Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ review
This tablet suits people who live in Samsung's ecosystem and want a genuinely portable, durable device for media and productivity without worrying about specs. Anyone prioritizing fast charging, a capable camera system, or the absolute fastest processor at this budget should cross-shop alternatives first."
This review is written with AI assistance from Samsung’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Galaxy Tab S12+ is a slim, well-built 12.6-inch tablet aimed at productivity and media consumption, powered by a capable but not cutting-edge chip and carrying a price tag that feels steep for what the cameras and performance deliver. It's a solid all-rounder for people deep in Samsung's ecosystem, but the weak camera system and moderate charging speed are real limits at this price.
Design & Build
Samsung has nailed the fundamentals here. At 5.3mm thick and 553g, this tablet is genuinely thin and light for its 12.6-inch footprint, making it feel less like a device you're dragging around than many rivals. Glass front, aluminum frame, and aluminum back create a solid feel without excess weight. The IP68 rating and Enhanced Armor Aluminum are meaningful for a device at this price point: you can actually use it outdoors and near water without fearing every bump. The stylus support is a given at this level, and the magnetic USB-C connector is a nice quality-of-life touch. In hand, it feels like a proper tablet, not a oversized phone.
Display
The 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is the showpiece. At 262ppi and 1752x2800 resolution, text is sharp and movies render with fine detail. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel genuinely fluid, not just a marketing bullet. HDR10+ support and 1000 nits (HBM) brightness are both solid; 1600 nits peak is useful for bright sunlight. Colour accuracy isn't flagged in the spec, but Samsung's tuning is generally reliable. This is easily the screen you want for reading, streaming, and creative work on a 12.6-inch canvas. It's the tablet's strongest asset.
Performance
The MediaTek Dimensity 9500 is a capable chip, but it sits in the middle of the pack for 2026. It handles everyday apps, multitasking, and light gaming without hiccup, but it does not trade blows with top Snapdragon alternatives in sustained load testing. Paired with 12GB RAM, that's enough for the device's intended role: productivity, reading, media, light creation work. The Mali-G1 Ultra GPU is respectable for tablet gaming, though demanding titles may need compromises. UFS storage and Wi-Fi 6E ensure snappy app loads and fast file transfers. It's not overkill, and it's not underpowered; it's exactly adequate for a tablet at this price and year.
Software
Android 17 with One UI 9 comes fresh out of the box, and Samsung's promise of seven major OS updates is solid. One UI is dense but functional, with useful Samsung-specific features like DeX (here wireless, a nice touch). Bloatware is unavoidable, but not crippling on a tablet. Software maturity is not an issue here; this is proven ground for Samsung. The real question is whether you want to live in Samsung's ecosystem, because if you do, this integrates seamlessly with Galaxy phones, watches, and buds.
Camera
This is the tablet's weakest link. The 13MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture and 1/3.4-inch sensor is modest even by tablet standards, and recording tops out at 4K 30fps. For a slate at this price, rivals are hitting higher MP counts, faster apertures, and 4K 60fps or 8K recording as baseline. The 12MP 120-degree ultrawide selfie camera is fine for video calls but is not impressive for creative work. On a tablet, people expect either a truly capable camera system or a device honest about not having one; this lands awkwardly in between. For serious content creation, you're better off using your phone.
Battery & Charging
The 10600mAh cell is genuinely large and should deliver a full day or more of mixed use, even with the 120Hz display running. Standby endurance will be excellent. The limiting factor is 45W charging. By 2026 standards at this price tier, rivals routinely offer 65W, 80W, or beyond. At 45W, a full recharge from empty takes about an hour, which is not terrible but feels like a missed opportunity given the battery's size. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's a concrete trade-off.
Value & Verdict
At about 1330 EUR, the Galaxy Tab S12+ occupies a tricky space. It excels at being a slim, bright, durable tablet for media, reading, and light productivity. The display and build quality justify a premium over budget alternatives. However, the camera system is genuinely weak for the price, the chip is competent but not fast, and the 45W charging lags rivals. You're paying flagship prices without getting flagship performance across the board, which means it works best for buyers already inside Samsung's ecosystem who value the design and software integration over raw specs. If you need a serious content creation tool or maximum performance per euro, look elsewhere. If you want a reliable, well-designed tablet for reading, streaming, and deskwork that will hold up to drops and the occasional splash, it delivers that promise.
Verdict
This tablet suits people who live in Samsung's ecosystem and want a genuinely portable, durable device for media and productivity without worrying about specs. Anyone prioritizing fast charging, a capable camera system, or the absolute fastest processor at this budget should cross-shop alternatives first."
- Bright, smooth 120Hz AMOLED display with decent colour fidelity and HDR10+ support, ideal for media and reading
- Thin and light at 5.3mm and 553g, making it genuinely portable for a 12.6-inch tablet
- IP68 rating and Armor Aluminum give it real durability for everyday knocks and water splashes
- Generous 10600mAh battery with likely full-day endurance, plus microSDXC slot for expansion
- Camera system is genuinely weak for the price: 13MP main with f/2.0 only records 4K at 30fps, well behind rival flagships
- 45W charging is slow by 2026 flagship standards; rivals often hit 65W or beyond at this tier
- Dimensity 9500 is solid but not the fastest chip available, and paired with only 12GB RAM it trails Snapdragon competitors in sustained performance
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2026, September 30 |
|---|---|
| Display | 12.6 inches, 460.6 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio), Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1752 x 2800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~262 ppi density) |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Battery | 10600 mAh |
| Software | Android 17, up to 7 major OS updates, One UI 9 |
| Dimensions | 289.5 x 187.8 x 5.3 mm (11.40 x 7.39 x 0.21 in) |
| Weight | 553 g or 555 g (1.22 lb) |
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Durability | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support Enhanced Armor Aluminum |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Galaxy Tab S12+ support 5G?
Yes. The Galaxy Tab S12+ supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Galaxy Tab S12+ use?
The Galaxy Tab S12+ runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3 nm).
What display does the Galaxy Tab S12+ have?
A 12.6 inches, 460.6 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak), 1752 x 2800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~262 ppi density).
How big is the Galaxy Tab S12+ battery?
The Galaxy Tab S12+ has a 10600 mAh battery.
Does the Galaxy Tab S12+ have NFC?
No, the Galaxy Tab S12+ does not list NFC support.
Is the Galaxy Tab S12+ water resistant?
The Galaxy Tab S12+ carries a IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support Enhanced Armor Aluminum rating.
Does the Galaxy Tab S12+ support a microSD card?
Yes, the Galaxy Tab S12+ supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Alternatives to consider
If the Galaxy Tab S12+ isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
Galaxy Tab S11
Galaxy Tab S10+
Pad 9 Pro
