Is Samsung working on a tablet with a punch-hole display?

Samsung could be working on a tablet with a punch-hole display, at least if a couple of new device rotation animations we found in the One UI 9.0 (Android 17) beta firmware are anything to go by.

Samsung fans have long wondered why the company continues to use notches or bezel-mounted front cameras on its tablets instead of adopting a punch-hole design like it does on many of its smartphones.

Could that finally be changing?

The new animations depict what appears to be a tablet-like device. In one animation, the front camera is shown as a punch hole centered on the long side of the display. In the other, the camera appears centered on the shorter side, similar to a smartphone.

Of course, a couple of animations inside a beta firmware aren't exactly solid proof that Samsung is developing a tablet with a punch-hole display. The company often uses generic device illustrations for help screens and tutorials instead of showing actual products.

That said, we couldn't find these animations in One UI 8.5 (Android 16), suggesting they were created specifically for One UI 9.0. Whether they are merely generic illustrations or a subtle hint at future hardware remains to be seen.

For now, we're treating this as little more than an interesting possibility. But if Samsung does eventually move to a punch-hole design on its tablets, these One UI 9.0 animations may end up being an early clue.

No new Galaxy tablets are expected at Samsung's July Unpacked event. However, Samsung has traditionally launched flagship tablets separately from its foldables, often later in the year, so any potential tablet with a punch-hole display would likely arrive at a later date.