Samsung Revamps the Two-Year-Old Galaxy Tab S Plus

Samsung has been rolling out annual updates to its flagship Ultra tablet since the Galaxy Tab S10 series, alternating between the regular and Plus models. This year, the Galaxy Tab S12 lineup introduces an Ultra variant that sees minimal changes from last year’s Tab S11 Ultra, while the Plus model receives a significant refresh from the two-year-old Tab S10 Plus. Notably, there is no standard Tab S12, meaning fans of the smaller form factor will have to wait until 2027 for the next iteration.

The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus is set to be a substantial upgrade for those using the Tab S10 Plus or older models. It features a slightly larger and brighter 12.6-inch display while being thinner and lighter overall. The new MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset is two generations ahead of the previous 9300 Plus, and the battery has also seen an increase to 10,600mAh. This makes the $200 price hike, bringing the starting price to $1,199, feel justified.

In contrast, the Tab S12 Ultra feels more familiar, primarily due to the design enhancements it received last year. The main updates compared to the Tab S11 Ultra are the annual chipset upgrade and improved four-channel spatial audio, which is also present in the Plus model. The Ultra retains its 14.6-inch display, 11,600mAh battery, and 5.1mm thickness from the previous year, which might be less appealing given the $200 price increase, now set at $1,399.

Both tablets come equipped with vibrant OLED displays boasting 1,600 nits of peak brightness, IP68 ratings, and a promise of seven years of Android updates. An S Pen stylus is included in the box, along with a notable software update: the Android debut of Adobe Photoshop for Tablets, which will be exclusive to the Galaxy Store for six months. This version includes Adobe’s AI features, a tablet-optimized interface, and S Pen support.

The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and Tab S12 Ultra are scheduled to launch on October 7th.