OnePlus Pad 3

The tablet market has long been dominated by a handful of players, but OnePlus has steadily been making a mark with its Pad series. The latest entrant, the OnePlus Pad 3, arrives with a promise to redefine productivity and entertainment, offering a compelling blend of power, design, and versatility. In an era where the distinction between tablets and laptops is becoming increasingly murky, the OnePlus Pad 3 takes bold steps to challenge traditional boundaries.

In this review, we explore how the OnePlus Pad 3 delivers on performance, design, user experience, and overall value—making it a strong contender in the premium tablet segment.

Design and Build Quality

Right out of the box, the OnePlus Pad 3 impresses with its sleek and premium design. The device sports a metal unibody chassis with smooth curves and a slim profile, lending it an elegant yet robust feel. Weighing just under a kilogram, the tablet is comfortable to hold for extended periods, whether you’re reading, browsing, or watching videos.

The front is dominated by a large, vibrant display with minimal bezels, giving it a modern, immersive look. The rear panel’s matte finish not only enhances grip but also resists fingerprints well. The placement of buttons and ports is thoughtful, with easy access to the power key, volume controls, and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.

Overall, the build quality reflects OnePlus’ commitment to premium craftsmanship, making the Pad 3 feel like a device designed for both style and substance.

Display: A Visual Delight

The standout feature of the OnePlus Pad 3 is undoubtedly its display. The tablet sports an expansive 12.4-inch AMOLED panel, boasting a high resolution that ensures crisp text and vibrant colors. With support for HDR10+ and a wide color gamut, the screen delivers deep blacks, rich hues, and excellent contrast, making it perfect for streaming movies, editing photos, or gaming.

The high refresh rate—up to 120Hz—adds smoothness to animations and scrolling, elevating everyday interactions. Whether you’re flipping through web pages or playing fast-paced games, the fluidity is noticeable and appreciated.

Moreover, the brightness levels are sufficient for indoor use and fairly competent under moderate outdoor lighting, though direct sunlight can still pose challenges, as with most tablets.

Touch responsiveness is excellent, supporting precise stylus input, which is an added advantage for creative professionals and note-takers alike.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the OnePlus Pad 3 packs a powerful chipset designed to handle demanding tasks with ease. Powered by the latest generation Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, coupled with up to 12GB of RAM, the device delivers a fluid multitasking experience.

During testing, switching between apps was seamless, and the Pad 3 handled graphic-intensive games and productivity apps without breaking a sweat. The thermal management system keeps the device cool during extended usage, preventing throttling and ensuring consistent performance.

Storage options are generous, starting from 128GB and scaling up to 512GB, catering to users who require ample space for media, documents, and apps. Unfortunately, the lack of expandable storage may be a downside for some, but the fast UFS storage helps with quick app loading and file transfers.

Software and User Experience

OnePlus has customized its OxygenOS interface for tablets, optimizing it for larger screens without losing the familiar Android feel. The UI is clean, intuitive, and free of bloatware, allowing users to focus on productivity and entertainment.

Multitasking features like split-screen mode, floating windows, and app pairs enhance productivity, making it easy to juggle tasks such as video calls, note-taking, and browsing simultaneously.

The device also supports keyboard and mouse inputs, allowing it to function more like a laptop when needed. This versatility is a big step toward blurring the lines between tablets and traditional computers.

OnePlus has included several handy gestures and shortcuts to improve navigation, and the stylus support adds another layer of functionality, especially for creative professionals and students.

Battery life is impressive, with the 9,000mAh battery comfortably lasting a full day of mixed usage, including streaming, gaming, and productivity tasks. Fast charging technology reduces downtime, getting you back to work or entertainment quickly.

Cameras and Audio

While cameras on tablets are often overlooked, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers competent options for video conferencing and casual photography. The rear camera, a 13MP shooter, captures decent images with good color accuracy in well-lit environments. The front-facing 8MP camera is reliable for video calls, with clear audio pickup thanks to multiple microphones.

Audio performance is a highlight, with quad stereo speakers tuned for immersive sound. Whether you’re watching movies or listening to music, the Pad 3 delivers clear, rich audio with satisfying bass. The support for Dolby Atmos further enhances the experience, making this device a great portable media player.

Connectivity and Extras

The OnePlus Pad 3 supports Wi-Fi 6, ensuring fast and stable internet connections for streaming and downloads. Some variants also offer 5G connectivity, allowing for high-speed internet access on the go, which is a boon for professionals and travelers.

Other connectivity features include Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, and NFC. The inclusion of a USB-C port supports fast charging and data transfer, while also enabling connection to external displays or peripherals.

OnePlus has thoughtfully included a magnetic connector for attaching compatible keyboards and accessories, enhancing its utility as a productivity device.

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros:

• Stunning 12.4-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support

• Powerful Snapdragon chipset with up to 12GB RAM for smooth multitasking

• Clean and optimized OxygenOS tailored for tablets

• Excellent battery life with fast charging support

• Quad stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos for immersive audio

• Support for stylus input and keyboard/mouse connectivity enhances productivity

• Sleek, premium design with solid build quality

Cons:

• No expandable storage option

• Camera performance is adequate but not exceptional

• Brightness could be better for outdoor use under direct sunlight

• Price may be steep for casual users not needing advanced features

How the OnePlus Pad 3 Blurs the Line Between Tablets and Computers

The most compelling aspect of the OnePlus Pad 3 is how it challenges traditional distinctions between tablets and laptops. Thanks to its powerful internals, large vivid display, and extensive productivity features, it offers users the flexibility to switch between entertainment and work seamlessly.

The tablet’s support for keyboard and mouse input, along with multitasking capabilities, means it can replace a laptop for many users, particularly those whose work revolves around document editing, browsing, video conferencing, and light creative tasks.

Meanwhile, its slim form factor, touch and stylus input, and excellent media playback features make it more versatile and portable than most laptops.

By effectively combining the best of both worlds, the OnePlus Pad 3 appeals to professionals, students, and creatives who want a single device that adapts to their varied needs without compromising on performance or experience.

Final Verdict

The OnePlus Pad 3 is a remarkable device that stands out in a crowded tablet market. It offers a compelling mix of power, design, and functionality that makes it an ideal choice for users seeking a versatile, high-performance tablet that can double as a productivity machine.

While it may not replace high-end laptops for heavy computing tasks, it closes the gap significantly and offers a lightweight, portable solution for everyday productivity and entertainment.

For anyone in the market for a premium tablet that challenges conventional boundaries and delivers on multiple fronts, the OnePlus Pad 3 is well worth considering.