Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Leaks Reveal Steep Price Hikes and No Base Model
Leaked pricing suggests the entry-level Tab S12+ will start at $1,199.99, potentially erasing Samsung's price advantage over Apple.
Samsung may be preparing a drastic shift in its tablet pricing strategy with the upcoming Galaxy Tab S12 series. Leaked data suggests the company will eliminate its traditional base model and significantly raise the entry price for its premium tablets.
According to leaks shared by Roland Quandt of WinFuture, the Galaxy Tab S12+ will serve as the new entry point for the series. The Wi-Fi model featuring 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is expected to start at $1,199.99, with a 512GB variant priced at $1,399.99. For users requiring cellular connectivity, the 5G version of the Tab S12+ with 256GB of storage is leaked at $1,349.99.
The high-end Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra will see even steeper pricing. The base Ultra configuration (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) is leaked at $1,399.99, while the 512GB model is expected to cost $1,599.99. The top-tier specification, featuring 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, could reach as high as $1,999.99.
A Shift in Market Positioning
Historically, Samsung has positioned the Galaxy Tab series as a more affordable alternative to Apple's iPad Pro and Air lineups. This competitive edge was evident in the previous generation, the Tab S11, which featured a Wi-Fi base model starting at $799.99. By removing the base model entirely and starting the series with the S12+, Samsung is effectively moving its lowest price point from under $800 to over $1,100.
Industry Implications
This pricing pivot could fundamentally change the value proposition for Android tablet users. By eliminating the most accessible price tier, Samsung risks losing the budget-conscious professional and student demographics who previously chose the Galaxy Tab over the iPad for its lower cost of entry. If these figures hold, the iPad may become the more attractive financial choice for many consumers during the critical autumn buying season.
What to Watch
Both Samsung and Apple are expected to launch new tablet hardware in September, with Samsung likely debuting its new devices at IFA in Berlin. While the pricing leaks have been widely reported, Samsung has not officially confirmed the costs or the removal of the base model. Industry observers will be watching to see if the company introduces new bundles or incentives to offset the steep price increases at launch.