What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Samsung’s smaller model is officially called the Galaxy Tab S12+, not simply the Galaxy Tab S12. The choice is mainly between its more portable 12.6-inch screen and the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra’s larger 14.6-inch display. Both list the same MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor, support the included S Pen, and promote Samsung DeX, so start with how much screen you need and where you’ll use the tablet.

Galaxy Tab S12+ vs. S12 Ultra: What’s different?

Samsung positions the S12+ for portability and the Ultra for large-screen productivity. Their display sizes and resolutions differ, but both are listed at 120 Hz and use the same named processor family on Samsung’s US pages.

Specification Galaxy Tab S12+ Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra
Display size 12.6 inches 14.6 inches
Resolution 2800 × 1752 2960 × 1848
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Processor named by Samsung US MediaTek Dimensity 9500 MediaTek Dimensity 9500
Samsung’s positioning Portability Large-screen productivity
US order date shown by Samsung October 7, 2026 October 7, 2026

Specifications and positioning are from Samsung’s US Galaxy Tab S12 series page and its US tablet comparison page. The order date is specific to the US page; it does not establish availability in other regions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Which Galaxy Tab S12 should you buy?

Choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if screen space comes first

The 14.6-inch display is the more suitable choice if you expect to keep several work panes visible, draw or edit across a broad canvas, or use the tablet mainly at a desk or table. That recommendation follows from the screen size and Samsung’s productivity positioning, not from an independent review comparison.

#1 Best Overall
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ Plus 12.4” 512GB Android Tablet, Moonstone Gray
  • 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.

Choose the Galaxy Tab S12+ if you want a more portable tablet

The 12.6-inch S12+ is the more natural fit if you want a smaller device for carrying around while keeping S Pen support and the shared processor family. It retains a 120 Hz display, though at a lower resolution than the Ultra.

What do both models offer for work and creativity?

Samsung says both models support the S Pen and promotes DeX. The included stylus is relevant for handwriting, notes, precise editing, and drawing. DeX may suit users who want a desktop-style interface on the tablet; a keyboard can help with extended typing, but confirm that any keyboard you consider is compatible with the S12 series.

Rank #2
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra Ai Wifi Model, 14.6" 11600 mAh 13MP SM-X930 Dual Camera with S Pen (Gray SM-X930NZSAGTO, 256GB + 12GB)
  • 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.

Samsung Electronics described the tablets in its September 30, 2026 Global Newsroom announcement as featuring immersive displays and bundled ergonomically designed S Pens. This is Samsung’s product description, not an independent assessment. See the Samsung Global Newsroom announcement.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Does the Ultra have a meaningful performance advantage?

Samsung lists the same MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor for both tablets, so the model choice is not between different processor families. Samsung reports that the Ultra’s NPU is 61% faster, CPU 19% faster, and GPU 17% faster than the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Those are Samsung’s comparisons with the prior Ultra, not independent benchmark results, and they do not establish that the S12 Ultra is faster than the S12+.

Rank #3
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ Plus 12.4” 256GB Android Tablet, Moonstone Gray
  • 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.

Early launch coverage includes hands-on impressions, but the available evidence does not establish a complete independent performance or battery-life comparison between the two S12 models. One listed figure, the Ultra’s 11,600 mAh battery, lacks a directly comparable S12+ capacity in the retrieved official information, so it is not enough to settle which lasts longer.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What about price and availability?

As of October 3, 2026, Samsung’s US page showed October 7, 2026 as the order date for both tablets. That date was still in the future on October 3, and it should not be treated as a confirmed order or sale date for other countries. The available official information does not establish final local prices, street prices, or the best-value memory and connectivity configurations. Compare the prices and configurations actually offered in your region when ordering opens.

Samsung’s US series page is the reference for its stated positioning, processor, performance comparisons, battery figure, and US order timing. Local listings and availability may differ.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

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.