Samsung’s $1,400 Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra pairs premium hardware with laptop trade-offs
Engadget’s review praises the tablet’s OLED display, speed and battery life, while flagging its single USB-C port and the added cost of a keyboard.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra starts at $1,400, putting it in premium laptop territory. Engadget’s review describes a capable Android tablet, but its price makes the trade-offs around productivity and accessories central to the buying decision.
The device has a 14.6-inch OLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Engadget praised the screen’s brightness and colour, and reported smooth performance across apps and games.
In the review’s local video test, the tablet lasted 19 hours and 39 minutes. Engadget cautioned that the test was not especially demanding, though the reviewer also reported more than 40 per cent battery remaining after a day of mixed use.
Samsung’s DeX mode shifts Android into a desktop-style interface with a taskbar and windowed apps. Engadget sees it as a key part of the tablet’s laptop-replacement proposition, but notes that the operating system still limits productivity compared with a laptop.
The hardware has just one USB-C port. Buyers seeking a fuller laptop-style setup must also pay for a keyboard accessory; Engadget describes the more capable Pro Keyboard as adding a touchpad and a more conventional key layout.
The review’s assessment is that the S12 Ultra delivers strong display, performance and battery life, but its high starting price, limited ports and accessory costs complicate its value as a work device.
