Samsung launches Galaxy Tab S12 series & SmartTag3

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Tab S12 Series and Galaxy SmartTag3, adding a new tablet line and tracker to its Galaxy device range.

The tablets will go on sale in Australia from 22 October, while the SmartTag3 is due to arrive in 2027.

The Galaxy Tab S12 Series will be available in two models: the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+. Australian pricing starts at AUD $1,999 for the Tab S12+ and AUD $2,299 for the Tab S12 Ultra. Both devices run Android 17 with One UI 9 and include an S Pen in the box.

Samsung is positioning the new tablets around note-taking, multitasking and creative work. They include Galaxy AI features such as Note Assist, Multi Window and Gemini integration. Multi Window lets users split the screen into up to three sections.

Displays are a key part of the launch. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the Tab S12+ uses a 12.6-inch panel. Both reach up to 1,600 nits peak brightness, according to Samsung.

Both models use MediaTek's Dimensity 9500 processor. The Tab S12 Ultra comes in configurations with up to 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage, while the Tab S12+ offers up to 12GB of memory and 512GB of storage. Both support microSD expansion of up to 2TB.

Battery life is another point of difference. Samsung said the Tab S12 Ultra offers up to 23 hours on a single charge, while the Tab S12+ offers up to 21 hours, with support for 45W charging.

Creative focus

A notable part of the launch is Adobe Photoshop arriving preloaded on the Galaxy Tab S12 line. Samsung said this is the first time the software will be available on an Android tablet, with an interface adapted for tablet use and support for the S Pen.

Samsung also highlighted a broader group of preloaded or promoted apps for note-taking, design, video editing and planning, including Notability, Goodnotes, LumaFusion, Notion and Clip Studio Paint. This reflects a wider push by tablet makers to compete for students, freelancers and professionals who move between laptops and mobile devices.

"The Galaxy Tab S12 series is designed for people who are constantly exploring new ideas, developing new skills and bringing their ambitions to life," said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.

"Built with industry-leading hardware, the Galaxy Tab S12 series pairs an expansive screen with the power of Galaxy AI - helping remove friction from complex tasks so users can stay focused on achieving impactful results," Kim said.

The hardware design remains focused on thin, light devices. Samsung said the Tab S12 Ultra is 5.1mm thick, while both tablets carry IP68 water and dust resistance. The devices will also receive up to seven operating system and security updates, according to the company.

Tracker update

Alongside the tablets, Samsung introduced the Galaxy SmartTag3, the latest version of its item tracker for keys, bags, luggage and pet collars. The device is about 35% smaller by volume and 33% lighter than the previous generation, according to Samsung.

Samsung said SmartTag3 adds a longer-range Compass View, faster location updates through the Galaxy Find Network, proactive location alerts and, for the first time in the product line, cross-operating system support for Galaxy and iOS devices.

That means families or groups can access basic finding and sharing features across different mobile platforms. Through SmartThings Find, users can check and share a tag's location and use Search Nearby on supported devices.

The updated Compass View can provide distance and directional guidance from up to 60 metres away when used with supported Galaxy devices, Samsung said. When the tracker is outside direct connection range, the wider Galaxy Find Network - which Samsung said includes more than 900 million participating Galaxy devices worldwide - can help update the tag's location.

SmartTag3 also adds Place Notification, which lets users define an area and receive an alert when an item moves in or out of it. Other features include location history, movement detection alerts, left-behind alerts and an NFC-based lost mode that can display registered contact details when the tag is scanned by a compatible Android device.

"People want simpler and more convenient ways to keep track of belongings and pets with greater peace of mind, and Galaxy SmartTag3 was designed around those everyday needs," said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.

"Powered by the vast Galaxy Find Network, it delivers our most capable Galaxy SmartTag experience yet," Kim said.

The tracker is rated IP67 for water and dust resistance and will be sold in black and white.