The question that matters with Samsung’s newest tablet is not whether the screen looks good. Samsung’s AMOLED panels have earned their reputation. It is whether the Galaxy Tab S12+ justifies costing roughly a thousand dirhams more than an iPad Air on Amazon.ae. We put the numbers side by side below rather than leave you with impressions.
This Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ review looks at the 12.6-inch Wi-Fi model with 256GB of storage, part of the generation Samsung announced on 30 September 2026 and now listed on Amazon.ae. Samsung launched only two models this time, the S12+ and the Ultra, and the S12+ sits in the middle: larger than a standard tablet, far lighter than the Ultra. Our figures come from Samsung’s published specifications and reputable press coverage. We have not run our own lab tests, and where a number is the manufacturer’s claim, we say so.
If you are weighing Android against Apple, we already reviewed the iPad Air M4 (in Arabic) and compare the two below. The verdict at the end says who should buy which.
Design and feel in the hand
The Wi-Fi model is 5.3 mm thick and weighs 553 g, measuring 289.5 x 187.8 mm. The 13-inch iPad Air weighs about 616 g and is 6.1 mm thick, so the S12+ is roughly 63 g lighter and 0.8 mm slimmer despite a slightly smaller screen. On paper that looks minor. You notice it when you hold the tablet one-handed on the metro or read a long document in bed.
The series specifications list a glass front with an aluminium frame and back, in Gray or Silver. The practical highlight is the IP68 rating, which is rare in tablets: a spilled coffee on your desk is no longer a disaster, though you should treat it as accident protection, not something to swim with. There is also a microSD slot that accepts cards up to 2TB, so a big film or file library does not force you into the pricier storage tier. There is no 3.5 mm headphone jack, so you will need Bluetooth earbuds or an adapter.
Display, sound and cameras
The screen is a 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X at 2800 x 1752 with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, and Samsung quotes up to 1,600 nits peak in HDR. In daily use that means scrolling and stylus writing feel noticeably smoother than on the iPad Air’s 60Hz panel, and blacks are deeper for films in a dim room. Peak brightness helps against glare on a balcony or in a car, although the headline figure is not sustained for long.
Audio comes from four speakers with Dolby Atmos, and Samsung says the channel count for spatial sound doubled over the previous generation. The rear camera is 13 MP and the front camera 12 MP: fine for video calls and scanning documents, not a reason to buy. Do not expect holiday-photo quality from a tablet.
Performance and software
The tablet runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage. It replaces the Dimensity 9400+ used in the S11. Put simply, it is faster than any older Android tablet you own and will handle split-screen multitasking and demanding games comfortably, but anyone who does not push the tablet will see little difference from last year’s model. Press coverage says the same: a familiar design with a newer chip and a higher price.
It ships with Android 17 and One UI 9, and Samsung promises seven years of OS and security updates, which means you are buying something that should stay supported until around 2033. For work, DeX mode gives you a desktop-style layout, Multi Window can split the screen three ways, and Photoshop comes pre-installed. The S Pen is in the box, while the Apple Pencil is sold separately for the iPad Air, and that alone closes part of the price gap.
Battery and charging
The battery is 10,600 mAh, with up to 21 hours of use claimed by Samsung. That is a manufacturer figure, not an independent test, so plan on a full day of mixed use and less with games and maximum brightness. Charging is 45W and takes roughly an hour and a half from empty, but the charger is not included in the box, so budget for one if you do not already own a suitable adapter. There is no wireless charging.
Comparison table: S12+ vs iPad Air 13 and S12 Ultra
| Feature | Galaxy Tab S12+ | iPad Air 13 (M4) | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 12.6″ AMOLED, 120Hz | 13″ Liquid Retina, 60Hz | 14.6″ AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Chip | Dimensity 9500 | Apple M4 | Dimensity 9500 |
| Weight / thickness | 553 g / 5.3 mm | 616 g / 6.1 mm | 692 g / 5.1 mm |
| Rated battery | 10,600 mAh (up to 21 h) | All-day, per Apple | 11,600 mAh (up to 23 h) |
| Stylus | S Pen in the box | Apple Pencil sold separately | S Pen in the box |
| Water and dust | IP68 | No rating | IP68 |
| Storage expansion | microSD | None | microSD |
| Amazon.ae price at publication | AED 4,629 (256GB) | AED 3,544 (13″, per our review) | AED 5,399 (256GB) |
The takeaway: the S12+ wins on screen, weight, durability and what comes in the box, while the iPad Air stays cheaper and has the stronger M4 chip and a more mature app ecosystem for design and video editing.
Price and value in the UAE
At the time of writing, Amazon.ae lists the S12+ Wi-Fi 256GB at AED 4,629, the UAE edition with a one-year manufacturer warranty. A 5G version is also available at around AED 5,209. If you can tether to your phone, the Wi-Fi model saves you about AED 580. The 13-inch iPad Air was AED 3,544 in our earlier review, which makes the Samsung about AED 1,085 more expensive. Part of that gap is the included S Pen, the better display and the water resistance; part of it is simply being a brand-new release.
Last year’s models are still on sale: the S11 Ultra is listed at roughly AED 4,099, and new releases usually get cheaper with time. Prices change constantly, so use the live price in the product card below.
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- شحن واحد، 21 ساعة: بطارية تدوم طويلاً 10600 mAh توفر ما يصل إلى 21 ساعة من تشغيل الفيديو بشحنة واحدة، مما يحافظ على إنتا…
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Pros and cons
- 12.6-inch AMOLED at 120Hz, smoother and deeper in black than the iPad Air’s 60Hz panel
- S Pen included, whereas Apple’s pencil is a separate purchase
- 553 g and 5.3 mm: lighter and thinner than the 13-inch iPad Air
- IP68 water and dust resistance, plus a microSD slot for cheap extra storage
- Seven years of promised OS and security updates
- About AED 1,085 more than the 13-inch iPad Air on Amazon.ae
- No charger in the box, no wireless charging and no headphone jack
- Few visible changes from last year’s generation beyond the chip and speakers
- Android tablet apps for video and design are still less polished than on iPadOS
Frequently asked questions
Is the Galaxy Tab S12+ worth the extra money over an iPad Air?
If you use the stylus daily, watch a lot of video or want something lighter and water resistant, yes: the roughly AED 1,085 difference is partly covered by the S Pen and the better display. If you mostly read, browse and study, save the money and buy the iPad Air.
Which is better for a student in the UAE, the Tab S12+ or the iPad Air?
For handwritten notes and expandable storage, the S12+ is the stronger pick because the pen is in the box and a microSD card solves storage. If your classmates and apps live in Apple’s ecosystem, or you own an iPhone, the iPad Air is easier to live with.
What is the difference between the S12+ and the S12 Ultra?
Screen size (12.6 vs 14.6 inches), weight (553 g vs 692 g) and battery (10,600 vs 11,600 mAh). The Ultra also has Wi-Fi 7, while the S12+ has Wi-Fi 6E. Choose the Ultra if you want something close to a laptop and the S12+ if you carry it daily.
Should I buy the Wi-Fi or the 5G model?
They are nearly identical, and the 5G version costs around AED 580 more. If your phone can share its connection easily, the Wi-Fi model is enough for most people.
Can it replace a laptop?
For email, documents and browsing, yes, especially with DeX and a keyboard accessory. Heavy video editing or engineering software still works better on a laptop. See our MacBook Pro M5 Pro review if you need a professional machine.
Is it really waterproof?
IP68 means it can survive limited immersion under the rating’s test conditions, but warranties generally do not cover liquid damage. Treat it as protection against accidents, not permission to use it in the pool.
The verdict
We recommend the S12+ to anyone who wants the best screen, a stylus in the box and a light tablet that will stay supported for years, and who accepts paying a premium for it. If you want the lowest price or already live in Apple’s ecosystem, the iPad Air is the better fit. The short version of this Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ review: it is the best-balanced Android tablet for work and entertainment in the UAE right now, as long as you check the live price before buying.
Check the current price on Amazon.ae
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