Some tablets earn their place in a bag. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra earns its place on a stand. Its 14.6-inch screen gives a designer room for a reference and an illustration, or a presenter space for notes alongside a document. If you already own the S11 Ultra, that familiar arrangement is also the reason the newer version may change relatively little about your day.
In depth
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review
Published
Best forpeople who use Android as a large-screen workspace and regularly keep two apps open.
At a glance
- Screen size
- 14.6 inches
- Panel technology
- Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Processor
- MediaTek Dimensity 9500
- Storage
- 256GB
- Operating system
- Android 17 at launch
Pros
- Broad 14.6-inch AMOLED workspace
- Included pen, Wi-Fi 7 and expandable storage
Cons
- Bulky for handheld reading
- Same screen dimensions and battery capacity as the S11 Ultra
Display
- 14.6 inches
- 2960 × 1848
- Up to 120 Hz
The 2960 × 1848 panel runs at up to 120 Hz, matching the previous Ultra's size, resolution and refresh ceiling. The physical advantage is clearest with fixed-layout content such as a musical score, engineering drawing or two-page PDF. It is less persuasive for a single column of text that can reflow on a smaller screen.
Performance & Storage
- MediaTek Dimensity 9500
- 12 GB
- 256 GB
The Dimensity 9500 replaces the S11 Ultra's 9400+. The international SM-X940 offer here includes 12 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage. Samsung supplies 16 GB of memory with the 1 TB version. A microSD card gives a less expensive way to store files, but cannot add working memory for open applications.
Pen & Battery
- 11,600 mAh typical · 45 W
Samsung supplies an S Pen for direct input. A keyboard cover is extra, and 692 g is the tablet's weight before either a case or stand. The 11,600 mAh battery supports up to 45 W charging. Equal battery capacity across two generations does not ensure equal time between charges.
Tom’s Guide recorded 11 hours 31 minutes of Wi-Fi browsing at 150 nits on the S12 Ultra, more than half an hour below its S11 Ultra result. The rated battery capacity was the same on both generations. 1
Alternatives
The S12+ keeps the included pen and the Dimensity 9500 in a 553 g body. An S11 Ultra already gives its owner the same amount of canvas and a similarly equipped writing setup.
Verdict
Choose the S12 Ultra when the size is essential and you need a new tablet. An S11 Ultra owner should identify a particular workload the newer chip improves before spending money on the replacement.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- Tom’s GuideSamsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review | Tom's Guide (opens in a new tab)https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/android-tablets/samsung-galaxy-tab-s12-ultra-review
Wi-Fi web browsing at 150 nits on the S12 Ultra, with the outlet’s previous Ultra result for comparison.