As the tablet market continues to thrive post-pandemic, Samsung has stepped back into the spotlight with the launch of its new flagship models, the Galaxy Tab S12+ and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. With Apple dominating the scene, Samsung aims to regain a stronghold with its latest offerings. Let’s dive into the features, upgrades, and comparisons between these two powerful tablets to determine if they’re worth considering in 2023.
Last year, the global tablet market witnessed an 8.5% increase in Q1 as users began to replace their pandemic-era devices. While Apple shipped a staggering 13.7 million units, marking a 14.0% rise, Samsung lagged behind with 6.6 million units shipped, seeing a decline of 5.2%. Typically, Samsung rolls out its new flagship tablets in late Q3 or early Q4. With the recent launch of the Tab S12 series, all eyes are on whether these new models can help Reverse Samsung's fortunes in the competitive market.
A quick look at the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra reveals a few key upgrades compared to the previous model. Samsung has replaced the chipset and made some aesthetic changes, but the base storage options have seen a shift as the company has eliminated the 128GB version—a decision that may not sit well with all users.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra
Interestingly, the new Tab S12 Ultra is powered by last year’s Dimensity 9500 chipset instead of MediaTek's latest offering, the Dimensity 9600 Pro, which has shown impressive efficiency gains in benchmarks. Nevertheless, the 9500 promises significant enhancements over its predecessor, delivering a 32% boost in single-core performance, and a 55% efficiency improvement during peak load, coupled with an upgraded GPU that shows superior performance metrics.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra
The battery capacity remains at 11,600mAh, and while performance metrics suggest that the Tab S12 Ultra holds up well against its predecessor, expectations for noticeable battery improvements were high with this new chipset.
As for the new features, besides the upgrade to the chipset, the changes appear minimal. The pricing for the Tab S12 Ultra starts at $1,400 / €1,540 / ₹150,000 for the base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Now let’s shift our focus to the companion model, the Galaxy Tab S12+.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+
With a slight increase to a 12.6” display and a marginal upgrade to a 10,600mAh battery, the Tab S12+ continues the trend set by its predecessors. However, Samsung has notably omitted the 8MP ultra-wide camera that was present in the Tab S10+, which may overshadow its appeal for photography enthusiasts.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ Size Comparison
The starting price for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ is $1,200 / €1,300 / ₹130,000. This pricing places it in direct competition with Apple's iPad Pro lineup, which, despite slightly different specifications, proves to be a formidable challenger.
Now, it's your turn to weigh in. Are you in the market for a premium tablet? Do you find the upgrades in the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra compelling enough to justify the cost, or does the Galaxy Tab S12+ meet your needs at a reduced price?
