Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review
This tablet suits professionals and creative workers who value a sharp display and stylus support and are willing to charge overnight. Anyone expecting flagship camera prowess or fast charging should shop the competition first.
This review is written with AI assistance from Samsung’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is a large, thin Android tablet built for work and media with a crisp 14.6-inch AMOLED display, stylus support, and long battery life, but its cameras and charging speed lag far behind what rivals offer at this price and size.
Design & build
Samsung has made no mistakes here. At 5.1mm thick and 692 grams, this is a tablet that feels light enough to hold one-handed for hours without fatigue. The glass front, aluminum frame, and aluminum back hit the durability brief without adding bulk. IP68 sealing means it can handle spills, and the stylus slot keeps your pen always at hand. The magnetic USB-C connector is a nice touch for docking. Where this matters: a 14.6-inch tablet this slim is rare, and for someone choosing between this and an iPad Pro or a larger productivity tablet, the weight and thickness are genuine everyday wins.
Display
The 1848 x 2960 AMOLED panel is the best argument for buying this tablet. Dynamic AMOLED 2X at 120Hz, HDR10+ support, and 1600 nits peak brightness mean photos, videos, and documents look clean and vibrant in any light. The 239 ppi density is sharp enough that you won't notice pixels at normal viewing distance. Comparatively, this rivals the iPad Pro's screen quality, and the 90.8 percent screen-to-body ratio means you get nearly all of the 14.6 inches as usable space. For content creators, designers, and anyone who spends hours reading or watching, this display is worth the euros alone.
Performance
The MediaTek Dimensity 9500 is a current-gen, 3nm flagship chipset that handles heavy workloads without stutter. Paired with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and UFS storage, there are no bottlenecks for multitasking, gaming, or running productivity apps. The Mali-G1 Ultra GPU is capable enough for casual gaming and design work. Real-world experience: if you are pushing a tablet to its limits, you likely already know what you need, and this chipset will not disappoint. For most users, the performance ceiling here is so far above day-to-day demand that it feels overkill.
Software
Android 17 with One UI 9 arrives fresh and comes with a promise of up to 7 major OS updates. Samsung's One UI remains one of Android's least intrusive overlays, and DeX mode—which lets you connect a mouse and keyboard for a desktop-like experience—adds real weight to the productivity pitch. The stylus integration in Samsung Notes and other apps is polished. Where it matters: a 1570 EUR tablet needs software that stays relevant for years, and Samsung's track record here is strong. Android purists may still prefer stock, but One UI is not why you would avoid this tablet.
Camera
This is where the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra shows its age. A 13MP main sensor and 8MP ultrawide with 4K@30fps video is adequate for Zoom calls and casual document scanning, but it falls well short of what rivals offer. Flagship tablets now pack 50MP or higher main sensors with optical zoom and 8K recording; Samsung chose efficiency over capability here. The 12MP front camera handles video calls well enough, but the rear cameras will disappoint anyone who wants to use a tablet as a serious travel camera or content creation tool. For a device at this price, this is a real step backward compared to the 2025 generation.
Battery & charging
The 11600 mAh battery should comfortably last 12 to 14 hours of mixed use, and a full day of heavier work is realistic. Here is the problem: 45W charging is slow for 2026. At this capacity and charge speed, you are looking at about 90 minutes to full from zero, whereas rivals with 100W+ chargers can hit the same in under 45 minutes. The charge speed is not a deal-breaker if you charge overnight or have the tablet plugged into a dock, but it is a notable comfort miss at this price. Samsung appears to have prioritized thinness or thermals over charging speed, and buyers who frequently top up during the day will feel the drag.
Value & verdict
At about 1570 EUR, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is positioned as a premium Android tablet, and it delivers on display, design, and battery life. However, the camera system feels cut from an older generation, the 45W charging is uncompetitive, and the missing NFC is a surprising oversight. If you spend most of your time reading, working in apps, or watching video, the excellent screen and stylus support make this a solid choice. If you want a tablet that also shoots good photos, charges quickly, and handles contactless payments, look at what competitors are offering at this price. For GoSolo readers in markets where iPads are scarce or costly, this remains a capable alternative; for those with the choice, Samsung missed an opportunity to lead this generation.
Verdict
This tablet suits professionals and creative workers who value a sharp display and stylus support and are willing to charge overnight. Anyone expecting flagship camera prowess or fast charging should shop the competition first.
- 14.6-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh, 239 ppi, and 1600 nits peak brightness makes text sharp and video vivid, with little bezel waste
- 5.1mm thickness and 692g weight keep it genuinely portable for a screen this large; iPad Pro 12.9 is heavier and barely smaller
- 11600 mAh battery should deliver two full days of typical use; stylus and DeX mode give real productivity legs
- Dimensity 9500 at 3nm handles multitasking and apps without lag; 12GB or 16GB RAM means no memory bottleneck
- Camera system is a decade behind: 13MP main and 8MP ultrawide with 4K@30fps video capture is basic even for a tablet; rivals now shoot 50MP+ with optical zoom and 8K
- 45W charging is slow for a 1570 EUR device in 2026; competitors at this price and size offer 100W+, cutting charge time nearly in half
- No NFC means no wireless payments or contactless features; a surprising omission for a premium tablet targeting professionals
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2026, September 30 |
|---|---|
| Display | 14.6 inches, 617.8 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio), Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~239 ppi density) |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Battery | 11600 mAh |
| Software | Android 17, up to 7 major OS updates, One UI 9 |
| Dimensions | 326.3 x 208.5 x 5.1 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.20 in) |
| Weight | 692 g or 695 g (1.53 lb) |
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Durability | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support Enhanced Armor Aluminum |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra support 5G?
Yes. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra use?
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3 nm).
What display does the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra have?
A 14.6 inches, 617.8 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak), 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~239 ppi density).
How big is the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra battery?
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has a 11600 mAh battery.
Does the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra have NFC?
No, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra does not list NFC support.
Is the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra water resistant?
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra carries a IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support Enhanced Armor Aluminum rating.
Does the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra support a microSD card?
Yes, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Alternatives to consider
If the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Galaxy Tab S12+
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
Galaxy Tab S11
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
Pad 9 Pro
