# Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Series Pricing Faces Consumer Backlash High costs for tablets make laptops a more competitive alternative for power users. - **Source:** [GSMArena.com - Latest articles](https://brifing.si/source/ae58cd90-1e26-4445-9a9c-963b7954a50c) - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1f5c5c55-4824-4396-a868-236a74eee0d6 ## High Entry Price Points The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra starts at $1,400 for the base 12/256GB model. When adding the $380 keyboard cover, the total investment reaches $1,780. This pricing structure places the tablet in direct competition with high-performance laptops, leading many potential customers to question the value proposition compared to traditional computing devices. ## Laptop Value Comparison A 13-inch MacBook Air with an M5 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage retails for $1,300. This configuration provides superior processing power, more storage, and an included keyboard for significantly less than the Tab S12 Ultra. Consumers are increasingly choosing these robust laptop alternatives over premium Android tablet hardware. ## Windows and Android Alternatives Samsung offers the Galaxy Book6 with a 16-inch touchscreen for $1,450, running Windows 11 on an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. For users requiring Android app compatibility, an Acer Googlebook 14 with an OLED display and 16GB of RAM is available for $900, offering a more budget-friendly path for mobile-focused computing tasks. ## Market Sentiment Analysis Poll results indicate that the majority of users perceive the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra as overpriced. While there is interest in the 14.6-inch form factor, many consumers express a preference for smaller tablet models. Samsung’s decision to skip annual upgrades for the vanilla Tab S series appears to have missed current market demand. ## Upgrade Cycle Skepticism Existing owners of the Tab S11 Ultra see little incentive to upgrade to the new generation. Without significant hardware advancements like 10-bit display panels or increased battery capacity, the incremental changes fail to justify the high cost. Users are prioritizing tangible feature improvements over the standard annual hardware refresh cycle currently offered. ## Storage and Feature Retention Despite criticism regarding pricing, Samsung received praise for maintaining the microSD slot in the Tab S12 series. This feature remains a key differentiator, as expandable storage is increasingly rare in modern tablets and smartphones. This commitment to physical storage flexibility provides a specific utility that many competitors have chosen to abandon. ## Tab S12+ Market Struggles The 12.6-inch Tab S12+ faces stiff competition, with consumer interest narrowly split between the device, smaller tablets, and the iPad. With a base price of $1,200, it struggles to outperform the 11-inch iPad Pro. Many potential buyers are opting for alternative Android tablets or Apple hardware due to the perceived lack of value. ## Future Price Adjustments Market analysts suggest that time will likely reduce the retail prices of the Galaxy Tab S12 duo, potentially increasing their appeal. Currently, these devices are niche products for users specifically seeking a high-end tablet experience. Without future discounts, the high cost of accessories like the keyboard cover remains a significant barrier to adoption. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_results_the_galaxy_tab_s12_and_tab_s12_ultra_make_laptops_look_reasonably_priced-news-75069.php — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._