Is the S12 Ultra a True Upgrade?
Samsung has officially introduced its latest tablet duo: the Galaxy Tab S12+ and the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. Ahead of the October 7 launch, I have spent significant time with the Ultra model. While the massive display is undeniably impressive, the combination of a price increase and minimal technical improvements makes me wonder if this annual release was truly needed.
For owners of the previous generation, the S12 Ultra will feel incredibly familiar. The specifications largely mirror the S11 Ultra: a 14.6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,600 nits peak brightness, the same 11,600mAh battery, and an identical IP68 water resistance rating. The physical footprint, including the ultra-thin 5.1mm profile and color options, also remains unchanged.
Performance and Internal Refinements
The most significant departures from the previous generation are found under the hood. The new 3nm processor promises notable improvements, including up to 19% faster CPU speeds, a 17% boost in GPU performance, and a 51% enhancement in NPU capabilities for AI-driven tasks. Furthermore, Samsung has improved thermal management with a new heat chamber and upgraded the audio experience with a four-channel speaker setup.
"I've been relying on the Ultra as a solid laptop alternative with the keyboard attachment, and it's a great mobile gaming and TV-watching device, but given the similarity to the last generation, I question if Samsung should abandon its annual refresh cycle," says the author.
The Galaxy Tab S12+ and Market Positioning
The Galaxy Tab S12+ fills an interesting gap, effectively acting as a successor to both the S10+ and the S11. It features a 12.6-inch AMOLED screen and the same potent chipset as the Ultra, though it packs a smaller 10,600mAh battery and lacks the 8MP ultra-wide rear camera found on its larger sibling.
Pricing remains a point of contention. The S12 Ultra starts at $1,399, while the S12+ begins at $1,199. These prices place Samsung in direct competition with Apple's iPad Pro lineup. While Samsung tablets offer advantages like larger screens, longer battery life, and an included S Pen, they are heavier than Apple’s offerings. Additionally, Apple's proprietary silicon often sets a high bar for performance, keeping the competition fierce.
Ultimately, while the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is a highly capable device, the modest hardware advancements compared to the price hike leave its value proposition in question. A full, in-depth review will be published shortly.