Samsung Unveils Galaxy Tab S12+ with 12.6-Inch Display and Dimensity 9500
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Tab S12+, which joins the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra in the company's new flagship tablet lineup. The model succeeds the Galaxy Tab S10+, since the Tab S11 series had no Plus version, making this the first refresh of Samsung's mid-size flagship in two years. It brings a larger screen, the 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip, a bigger battery and a new cooling system, while the S Pen is still included in the box.
Larger screen and four-channel audio
The display grows from 12.4 to 12.6 inches, and the bezels around it are now slimmer. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel has a resolution of 2800 x 1752 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. Peak brightness reaches 1,600 nits, while High Brightness Mode for outdoor use delivers 1,000 nits. An updated Vision Booster now adjusts brightness to ambient lighting in real time.
The tablet uses four speakers with support for 4-channel spatial audio. According to Samsung, that is twice as many channels as the previous generation, which should make a difference when watching video or editing content.
Dimensity 9500 and new cooling
The Galaxy Tab S12+ runs on the same MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip as the Ultra, whereas the Tab S10+ used the Dimensity 9300+. Samsung quotes gains of 61% for the NPU, 19% for the CPU and 17% for the GPU, but these figures compare the Tab S12 Ultra with the Tab S11 Ultra. The company has not published separate numbers for the Tab S12+ against its predecessor.
The flat vapor chamber of the Tab S10+ has been replaced by a 3D Vapor Chamber. Samsung says it dissipates heat faster and more efficiently, which matters during sustained workloads such as video editing or graphic design. The tablet comes only with 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage, expandable via microSD up to 2TB. The 16GB and 1TB configuration is reserved for the Ultra.
Thin body and battery life
The body is 5.3mm thick, and the Wi-Fi version weighs 553g. Even so, battery capacity has increased to 10,600mAh (rated capacity 10,392mAh). Samsung claims up to 21 hours of video playback on a single charge. With a 45W adapter, sold separately, the battery goes from zero to 100% in about 95 minutes.
Both the tablet and the S Pen carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Under lab conditions, the device survives submersion in fresh water up to 1.5m deep for 30 minutes, although Samsung advises against taking it to the beach or the pool.
One UI 9, Galaxy AI and pro apps
The Galaxy Tab S12+ ships with Android 17 and One UI 9. Samsung promises up to seven OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, placing the tablet among the longest-supported devices on Android.
Multi Window lets users split the screen into three areas, for example watching a lecture, taking notes in Samsung Notes and asking an AI assistant questions at the same time. Note Assist can then generate a summary of the notes.
Adobe Photoshop comes preinstalled, which Samsung says is a first for Android tablets. The interface is optimized for a large screen and the S Pen, Adobe Firefly generative features are available, and Tab S12 series owners get four months of free subscription.
The tablet includes a six-month Google AI Pro trial with expanded access to Gemini. Gemini Notebook brings notes, images, recordings and files into one workspace and turns them into summaries, podcasts or quizzes.
Sold separately are the Pro Keyboard, with an aluminum finish and a Galaxy AI Key that launches Gemini, Perplexity or Bixby, and the thinner Book Cover Keyboard Slim. Samsung also bundles trials and discounts for Notability, Goodnotes, Clip Studio Paint, LumaFusion and other apps, valuing the package at roughly $600.
The Galaxy Tab S12+ goes on sale October 7 in select markets. In the US, prices start at $1,199.99 for the 12GB/256GB model, in Europe at €1,329 (~$1,555), and in the UK at £1,199 (~$1,605).
Specifications
- Display: 12.6", Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2800 x 1752, 120Hz, 1,600 nits peak brightness (HBM 1,000 nits)
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3nm)
- Memory and storage: 12GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB; microSD up to 2TB
- Cameras: 13MP rear, 12MP ultra-wide front
- Battery: 10,600mAh (typical), 45W wired charging
- Audio: quad speakers, 4-channel spatial audio
- Connectivity: 5G (on 5G model), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0, Dual SIM (pSIM + eSIM)
- Stylus: S Pen included (no Bluetooth LE support)
- Security: in-display fingerprint sensor
- Water and dust resistance: IP68
- Dimensions and weight: 187.8 x 289.5 x 5.3 mm; 553g (Wi-Fi), 555g (5G)
- OS: Android 17, One UI 9
- Color: Gray, Silver
