The two Galaxy Tab S12 tablets have already leaked in excessive detail, leaving very little to the imagination. We’ve already seen their external design and practically every spec possible, which have suggested a rather minor refresh with minimal improvements. Surprisingly, there may also be a downgrade for the battery performance of at least one of the new models.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra gets worse battery life than its predecessor
While we’ve already learned that the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra will continue using the same 11,600 mAh battery as the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, its performance may be worse than last year. A newly leaked EPREL label for the two versions of the tablet suggests a battery life decrease of about 6 hours.
The EU Energy labels of the two Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra models. | Images by Roland Quandt on Bluesky
The labels, shared by Roland Quandt, reveal the rated battery endurance for both the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus in their Wi-Fi and 5G variants. The top-tier tablet is rated at 88 hours and 54 minutes, which is a surprising drop from the 94 hours and 51 minutes the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra got last year.
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Why is the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra getting a lower battery life?
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra own't feature design changes. | Image by Smartphone Checker
This result is a shocking surprise, and the reason for the apparent downgrade is unclear. While Samsung is sticking with the same battery capacity for the new model as last year, its chipset is supposed to offer both better performance and higher efficiency. This usually helps devices last longer on the same battery.
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On the other hand, both the Dimensity 9400+ on last year’s model and the Dimensity 9500, which is expected on the new one, are built on TSMC’s 3 nm process. One of the key differences is that the newer chip comes with higher clock speeds, which may impact its efficiency, especially under higher loads.
Then there’s the test, which leads to the number featured on the EPREL labels. While this number is not representative of the real-life performance of the devices, it’s based on a standardized test, which makes it a good metric to compare different devices. Once we see Samsung’s estimates of the battery life of the new tablets, we’ll have a better idea about their performance.
It’s unlikely for this change to have a significant effect on the actual battery performance with the new tablet, compared to last year’s model. In his in-depth review of the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, my colleague Peter said it had a very decent battery life, which should be expected from the new model as well.
Better news for the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus
The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus EU Energy labels. | Images by Roland Quandt on Bluesky
The smaller Galaxy Tab S12 Plus is estimated to get 80 hours and 34 minutes of battery life according to its EU Energy label. This is an improvement of about 7 hours from the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, and a 27-minute decrease from the base Galaxy Tab S11.
Both Tab S12 models are expected to launch on October 7 with One UI 9 out of the box. They’ll only come in silver and gray versions, all of which are expected to be noticeably more expensive than before.
Considering that one of the best deals you can get this week is for the vanilla Galaxy Tab S11, this could be an issue for Samsung. After all, if you’re on the market for a new tablet, getting last year’s model with a $200 discount instead of the slightly improved new model could be a much more reasonable idea.
What’s the point, Samsung?
After all the leaks about the new tablets, I am questioning why Samsung is even bothering to upgrade their tablets. I’m all in for a faster processor, but the improvements are unlikely to be worth the price increase, and when they’re paired with a battery downgrade, it’s very difficult to get excited.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is Samsung's first-ever passport-style device, offering a unique approach to the foldable experience. Right now, you can get the device with a maximum trade-in discount of up to $800. Alternatively, you can get it with a $250 Samsung Instant Savings, no trade-in required.
Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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