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Amazon’s three new Alexa Tablets start at $229.99 (Alexa Tablet 8), $329.99 (Alexa Tablet 11) and $499.99 (Alexa Tablet 12 Pro) in the US, and the 12 Pro’s Nanomatte version starts at $549.99. Samsung’s two Galaxy Tab S12 models start at $1,199.99 (S12+) and $1,399.99 (S12 Ultra). No price point overlaps between the two families, so the “challenge” is best understood as one of price and positioning, not a head-to-head on measured performance.
Amazon opened purchases on October 9, 2026, with shipping announced for October 14. Samsung says its S12 series has been available since October 7, 2026. Neither company’s figures come from independent testing, and no sales, market-share or customer-preference data exists for these launches yet. What follows compares announced prices, specifications and vendor claims, and explains what those numbers can and cannot tell you.
Starting prices and what they include
The table below lists each model’s announced US starting price and the memory, storage and accessories the companies state. “Not stated” means the launch announcement does not give that figure.
| Model | US starting price | Memory and storage stated | Pen and keyboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro | $499.99 (Nanomatte version $549.99) | Up to 16GB RAM; storage not stated | Pro Pen $89.99 and Pro Keyboard $149.99, both sold separately |
| Amazon Alexa Tablet 11 | $329.99 | 8GB RAM; 64GB storage | Not stated |
| Amazon Alexa Tablet 8 | $229.99 | 4GB RAM; 64GB storage | Not stated |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ | $1,199.99 | Not stated | S Pen included; keyboard price not stated |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | $1,399.99 | Not stated | S Pen included; keyboard price not stated |
These are starting prices as announced. Live prices and configurations on Amazon.com, Best Buy, Target or Samsung.com may differ, so confirm them at checkout.
#1 Best Overall
- POWER FOR ALL YOU DO: Galaxy Tab A11+ gives your family the optimal performance they need for all their day-to-day activities. Power through tasks, relax with a movie or jump into a game — the upgraded chipset⁴ keeps everything responsive
- CHARGES UP FAST. LASTS FOR HOURS: Galaxy Tab A11+ keeps your family going with a long-lasting battery that’s perfect for browsing, streaming and play. When you finally need a boost, fast charging gets you back to 100% quickly.⁵
- MEMORY AND STORAGE THAT KEEP UP: With up to 8GB of memory and 256GB⁶ of storage, Galaxy Tab A11+ gives your family the space and speed to multitask seamlessly and handle large files.
- BIG SCREEN. FAMILY-SIZED FUN: A bright, engaging 11" screen¹ with a refresh rate up to 90Hz delivers natural, fluid motion, making it easy for every family member to stream, play and do what they love.
- SURROUND YOURSELF WITH RICH AUDIO SOUND: Whether you're watching a movie or listening to your favorite playlist, immerse yourself in a cinema-like audio experience with quad speakers powered by Dolby Atmos on Galaxy Tab A11+
Accessories and the real total
The accessory line-up shapes what each tablet costs in practice:
- Amazon Pro Pen ($89.99) and Pro Keyboard ($149.99) are options for the 12 Pro only. Amazon describes the keyboard as magnetic and says the 12 Pro supports the pen.
- Samsung S Pen is included with both S12 models, so the pen adds no cost there.
- Samsung’s keyboards are optional. Samsung’s announcement mentions a limited-time 30% discount on the Pro Keyboard or Book Cover Keyboard Slim with a qualifying purchase, but it does not spell out the qualifying terms or keyboard list prices.
- Samsung’s 45W adapter is sold separately, and its price is not stated.
Two rough totals show the gap. An Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with the Pro Pen and Pro Keyboard costs $739.97 at the starting price ($499.99 + $89.99 + $149.99), or $789.97 with the Nanomatte display. A Galaxy Tab S12+ costs $1,199.99 before any keyboard or adapter, and its keyboard price is not stated.
Availability and buying dates
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 series: available from October 7, 2026 through Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores and retailers nationwide, according to Samsung’s US newsroom.
- Amazon Alexa Tablets: available to purchase on October 9, 2026, with shipping announced for October 14, 2026. Amazon lists Amazon.com and select retail partners, including Best Buy and Target.
Because Amazon’s ship date is still ahead, stock and delivery dates should be checked on the day you order.
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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.
Amazon’s lineup, model by model
Amazon says all three tablets run Android with access to the Google Play Store, alongside Amazon apps and Alexa+, and that the lineup shares an aluminum design. Amazon positions the 12 Pro for productivity, the 11 as an entertainment-oriented middle size, and the 8 as the portable model. These are Amazon’s descriptions, not independent assessments.
Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro
- 12-inch display, 280 PPI, 120Hz refresh rate, 3:2 aspect ratio; standard or Nanomatte anti-glare options.
- 4nm eight-core processor and up to 16GB RAM.
- Quad Dolby Atmos speakers and Wi-Fi 6E.
- Up to 16 hours of video playback (Amazon’s claim; test conditions not described in its announcement).
- Starting price $499.99; Nanomatte $549.99.
Amazon says the 12 Pro offers nearly three times faster processing and nine times faster graphics than any tablet Amazon has shipped. That comparison is against Amazon’s own earlier tablets, not against the Samsung S12 models, so it should not be read as a rival comparison.
Amazon Alexa Tablet 11
- 11-inch 2.5K display at 276 PPI, 90Hz refresh rate, 16:10 aspect ratio.
- Eight-core processor, 8GB RAM and 64GB storage.
- Dual Dolby Atmos speakers and up to 15 hours of video playback (Amazon’s claim).
- Starting price $329.99. Amazon positions it for streaming, gaming, reading and browsing, which makes it the most natural pick for someone who mainly wants a larger screen for media.
Amazon Alexa Tablet 8
- 8.7-inch screen, 329g, 7.95mm thick, eight-core processor and Wi-Fi 6.
- 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
- Up to 14 hours of video playback (Amazon’s claim).
- Starting price $229.99. Amazon positions it for reading, browsing and streaming on the go.
Amazon Kids Tablets
Amazon also announces 8.7-inch and 11-inch Kids bundles that include a protective case and one year of Amazon Kids+. Amazon’s announcement does not give their prices, so they are excluded from the price comparison above.
Rank #3
- DIVE INTO THIS DISPLAY: All of your fun content pops on the 10.9" screen. Catch up on plans for the day while you cook breakfast, scroll your social feed in the evening or read an article in bed. Vision Booster adjusts the brightness to your environment
- BATTERY FOR LONG-LASTING ENTERTAINMENT: Enjoy long-lasting fun. Finish your favorite series or book with a battery that can last up to 16 hours.¹ Need energy quick? Get a full charge in about two hours with Super Fast Charging.²
- WRITE, DRAW, DO IT ALL: S Pen is mightier than your average writing tool. The responsive design and intuitive integration with intelligent features make drawing, jotting down notes and even doing math easier than ever
- SPACE TO KEEP WHAT MATTERS MOST: More storage means deleting less apps, photos, videos and files. Galaxy Tab S10 Lite comes with up to 256GB³ of storage. And if you need even more, you can add up to 2TB with a microSD card.⁹
- THE POWER OF ENHANCED PERFORMANCE: Galaxy Tab S10 Lite boasts an Exynos 1380 processor that lets you stream, scroll, note, search and even multitask with ease
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 models
Samsung’s US newsroom describes both S12 models as built around the S Pen, Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays and adaptive 120Hz refresh rates. Both have up to 1,600 nits peak brightness and IP68 water and dust resistance.
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- 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display.
- Starting price $1,199.99 with S Pen included.
- Up to 21 hours of video playback (Samsung’s claim, under the test conditions described below).
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra
- 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the largest screen in either lineup.
- Starting price $1,399.99 with S Pen included.
- Up to 23 hours of video playback (Samsung’s claim, under the test conditions described below).
Specifications side by side
This table puts the stated specifications next to each other. Where one company does not publish a figure, the cell says so rather than implying a difference.
| Specification | Alexa Tablet 12 Pro | Alexa Tablet 11 | Alexa Tablet 8 | Galaxy Tab S12+ | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size | 12 inches | 11 inches | 8.7 inches | 12.6 inches | 14.6 inches |
| Display type | Standard or Nanomatte anti-glare | Not stated | Not stated | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution and density | 280 PPI | 2.5K, 276 PPI | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Refresh rate and aspect ratio | 120Hz, 3:2 | 90Hz, 16:10 | Not stated | Adaptive up to 120Hz | Adaptive up to 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Up to 1,600 nits | Up to 1,600 nits |
| Processor | 4nm eight-core | Eight-core (process not stated) | Eight-core (process not stated) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Memory | Up to 16GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 4GB RAM | Not stated | Not stated |
| Speakers | Quad Dolby Atmos | Dual Dolby Atmos | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E | Not stated | Wi-Fi 6 | Not stated | Not stated |
| Water and dust rating | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | IP68 | IP68 |
| Size and weight | Not stated | Not stated | 329g, 7.95mm thick | Not stated | Not stated |
| Pen | Pro Pen, $89.99 (sold separately) | Not stated | Not stated | S Pen included | S Pen included |
| Keyboard | Pro Keyboard, $149.99 (sold separately) | Not stated | Not stated | Optional; price not stated | Optional; price not stated |
| Claimed video playback | Up to 16 hours | Up to 15 hours | Up to 14 hours | Up to 21 hours | Up to 23 hours |
| Other battery claim | Amazon cites up to 20 hours in Kindle reading mode; the announcement does not say which model this applies to | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Charging | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 45W adapter (sold separately); 0% to 100% in about 95 minutes, per Samsung | 45W adapter (sold separately); 0% to 100% in about 95 minutes, per Samsung |
| Vendor-stated performance | Nearly 3x processing and 9x graphics versus Amazon’s earlier tablets | Not stated | Not stated | 61% faster NPU, 19% faster CPU, 17% better GPU versus Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (Samsung figures) | 61% faster NPU, 19% faster CPU, 17% better GPU versus Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (Samsung figures) |
| Operating system | Android with Google Play | Android with Google Play | Android with Google Play | Android 17 with One UI 9 and Galaxy AI | Android 17 with One UI 9 and Galaxy AI |
| Software update promise | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Up to seven OS upgrades and security updates (Samsung) | Up to seven OS upgrades and security updates (Samsung) |
Battery and performance claims are not directly comparable
Neither company’s battery figure can be read as a measured result against the other’s, because the test methods differ and only Samsung publishes its conditions.
Rank #4
- POWER FOR ALL YOU DO: Galaxy Tab A11+ gives your family the optimal performance they need for all their day-to-day activities. Power through tasks, relax with a movie or jump into a game — the upgraded chipset⁴ keeps everything responsive
- CHARGES UP FAST. LASTS FOR HOURS: Galaxy Tab A11+ keeps your family going with a long-lasting battery that’s perfect for browsing, streaming and play. When you finally need a boost, fast charging gets you back to 100% quickly.⁵
- MEMORY AND STORAGE THAT KEEP UP: With up to 8GB of memory and 256GB⁶ of storage, Galaxy Tab A11+ gives your family the space and speed to multitask seamlessly and handle large files.
- BIG SCREEN. FAMILY-SIZED FUN: A bright, engaging 11" screen¹ with a refresh rate up to 90Hz delivers natural, fluid motion, making it easy for every family member to stream, play and do what they love.
- SURROUND YOURSELF WITH RICH AUDIO SOUND: Whether you're watching a movie or listening to your favorite playlist, immerse yourself in a cinema-like audio experience with quad speakers powered by Dolby Atmos on Galaxy Tab A11+
- Samsung’s test: local 720p video playback in its default player at 162 nits, with Wi-Fi and the mobile network switched off.
- Amazon’s test: the announcement does not describe the conditions behind its “up to” video playback figures.
- Performance: Samsung’s percentages compare its S12 series with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and carry Samsung’s own caveat that real results depend on environment and software. Amazon’s comparison is with its own earlier tablets. Neither is an independent benchmark.
Use each company’s numbers to understand how it markets its products, not to rank them against each other.
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Both lineups run Android, but they differ in what each company promotes:
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- Amazon: Android with full Google Play Store access, plus Amazon apps including Prime Video, Kindle, Audible, Amazon Music and Luna, and Alexa+. Amazon’s announcement does not state an update commitment.
- Samsung: Android 17 with One UI 9 and Galaxy AI, with Samsung promising up to seven OS upgrades and security updates. Samsung also lists trials and discounts for professional apps. Those terms and regional availability vary, and the approximate bundle value Samsung advertises should not be treated as guaranteed savings.
These are the vendors’ stated platform offers. They are not independent tests of app compatibility or performance.
Best Value
- POWER FOR ALL YOU DO: Galaxy Tab A11+ gives your family the optimal performance they need for all their day-to-day activities. Power through tasks, relax with a movie or jump into a game — the upgraded chipset⁴ keeps everything responsive
- CHARGES UP FAST. LASTS FOR HOURS: Galaxy Tab A11+ keeps your family going with a long-lasting battery that’s perfect for browsing, streaming and play. When you finally need a boost, fast charging gets you back to 100% quickly.⁵
- MEMORY AND STORAGE THAT KEEP UP: With up to 8GB of memory and 256GB⁶ of storage, Galaxy Tab A11+ gives your family the space and speed to multitask seamlessly and handle large files.
- BIG SCREEN. FAMILY-SIZED FUN: A bright, engaging 11" screen¹ with a refresh rate up to 90Hz delivers natural, fluid motion, making it easy for every family member to stream, play and do what they love.
- SURROUND YOURSELF WITH RICH AUDIO SOUND: Whether you're watching a movie or listening to your favorite playlist, immerse yourself in a cinema-like audio experience with quad speakers powered by Dolby Atmos on Galaxy Tab A11+
Matching the models to likely uses
- Handwritten notes and drawing: both Samsung models include an S Pen. The 12 Pro needs the $89.99 Pro Pen, which is an extra cost.
- Multitasking and productivity: Amazon markets the 12 Pro for productivity and describes multi-window use. Samsung describes Multi Window on the S12 series. The 12 Pro is the only Amazon model with a keyboard option, and the Ultra has the largest screen in either lineup.
- Streaming on a budget: the Alexa Tablet 11 at $329.99 is the lowest-priced option with a screen above 8 inches in this comparison, and it is positioned for streaming and gaming.
- Reading and carrying: the Alexa Tablet 8 at $229.99 is the lightest model stated at 329g. Amazon’s Kids bundles aimed at younger users are announced without prices.
- Choosing between Samsung sizes: the S12+ at 12.6 inches is the cheaper entry point, while the Ultra’s 14.6-inch display is the larger canvas for a $200 premium.
What the launch figures cannot establish
The “challenge” framing rests on pricing and product positioning. The announcements do not show superior real-world performance, market share, sales or customer preference for either company. Every battery, performance and feature claim here is the manufacturer’s own, and no common test has been run across the two lineups. Samsung’s promotional keyboard discount and bundle value depend on terms the announcements do not fully set out.
Before you buy
- Confirm the memory and storage of the 12 Pro and both Samsung models, because the launch announcements do not state them.
- Check whether the Pro Keyboard discount applies to your purchase and read its terms on Samsung’s site.
- Verify stock and delivery dates for Amazon’s tablets, because shipping is announced for October 14, 2026.
- Add the Pro Pen, Pro Keyboard or Samsung’s 45W adapter to the total before comparing prices.
Sources
- Amazon, “Introducing all-new Amazon Alexa Tablets: powerful tablets with Alexa+ built in,” October 9, 2026: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/new-amazon-alexa-tablets-alexa-plus
- Samsung US Newsroom, “Productivity-Powered Galaxy Tab S12 Series is Now Available,” October 7, 2026: https://news.samsung.com/us/productivity-powered-galaxy-tab-s12-series-now-available/
- Samsung Global Newsroom, “Samsung Introduces Galaxy Tab S12 Series: The Ultimate Productivity Powerhouse Built for Growth,” September 30, 2026: https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-introduces-galaxy-tab-s12-series-ultimate-productivity-powerhouse-built-for-growth
Samsung’s global announcement is corporate product messaging, and the figures above come from the vendors’ own launch materials.
Quick Recap
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.
