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Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ have the hardware credentials to compete for premium-tablet buyers: large 120Hz OLED screens, quad speakers with four-channel spatial audio, an included S Pen and expandable storage. But they have not yet been independently tested against Apple’s iPad Pro. Samsung announced the tablets on September 30, 2026, with availability scheduled to begin October 7 in select markets, so the evidence supports a specifications comparison—not a verdict on which is better for movies, speed or value.
What Samsung announced
The Galaxy Tab S12 range has two models. The Ultra is the larger device, with a 14.6-inch display; the S12+ has a 12.6-inch display. Both use Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with a listed refresh rate of 120Hz, and Samsung says each can reach up to 1,600 nits peak brightness.
Samsung lists quad speakers with four-channel spatial audio and includes an S Pen with both tablets. The company says the series runs Android 17 with One UI 9 and uses a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor. These are launch specifications and manufacturer claims; they do not show how the tablets perform in real-world use.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Samsung scheduled availability to start October 7, 2026, in select markets. Its U.S. announcement also names October 7 as the U.S. start date. As of October 3, the tablets had not yet reached that announced date.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
How the screens compare with iPad Pro
| Tablet | Display | Refresh rate | Listed peak brightness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | 14.6-inch, 2,960 × 1,848 Dynamic AMOLED 2X (Samsung, 2026) | 120Hz (Samsung, 2026) | Up to 1,600 nits (Samsung, 2026) |
| Galaxy Tab S12+ | 12.6-inch, 2,800 × 1,752 Dynamic AMOLED 2X (Samsung, 2026) | 120Hz (Samsung, 2026) | Up to 1,600 nits (Samsung, 2026) |
| iPad Pro 13-inch | 13-inch Tandem OLED (Apple, current specifications) | Adaptive 10Hz to 120Hz (Apple, current specifications) | HDR peak brightness up to 1,600 nits (Apple, current specifications) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch | 11-inch Tandem OLED (Apple, current specifications) | Adaptive 10Hz to 120Hz (Apple, current specifications) | HDR peak brightness up to 1,600 nits (Apple, current specifications) |
The Ultra is physically larger than Apple’s 13-inch model, while the S12+ sits between Apple’s two screen sizes. The matching listed peak-brightness figure should not be read as proof of equal brightness or picture quality: brands may use different measurement conditions, and the specifications do not establish how the displays compare in movies or other content.
Spatial audio: listed hardware, not a listening verdict
Samsung lists four speakers and four-channel spatial audio on both S12 tablets. Apple lists four-speaker audio for iPad Pro. Those specifications show that both ranges are equipped for multichannel sound, but they do not establish which has clearer dialogue, stronger bass, better separation or a more convincing sense of space in actual listening.
Samsung’s announcement does not specifically mention Dolby Atmos. That omission is not confirmation that the tablets lack Atmos support. Likewise, a feature’s presence or absence should not be inferred from a specification summary alone.
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Performance, battery and software: what the specs do—and do not—tell you
Processor claims need a direct comparison
Samsung says the S12 series’ NPU is up to 61% faster, its CPU up to 19% faster and its GPU up to 17% improved compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. These are Samsung’s own comparisons with its previous Ultra model; they are not head-to-head figures against the iPad Pro. Apple’s current iPad Pro uses an M5 chip, but the available specifications do not establish which tablet is faster in applications, games or sustained workloads.
Rank #2
- Brilliant 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display – Features ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and crisp 1848x2960 resolution. Powered by an 11,600 mAh battery. Includes S Pen and 25W Samsung Super Fast Charger.
- Premium Performance & Storage – Backed by 256GB storage, 12GB RAM, and expandable microSD slot (dedicated). Runs on the advanced Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ (3nm) chipset, Octa-core CPU, and Immortalis-G925 MC12 GPU with Android 16 and One UI 8.
- Advanced Camera & Connectivity – Rear: 13MP (f/2.0 wide) + 8MP (f/2.2 ultrawide); Front: Dual 12MP (wide & ultrawide). Also supports Bluetooth 5.4, USB Type-C 3.2, and magnetic connector for seamless accessory pairing.
- Wi-Fi Only Model – Designed for high-speed wireless use. This model does not support SIM cards or cellular network connections.
- International Version – Global model without U.S. domestic warranty. Covered under return policy for hassle-free protection.
Battery figures are manufacturer estimates
Samsung claims up to 23 hours of battery life for the Ultra and up to 21 hours for the Plus, and says both support 45W charging, with a 95-minute charge claim. These figures are not independent endurance results. A meaningful comparison with iPad Pro would require testing under consistent conditions, which is not established by the launch specifications.
Android and iPadOS serve different app needs
The S12 tablets run Android 17 with One UI 9; iPad Pro runs Apple’s platform. The choice depends on the apps and workflow a buyer needs. The available launch specifications do not compare app availability or feature parity, so buyers should check that their essential creative, work and entertainment apps behave as needed on their preferred platform.
Configurations, expansion and portability
Samsung’s U.S. announcement lists the Ultra with 12GB of memory and 256GB or 512GB storage, or 16GB and 1TB. The S12+ is listed with 12GB and either 256GB or 512GB. Samsung says both support microSD expansion up to 2TB. Configuration details can vary by market; check the current regional listing before ordering.
For U.S. models, Samsung lists an 11,600mAh battery in the Ultra and a 10,600mAh battery in the Plus. Both are specified for 45W charging. The Ultra is 5.1mm thick and weighs 692g in Wi-Fi form or 695g with 5G; the Plus is 5.3mm thick and weighs 553g Wi-Fi or 555g 5G. Samsung says both have IP68 dust and water resistance.
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.
Apple lists the 13-inch Wi-Fi iPad Pro at 579g and the 11-inch Wi-Fi model at 444g. The 13-inch iPad Pro is lighter than the Wi-Fi S12 Ultra, despite its smaller screen; the S12+ is heavier than the 11-inch Wi-Fi iPad Pro. Weight comparisons here are for the specified Wi-Fi versions, not every configuration.
Samsung claims up to seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the S12 series. The reviewed specifications do not provide a like-for-like support-duration comparison with iPad Pro.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Launch prices and included pen
| Market and product | Starting price | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| United States: Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | $1,399.99 | Samsung Electronics America launch announcement, 2026 |
| United States: Galaxy Tab S12+ | $1,199.99 | Samsung Electronics America launch announcement, 2026 |
| United Kingdom: Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | £1,399 | What Hi-Fi? report, 2026; regional launch price |
| United Kingdom: Galaxy Tab S12+ | £1,199 | What Hi-Fi? report, 2026; regional launch price |
| United Kingdom: 13-inch iPad Pro | £1,499 | What Hi-Fi? report, 2026; verify current local price |
| United Kingdom: 11-inch iPad Pro | £1,199 | What Hi-Fi? report, 2026; verify current local price |
The U.S. and U.K. figures are regional starting prices and should not be combined into a single price comparison. Samsung says the S Pen is included. Its Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim are sold separately, so a productivity setup that needs a keyboard may cost more than the tablet’s starting price.
Can the Galaxy Tab S12 tablets challenge iPad Pro?
On announced specifications, yes: Samsung is targeting the same premium-tablet category, with high-refresh OLED screens, spatial-audio speaker systems, pen input and substantial storage options. The Ultra’s 14.6-inch display is larger than either current iPad Pro display, and both S12 models include the S Pen and offer microSD expansion.
That does not establish that Samsung wins on movie picture quality, speaker performance, sustained speed, battery life or overall value. Those comparisons require hands-on measurements and a close look at the apps and accessories a particular buyer uses. Until independent tests are available, the defensible conclusion is that Samsung has announced credible alternatives—not proven replacements for iPad Pro.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Samsung Electronics: Galaxy Tab S12 global announcement
- Samsung Electronics America: Galaxy Tab S12 U.S. announcement and specifications
- Apple: iPad Pro technical specifications
- What Hi-Fi?: Galaxy Tab S12 launch coverage and U.K. pricing
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.
