Samsung Electronics has introduced the Galaxy Tab S12 series, comprising the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+, as the company expands its tablet portfolio with devices designed to support productivity, learning and creative work.
The new tablets combine upgraded processing capabilities, expansive displays and the latest Galaxy AI features with Samsung’s signature slim design. The lineup is aimed at users seeking to balance professional responsibilities, education and personal interests without compromising portability or performance.
According to Lucas Lee, chief executive officer of Samsung Electronics West Africa, “The Galaxy Tab S12 series is made for purpose-driven individuals seeking tablet devices that match their ambition”.
The devices come with an ergonomically designed S Pen for handwriting, annotation, sketching and precise editing. They also support a range of productivity and creative applications, positioning the tablets as versatile tools for students, professionals, entrepreneurs and content creators.
Slim Design, Powerful Performance
The Galaxy Tab S12 series combines high-performance computing with a lightweight form factor intended to support extended use throughout the day.
At just 5.1mm thick, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy Tab to date. Despite its slim profile, the device incorporates a new 3-nanometre processor that delivers improved performance across artificial intelligence, central processing and graphics workloads.
Compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, the new Ultra model offers up to 61 per cent faster neural processing unit (NPU) performance, 19 per cent faster central processing unit (CPU) performance and a 17 per cent improvement in graphics processing unit (GPU) performance, according to Samsung.
These enhancements are designed to support demanding activities, including video editing, graphic design, multitasking and AI-assisted research. Users can, for instance, watch online lectures, take notes and consult an AI assistant simultaneously without repeatedly switching between applications.
Samsung has also introduced a redesigned 3D Vapor Chamber cooling system to dissipate heat more efficiently during intensive workloads. Both models carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, providing additional protection against everyday environmental exposure.
Battery performance is another key feature of the new lineup. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is rated for up to 23 hours of video playback on a single charge, while the Galaxy Tab S12+ offers up to 21 hours under Samsung’s specified test conditions.
Both devices support 45W wired charging, with the company estimating that a full charge takes approximately 95 minutes when using a compatible adapter. The 45W power adapter is sold separately, and actual battery life and charging times may vary depending on usage and other conditions.
Expansive Displays and Enhanced Audio
The Galaxy Tab S12 series features large displays designed to provide sufficient workspace for reading, research, entertainment and creative projects.
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra comes with a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the Galaxy Tab S12+ features a 12.6-inch screen. Both support refresh rates of up to 120Hz and peak brightness of 1,600 nits, delivering smooth motion and vivid visuals.
An upgraded Vision Booster feature automatically adjusts screen brightness in response to surrounding lighting conditions, helping improve visibility indoors and outdoors.
Samsung has also upgraded the audio experience with four-channel spatial audio. The system is designed to provide richer, more immersive sound for streaming, online learning, video editing and other multimedia activities.
The larger screen of the Ultra model is particularly suited to users who need additional room for complex projects or multiple open windows, while the S12+ offers a more compact alternative for those who prioritise portability.
Galaxy AI Brings Research and Multitasking Together
Running Android 17 with One UI 9, the Galaxy Tab S12 series integrates Galaxy AI features into a flexible digital workspace intended to make everyday tasks more intuitive.
The tablets support Samsung’s Multi Window feature, which allows users to divide the display into as many as three sections. This enables activities such as taking notes in Samsung Notes, watching a lecture and consulting an AI assistant within the same workspace.
Samsung Notes also includes Note Assist, which can summarise notes and help users organise information. The bundled S Pen allows users to record ideas, annotate documents and sketch directly on the screen.
The devices also include a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, offering expanded access to Google’s AI tools and models. Through Gemini Notebook, users can bring together notes, images, recordings and documents in one workspace, then generate summaries, podcasts and quizzes to support learning and information management.
Samsung Browser is designed to further simplify research by helping users summarise information across open webpages and retrieve relevant sources from their browsing history. The availability of individual functions may vary by market, language and software version.
Together, these features are intended to help users move between research, learning, writing and creative work with fewer interruptions.
Professional Apps Expand Creative Possibilities
Samsung is strengthening the tablets’ appeal to creative professionals through a collection of productivity, design and content-creation applications.
For the first time on an Android tablet, Adobe Photoshop comes preloaded on the Galaxy Tab S12 series. Optimised for tablet use and S Pen input, the application provides image-editing and design tools, including AI-assisted features and generative capabilities powered by Adobe Firefly.
Eligible users also receive four months of access to the Photoshop mobile premium plan, subject to the applicable terms.
Other software offerings include Notability for note-taking and study support, Goodnotes for digital organisation, and LumaFusion for video editing. Notion provides tools for writing and project planning, while Clip Studio Paint caters to digital illustration and painting.
Additional applications broaden the tablets’ potential uses. MyScript Math can solve handwritten equations and display working steps, while MyScript Notes offers tools for summarising handwritten material and creating study resources. Noteshelf 3 supports customised digital notebooks, and ArcSite helps users turn field sketches into computer-aided design drawings.
The Galaxy Tab S12 series also supports the Book Cover Keyboard Slim, an optional accessory designed to provide a more conventional typing experience and flexible viewing angles.
The combination of hardware, accessories and software is intended to help users progress from capturing ideas to developing polished work within a single device ecosystem. App availability, subscription offers and promotional terms may vary by market.
Availability, Software Support and Protection
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+ will be available from October 14 through Samsung Experience Stores, authorised dealers and partner retailers nationwide, according to the company’s announcement. Both models will be offered in Gray and Silver.
Samsung says the devices will receive up to seven generations of operating system upgrades and seven years of security updates, supporting longer-term use.
The company is also offering Samsung Care+, which provides eligible customers with coverage options that may include repairs for accidental damage, extended warranty protection and access to certified support. Coverage, service availability, fees and other conditions vary by country or region.
Users with compatible Galaxy smartphones running One UI 9 can also check their tablet’s Samsung Care+ status through the Warranty and care menu in Settings, with access to warranty information, self-diagnostics, repair requests and remote support for connected devices.
With its combination of AI-enabled features, upgraded processing, large displays and creative software, the Galaxy Tab S12 series represents Samsung’s latest effort to position tablets as more than entertainment devices, offering users a portable platform for work, learning and creative expression.
For further information, customers can visit Samsung’s official website.
Specifications: Galaxy Tab S12 Series
| Feature | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S12+ |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 208.5 × 326.3 × 5.1mm | 187.8 × 289.5 × 5.3mm |
| Weight | 692g (Wi-Fi); 695g (5G) | 553g (Wi-Fi); 555g (5G) |
| Operating system | Android 17, One UI 9 | Android 17, One UI 9 |
| Display | 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2960 × 1848 | 2800 × 1752 |
| Refresh rate | Up to 120Hz | Up to 120Hz |
| Brightness | 1,600 nits peak; 1,000 nits HBM | 1,600 nits peak; 1,000 nits HBM |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 |
| Memory and storage | 12GB RAM; 256GB or 512GB storage | 12GB RAM; 256GB or 512GB storage |
| Expandable storage | microSD up to 2TB | microSD up to 2TB |
| Battery capacity | 11,600mAh | 10,600mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 45W wired |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Rear cameras | 13MP + 8MP ultra-wide | 13MP |
| Front camera | 12MP ultra-wide | 12MP ultra-wide |
| Audio | Quad speakers with four-channel spatial audio | Quad speakers with four-channel spatial audio |
| S Pen | Included; Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) not supported | Included; Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) not supported |
| Durability | IP68 water and dust resistance | IP68 water and dust resistance |
| SIM | Dual SIM (physical SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (physical SIM + eSIM) |
| Security | In-display fingerprint sensor | In-display fingerprint sensor |
| Colours | Gray, Silver | Gray, Silver |
| Optional accessory | Book Cover Keyboard Slim | Book Cover Keyboard Slim |
Specifications may vary by market. Features, availability and promotional offers are subject to change. Charging adapter and optional accessories may be sold separately.