If you have been waiting for a big-screen Android tablet that can carry both study notes and real creative work, Samsung has a new pair worth a look. The company has announced the Galaxy Tab S12 Series for Malaysia, and both models go on sale here on 7 October with the S Pen included in the box rather than sold as an extra.
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What the Galaxy Tab S12 Series brings
The line-up has two members: the 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and the 12.6-inch Galaxy Tab S12+. Both run on a 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip, which Samsung says delivers 61% faster AI (NPU) processing, 19% faster CPU performance and 17% better graphics than last year's Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. A redesigned 3D vapour chamber handles heat during longer editing or rendering sessions, and both tablets carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
Each model uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen at 120Hz that peaks at 1,600 nits, so it stays readable outdoors. The Tab S12 Ultra runs at 2960 x 1848 and the Tab S12+ at 2800 x 1752. Battery life is rated up to 23 hours on the Ultra and up to 21 hours on the Plus, and 45W charging takes either from flat to full in about 95 minutes. At 5.1mm, Samsung describes the Tab S12 Ultra as its thinnest Galaxy Tab so far.
Two sizes, one S Pen in the box
Both tablets ship with the S Pen bundled, so there is no separate pen to buy for note-taking or sketching. The large screens support up to three apps side by side, which is where a tablet this size earns its keep: notes on one panel, a lecture playing on another, an AI assistant on the third. Sound moves to a quad-speaker setup with 4-channel spatial audio, double the channels of the previous generation. There is also an optional Book Cover Keyboard Slim for anyone who wants a laptop-style setup. If you are new to the category, our guide on how to choose a tablet is a good place to start.
Galaxy AI and a heavy app bundle
The Tab S12 Series runs Android 17 with One UI 9 and the latest Galaxy AI features, and Samsung is leaning on the software bundle to make its case. Adobe Photoshop comes pre-loaded, which Samsung says is a first for an Android tablet, alongside a six-month trial of Google AI Pro with Gemini and Gemini Notebook. Note-taking apps Notability and Goodnotes are included with free-access periods, and there are trials for LumaFusion, Notion and Clip Studio Paint. Samsung is also promising up to seven years of OS upgrades and security updates, which stretches how long the tablet stays current.
Malaysia price and availability
The Galaxy Tab S12 Series goes on sale in Malaysia from 7 October in Gray and Silver. Recommended retail prices are:
- Galaxy Tab S12+ (Wi-Fi, 256GB): RM4,999
- Galaxy Tab S12+ (5G, 256GB): RM5,649
- Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra (Wi-Fi, 256GB): RM5,999
- Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra (5G, 256GB): RM6,649
From 7 October to 8 November 2026, Samsung is running a launch offer: pre-loaded app subscriptions it values at RM1,123.58, Book Cover Keyboard and S Pen accessories worth up to RM1,208, and up to RM500 in instant rebates when paying with SPayLater or a participating bank card. Both models can also be taken on instalment from RM127.75 a month. If you are weighing this against the outgoing model, our Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra review covers what the Ultra size is actually like to live with day to day.
The short version: a faster chip, a slimmer body and a large software bundle, with the S Pen included rather than sold separately. Full details are on the Samsung Malaysia newsroom. If the RM4,999 starting price feels steep, the launch rebates and bundled accessories are where the real value sits for early buyers.
