Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab S12 series tablets look like the best Android tablets money can buy

Powering all this is MediaTek’s 3nm Dimensity 9500. Samsung says its NPU, the part of the chip that handles AI tasks, is up to 61% faster than the one in last year’s Tab S11 Ultra. The CPU itself is apparently up to 19% faster, while the GPU is up to 17% faster.

Of course, we must point out that the fine print calls out that while basic Galaxy AI features are free for now, Samsung also says that future enhanced features may come at a cost. As usual, you’ll also need to sign in with a Samsung Account to be able to use Galaxy AI as intended.

“From professionals managing busy schedules at work and at home, to individuals building new skills and pursuing creative passions, Singaporeans are looking for technology that helps them make the most of every moment,” said Ronnie Ng, Vice President and Head of Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics Singapore. “The Galaxy Tab S12 Series is designed to support these evolving needs, combining powerful performance, intelligent AI experiences and exceptional portability to help users achieve more throughout their day.”

AI apps ready to go

Samsung has also loaded these new tablets with AI-powered apps and trials, so you can get started straight out of the box:

• Google AI Pro free for six months, giving you access to Google’s more capable Gemini models
• Adobe Photoshop, pre-installed on an Android tablet for the first time, with four months of premium access and 100 generative AI credits a month
• Notion Plus and Notion AI free for a month on new workspaces
• MyScript Math and MyScript Notes, which can solve handwritten equations and summarise notes
• Trials and discounts for Goodnotes, Notability, Clip Studio Paint and LumaFusion

What about the hardware?

At least from the press photos, if you own a Tab S11 Ultra, the new Ultra will look very familiar. Samsung calls its 5.1mm chassis the thinnest Galaxy Tab yet, but the Tab S11 Ultra was also 5.1mm. The two share the same 692g weight (the Wi-Fi models, at least), 14.6-inch 2960 x 1848 pixel display, 11,600mAh battery, and cameras. The real upgrades come in the form of the new processor, the software and a new 3D vapour chamber that Samsung says sheds heat faster.

The Tab S12+ is the more interesting addition. The Tab S11 series skipped the Plus model, and this one comes back with a 12.6-inch 2800 x 1752 pixels display, a 5.3mm body that weighs 553g, and a 10,600mAh battery.

There is no 11-inch base model Tab S12 this time around.

Both tablets have 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X screens that hit 1,600 nits at peak, and for the Singapore models at least, come with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, plus a microSD slot for up to 2TB more. They support 45W charging (Samsung quotes about 95 minutes for a full charge), are IP68-rated, and will get up to seven OS upgrades. The Ultra gets Wi-Fi 7, while the Tab S12+ makes do with Wi-Fi 6E.

Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs Tab S12+ vs Tab S11 Ultra

Availability and pricing

The Galaxy Tab S12 series comes in Grey and Silver. Recommended retail prices, including GST, are:

• Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra 5G – S$2,148
• Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra Wi-Fi – S$1,998
• Galaxy Tab S12+ 5G – S$1,868
• Galaxy Tab S12+ Wi-Fi – S$1,698

The tablets are now available at Samsung Experience Stores, Samsung’s official stores on Lazada and Shopee. They will arrive on the Samsung Online Store and the Samsung Shop App and local telcos from 7 October

.Accessories are sold separately:

For the deal hunters, here are a couple of launch promotions:

• Add S$12 for either the Culture Chaser bundle (Book Cover, power adapter and one year of Samsung Care+ Lite) or the Power Mover bundle (Book Cover Keyboard Slim and one year of Samsung Care+ Lite)
• S$100 off by purchasing a Samsung Registration+ e-voucher for S$20
• 12x the usual redemption value on Samsung Rewards Points during the promotional period, capped at $100
• Purchase any of the new Galaxy Tab S12 lineup, and get 30% off Galaxy Tab accessories, and 15% off Galaxy Watches and Buds
• 0% instalments for up to 12 months with SPayLater
• Purchases made through Samsung Experience Stores or Samsung Online Store will also receive a limited-edition Tab skin by local artists @tobyato or @cheesefrice, from 10 October to 31 October 2026