Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra features a massive 14.6-inch AMOLED display and premium build, but minimal upgrades and a steep price challenge its appeal as a laptop substitute in the high-end Android tablet market.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is a reminder that, in the high end of Android tablets, scale still matters. The device centres on a 14.6-inch AMOLED display, Samsung’s S Pen and the desktop-style DeX interface, all of which keep it aimed at users who want a large slate that can double as a work machine. Trusted Reviews said the hardware feels refined and premium, while TechSpot and Tom’s Guide both highlighted the thin, light construction and the screen as key strengths. Yet the same reviews also point to a familiar problem: the new model arrives with only limited changes over its predecessor, despite a significantly higher asking price.
That price matters because Samsung has pushed the Tab S12 Ultra firmly into luxury territory. The tablet starts at $1,399 in the United States, with UK pricing set at £1,399 in the Trusted Reviews assessment, while the optional Pro Keyboard adds a further £399 or $399. SamMobile reported that Samsung will sell the device in 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB and 16GB/1TB configurations, with availability from 7 October 2026. The result is a package that can approach the cost of a premium convertible laptop once the keyboard is added, which weakens the appeal of Samsung’s laptop-replacement pitch.
Physically, the Tab S12 Ultra changes very little from the last generation, and that is both a virtue and a limitation. Trusted Reviews noted that it remains 5.1mm thick and weighs 692g, with IP68 dust and water resistance still included, a feature that also stood out in TechSpot’s coverage. The S Pen ships in the box and attaches magnetically to the side for storage and charging, which is more practical than Samsung’s earlier rear-mounted arrangement. The redesigned Pro Keyboard is the more notable accessory update, bringing a trackpad and laptop-style controls that make DeX feel much more complete, even if the keyboard remains an expensive extra.
The display remains the Tab S12 Ultra’s strongest argument. Samsung has kept the same 14.6-inch, 120Hz AMOLED panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 1,600-nit peak brightness figure, and reviewers continue to regard it as one of the best tablet screens available. Colours are vivid, contrast is deep and the size makes it unusually effective for both films and multitasking. Trusted Reviews said the panel is bright enough for outdoor use and that the slim bezels help preserve the immersive feel, while PhoneArena also singled out the display as one of the tablet’s standout features.
Performance is competent rather than transformative. Samsung has moved to MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, which the company says delivers modest gains in CPU and graphics work, along with a stronger uplift for AI tasks. SamMobile reported that Samsung is also claiming upgraded speakers and a newer Bluetooth version. In day-to-day use, the tablet is meant to feel quick, and Trusted Reviews found no real lag in multitasking or gaming, but the issue is less about speed than timing: the chip is already a year old, and newer flagship processors are already on the horizon. That leaves the Tab S12 Ultra fast enough for demanding work, but not obviously ahead of the field.
Samsung’s software remains one of the tablet’s biggest advantages. One UI 9 on Android 17 brings the familiar mix of tablet-friendly features, Galaxy AI tools and DeX multitasking, with Samsung promising seven years of OS and security updates. Trusted Reviews described DeX as central to the experience, especially when paired with the Pro Keyboard and trackpad, and the company has also kept support for common creative apps such as GoodNotes, LumaFusion and Photoshop, although some require separate purchases. The cameras are functional rather than special, with a 13MP main rear sensor, 8MP ultrawide and 12MP front camera mainly intended for document scanning and video calls. Battery life is similarly steady rather than exceptional: the 11,600mAh cell is enough for a full working day, and 45W charging can restore roughly 40% in half an hour.
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