Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Plus: Why I Prefer It Over the S12 Ultra

Think positively about the Plus model

Whenever Samsung debuts a new high-end tablet, the Ultra version inevitably steals the spotlight. With its enormous 14.6-inch screen, it’s easy to understand why Samsung centres so much of its marketing around the largest slate in the lineup. But that doesn’t mean the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus should be ignored. Unlike the gap between some Samsung phones where the Ultra and Plus can feel like different worlds, these two tablets share most of the same software, performance and core features — the Tab S12 Plus simply trims a few specifications rather than offering a fundamentally different experience.

I’ve had the Tab S12 Plus for a few weeks now and, for a lot of people, I think it’s the smarter purchase. If you’re after what feels like Android’s answer to a 13-inch iPad Pro M5 — something portable but powerful, with a top-tier screen, long battery life, S Pen support and the flexibility to handle both work and leisure — the 12.6-inch S12 Plus hits that sweet spot. It’s more practical than the Ultra for everyday use: easy to carry, comfortable to hold and still sizeable enough for serious productivity and media consumption.

Since it arrived, it’s become one of the devices I reach for the most. I’ve even been putting other gadgets, like my Nintendo Switch 2, on the shelf more often and sometimes picking up the tablet instead of my phone for quick tasks.

The screen hits the sweet spot

After years of alternating between compact tablets that can feel cramped and enormous ones that are awkward to tote around, the Tab S12 Plus’s 12.6-inch panel lands in a very satisfying middle ground. It’s large enough to make films and shows feel immersive, yet the tablet remains slim and light enough to slide into a messenger bag or backpack without fuss.

The quality of the display itself is impressive. I’ve been using the tablet on commutes to rewatch The Sopranos, and the AMOLED panel delivers vivid colours, deep blacks and strong contrast. Its 120Hz refresh rate makes the interface feel remarkably fluid, and scrolling through apps or reading feels instantly responsive. Samsung quotes similar peak brightness numbers for the Tab S12 Plus as it does for the larger Tab S12 Ultra — the Ultra scored very well in lab measurements and remains one of the best tablet displays we’ve tested — so I’m optimistic about the Plus’s performance in controlled tests too.

Reflection outdoors can still be an issue. Living in Australia, I often use the tablet in bright sunlight during morning trips, and reflections are sometimes distracting. The screen is bright enough to remain usable in most situations, but I do wish Samsung had applied an anti-reflective coating — that would be the single display improvement I’d most like to see on a future revision, given how much time I spend using the tablet away from home.

I read more comics now than I watch shows

Surprisingly, I’ve spent more time reading comics on the Tab S12 Plus than streaming TV. I’ve been catching up with DC’s Absolute Batman collection and the latest Lobo run, and the tablet has rekindled my interest in comics. After trying to read on foldable phones — which never felt right — the 12.6-inch display feels luxurious. Art and lettering appear detailed and vibrant, and the deep blacks of the AMOLED panel let shading and line work stand out the way they should.

More than once I intended to read for ten minutes and found myself still there an hour later. The combination of a beautiful screen and the tablet’s portability makes it an ideal platform for short reading sessions throughout the day. That convenience also encouraged me to use the S Pen more. I used to sketch a lot when I was younger, often in a comic style, and now I’ve been using Split Screen View to reference a striking panel on one side while sketching it in Clip Studio Paint on the other. It’s an easy way to practice, and I plan to follow some basic tutorials focused on anatomy and poses next.

The Pro Keyboard is solid — if pricey

Let’s be blunt: Samsung’s Pro Keyboard for the Tab S12 Plus is expensive. Priced at $350 / £289 / AU$499 on its own, it costs more than many entry-level Chromebooks. Combine that with the tablet’s asking price and you’re in laptop territory.

That said, the keyboard’s build and feel help explain the cost. The aluminium chassis gives the setup a sturdy, laptop-like presence when it’s on a desk. The keyboard and trackpad are well executed: the typing experience is comfortable, the trackpad has satisfying physical clicks, and the whole package makes it feel like a genuine productivity device. The hinge uses a U-shaped support that folds out behind the screen; it works well but does protrude a little farther than I expected when extended. The magnetic connection is impressively strong — once the tablet snaps on, it’s not easy to detach by accident.

For my workflow — writing, research, photo edits and replying to messages — the Tab S12 Plus with the Pro Keyboard is up to the task. I still prefer a mechanical keyboard for long-form features, but this accessory handles day-to-day work without complaint. It also includes useful extras: a wide trackpad, a dedicated DeX button, an AI key and a programmable hotkey for launching apps. A neat tip: the keyboard has backlighting you can toggle (hold Fn and press F12 to cycle through brightness levels). My main annoyance is cosmetic — the brushed aluminium attracts fingerprints quickly, and after passing it around the office the surface needed wiping down.

Bigger isn’t always better

While the S12 Ultra is the headline-grabbing model, bigger isn’t inherently superior in everyday use. A 14.6-inch device almost demands a desk; it’s a tablet that feels more like a portable monitor. The Tab S12 Plus, by contrast, actually feels comfortable to hold and use without tiring your arms. At 12.6 inches, it still offers plenty of screen real estate for creativity and multitasking while remaining genuinely portable.

There are some compromises compared with the Ultra: the Plus has a single rear camera rather than a dual setup, and it tops out at Wi‑Fi 6E rather than Wi‑Fi 7. Those omissions aren’t ideal, but they don’t undermine the tablet’s core strengths for most users.

Cost is the other sticking point. The Tab S12 Plus starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$1,999 — and pairing it with the Pro Keyboard pushes you further into a price bracket where a full laptop is a tempting alternative, especially if you rely on desktop-class applications. Still, the ability to switch from a hand-held, media-friendly tablet to a proper DeX workstation in seconds is a form of versatility many 2-in-1 laptops don’t match. That adaptability, combined with a superb screen and S Pen support, is why the Tab S12 Plus has quietly become my go-to tablet.

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Tobias Nguyen

Tobias Nguyen covers mobile technology and social media trends. He combines a background in digital marketing with a passion for emerging tech to provide readers with data-driven insights and practical tech usage tips.