Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Plus vs Tab S10 Plus: Is the Upgrade Really Worth It?

Sarah Johnson · 2026-10-01

Samsung's new Galaxy Tab S12 Plus is here, but does it justify the upgrade from the 2024 Tab S10 Plus? We break down the key differences to help you decide. ### Price and Availability The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus launches on October 7 with a starting price of $1,499. That's $250 more than the Tab S10 Plus's original retail price of $1,249 when it debuted in 2024. The Tab S10 Plus has since dropped to $1,149, and you can often find it for even less during sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday. ### Display: Slightly Bigger, Noticeably Brighter The Tab S12 Plus features a 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, up from 12.4 inches on the Tab S10 Plus. The bezels are slimmer, giving you a more immersive viewing experience. Samsung claims the new panel can hit 1,600 nits of peak brightness, which should make it the best Galaxy Tab display yet. The Tab S10 Plus already impressed us with its deep blacks and vibrant colors, so the S12 Plus has big shoes to fill. ### Performance: Dimensity 9500 vs Dimensity 9300+ Under the hood, the Tab S12 Plus runs on MediaTek's 2025 Dimensity 9500 chip. Samsung says it delivers up to 61% faster NPU processing, 19% faster CPU, and 17% improved GPU performance compared to last year's top-end Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. That means it can handle demanding tasks like Galaxy AI and AAA gaming with ease. A new 3D Vapor Chamber helps keep things cool during long sessions. The Tab S10 Plus, with its Dimensity 9300+, was no slouch in everyday use—we found it speedy for multitasking and gaming. However, it didn't score particularly well in our benchmark tests, even against Apple's older M2 chip. > "The Tab S10 Plus is a very capable tablet, but the S12 Plus pushes the envelope further with AI and graphics performance." ### Battery Life: A Modest Bump The Tab S12 Plus packs a 10,600mAh battery, up from 10,090mAh on the Tab S10 Plus. Samsung promises around 21 hours of video playback on a single charge. In our testing, the Tab S10 Plus lasted a full day of light work but needed a recharge with mixed use. Neither tablet comes with a charger in the box, so you'll need to buy a 45W adapter separately. ### Design: Thinner and Lighter The Tab S12 Plus is slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. The Tab S12 Ultra may be the thinnest Galaxy Tab yet, but the S12 Plus is not far behind. ### The Verdict: Should You Upgrade? If you own a Tab S10 Plus, the S12 Plus offers a larger, brighter display, faster performance, and a bigger battery. But is it worth the extra $250? That depends on how much you value the latest tech. For most people, the Tab S10 Plus remains a solid choice, especially at its current discounted price. However, if you're a power user who wants the best Android tablet experience, the S12 Plus is a worthy upgrade. - **Upgrade if:** You want the brightest display, fastest processor, and longest battery life. - **Skip if:** You're happy with your Tab S10 Plus and don't need the latest features. Stay tuned for our full review of the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus.