Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterThe Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is almost here, but with a familiar look and modest upgrades. Is it a must-have for fans, or just a subtle refresh of last year’s S11 Ultra? Let’s break down what’s changed—and what hasn’t.
Samsung Reshuffles Tablet Lineup Again
Samsung has thrown a curveball by dropping the regular Tab S12 this year. Instead, the focus is on two models: the Plus and the Ultra. That means the Tab S12 Plus now becomes the entry point to the series, changing the cost dynamic for buyers eyeing a flagship tablet.
Design-wise, the changes are minimal. Official CAD renders and certification images show the notorious notch sticking around on the Ultra rather than being replaced by a cleaner punch hole camera. Meanwhile, the Plus model houses its front camera discreetly inside the bezel, a slight improvement but nothing groundbreaking.
The Same Look and Feel—Down to the Millimeter
The leaked dimensions reveal the Tab S12 Ultra is nearly identical to last year’s S11 Ultra, differing by just a tenth of a millimeter. Display technology hasn’t been revamped substantially either. While there are whispers of a brighter panel for the Ultra, no exact numbers have surfaced yet. Without a sizable screen upgrade, Samsung offers little visual incentive to switch.
Performance is where Samsung hopes to make a mark by introducing the new MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset. But early Geekbench scores paint a picture closer to a modest bump than a leap forward. The S11 Ultra was already a powerhouse, so daily use might not feel dramatically faster on the S12 Ultra.
Hardware Traits Mostly Carry Over
Samsung maintains 12 GB of RAM as standard, with a 16 GB option likely reserved for the 1 TB storage variant. The loyal microSD slot sticks around, letting users expand storage as needed—a feature now increasingly rare among flagship tablets.
Networking options raise a few eyebrows as the FCC documents show Wi-Fi 6 for the Plus instead of Wi-Fi 7, which feels like a missed opportunity given this is a 2026 release.
Battery and Cameras Stay Put
The Ultra model sticks with an 11,600 mAh battery and 45 W charging speed, mirroring its predecessor exactly. Even the camera setup remains untouched. The Plus model sees a minor battery bump of around 5%, something that seems more like catching up after last year’s shortfall rather than a leap ahead.
Software Is Fresh, but Not a Game Changer
The Tab S12 series debuts with One UI 9 running on Android 17. Software-wise, that’s a significant move forward, but the S11 Ultra already benefits from seven years of updates, so owners can expect similar treatment. This diminishes the software advantage of upgrading just yet.
Is the Tab S12 Ultra Worth It?
Stacking all this evidence together, the Tab S12 Ultra feels more like a cautious iteration than a bold new generation. Rising component prices may explain Samsung’s restrained approach—they’re playing it safe rather than pushing too hard this year. For anyone owning the S11 Ultra, there’s little incentive to upgrade immediately.
Those buying fresh might find better value hunting for deals on the S11 Ultra before committing to the pricier S12 Ultra. The tablet market in 2026 seems more about refinement than revolution, at least for Samsung.
