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As mentioned in various leaks in previous months, the Galaxy Tab S8 series was launched alongside the Galaxy S22 lineup at the Unpacked event on Wednesday. The new tablets are confirmed to run on One UI 4 based on Android 12, but Samsung told its customers that the new tablets are slated to support the upcoming Android 12L operating system.
Google officially unveiled the Android 12L in late 2021, noting that it is an extension of the Android 12 OS specifically designed for devices with larger screens like foldable phones and tablets. The software update is still in beta and has received its third and final beta version on Wednesday.
The release of the Android 12L beta 3 update this week is a good indication that Google is on track to release its full version within the first quarter of the year. That means its official launch is likely slated for March. And once Android 12L is released, Samsung says its fans can expect the update to be available to the Galaxy Tab S8 series as well.
“We are in constant conversation with our collaborators at Google and Android, and we’re committed to bringing Android 12L to our tablets in the future,” Samsung told 9To5Google. “Currently, we do not have a set timeline for when Android 12L will be available on these devices.”
Going by Samsung’s statement, it looks like the Android 12L is not just headed to the Galaxy Tab S8 series. People using older tablets from the company are likely to receive an update as well. The OS is designed to make it easier for developers to support their apps on devices with larger screens and improve compatibility. Google also wants users to maximize their devices' large screens by adding more features for multitasking.
Samsung confirmed the leaks and announced a new “Ultra” model in the Galaxy Tab S8 series. Like the usual standard model plus variant, the 14.6-inch tablet is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, supports S Pen, and has dual cameras (13MP + 6MP) on the back. Another unique feature of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is its display notch where users will find two 12MP sensors.
