Samsung has a new big tablet, and it costs more than last year's.
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+ were announced on September 30, 2026. Both went on sale in the US on October 7, 2026 at Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores and retailers. The Ultra starts at $1,399.99 and the S12+ starts at $1,199.99. Samsung did not make a base Tab S12 this year.
The obvious rival is Apple's iPad Pro with M5. It came out in October 2025, but Apple raised its US prices on June 25, 2026. The 11-inch model went from $999 to $1,199, and the 13-inch went from $1,299 to $1,499. Macworld reports that Apple blamed rising component costs.
So for the first time in a while, the big Samsung tablet costs less than the big iPad. Here is what you get for the money.
Key dates and prices
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 25, 2026 | Apple raises US iPad Pro M5 prices by $200 |
| September 30, 2026 | Samsung announces Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ |
| October 7, 2026 | Tab S12 series goes on sale in the US |
| Tablet | Starting US price | Base memory / storage |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra (14.6-inch) | $1,399.99 | 12GB / 256GB |
| Galaxy Tab S12+ (12.6-inch) | $1,199.99 | 12GB / 256GB |
| iPad Pro M5 11-inch | $1,199 | 12GB / 256GB |
| iPad Pro M5 13-inch | $1,499 | 12GB / 256GB |
Samsung's US press release only lists the starting prices. Before launch, leaker Roland Quandt (via SamMobile) said the 512GB Ultra would cost $1,599.99 and the 16GB/1TB model $1,999.99. Samsung has not confirmed those in its release, so check Samsung.com before you buy. Apple prices are from Apple's US online store on October 10.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs iPad Pro M5: specs
| Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | iPad Pro M5 13-inch | iPad Pro M5 11-inch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.99 | $1,499 | $1,199 |
| Screen | 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960 x 1848, 120Hz | 13-inch Tandem OLED, 2752 x 2064, 10 to 120Hz | 11-inch Tandem OLED, 2420 x 1668, 10 to 120Hz |
| Brightness | 1,600 nits peak, 1,000 nits outdoor (HBM) | 1,000 nits full screen, 1,600 nits peak (HDR only) | Same as 13-inch |
| Chip | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3nm) | Apple M5 | Apple M5 |
| Memory / storage | 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1TB | 12GB with 256GB or 512GB, 16GB with 1TB or 2TB | Same as 13-inch |
| microSD | Yes, up to 2TB | No | No |
| Thickness | 5.1 mm | 5.1 mm | 5.3 mm |
| Weight (Wi-Fi) | 692 g | 579 g | 444 g |
| Battery claim | Up to 23 hours video (11,600 mAh) | Up to 10 hours web or video | Up to 10 hours web or video |
| Charging | 45W (charger sold separately), 0 to 100% in about 95 min | 50% in about 30 min with 40W+ charger; 20W charger in box | Same as 13-inch |
| Stylus | S Pen in the box | Apple Pencil Pro or USB-C, sold separately | Same as 13-inch |
| Rear cameras | 13MP + 8MP ultrawide | 12MP wide | 12MP wide |
| Front camera | 12MP ultrawide | 12MP landscape Center Stage | 12MP landscape Center Stage |
| Water resistance | IP68 | Not rated | Not rated |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Software | Android 17, One UI 9, 7 OS upgrades | iPadOS 26 | iPadOS 26 |
A note on battery: the two companies test differently. Samsung measures 720p local video playback, and Apple lists web browsing or video. Do not read the numbers as "Samsung lasts twice as long." Wait for same-test reviews.
What's new in the Tab S12 Ultra
Faster chip. Samsung moved to the MediaTek Dimensity 9500. It claims up to 61% faster NPU (AI) work, 19% faster CPU and 17% better graphics than the Tab S11 Ultra. Samsung also added a new 3D vapor chamber to keep speeds up during long edits.
Thinnest Galaxy Tab yet. At 5.1 mm, the Ultra matches the 13-inch iPad Pro, even with a 14.6-inch screen.
Better sound. There are four speakers with 4-channel spatial audio. Samsung says that is twice the channels of the last model.
Photoshop comes pre-loaded. Samsung says this is a first for Android tablets. You get four months of the Photoshop mobile plan free. In the US, the bundle of app trials (Photoshop, Notability, Goodnotes, LumaFusion, a six-month Google AI Pro trial and more) is valued at about $445.
Galaxy AI. Note Assist summarizes handwritten notes. Samsung Browser can now summarize across open tabs. You can split the screen into three apps at once.
Where each one wins
- Tab S12 Ultra wins on screen size, the free S Pen, microSD storage, IP68 water resistance, a second rear camera and 45W wired charging support. It is also $99 cheaper than the 13-inch iPad Pro.
- iPad Pro M5 wins on chip power (Apple's M chips have led tablet tests for years), weight and size choice. The 11-inch model is far lighter at 444 g. iPad apps for pro video, music and drawing are also deeper.
- Hidden costs matter. The Apple Pencil is extra on the iPad. On the Samsung, the 45W charger is extra. Both companies sell keyboards separately. Samsung is giving 30% off its Pro Keyboard or Book Cover Keyboard Slim for a limited time.
Which should you buy?
- You want the biggest screen for notes, reading and split-screen work: get the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. The pen is included, and microSD means you can start with 256GB.
- You already use an iPhone and a Mac: get the iPad Pro M5. AirDrop, Handoff and your existing apps are worth a lot.
- You want something light you can hold in one hand: the 11-inch iPad Pro at 444 g is the easy pick here.
- You want Samsung but not a giant tablet: the Tab S12+ has a 12.6-inch screen for $1,199.99. Or look at the older Galaxy Tab S11, which is still sold and costs less.
- You do pro video or music work: the iPad Pro still has the stronger app line-up for this.
- Wait: the Tab S12 Ultra has only been on sale since October 7. Independent speed and battery tests are just starting. Apple also has an event on October 27 that is expected to focus on Macs and an OLED iPad mini, not the iPad Pro. If you are not in a rush, give it two or three weeks.
Check iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) price on Amazon
Planning to take notes on your new tablet? See our best free iPad planners for Goodnotes and Notability, or read what to expect from Apple's October 27 event. You can also line up devices yourself with our comparison tool.
Other tech news this week
- Samsung is reportedly cutting phone production for the rest of the year as memory prices climb, according to Android Authority.
- Apple has a "Welcome Home" event on October 13. A new home hub, HomePod mini and Apple TV are expected. Read our Apple October 13 event preview.
- Amazon's new Alexa Tablet is set to ship on October 14. See our Alexa Tablet 12 Pro breakdown.
Sources
- Samsung Global Newsroom: Samsung Introduces Galaxy Tab S12 Series
- Samsung US Newsroom: Productivity-Powered Galaxy Tab S12 Series is Now Available
- Apple: iPad Pro technical specifications
- Apple Store: Buy iPad Pro
- Macworld: Ugh, Apple's price hikes are brutal
- SamMobile: Galaxy Tab S12+ and Ultra US prices leak
- TechRadar: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is here to take on the iPad Pro M5
- Android Authority: Samsung smartphone production cut
Image: Samsung press materials (Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+).
