Samsung may be ditching its iPad rival for something much bigger — here’s what I’d buy instead

Tablet fans following the news may already be striking the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 off their Christmas list, following widespread reports that a smaller-form alternative to the Tab S12 Plus and Ultra isn’t in the works.

Reported by Smartprix based on database leaks, it doesn’t come as a total surprise.

While many enjoyed the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 last year, the Tab S10+ didn’t get a smaller sibling, and bigger-body pads like the Tab S11 Ultra are proving more in Samsung’s wheelhouse.

I love big-screen pseudo-TVs as much as the next tech reviewer, but there’s always space in my heart for mid-sized slates — ones that are small enough to carry around in my bag but big enough to make working or watching TVs easy.

So, while the Galaxy Tab S12 is, apparently, out, here are four other similar tablets that are ‘in’ for me.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+

Samsung’s newest budget tablet

The newest tablet on this list also comes from Samsung. The Galaxy Tab A11+ recently debuted in the US, and while this $249.99 slate isn’t exactly a specs match for the top-end Tab S models, it does have a few features in common.

With an 11-inch display, it’s the same size as the Tab S11. For a mid-size fan like me, that’s happy days. Still, it’s not quite as impressive a display as on premium slates. It’s 90Hz and 1200 x 1920. But the size is consistent.

The middling specs continue. The Mediatek MT8775 chip, 8MP camera, and 25W charging all point to this being a budget slate.

But there are some redeeming factors. Its 7,040mAh battery promises to last a long time given the rest of its specs, the memory options reach 256GB (and expandable up to 2TB), and Samsung has promised it’ll get 7 Android updates beyond Android 16 and OneUI 8 in the box.

Those specs show that it’s no Galaxy Tab S-shaped powerhouse, but it seems to be built to last, and I always like a slate that I can take on trips.

OnePlus Pad Go 2

A mid-powered Android to consider

I tested the OnePlus Pad Go 2, and while it feels like a Tab S Plus in terms of size, the specs reveal it as a mid-range alternative that could fill that Galaxy Tab S12 hole.

The slate has a 12.1-inch 2800 x 1980 display, with a Dimensity 7300-Ultra acting as the brains of the operation and a large 10,050mAh battery keeping the lights on.

While the company also sells the OnePlus Pad 3, a more premium slate all around, it costs a fair bit more. If you want the base model Samsung tablet, the Go 2 will save you cash.

The biggest draw here is the price, as it starts at $399.99, so you’re not paying too much for that big screen space. Plus, OnePlus’ stylus and keyboard tools are more affordable than their equivalents usually are.

I enjoyed the OnePlus as a mini gaming powerhouse, as it has plenty of power to handle most tablet games.

If you are interested in a Samsung tablet for its performance chops, this is a worthy alternative.

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro

A low-cost tablet designed for entertainment

I did say in the introduction that this list is for mid-sized slates. But exceptions have to be made sometimes, and when we look into the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, it’ll be clear why.

This is another $400 device, and entertainment is the name of the game here.

The big 12.7-inch, 2944 x 1840, 144Hz screen is designed with your chosen streaming service in mind, and the 10,200mAh battery and quad speakers all seem set to allow long Netflix binges.

The tablet also comes with a stylus, saving you from buying one separately.

This isn’t for people who care about software updates. The slate released on Android 14, which was out-of-date as of release, and only gets guaranteed updates to Android 16. That’s the one that’s current right now – with the Lenovo, you’re cut off from the future.

Who doesn’t like a tablet for watching TV shows or movies? I use mine for streaming series more than my TV. That’d make the Lenovo a worthy alternative for me. It’s going to take a fair few updates to stop Prime Video from working.

TCL NXTPaper 11 Plus

For something a little different

If you want an 11-inch screen that’s a little different from Samsung’s offerings, let me introduce you to the TCL NXTPaper 11 Plus.

This will match the Tab S in terms of size, but its display is quite different. That’s because it uses TCL’s NXTPaper display tech, which is designed to hew closer to E Ink than standard displays (though that doesn’t make this an e-reader).

It reduces glare, offsets eye strain, retains visibility outdoors, and filters blue light. If you stare at your tablet for hours, it’s a good pick.

Beyond the display, the tablet betrays its lower cost. The Helio G100 chip, 2200 x 1440 display, and 8,000mAh battery all show that this isn’t a Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 replacement in terms of power, lasting power, or display clarity.

After all, it costs $350, coming in a bundle that includes a flip case and stylus. So it’s a budget alternative, but one that I’d consider buying just for the screen tech.

Waiting for Samsung

If you were waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12, and aren’t keen on any alternatives, don’t give up on your dreams just yet. We’re still waiting to find out for sure whether the next tablet family will miss this model. We’ll likely discover either way in the fall.

If it is true, and you’re still not sold on any of these other models, then you have two picks. One is simply to wait for the Galaxy Tab S13 family, and hope that Samsung brings back the main model for that family.

Your other choice is a Galaxy Tab S FE model. Like the phones, the FE tablets have many of the top-tier tablets’ features and sell for a slightly lower price. More importantly, their sizes are the same as the main-series slate.

At the time of writing, the Tab S11 FE models haven’t even been released yet, but this family is still worth paying attention to.