The best iPad rival from Samsung has moved closer to launch

Back in February, the first Galaxy Tab S12 listings emerged, showing us the possible model names for the upcoming tablets. While the earliest leaks don't reveal much about the devices, Samsung may have moved closer toward launch.

Firmware testing may have begun

On April 24, 2026, SammyGuru spotted the upcoming Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra (model SM-X946B) on Indian test servers with the firmware build number X946BXXU0AZDN.

IMEI listing of the Galaxy Tab S12+. | Image by Smartprix

That would suggest Samsung has launched the test phase for its Ultra tablet or it has started testing the firmware for the device. We expect a Galaxy Tab S12+ to launch this year as well, though there's still no firmware development for that particular model.

IMEI listing of the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. | Image by Smartprix

So far, details about specs have been quite scarce. Previous leaks have indicated the Galaxy Tab S12+ might feature a 10,500-10,600mAh battery, up from 10,090mAh on the Galaxy Tab S10+.

What would make you buy the Tab S12+ or S12 Ultra?

Absolutely nothing

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 power

Significantly bigger battery

A new and improved design

I'd love to see a tablet with the Privacy Display feature

A sub-$1,300 asking price for the base model

16GB RAM and 512GB storage on the base model

I don't think I'll get one this year

I'm getting one even if nothing changes

11 Votes

Expected release date

Samsung is expected to launch its new foldable devices around July-August 2026. Usually, the brand launches its next-gen wearables during the Z Fold/Z Flip Unpacked event.

The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic arrived alongside the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 last year. | Image by PhoneArena

When it comes to tablets, however, the brand doesn't follow a consistent release pattern. The Galaxy Tab S9 series was unveiled alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 5, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 got its own Unpacked event.

If that approach continues, the upcoming Galaxy Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra might debut in September 2026. By then, a stable One UI 9 might have been released, so the devices may ship with the latest Android version out of the box.

Incremental changes or a full-blown upgrade

Aside from the rumored battery size increase (on the Tab S12+), we know almost nothing about the upcoming flagship tablets.

Given Samsung's recent chipset approach for slates, with the Tab S10 and the Tab S11 featuring MediaTek processors, it's highly unlikely that Samsung would move back to Qualcomm for this iteration.

Be honest: can you tell the Tab S11 Ultra and the Tab S10 Ultra apart? | Image by PhoneArena

Size changes are also questionable. In fact, the tech giant has stuck to the same display size since the Galaxy Tab S8, which debuted in February 2022.

Considering how little risk the brand has been taking over the past few years, the upcoming lineup may be visually identical to the previous generation (and the one before).

That doesn't mean it'll be unpopular, though. To this day, Samsung's Galaxy Tab S is considered the best iPad alternative for Android users.

It's all about the cost

Not long ago, the South Korean tech giant quietly raised prices for various devices (tablets included) in the US. The increase has brought the Tab S10+ (the latest Plus model) to $1,099.99 and the Tab S11 Ultra to $1,299.99.

Will those be the launch prices of the new models? I personally think there's a 50/50 chance. Suppose Samsung includes surprising upgrades (say, a tandem OLED screen or an 80W charging capability), then the Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra could easily debut at a $100-$150 higher price.

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