Leaked renders suggest Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Tab S12+ and Ultra will retain familiar designs but introduce a major shift in processors, moving away from Qualcomm to MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 and offering software upgrades for the 2026 release.
Samsung’s next premium tablets are taking shape with little change on the outside and a more consequential shift under the bonnet. Leaked renders published by Memeburn and attributed to tipster SammyGuru suggest the Galaxy Tab S12+ and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra will closely resemble the Tab S11 series, including the Ultra’s display notch, while Samsung moves away from Qualcomm chips in favour of MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500.
The design story is one of restraint rather than reinvention. According to the leak, the Tab S12 Ultra keeps the dual front camera cut-out at the top of its 14.6-inch display, while the Tab S12+ uses a cleaner 12.4-inch panel without a notch. That leaves Samsung following a familiar tablet formula, even though the company has already used under-display cameras in other product lines. For buyers focused on video calls and productivity, the Ultra’s layout appears to prioritise front-camera quality over a fully uninterrupted screen.
The more important change is the processor. Multiple reports, including Android Authority and SamWelt, say Samsung is preparing to use MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 in the Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra. That would mark a notable break from Samsung’s long association with Qualcomm at the top end of its tablet range. The chip is a 3nm part and is being positioned around strong performance and AI acceleration, with Samsung’s AI Core software teardown also pointing to Dimensity 9500 references.
Battery specifications also appear conservative. PhoneArena says the Tab S12+ is expected to keep a 10,500mAh to 10,600mAh battery, while the Ultra is tipped for an 11,600mAh cell, both with 45W wired charging. That is broadly in line with the Tab S11 generation, so any practical improvement will have to come from the new chip and software efficiency rather than larger batteries. Samsung has also been developing One UI 9.0 for its tablet line, which suggests the S12 family will launch with an updated software layer and a long support window.
Release timing remains provisional, but several reports point to a September or early autumn 2026 debut, possibly alongside IFA in Berlin. Certification activity has already exposed model numbers linked to the Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra, while leaks also point to Android 17, up to 1TB of storage and Samsung’s seven-year update promise. If the pricing rumours hold, the series will enter a crowded premium market where Samsung will need the MediaTek switch, AI features and software support to justify higher costs.
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