, a large AMOLED display and an S Pen in the box; choose the M4 iPad Air if you prefer iPadOS, Apple’s apps or a smaller tablet. One naming detail matters: Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and S12+, not a base Galaxy Tab S12. The Ultra is the closer high-end comparison, but at 14.6 inches it is larger than either 11-inch or 13-inch iPad Air.
Which models are being compared?
Samsung announced two models in the Galaxy Tab S12 series: the 14.6-inch Tab S12 Ultra and the 12.6-inch Tab S12+. Apple’s 2026 M4 iPad Air comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. Those are manufacturer-stated diagonal measurements, so the Ultra is not a like-for-like size match for either Air. If screen area is your priority, compare the Ultra with the 13-inch Air; if portability matters, consider the S12+ and 11-inch Air.
Samsung says availability for the S12 series begins October 7, 2026, in select markets. Availability and local pricing may vary. Samsung’s announcement identifies the models and launch timing.
How do the screens compare?
| Model | Display specified by manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and S12+ | Dynamic AMOLED 2X; up to 120Hz; peak brightness up to 1,600 nits, according to Samsung. |
| iPad Air, 11-inch | Liquid Retina LED-backlit IPS; 500 nits, according to Apple. |
| iPad Air, 13-inch | Liquid Retina LED-backlit IPS; 600 nits, according to Apple. |
The listed technology, refresh rate and brightness describe different aspects of the displays; the figures alone do not establish which looks better in real use. The iPad Air specifications are in Apple’s technical specifications. Samsung’s figures are from its series announcement.
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- INNOVATIVE ART POWER: Turn your simple sketches into works of art instantly using Sketch to Image¹ with Galaxy AI.²
- SEARCHING MADE EASY: Quickly search for just about anything you see on your Tab — all without switching apps — using Circle to Search with Google.³
- MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT: Capture your lecture, meeting, or daily notes and let Note Assist⁴ with Galaxy AI² do the hard work of organizing and even summarizing them for you.
- NEXT-LEVEL NOTE TAKING: Get transcripts and summaries of recorded lectures and meetings, just like that.⁵
- PACKED WITH POWER: No matter what you take on or where you take your Galaxy Tab S10+, enjoy every experience with a powerful tablet processor.
Which has the better apps and software for you?
Choose Galaxy Tab S12 for Android and Samsung’s setup
Samsung lists Android 17 with One UI 9 and Galaxy AI for the S12 series. It also lists microSD support up to 2TB, which may suit people who want expandable storage; check the exact model and configuration when buying.
Samsung says Photoshop for Tablet will be available first through Galaxy Store for at least six months beginning October 7, 2026, and says Adobe may make it available through other app stores afterward. Availability can depend on market and timing, so check the app store where you plan to use it.
Choose iPad Air for iPadOS and Apple apps
Apple highlights iPadOS 26 features and apps including Final Cut Pro and Pixelmator Pro for the M4 iPad Air. If your workflow depends on iPadOS or particular Apple apps, that compatibility may matter more than a hardware comparison. Check that the specific apps and features you need are available in your region and meet your requirements.
Which is better for note-taking and drawing?
Samsung says an S Pen is included with both announced S12 models. That makes the S12 a straightforward option if you want a pen in the box. Apple’s M4 iPad Air supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), but Apple sells them separately. Choose based on the apps you use, the pen features you need and whether you already own compatible accessories; the available specifications do not establish a universal winner for handwriting or drawing quality.
Rank #2
- NO Warranty in the USA. Tablets are only WIFI, no Calls or Data. Country selection may not be available during setup. select any country, as Country will updated later after Connecting to WIFI in Settings. English Language is available
- Connectivity Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, EHT320, MIMO, 4096-QAM USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 Bluetooth v5.3 Bluetooth Profiles A2DP,AVRCP,DI,HID,HOGP,OPP,PAN,PBP,TMAP Location Technology GPS,Glonass,Beidou,Galileo,QZSS Earjack USB Type-C MHL No Wi-Fi Direct Yes
- 14.6” Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz Anti-Reflective, 2960 × 1848 (WQXGA+) Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Light Sensor Size (Main_Display) 369.9mm (14.6" full rectangle) / 367.2mm (14.5" rounded corners)
- Front: 12 MP UW Rear: 13 MP + 8 MP UW UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@30fps dimmesion : 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.20 in.
What do the tablets and accessories cost?
Apple’s March 2026 US launch announcement lists these starting prices. They are launch prices, not necessarily current sale prices:
| iPad Air configuration | US launch starting price |
|---|---|
| 11-inch, Wi-Fi | $599 |
| 11-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular | $749 |
| 13-inch, Wi-Fi | $799 |
| 13-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular | $949 |
Samsung’s cited global announcement does not state a single worldwide S12 price, so there is no supported direct price comparison here. Check current local prices for the exact storage and Wi-Fi or cellular configuration before deciding.
Budget for the full setup, not only the tablet. Samsung says the S Pen is included and lists the Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim as accessories. Apple lists Magic Keyboard and the two Pencil models as compatible accessories sold separately. Confirm compatibility and current accessory prices for the exact tablet before purchasing. Apple’s launch pricing and accessory details appear in its M4 iPad Air announcement.
What do the performance and battery claims show?
The manufacturers publish comparisons with their own earlier tablets, not a direct S12-versus-iPad Air test. Samsung says the S12 series’ 3nm processor delivers up to 61% faster NPU processing, 19% faster CPU performance and 17% improved GPU power compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Apple says the M4 iPad Air is up to 30% faster than the M3 iPad Air and up to 2.3 times faster than the M1 iPad Air; Apple says its performance tests were conducted in January and February 2026. These vendor claims use different comparisons and do not establish which tablet is faster in a shared workload.
Rank #3
- INNOVATIVE ART POWER: Turn your simple sketches into works of art instantly using Sketch to Image¹ with Galaxy AI.²
- SEARCHING MADE EASY: Quickly search for just about anything you see on your Tab — all without switching apps — using Circle to Search with Google.³
- MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT: Capture your lecture, meeting, or daily notes and let Note Assist⁴ with Galaxy AI² do the hard work of organizing and even summarizing them for you.
- NEXT-LEVEL NOTE TAKING: Get transcripts and summaries of recorded lectures and meetings, just like that.⁵
- PACKED WITH POWER: No matter what you take on or where you take your Galaxy Tab S10+, enjoy every experience with a powerful tablet processor.
Samsung also claims up to 23 hours of battery life for the S12 Ultra and up to 21 hours for the S12+ on a single charge under Samsung’s test conditions. Those are manufacturer figures, not results from a common battery test across Samsung and Apple devices.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What about software support and durability?
Samsung states that both S12 models support up to seven generations of OS upgrades and security updates, and describes them as IP68 water- and dust-resistant. Apple’s cited iPad Air announcement does not give a corresponding quantified support duration, so the available information does not establish a comparable number of years for the iPad Air. If support life or resistance ratings are decisive, confirm the exact terms and conditions for the model and market you plan to buy.
Which tablet should you buy?
Choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if…
- You want the largest screen in this comparison and prefer Android.
- You value the AMOLED display specifications and up-to-120Hz refresh rate Samsung lists.
- You want an S Pen included and expandable storage via microSD.
Choose the Galaxy Tab S12+ if…
- You want a Samsung Android tablet with a 12.6-inch screen rather than the Ultra’s 14.6-inch size.
- You want the included S Pen and Samsung’s listed microSD expansion.
Choose the M4 iPad Air if…
- You are committed to iPadOS or depend on Apple apps in your workflow.
- You prefer the 11-inch model for a smaller footprint or the 13-inch model for more workspace.
- You are comfortable buying a compatible Apple Pencil or keyboard separately if you need one.
For a final check, list your must-have apps and accessories, choose the screen size you will actually carry or use, and compare the current total cost in your market. The available manufacturer information supports a fit-based decision, not a universal performance verdict.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Samsung Global Newsroom: Galaxy Tab S12 series announcement, September 30, 2026
- Apple Newsroom: M4 iPad Air announcement, March 2, 2026
- Apple iPad Air technical specifications
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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