OnePlus Pad 3 – Review – Is this the best Android tablet of 2025?

I need to admit, I used to be a bit sceptical in regards to the bigger display dimension of the OnePlus Pad 3. For me, one of many benefits of a pill over a conventional laptop computer is its versatility and portability. I used to be fearful that I wouldn’t be capable to use the OnePlus Pad 3 in the identical approach I had used the OnePlus Pad 2. Nevertheless, I’m happy to say that the rise in display dimension hasn’t diminished my use circumstances as a lot as I had anticipated.

Admittedly, it’s not wherever close to as compact as it’s forebear, and it’ll take up more room in your bag or different storage location. However I’ve discovered that when mixed with the OnePlus Pad 3 Sensible Keyboard, which is on the market as an non-obligatory accent, presently half worth on the web site (when purchased with the pill). It does enable me to make use of the pill extra as a laptop computer than I might say was ever attainable with the OnePlus Pad 2.

One among my typical eventualities for getting work performed lately is definitely while sitting within the entrance of a van. I can use the OnePlus Pad 3 with its keyboard, with the again of the pill resting towards the steering wheel, and I’m nonetheless in a position to kind in a comparatively snug place.

Clearly, one of many extra advantages of getting a much bigger display dimension is that multitasking turns into extra of a practical chance. Nevertheless, I’ll focus on these advantages additional once we take a look at software program. Going again to that larger display. We now have a 13.2-inch show panel. This panel has a 3.5 Ok decision, and it’s an LCD panel. While some could take a look at that and assume LCD is a poor selection, I might disagree with having used it. The panel may be very crisp and clear, and handles color tones very properly. Don’t get me flawed, although, this isn’t pretty much as good at dealing with deep blacks as you will notice from an OLED panel. It has been completely suited to watching content material and, maybe extra importantly, getting work performed.

One other factor to notice is the scale and dimensions of the show part of the pill. The pill may be very skinny, beneath 6mm (5.97mm to be precise), and the bezels are additionally fairly skinny for a pill, not too small to jeopardise your viewing expertise, however sufficiently small so that they don’t encroach in your viewing expertise.

On the rear of the pill, we nonetheless have a digicam. Nevertheless, this digicam has now moved to the higher right-hand nook of the rear panel when considered from the again. It is a totally different placement from the place it was on the…OnePlus Pad 2, which was within the centre. The again panel can also be now composed of 1 single piece of aluminium and doesn’t sport the two-tone type of the predecessor. On the backside of the again panel. We now have connection factors within the type of a pogo pin connector. That is for the non-obligatory… OnePlus Pad 3, Sensible Keyboard. I want this level of connection over the predecessor, which was on the underside edge, because it creates a way more safe and secure mounting level for the keyboard.

Across the edges, we discover that there are 4 speaker enclosures, two on both aspect. These speaker enclosures comprise two audio system; every one accommodates a woofer and a tweeter. This creates a really nice sound stage, particularly as all 4 audio system’ arrays are symmetrically positioned.

On the right-hand aspect of the pill is the place you’ll discover your USB Sort-C. The port does help the potential of show output, however there’s solely help for show mirroring in the meanwhile. OnePlus doesn’t have a desktop mode when related to a show output right now. Maybe, that is one thing that can come within the close to future, notably as Android 16 is rumoured to be supporting a local desktop-style mode when related to a show output.

When it comes to different ports. The OnePlus Pad 3 does, after all, have the twin microphone ports. One among which is nestled subsequent to the USB Sort-C port on the right-hand aspect. And the opposite is on the uppermost edge subsequent to the quantity buttons. Additionally discovered on the uppermost edge is the world for mounting the non-obligatory stylus, which is able to magnetically connect with the pill, the place it’s going to additionally cost by way of wi-fi induction charging. I don’t have the OnePlus Stylo 2 accent. So I will probably be unable to check this, and you’ll due to this fact not see this in any footage of the system.

I’ve already talked about two of the equipment which can be obtainable for the OnePlus Pad 3, and it will be remiss of me to not point out the third. Once more, that is one I don’t have; nevertheless, it’s one that could be worthwhile if you’re intending on utilizing this primarily as a media centered system. It’s, after all, the OnePlus Pad 3 Folio case. Because the title suggests, the case is a folio-style case that acts as each a canopy and a stand. I imagine it’s going to help each panorama and portrait. And when utilized in panorama, you do have a number of totally different positions, the place you’ll be able to angle it as applicable. This and the OnePlus Pad 3 Sensible Keyboard connect to the pill by way of magnets which can be embedded into the physique of the pill itself. These magnets are sturdy. They usually make a strong and reassuring “thunk” whenever you connect them to the pill itself.

I do need to take a second and canopy the design of the OnePlus Pad 3 Sensible Keyboard accent. This has had a delicate redesign. To accommodate being mounted onto the OnePlus Pad 3. As beforehand talked about, the purpose of connection is on a magnetised flap, which extends beneath the underside fringe of the pill and up onto the again of the pill itself. This, in flip, will then connect with the Pogo pins on the pill. I’ve present in my restricted utilization that the connection is far more safe than on the OnePlus Pad 2 Sensible keyboard. It additionally helps to create a way more secure base for utilizing the pill in its laptop computer mode on one’s lap. That is one thing I couldn’t actually do with the OnePlus Pad 2.

The opposite a part of the Sensible Keyboard cowl is the magnetic again panel, which is the place the pill will get its help for standing up. That is once more a powerful and secure connection, and it has many angles of adjustment for getting a cushty viewing angle.

Nevertheless, when utilizing the OnePlus Pad 2, with the Sensible Keyboard accent, one factor I actually loved was the flexibility to separate the keyboard and the pill, however nonetheless have the keyboard related to the pill by way of Bluetooth. This allowed me to arrange a working space inside my van the place I may have the display behind the steering wheel on the dashboard. After which I may have the keyboard positioned higher for extended typing. I’ve seen that with the Sensible keyboard cowl for the OnePlus Pad 3, I can not have this selection. Now, I’m not certain if this can be a software program swap that I have to allow. Or whether or not it’s a performance that has been pulled as a function by OnePlus. If I discover this to be true, then I’ll replace this evaluate accordingly.

Replace: I’ve been suggested by OnePlus that the OnePlus Pad 3 Sensible Keyboard doesn’t help the Bluetooth connection of its predecessor, because the keyboard doesn’t have an inside battery anymore.

The keyboard itself may be very snug to kind on. I discover the important thing spacing, based mostly on a 13-inch platform, is a bit more snug than on the smaller OnePlus Pad 2 Sensible Keyboard setup. That is most probably because of the truth that this keyboard is nearly the identical because the Apple Magic Keyboard V1 that I presently use at my desk for many of my writing.

We do nonetheless have a big trackpad, which is basically snug to navigate across the pill interface. It helps multi-finger gestures, permitting you to minimise Home windows, take screenshots, navigate by a number of apps, and convey up all of your apps within the multitasking overview. Sadly, I imagine that is one thing that can not be helped as a result of keyboard’s design. The trackpad is susceptible to clicking when you could have the keyboard in your lap. In my barely cramped van work place, I’ve discovered it’s higher to disable the trackpad and focus my contact inputs on the display itself.

That is definitely one space the place I do miss having the OnePlus Stylo 2, as this goes an extended strategy to minimise the fingerprint marks that find yourself overlaying the display. I might undoubtedly contemplate packing a Microfibre material in your bag, as it’s not simply the display that picks up these fingerprint smudges, however that magnetic backing plate for the keyboard cowl is susceptible to it as properly.

I actually recognize OnePlus’s choice to incorporate command keys within the keyboard. One notably helpful one is the screenshot key, which makes capturing screenshots a breeze for future reference. I’ve additionally discovered the AI key to be extremely useful with Google Gemini, permitting me to entry my toolkit swiftly. The media management keys are additionally very helpful. Moreover, I take pleasure in with the ability to use my acquainted keyboard shortcuts from my full-fledged MacBook Professional laptop computer throughout the Android ecosystem.

{Hardware} and Efficiency

Now that we have now the design aspect of issues sorted, it’s time to take a look at what makes this pill tick. Meaning we might want to have a deeper take a look at the guts of the pill. Contained in the OnePlus Pad 3 is a top-of-the-range chipset within the type of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is supported by an Adreno 830 GPU. This implies that you’re not going to have any app or service that can trigger the efficiency on the pill to wrestle in any approach. I’ve been in a position to run any app that I needed to, and it masses shortly and easily, together with any of the Google work apps that I’ve been utilizing to write down this evaluate. I’ve additionally been utilizing the pill rather a lot for streaming content material from numerous providers, and these have all been seamless.

I’ve even managed a little bit of gaming on the OnePlus Pad 3, going with my staples of Asphalt Unite and Grand Mountain 1 and a couple of. These are video games that don’t demand a lot in that approach of efficiency, so these have been completely superb for enjoying and have been in a position to help their most settings with no points. I used to be additionally in a position to set the pill as much as work with my outdated Google Stadia Gamepad by way of Bluetooth, which allowed me to get a greater gaming expertise. Nevertheless, I’ll say that holding the system in hand generally is a bit cumbersome because of its giant kind issue. Enjoying with a devoted controller does give a a lot better expertise.

The pill boasts a powerful 12,140mAh battery, designed to maintain you powered up for prolonged durations. This substantial battery capability ensures you’ll be able to take pleasure in hours of uninterrupted streaming, whether or not you’re binge-watching your favorite collection or catching up on the most recent movies. Its longevity means you’ll be able to confidently depend on it throughout lengthy journeys, whether or not you’re on a cross-country practice experience or a long-haul flight.

For these planning adventures to distant sunny locations, this pill’s battery efficiency is especially advantageous. You’ll be able to discover new cities, calm down on the seaside, or embark on scenic excursions with out the fixed fear of your system working out of energy. Sadly, I gained’t have the chance to check the pill’s endurance throughout my upcoming vacation to Madeira this summer season (as I’ve to return the system on the finish of the mortgage interval), however its specs strongly recommend it’s going to deal with such journey eventualities with ease.

The connectivity efficiency is excellent, as I discussed, I’ve been in a position to make use of the pill with my Pixel Buds 2 Professional and my Google Stadia gamepad over Bluetooth with no points or any considerable latency that I can see. The efficiency of the Wi-Fi has been nice, with me with the ability to get a powerful and secure connection wherever in my residence, which is typically problematic.

I’ve additionally been in a position to get an excellent connection to my Oppo Discover X8 Professional when utilizing the O+ Join app to permit me to display share and management my telephone from the pill. This additionally permits me to seamlessly share information and knowledge between the 2 gadgets. It’s also a very easy strategy to share the cell hotspot from the telephone and permit me the choice of connection from wherever I’ve a telephone knowledge sign. You can begin this connection in certainly one of two methods. You’ll be able to both provoke it from the Sensible Keyboard cowl by holding the telephone over the NFC spot on the decrease right-hand nook of the keyboard. It will then begin the connection course of to your telephone. Upon first setup, you’ll need to tick some checkboxes and grant a number of permissions, however as soon as performed, it’s easy and fast to attach. The opposite approach is by accessing the connection menu and initiating the connection on both the pill or the telephone aspect, so long as the pairing has been performed no less than as soon as. Should you do it this fashion on the primary try, it nonetheless requires the identical setup because the NFC methodology. Sadly, throughout the writing of this evaluate, I bought the Oppo Discover X8 Professional, so I used to be unable to seize any photographs of this working.

Quantity when utilizing it with out headphones is evident and crisp so long as you don’t try to run it at full quantity as at above 80% quantity you’ll begin to discover a little bit of distortion however it’s not hing that’s too extreme and 80% is greater than loud sufficient for many environments the place you will be utilizing the audio system!

One different level of be aware is that in my use and even throughout essentially the most intensive of duties I’ve not seen any appreciable warmth construct up the system however it’s value taking into consideration that I’ve been primarily utilizing the OnePlus Pad 3 in its “Laptop computer” mode so there has not been a large quantity of handheld use.

When you find yourself in “laptop computer” mode, the Sensible keyboard and stand do actually come into their very own and do precisely what they are saying on the tin. I’ve discovered that the stand is strong and can deal with all the largest pokes on the display. The keys on the keyboard are very good to kind on, and the journey is deceptively good for a low-height membrane-style keyboard. It additionally gives a reassuringly good quantity of journey for a low-profile-style board. The trackpad is easy and tracks your finger motion properly, however being that the precise keyboard is lower than 1cm thick, it’s susceptible to false clicks when the keyboard is in your lap. I used to be fairly stunned at how “lapable” the OnePlus Pad 3 and OnePlus Pad 3 Sensible keyboard actually are.

Relating to efficiency, I can confidently say that that is, for sure, one of many best-performing Android tablets I’ve ever had the pleasure of utilizing. This spectacular efficiency could be attributed to a mix of things, notably the distinctive software program optimisation, which I’ll delve into shortly, and the top-tier {hardware} specs that this pill boasts.

The seamless consumer expertise is a testomony to how properly the software program enhances the {hardware}. The pill handles multitasking effortlessly, functions load swiftly, and navigation feels fluid and responsive, making it a pleasure to make use of whether or not for productiveness duties, media consumption, or gentle gaming.

If I had been to deduct any factors, it will be solely for the selection of show know-how—particularly, the usage of an LCD panel as an alternative of an AMOLED one. Nevertheless, upon reflection, I discover that this choice has its deserves. Whereas an AMOLED panel may provide barely deeper blacks and extra vibrant colors, the distinction in show high quality is comparatively marginal for on a regular basis use. Furthermore, incorporating an AMOLED show would have considerably pushed up the fee, probably making the pill much less aggressive in its worth phase.

The truth is, I recognize that OnePlus determined towards the dearer AMOLED choice. This strategic selection helps hold the pill’s worth level extra accessible, giving it a big edge over rivals. The LCD panel used right here is of wonderful high quality, providing brilliant, crisp visuals with good color accuracy and robust viewing angles, which greater than suffice for many customers’ wants.

I’m extremely impressed by this pill’s distinctive efficiency. Its highly effective {hardware}, seamlessly optimised software program, and beautiful high-quality show come collectively to ship an impressive consumer expertise.

Now that we have now coated the {hardware} and efficiency, I need to take a while to undergo the software program and the way this allows this to work as a “laptop computer”

Software program

The OnePlus Pad 3 runs on OxygenOS 15, an working system that considerably evolves OnePlus’s latest software program, with a main concentrate on multitasking. That is finest showcased by Open Canvas, OnePlus’s revolutionary method to managing a number of utility home windows based mostly on utilization. First seen on the OnePlus Open, this function has been additional developed in collaboration with Oppo on their Color OS platform. Having expertise with the Oppo Discover N5, I used to be already fairly aware of the superior nuances of Open Canvas on the OnePlus Pad 3. Basically, Open Canvas permits you to have as much as three full-sized apps working concurrently in your show. Once I say “full-sized,” I imply windowed variations of the apps. In apply, this implies a tiny sliver of the opposite two apps stays seen even whenever you’re actively utilizing one. This is only one of a number of methods to show a number of apps. It’s also possible to go for a single important app with two smaller ones, or have two apps displayed side-by-side, every taking on half the display.

This final choice proved extremely helpful throughout my evaluate, as I did all my writing on the OnePlus Pad 3. The power to have Google Docs open alongside a Google Sheets spreadsheet, and even one other Google Docs window or press launch notes, allowed me to shortly and simply reference info from one doc and write it into one other. Utilizing multitasking on this approach, particularly with the OnePlus Pad 3 Sensible Keyboard, creates a near-laptop-like expertise. With out Open Canvas, I might critically doubt how straightforward it will be to make use of this system as a laptop computer substitute.

Past Open Canvas, the most recent OxygenOS software program contains a number of different helpful options. The power to tug an app from the taskbar whereas one other full app is open, and have it instantly snap to whichever aspect you drag it to for multitasking, may be very helpful.

App drawer from the taskbar

There’s additionally a taskbar-style sidebar that may be pulled out from the aspect of the pill. It may be arrange on both aspect, however solely separately, and it gives fast entry to regularly used apps and a few of the OnePlus AI instruments, corresponding to AI Write or AI Translate, in the event that they’re related to your present process.

I tried utilizing the AI Write choice for modifying this evaluate, however I encountered a irritating limitation: the AI Write instrument can solely be used with as much as 3,000 characters. Whereas this is perhaps ample for utilizing the instrument as a immediate to generate content material, it was inconvenient for my objective of modifying and enhancing the move of present content material. It’s attainable I wasn’t utilizing the instrument as meant, however the title “AI Write” implies a multi-function instrument for writing and content material creation, just like the writing instruments I commonly use on my MacBook.

Along with the present AI instruments, there was a big enlargement centred round Google’s Gemini-based choices. These enhancements are designed to supply customers with extra intuitive and versatile search experiences. Notably, the introduction of Picture Search permits customers to effortlessly discover related visuals, enhancing each private {and professional} productiveness. This function, coupled with the brand new full-screen search performance, is accessible by the revolutionary Circle to Search instrument. Circle to Search enormously simplifies the method of figuring out and retrieving info immediately from the display by permitting customers to circle gadgets of curiosity, prompting an instantaneous search.

Beforehand, such performance was notably absent from the OnePlus Pad 2, leaving many customers eagerly anticipating its inclusion. The excellent news is that this function has now been efficiently carried out, markedly enhancing the system’s AI capabilities. This development not solely fills a important hole but additionally aligns the OnePlus Pad 2 with the most recent trade requirements in sensible system AI integration.

Moreover, accessing this complete AI toolset has been made remarkably easy. Each Circle to Search and Gemini are actually readily accessible by way of a fast key press on the sensible keyboard. By merely urgent the devoted AI key, customers can immediately convey up Gemini, facilitating seamless interplay with AI-powered options. This handy shortcut additionally allows the usage of Circle to Search, making it simpler than ever to leverage superior AI instruments in on a regular basis duties.

One other software program facet value mentioning is the gaming sidebar. OnePlus has been growing this over time, and it provides sure optimisations inside gameplay on the pill. Whereas considerably less complicated in operation than sport areas discovered on devoted gaming gadgets like Crimson Magic, which is comprehensible because the OnePlus Pad 3 isn’t primarily bought as a gaming system, it’s nonetheless helpful. Whenever you pull the sport process toolbar out from the nook of the display, it permits you to change the efficiency mode for the sport being performed and, I imagine, provoke a display recording session. My important use for this was shortly altering efficiency modes to extend efficiency and high quality whereas enjoying a sport.

Different software program options embody video enhancement and picture enhancement. Video enhancement brightens colors in movies, which I discovered labored inside apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, in addition to with native content material on the system. Picture enhancement brightens the colors and vibrancy of pictures, each on the system and on cloud-based providers like Google Pictures.

Relating to picture modifying throughout the OnePlus Gallery, you could have a wealth of instruments, together with Object Eraser, Sensible Cropping, and AI Element Enhance enhancement. These instruments are very straightforward to make use of and provide primarily the identical performance as these discovered within the Google Pictures suite. For that reason, I tended to do nearly all of my picture modifying inside Google Pictures, an surroundings I’m extra aware of from utilizing Pixel gadgets over time.

I actually recognize the path OnePlus is taking OxygenOS. The sturdy similarities between OxygenOS and Oppo’s ColorOS are very evident, and having used each system households lately, there’s little or no distinction between them. One other app that was very helpful throughout my time with the OnePlus Pad 3 was O+Join. This app originated from Oppo and has been carried out on OnePlus gadgets.

Information from OnePlus Pad 3 being considered on my MacBook Professional by way of O+Join

It permits for seamlessly linking a OnePlus or Oppo system to my pill and transferring content material between them. It additionally lets me join the pill to both a Home windows PC or a Mac and even remotely management both a Home windows system or my Mac. It is a very helpful function set, particularly if you’ll want to shortly pull information out of your desktop onto your pill.

Throughout my transient evaluate interval, across the time of the pill’s full sale launch (June nineteenth), the system obtained a big software program replace. That is pretty regular for newly launched gadgets, particularly after they’re despatched out to reviewers earlier than public launch. So, as a brand new proprietor, you’ll be able to count on the software program model you obtain to be the one I presently have put in.

Digicam
Cameras on tablets have all the time struck me as considerably peculiar, particularly as these gadgets proceed to extend in dimension, exemplified by the most recent OnePlus Pad 3. The concept of holding up such a big system to take pictures can appear awkward in comparison with the convenience and comfort of smartphone pictures. Nevertheless, producers proceed to reinforce pill digicam capabilities, blurring the traces between conventional pill utilization and cell pictures.

On the rear of the OnePlus Pad 3, there’s a neatly positioned digicam module tucked into the nook. This module homes a 13MP digicam, which provides respectable picture high quality for a pill. The digicam is able to as much as 10x zoom, permitting customers to seize distant topics with cheap readability. This function could possibly be notably helpful for eventualities corresponding to taking pictures of displays, paperwork, and even informal out of doors photographs the place getting bodily nearer isn’t possible.

Because the system utilises a single-lens setup, it does lack a few of the versatility present in multi-lens smartphone cameras. There aren’t any ultra-wide or macro modes, which suggests you’ll be able to’t seize expansive landscapes or detailed close-ups with the identical finesse. As an alternative, it adopts a simple point-and-shoot method, specializing in simplicity and ease of use for informal photographers.

Nonetheless, the digicam comes with an evening mode function, designed to reinforce low-light pictures. By retaining the shutter open barely longer, the digicam can collect extra gentle, leading to brighter and clearer photographs in dim situations. Whereas it could not rival the standard of devoted evening mode cameras on high-end smartphones, it nonetheless provides a helpful dimension for these spontaneous night photographs.

You’ll be able to, after all, nonetheless seize video with the digicam, and you’ve got the choices of 720p, 1080p, and 4K. The standard of the video can also be proven under. They’re each comparatively quick clips, certainly one of which is Full HD and the opposite of which is 4K. Each of the clips are shot at 30fps, which is the utmost obtainable.

Here’s a 1080P pattern

Here’s a 4K pattern (This may occasionally have been decreased by the WordPress wizards)

There’s no built-in portrait mode, so it’s fairly a primary digicam setup. Nevertheless, I’m glad about this as a result of, in my view, the use case for a pill is to seize paperwork and use it for video calls.

That is the place the entrance 8MP digicam comes into its personal because it permits you to make video calls in fairly good high quality. It additionally permits you to alter the bokeh and whether or not you might be utilizing the extensive angle choice for the digicam or not.

Some video from the Entrance digicam, first with 1X Zoom setup

Secondly, with the zoom set as 0.8x Zoom for these wider-angle video calls.

The digicam’s on the OnePlus Pad 3 is probably not revolutionary, nevertheless it gives sensible performance for on a regular basis use. Its options cater to comfort somewhat than skilled pictures, making it a helpful instrument for fast snaps, video calls, and doc scanning.

Conclusion

I’m very impressed with the OnePlus Pad 3, and it has been a pleasure to make use of it at some point of this evaluate. It’s a highly effective pill and ticks all of the containers {that a} typical pill buyer may need. I attempted to make use of the pill in a extra “Professional” type of use as a instrument for penning this evaluate, and for essentially the most half, it labored very properly. The one time I actually got here up towards any points it was not as a result of OnePlus Pad 3 however right down to the Android Software program. I’m certain if I had been to spend extra time experimenting with this setup, I might be capable to discover ample workarounds for the shortcomings of the Apps that I used to be utilizing on this evaluate’s creation.

If you’re on the lookout for a brand new pill and don’t fancy paying the Apple or Samsung tax for his or her merchandise, then this can be a superb choice, particularly whenever you mix it with the array of equipment which can be obtainable to buy (or get without cost if you’re fortunate sufficient). I’ve discovered that the efficiency is great for gaming, media playbac,ok and even getting work performed.

I, for one, will miss the OnePlus Pad 3 when it’s returned, because it has turn into a core piece of equipment for me in my “running a blog” arsenal.

If you wish to buy a OnePlus Pad 3 or any of the related equipment, then you should purchase it now from the OnePlus web site and probably have it gracing your lap/desk throughout the subsequent week.