Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 release date expectations, price estimates and upgrades
The Galaxy Tab S11 for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena
Galaxy Tab S12: what to expect
What's expected to change vs the Galaxy Tab S11:
- Only two models: possibly a Tab S12 (or Plus) and a Tab S12 Ultra
- An upgrade in battery size for the Tab S12 Plus
- Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra may not get an upgrade in battery size: 11,374 mAh
- No upgrade in design: flat, modern-looking, thin, and compact with a premium build
- No upgrade in cameras
- S Pen to continue being included in the box
- New Galaxy AI features, potentially
Expected release timeline:
- The Tab S12 series is expected to be unveiled in late summer (around September) of 2026.
Expected price:
- The Galaxy Tab S12 price has not leaked yet, but prepare yourself for a potential price hike.
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Galaxy Tab S12 release date
The Galaxy Tab S12 series is expected to be announced in the late summer/early fall period: around September or October. The series will likely consists of a Galaxy Tab S12 or Plus and a Tab S12 Ultra.
| Device | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Tab S12 series | September–October 2026* | September–October 2026* |
| Galaxy Tab S11 series | September 4, 2025 | September 4, 2025 |
| Galaxy Tab S10 series | September 26, 2024 | October 3, 2025 |
* - probable dates
The South Korean giant typically releases its flagship tablets alongside the Galaxy Tab S FE model, so you may expect the Galaxy Tab S12 to arrive alongside the Galaxy S26 FE.
Galaxy Tab S12 price and deals
Leaks have not detailed the potential pricing for the Galaxy Tab S12 lineup. However, Samsung quietly raised the prices of the Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra recently (with $100-$280 more depending on storage variant), and the resulting prices are giving us an indication of what we can expect from the new tablets.
| Device | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | - | $1,299* | $1,499* | $1,899* |
| Galaxy Tab S12 | $899* | $999* | $1,199* | - |
| Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra | - | $1,299 | $1,499 | $1,899 |
| Galaxy Tab S11 | $899 | $999 | $1,199 | - |
*- anticipated prices
The table above reflects the new 2026 prices for the Tab S11 and S11 Ultra. Before this quiet price change, the Tab S11 started at $799 and was raised by $100, and the Tab S11 Ultra started at $1,199 and was raised to $1,299.
Samsung also made the 1 TB Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra cost $280 more than what it did last year.
Galaxy Tab S12 deals to expect:
- Samsung.com: Samsung has the knack for discounting its tablets on its online store on the regular. While the promotions might not be as lucrative or as frequent as on its phones, we've seen a decent number over the years. Expect to be able to save on the company's upcoming tablets, especially if you register and/or pre-order one.
- Carriers: We've seen carriers discount Samsung tablets, though not as frequently. We'd expect some deals to surface around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
- Retailers: The same applies to major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. We'd expect to see some discounts on the devices during the 2026 holiday season.
Galaxy Tab S12 camera
Galaxy Tab S12/S12 Ultra expected camera setup:
- 13 MP main camera
- 8MP ultrawide (only Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra)
- 12 MP ultrawide camera
No major camera hardware upgrades are expected for the Galaxy Tab S12 series. Samsung historically keeps tablet imaging hardware consistent across multiple generations. These sensors are primarily optimized for productivity and video conferencing rather than mobile photography.
On the Tab S11 Ultra, Samsung removed the standard wide front camera and used a single 12 MP ultrawide lens. This change successfully allowed the company to shrink the display notch. Early supply chain reports suggest Samsung will not bring that secondary lens back for the Tab S12 Ultra. The tablet will maintain the cleaner, single-sensor setup.
The current rear cameras from the Tab S11 series are already good for a tablet. The base Tab S11 features a reliable 13 MP main autofocus sensor. The Ultra model steps up to a dual-lens array, adding an 8 MP ultrawide lens alongside the 13 MP module.
These configurations are perfectly sufficient for standard tablet workflows like document scanning or casual AR. Consequently, any generation-over-generation improvements on the Tab S12 line will likely come down to software tuning and the image signal processor of the new chipset.
Galaxy Tab S12 storage
Galaxy Tab S12 expected storage capacity:
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
- 1TB (only Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra)
- 2TB ?
In terms of storage, we can expect Samsung to remove the 128 GB entry storage and have all models start at 256 GB, although leaks have not confirmed that just yet.
Galaxy Tab S12 design
Currently, no changes in the Galaxy Tab S12 series design are expected, however, the Tab S family is already in a great spot with a sleek, flat and modern look.
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra for reference. | Image by PhoneArena
The Tab S11 Ultra is made of Armor Aluminum and tempered glass, and we expect the same materials to return this year as well. We'll likely see the same flat edges and a traditional 16:10 aspect ratio for both the Tab S12 (or Plus) and Tab S12 Ultra. The Ultra is still expected to retain the same size as its predecessor.
Meanwhile, the smaller tablet may actually be one great compact tablet to choose. The two devices are also expected to be quite thin (around 5.6 mm for the smaller one and 5.5 for the bigger one).
In terms of colors, last year's tablets had pretty conservative options: Gray and Silver. We expect a similar traditional approach this time around as well, so don't expect any wild colors for the devices.
Reports suggest the S Pen will continue to be offered in the box with the Tab S12. No leaks are currently suggesting any particular upgrades to the stylus. We likely won't see the return of the Bluetooth-enabled Air Actions, so likely there will be no using of the S Pen as a remote for the camera.
Galaxy Tab S12 display
When it comes to displays, we're likely looking at the same sizes as last year – 12.4 inches for the Plus and 14.6 inches for the Ultra, and if there's a base model, it may come with an 11-inch screen.
| Device | Screen size | Brightness* |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | 14.6-inch* | 1,600 nits* |
| Galaxy Tab S12 Plus | 12.4-inch* | 1,600 nits* |
| Galaxy Tab S12 | 11-inch* | 1,600 nits* |
* - anticipated sizes and values
You can expect the usual top-tier quality: Dynamic AMOLED panels with 120 Hz display refresh rate, with great color reproduction and reliable brightness.
Last year, the Tab S11 got improved brightness (peak brightness went up to 1,600 nits), which is definitely a welcome improvement.
Galaxy Tab S12 battery
A recent rumor suggests that the Tab S12+ may actually have an upgrade in the battery department and come with an either 10,500 mAh or 10,600 mAh battery cell. That would mean the battery cell on this model may be around 4 to 5% larger than the battery cell on its predecessor.
When it comes to the Ultra, rumor has it we're not seeing an upgrade and we may get the same 11,374 mAh rated capacity for the tablet. This is equal to a typical capacity of 11,600 mAh, which is the same as its predecessors.
The report also suggests charging is not getting upgraded either, so we're likely getting 45 W wired charging for the Ultra.
It's important to note that the S11 Ultra did bring an upgrade over the S10 Ultra's 11,200 mAh battery to 11,600 mAh, so the lack of upgrades in the battery department doesn't necessarily mean it's not up to standards.
In our extensive battery tests for the S11 Ultra's review, we found that the device lasted 10h and 16 minutes in continuous browsing on a single charge. For video streaming, it managed 8 h 37 min, which beats the 13-inch M4-powered iPad Pro by 15-ish minutes. For gaming, the Tab S11 Ultra managed 11 hours, which is noticeably more than the iPad Pro's 8h 34 minutes of endurance on a single charge.
Galaxy Tab S12 features and software
The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and Ultra are likely debuting with One UI 9 and Android 17. Android 17 focuses deeply on Gemini Intelligence with the generative AI chatbot gaining abilities to take actions in apps on your behalf and overall getting serious integration across the board.
If by any chance One UI 9 isn't ready for the tablets on time, we may see them debut with One UI 8.5 based on Android 16.
Seven years of software support is what one should expect from these devices, and that's quickly becoming the norm.
The Tab S12 Plus and Ultra are also very likely going to come with Samsung DeX support. Samsung DeX allows you to create a seamless multitasking environment with your computer, move apps between screens, drag and drop, and mirror the content on the tablet to your monitor.
All the S Pen-enabled features, like Quick access to Quick tools and sticky notes, should also make a return.
Galaxy Tab S12 hardware and specs
Galaxy Tab S12 expected specs:
- CPU: Exynos 2500/Dimensity 9500, potentially a Dimensity 9500 Plus
- RAM: 12GB
- Battery: 7,900/10,090/11,600 mAh+
- Charging: 45 W wired
- Storage: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1TB
Both tablets are expected to feature the Dimensity 9500 chip under the hood, which originally debuted in September 2025. There is also a chance the devices could use an even more powerful Dimensity 9500 Plus version instead. At this point, it is not clear which rumor will turn out to be true.
The Dimensity 9500 is built on TSMC's 3nm process and features an octa-core CPU with one C1-Ultra core clocked at 4.21GHz, three C1-Premium cores at 3.5GHz, and four efficiency C1-Pro cores at 2.7GHz.
The processor also sports the Arm Mali-G1 Ultra MC12 GPU, which is found to offer leading graphics performance for Android tablets. The processor supports HDR and high-refresh-rate gaming and should be able to offer excellency in gaming and other demanding tasks.
Should I wait for the Galaxy Tab S12?
- You should wait for the Galaxy Tab S12 if If you are holding onto an older tablet like the Galaxy Tab S7 or earlier, waiting for the late 2026 launch is the smartest move to maximize your investment. You will jump across multiple generations of processors straight into a modern chipset, secure a guaranteed 7-year window of software updates, and gain access to highly anticipated battery upgrades on the mid-sized model.
- You should not wait for the Galaxy Tab S12 if you already own a Galaxy Tab S9, S10, or the current S11 series, there is no compelling reason to wait out the year. The upcoming Tab S12 series is likely keeping the same thin aluminum chassis, identical 45W charging speeds, and unchanged camera modules, meaning the physical day-to-day user experience may feel virtually identical to what you already have.
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