Why does Samsung choose MediaTek over Snapdragon for tablets?

Testing found Dimensity 9500 delivers better gaming performance and lower temperatures under sustained load — critically important for tablets used for extended periods. Samsung also uses Exynos for phones and Snapdragon in some markets, making MediaTek for tablets a strategic supply chain diversification.

Is Dimensity 9500 powerful enough for a 2026 flagship tablet?

Yes — Dimensity 9500 on 3nm is a very capable chip. The gap between it and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is small in everyday use and gaming quality. However, some specialized apps like cutting-edge emulators run better on Snapdragon.

Will Tab S12 support DeX?

Yes — Samsung DeX is expected to continue in the S12 series with productivity improvements. Dimensity 9500 supports the external display protocols required for DeX.

When does Galaxy Tab S12 launch?

Reports suggest the Galaxy Tab S12 series could debut in September 2026.

Will there be a Tab S12 FE with a different chipset?

A Tab S12 FE is possible later in 2026 or early 2027 with a lower-cost chip. Current leaks focus exclusively on Plus and Ultra models.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 to Use Dimensity 9500 — Third Time Samsung Picks MediaTek for Flagship Tablets With New AI Features

Samsung and MediaTek — A Flagship Tablet Partnership Deepening

Samsung used MediaTek chips in its high-end Galaxy Tab S10 and Galaxy Tab S11 families, bucking a long-standing trend of using Snapdragon processors in its flagship Android tablets. Now, new evidence suggests this trend will continue with Samsung's upcoming flagship tablets.

The Discovery — MT6993 Code Found in AI Core App

Digging into Samsung's AI Core app, Android Authority discovered references to a chipset bearing the model number "MT6993" in one of the app files. That specific ID corresponds to the MediaTek Dimensity 9500. The file doesn't explicitly call it the Dimensity 9500, but instead uses the MT6993 model number.

Samsung currently has no product confirmed to feature the new MediaTek chip. The Galaxy Tab S12 is the only logical name here.

Dimensity 9500 — Chipset Specifications

The Dimensity 9500 is fabricated on TSMC's 3nm process and features an octa-core CPU with one C1-Ultra core clocked at 4.21GHz, three C1-Premium cores at 3.5GHz, and four C1-Pro cores at 2.7GHz. MediaTek paired the CPU with the ARM Mali-G1 Ultra MC12 GPU.

Testing found that the Dimensity 9500 doesn't quite match up to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 on the CPU front. However, testing also found that the Dimensity 9500 delivered better gaming performance and lower temperatures under sustained load.

AI Features Discovered in the Code

The AI Core app lists several AI-related features associated with the chipset, including AI wallpaper generation, image expansion, and generative photo editing tools. A feature named "Harmonization" was also spotted in the app files.

Expected Galaxy Tab S12 Specifications

Galaxy Tab S12+ is expected with a 12.4-inch OLED QHD+ display at 120Hz refresh rate and a battery of approximately 10,500-10,600mAh with fast charging. Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra with a 14.6-inch AMOLED display. Both with Dimensity 9500 and S Pen support.

Expected Launch

Reports suggest Samsung might launch the Galaxy Tab S12 series in September 2026. Samsung may come with only two models: Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra.