Samsung has launched its Galaxy Tab S12+ and Ultra models with subtle design updates and a clear size divide, catering to different user needs amid premium competition.
Samsung’s new flagship tablets arrive in a familiar two-tier format, but the balance between them has shifted. The Galaxy Tab S12+ and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra were shown ahead of the Malaysian launch, and the immediate impression is that Samsung has refined rather than reinvented the line. The larger model remains the more extravagant option, while the Plus version is positioned as the more practical one for people who want a premium tablet without committing to the sheer scale of the Ultra. According to Samsung’s own launch materials and early hands-on reports, both devices are available now in Malaysia from RM4,999, with the wider global release beginning on 7 October 2026.
Design changes are modest. The pair keep the same broad styling cues as last year’s tablets, including the rear-mounted magnetic pogo connectors and the grey and silver colour options. The Ultra again carries the dual rear camera arrangement, while the Plus model drops the ultra-wide camera and is visibly simpler at the back. On the front, the Ultra uses a waterdrop notch, whereas the Plus hides its front camera within the bezel. Both use Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels, but Samsung has removed the anti-reflective coating, which could make glare more noticeable in bright environments.
The real divide is size and, by extension, usability. The Tab S12 Ultra’s 14.6-inch display gives it a laptop-like footprint, which suits desk-based work but makes one-handed use awkward. The slimmer chassis helps, yet the form factor still favours a stand or keyboard over casual handheld use. By contrast, the 12.6-inch Tab S12+ is still large by tablet standards, but it is easier to carry and hold for longer periods. That makes it the more balanced choice for productivity, unless the user specifically wants the largest possible canvas for media, drawing or split-screen multitasking.
Performance appears broadly equal across the range, with Samsung aiming these models at creative and professional users rather than casual media consumption alone. Reported specifications point to the Dimensity 9500 chip, up to 16GB of RAM on the Ultra, and support for Samsung’s S Pen, which remains bundled in the box. Adobe Photoshop Mobile is preinstalled, and Samsung is also bundling or discounting creative apps such as Notability, LumaFusion and Clip Studio Paint. That said, early reactions suggest the upgrade path is less dramatic than the pricing would imply. With the Ultra starting at US$1,399 and the Plus at US$1,199, these are expensive tablets, and the lack of a lower-cost model leaves Samsung competing directly with premium iPad Pro alternatives and, increasingly, with lightweight laptop options.
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