Samsung’s flagship tablet strategy appears to be shifting further away from Snapdragon. New code hints suggest the upcoming Galaxy Tab S12 may once again rely on MediaTek, extending a pattern that has already started to define Samsung’s premium Android tablets.
The clearest clue comes from code found in Samsung’s AI Core app by Android Authority. That code points to the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, carrying the model number MT6993, and while it does not name the Galaxy Tab S12 outright, the device is seen as the strongest fit for that chip.
Samsung’s new tablet formula
This direction matters because the Galaxy Tab S series is no longer tied as closely to Qualcomm as it once was. Samsung now appears comfortable placing MediaTek at the center of its highest-end tablet lineup, rather than treating Snapdragon as the default choice.
That shift is not coming out of nowhere. The same broad pattern has already been visible in the Galaxy Tab S10 and Galaxy Tab S11, which makes the Galaxy Tab S12 look less like a one-off decision and more like a continuation of an established plan.
AI is becoming a bigger part of the pitch
The same code trail also reveals several AI-related features that Samsung may be preparing for the next flagship tablet. Among them are AI-generated wallpapers, image expansion, generative editing, and a feature described as “harmonization on device.”
The last term is not explained in detail, but it is believed to relate to image harmonization, a technique used to make visual elements in a photo blend more naturally. Taken together, these additions suggest Samsung wants AI to be one of the main selling points of the Galaxy Tab S12.
MediaTek is strong, even if it is not the fastest
On raw performance, the Dimensity 9500 is said to fall short of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Even so, it is still considered a very powerful chip and has already shown impressive graphics capability in the Oppo Find X9 Pro.
For a tablet, however, peak chipset numbers are only part of the story. Samsung still has its S Pen and a broader set of premium features to keep the Tab S line competitive in the high-end Android market.
What is still unclear about Galaxy Tab S12
Details about the Galaxy Tab S12 remain limited for now. There is speculation that Samsung may launch only two models this year, with one of them expected to be the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus.
That Plus model is also said to have a possible battery upgrade, while the new tablets are expected to bring deeper AI integration across the system. Samsung has not confirmed the specifications or release timing of the Galaxy Tab S12 lineup.
Even so, the available clues already point to a clear message: Samsung still trusts MediaTek for its next premium tablet generation. If that direction continues, the Android flagship tablet race could become more competitive, with MediaTek taking a stronger position at the top end.
Source: telset.id
