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Galaxy Tab S12 real-life images raise an important question

Do we really need it?

A person holds the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra in landscape mode, showing its bright and vivid screen.
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena
Maybe it's just me, but ever since the Galaxy Tab S9, every new Galaxy Tab generation has looked almost identical to the one before it. It seems Samsung is sticking to the same formula once again, as fresh live images of the upcoming generation suggest.

Galaxy Tab S12+ emerges in real-life images




SammyGuru has just uncovered live images of the upcoming Galaxy Tab S12+, giving us our first real-world look. As you can see, the company is following the familiar aesthetic, with the Tab S12+ featuring rounded corners, seemingly unchanged bezel thickness, and a large display.

There also appears to be a single front-facing camera positioned on the landscape edge of the bezel. This contradicts earlier reports, which suggested Samsung is exploring a punch-hole design for this year's lineup. Nevertheless, the South Korean tech giant might still include this new selfie camera design in the Tab S12 Ultra.

As previous leaks have indicated, the model is expected to have the same screen size as the Tab S10+, 12.4 inches. Although some rumors have indicated the device might have a slightly bigger battery, it appears there'll be no changes in the design whatsoever.

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The full picture



On July 6, 91mobiles spotted the Galaxy Tab S12+ on BIS certification. While the listing is pretty barebones and doesn't tell us anything beyond the model numbers, SM-X840 and SM-X846B, it typically signals the launch is just around the corner. 

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While the BIS certification doesn't reveal any hardware details, previous leaks have painted a clearer picture of what to expect. The Galaxy Tab S12+ is rumored to be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, a flagship chipset that should deliver a performance boost.

Despite the newer chip and the rumored battery size increase (10,600mAh, compared to 10,090 on the previous generation), online discussions show users aren't exactly looking forward to this year's Galaxy Tab S series.

Many believe the Dimensity 9500 will deliver only an incremental performance improvement in day-to-day use, while others argue the battery capacity bump is unlikely to bring noticeably longer battery life. These factors, combined with rumors of a price hike, seem to be pushing some fans toward the existing Tab S10 and Tab S11 instead of waiting for the new lineup.

The key takeaway


Samsung isn't alone in sticking with an existing design for its tablets. In fact, Apple does the same thing, rarely giving its slates a makeover that's not color-related. 

Let's face it: brands don't have the same freedom to experiment with form factors as they do with smartphones, so Samsung's decision to maintain its established design language shouldn't come as a surprise.

In fact, users who are still rocking a Galaxy Tab S9 or an S8 model might find the Tab S12 series a compelling choice. The lineup is expected to bring a refined experience, and the familiar design might even be a plus for users who prefer consistency over major visual changes.

I won't be buying




Personally, I don't see enough here to justify upgrading from a recent Galaxy Tab model. 

Sure, Samsung's approach of refining its tablets year after year makes sense from a practical standpoint, especially for fans who are coming from older devices. But those who already have a Tab S10+ or a Tab S11 Ultra may find this generation just feels a little too familiar.

Perhaps Samsung could generate more excitement around its premium lineup by introducing more noticeable changes between releases. More meaningful upgrades would make the new models stand out and give existing users a stronger reason to upgrade.
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