The OnePlus Pad 3: A Comprehensive Review
The tablet market is crowded with options from various manufacturers, offering a wide range of features and price points. Amongst the competition, the OnePlus Pad 3 stands out as a compelling alternative to popular tablets like the iPad, Galaxy Tab, and Pixel Tablet. With a focus on premium design, impressive performance, and a reasonable price tag, the OnePlus Pad 3 aims to capture the attention of consumers looking for a mid-range Android tablet.
Design & Build:
The OnePlus Pad 3 boasts a premium metal and glass design that exudes elegance and durability. The combination of aluminium and glass gives the tablet a sturdy feel, making it ideal for travel. However, the lack of an official IP rating means caution is required around water and dust. The tablet is available in a single ‘Storm Blue’ finish, which, while elegant, may lack variety for some users. The optional keyboard cover adds extra functionality, but may need some improvements in terms of backlighting and button placement.
Screen & Speakers:
The Pad 3 features a large 13.2-inch LCD display with a high resolution of 3392 x 2400 and a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. The vibrant colors and deep blacks give the display a quality comparable to OLED screens. Additionally, the tablet is equipped with eight speakers that deliver impressive sound quality, making it ideal for multimedia consumption.
Specs & Performance:
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and available with 12 or 16GB of RAM, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers exceptional performance for multitasking and gaming. The tablet’s performance remains smooth even when running multiple apps simultaneously, thanks to OnePlus’ multitasking features. The choice of 256 or 512GB of storage provides ample space for files, although there is no option for expandable storage.
Cameras:
While not the main selling point of a tablet, the Pad 3’s cameras offer decent performance for video calls and occasional photography. The front-facing 8MP camera delivers satisfactory results for video calls, while the 13MP rear camera produces acceptable stills. Video recording capabilities reach up to 1080p at 30fps, with results that are adequate but not exceptional.
Battery Life & Charging:
The OnePlus Pad 3 impresses with its large 12,140mAh battery, providing exceptional battery life that can last for days with light usage. Fast 80W wired charging is supported, although a charger is not included in the box. The lack of wireless charging may be a downside for some users.
Software & Features:
Running OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, the Pad 3 offers a clean, customizable, and user-friendly software experience. OnePlus has introduced features like Open Canvas for multitasking and system-wide drag and drop functionality to optimize the tablet’s large screen. The tablet is supported with six years of security updates but limited to three years of major OS updates.
Price & Availability:
The OnePlus Pad 3 is competitively priced, starting at £529 for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The tablet is available from OnePlus directly and various third-party retailers. Additional accessories like the Smart Keyboard and Stylo 2 pen are available for enhanced functionality.
In conclusion, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers a premium design, impressive performance, and excellent battery life at a competitive price point. While it may have some drawbacks like limited OS updates and a lack of official water resistance, the overall package makes it a worthwhile option for those in the market for a mid-range Android tablet.
