I’ve always liked the idea of a tablet that can do a little bit of everything. Something I can use to catch up on work, watch a movie, take notes, or simply browse the internet without reaching for my laptop. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra promises exactly that, but it takes the tablet concept to a whole new level.
With a massive 14.6-inch display, flagship hardware, and Samsung’s productivity-focused software, this thing is practically a laptop pretending to be a tablet. And after spending the last two weeks using it, I’ve realized that isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty to love here. The display is gorgeous, performance has been excellent, and the S Pen has become one of my favorite features. But the more I use the Tab S12 Ultra, the more I wonder whether Samsung has made a tablet that’s too big for its own good.
8/10
- Brand
-
Samsung
- Storage
-
256GB, 512GB, or 1TB; microSD up to 2TB
- Operating System
-
One UI 9, Android 17
- Battery
-
11,600mAh
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is a premium Android tablet with an enormous 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and a remarkably slim 5.1mm design. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, it delivers excellent performance for multitasking, productivity, and entertainment. The included S Pen makes handwritten notes, annotations, and creative work a pleasure, while Samsung DeX brings desktop-style multitasking to the tablet. With over 11 hours of battery life in my testing, it comfortably handles a busy workday. However, its massive footprint makes it less comfortable to hold, especially without a keyboard or stand.
- Gorgeous 14.6-inch AMOLED display for movies and multitasking
- Excellent performance with no noticeable slowdowns
- Included S Pen makes handwritten notes a pleasure
- Impressive battery life exceeding 11 hours
- Remarkably thin, premium metal construction
- Too large and uncomfortable to hold for extended periods
- Keyboard accessory sold separately, limiting laptop-like usability
- Gray finish attracts stubborn fingerprints and smudges
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra pricing and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra went on sale worldwide on October 7, 2026, and comes in two colors: Gray and Silver. In the US, pricing starts at $1,399.99 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant, while the 512GB and 1TB configurations cost $1,599.99 and $1,999.99, respectively. You can buy it directly from the Samsung Store or from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
That gigantic display is both a blessing and a curse
My arms would like a word with Samsung
The first thing you notice about the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is just how enormous it is. I’ve used my 13-inch MacBook Air M2 for years, so I’m used to working on relatively compact screens. That’s probably why the Tab S12 Ultra felt a little overwhelming when I first picked it up. It’s noticeably wider than my MacBook’s display, which is quite something for a tablet. And while I appreciate the extra screen space, I couldn’t help but miss the compact, comfortable experience I’ve grown so used to.
While I appreciate the extra screen space, I couldn’t help but miss the compact, comfortable experience I’ve grown so used to.
What’s even more surprising is how thin Samsung has made this thing. At just 5.1mm, the Tab S12 Ultra is actually slimmer than the Galaxy S25 Edge, which measures 5.8mm. That’s seriously impressive considering how enormous the tablet is. The metal construction also feels solid, though I wish I could say the same about how well it stays clean. My gray review unit seems to attract fingerprints and smudges like a magnet, and the worst part is that they don’t come off easily. I’ve developed a ridiculous habit of constantly wiping the back, and I think I’ve spent almost as much time cleaning the tablet as I have using it.
Of course, being ridiculously thin doesn’t necessarily make something comfortable to hold. The Tab S12 Ultra weighs around 692 grams, which doesn’t sound intimidating. But after a while, especially in landscape, that enormous footprint becomes hard to ignore. It’s not the weight alone that bothers me, but how awkward it can feel trying to balance such a wide tablet in my hands.
I often watch videos or browse the internet in bed, but doing that with the Tab S12 Ultra feels like a risky adventure.
Nowhere is that more apparent than in bed. I often watch videos or browse the internet in bed, but doing that with the Tab S12 Ultra feels like a risky adventure. I’m admittedly quite clumsy and have dropped my phone on my face. Now imagine replacing that phone with a 14.6-inch tablet. No, thank you. Even when I’m extra careful, my arms eventually get tired, and I find myself wishing I had something to prop it up.
The funny thing is that once I stop worrying about holding it, I absolutely love the display. Samsung equipped the Tab S12 Ultra with a gorgeous 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. Movies look fantastic, and the vibrant colors, deep blacks, and extra screen space make watching content really enjoyable.
And that’s what makes my relationship with the Tab S12 Ultra a little complicated. I love having such a massive display when I’m watching movies or getting some work done, but I don’t always want to deal with its size when I’m trying to relax. Sometimes, I just want a tablet I can comfortably hold while reading, browsing, or watching a quick video without giving my arms a workout. For that reason alone, I think I’d be much happier with the smaller Galaxy Tab S12+.
The S Pen is what keeps bringing me back
My notebooks will finally get some rest
For all my complaints about the Tab S12 Ultra’s size, Samsung has absolutely nailed one thing: the S Pen. I’ve always preferred writing things down rather than typing them out. In fact, I keep notebooks for just about everything, from article ideas and work notes to random thoughts that pop into my head. I’ve tried switching to digital notes before, but nothing quite matched the feeling of putting pen to paper. Until I started using the S Pen.
The enormous display, which I’ve complained about so much, suddenly makes perfect sense when I’m taking notes.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve found myself reaching for the Tab S12 Ultra more often than my notebook. The enormous display, which I’ve complained about so much, suddenly makes perfect sense when I’m taking notes. There’s plenty of room to write, annotate documents, or scribble something down without constantly running out of space. And the best part is that I still get to write by hand, but now I don’t have to flip through pages to find something I wrote three days ago.
Beyond taking notes, I’ve been enjoying some of its AI features, too. Gemini Notebook has been useful when I’m researching, and the large display makes it much more comfortable to go through research material. I’ve also played around with Creative Studio and Drawing Assist, which are fun when I feel like getting a little creative.
So, the same enormous screen that makes me wish I’d bought a smaller tablet when I’m lying in bed is exactly what makes me want to pick it up whenever I have something to write down.
It’s a capable work machine, but there’s a catch
A keyboard would make all the difference
I spend most of my day writing, researching stories, switching between countless browser tabs, and keeping up with conversations on Slack and Microsoft Teams. It’s the kind of work that keeps me juggling multiple windows, so I was curious whether the Tab S12 Ultra could take some of that workload off my MacBook. And while it certainly can, I’ve ended up using it a little differently than I initially expected.
For starters, I don’t have Samsung’s keyboard accessory, which makes writing on the tablet rather inconvenient. I could use the on-screen keyboard, of course, but typing hundreds of words on a 14.6-inch touchscreen isn’t particularly comfortable, especially when my laptop is sitting right next to me.
So instead of replacing it, I’ve turned the Tab S12 Ultra into an extension of it. I connected the tablet to my MacBook using a third-party app called Spacedesk and used it as a secondary display. It’s especially handy when I’m working on an article, since I can keep my research, reference material, or Slack conversations open on the tablet while typing on my MacBook. I no longer have to constantly switch between windows just to check a detail or respond to a message. It’s a relatively simple setup, but it’s made my workflow noticeably more convenient.
Yes, Samsung has its own solution for turning the tablet into a more traditional work machine. DeX brings a desktop-like interface with resizable windows and better multitasking, and I can see why it would appeal to someone who wants to travel with one device instead of both a tablet and a laptop. However, without the keyboard accessory, I haven’t been able to properly test how well it would fit into my writing workflow.
That’s probably the one accessory I’d seriously consider buying if I keep using the Tab S12 Ultra regularly. Beyond making typing easier, the keyboard cover would let me prop up the tablet at a café, while traveling, or even watching movies in bed.
Performance and battery life leave little to complain about
Plenty of power, plenty of patience
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra runs on MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 chipset and comes with up to 12GB of RAM. That’s plenty of power for a tablet, and after two weeks of using it, I have very little to complain about when it comes to performance.
I have very little to complain about when it comes to performance.
Even with multiple apps running, the tablet has handled everything I’ve thrown at it without any noticeable slowdowns. I haven’t found myself waiting for apps to catch up or worrying about how many things I have open in the background. It just works, which is exactly what I want from a device this expensive.
I haven’t spent much time gaming on it, mainly because I find playing games on it rather uncomfortable. But considering how smoothly it handles my everyday workload, I am sure I’d achieve the same results in gaming, too.
Battery life has been another pleasant surprise. Despite being ridiculously thin, Samsung has managed to fit an 11,600mAh battery inside, and I’ve been getting over 11 hours of use with a mix of writing, browsing, multitasking, and watching movies. That’s impressive, and on most days, battery anxiety hasn’t been a concern at all.
Charging, however, is where I’d have liked a little more. The Tab S12 Ultra supports 45W wired charging, and it takes me more than an hour and a half to go from empty to full. That’s understandable given the battery capacity, and I don’t particularly mind leaving it plugged in at home. When I’m getting ready to head to work at a café, I wish I could top it up quickly without having to plan around charging time.
And speaking of working outside, I miss one more thing: cellular connectivity. My review unit is the Wi-Fi-only variant, which means I either have to rely on the café’s Wi-Fi or turn on my phone’s hotspot whenever I need to get online. I believe that a dedicated connection would make more sense for how I use the tablet. After all, if I’m carrying something practically the size of a laptop, I’d like it to be a little more independent when I’m away from home.
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra?
After two weeks with the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, I’m impressed, even if I’m not entirely convinced I’d buy it for myself. The display is gorgeous, performance has been excellent, battery life is fantastic, and the S Pen has made me reach for my notebooks far less often than I expected.
I’m not entirely convinced I’d buy it for myself.
But no matter how much I enjoy using it, I keep coming back to its size. I love the screen space when I’m working or watching a movie, but when I want to lie in bed and casually browse the internet, I wish it were smaller. Without a keyboard or stand to prop it up, holding something this big for extended periods isn’t enjoyable.
I’m also already quite invested in Apple’s ecosystem. I do most of my work on my MacBook, and an iPad would naturally fit better alongside my other Apple devices. That’s not Samsung’s fault, of course, but when you’re spending $1,400 on a tablet, how well it works with the devices you already own matters just as much as the hardware itself.
That said, if you’re looking for a large Android tablet for work, entertainment, or taking handwritten notes, the Tab S12 Ultra has plenty going for it. I’d strongly recommend a keyboard cover, or at least a stand, because I think that’s what would make its enormous display much more practical.
Personally, I’d lean toward the smaller Galaxy Tab S12+ if I were sticking with Samsung. The Ultra has shown me how good a tablet can be when Samsung goes all out, and it’s also reminded me why I enjoy tablets in the first place. I don’t need another laptop-sized device in my bag. I want something I can comfortably pick up, use anywhere, and put down without a second thought. And sometimes, having a little less screen is exactly what makes a tablet more enjoyable.
8/10
- Brand
-
Samsung
- Storage
-
256GB, 512GB, or 1TB; microSD up to 2TB
- Operating System
-
One UI 9, Android 17
- Battery
-
11,600mAh
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is a premium Android tablet with an enormous 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and a remarkably slim 5.1mm design. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, it delivers excellent performance for multitasking, productivity, and entertainment. The included S Pen makes handwritten notes, annotations, and creative work a pleasure, while Samsung DeX brings desktop-style multitasking to the tablet. With over 11 hours of battery life in my testing, it comfortably handles a busy workday. However, its massive footprint makes it less comfortable to hold, especially without a keyboard or stand.