OnePlus Pad Review: Tablet Is Definitely Worth Its Attention!
OnePlus has entered the tablet market with its highly anticipated device, the OnePlus Pad. Priced just under $500, this premium Android tablet aims to compete with the popular Apple iPad. Boasting an impressive spec sheet, a large display, and a stunning design, the OnePlus Pad seems well-equipped for the task.
One standout feature of the OnePlus Pad is its unique 7:5 aspect ratio, which falls between the 4:3 display of an iPad and the 3:2 screen of a Microsoft Surface Pro. This aspect ratio offers a different viewing experience and strikes a balance between productivity and multimedia consumption.
While it faces tough competition from established players like the Apple iPad, its unique aspect ratio and competitive price make it an attractive option for those seeking a premium Android tablet experience. Whether for work or play, the OnePlus Pad is a capable device that delivers on its promises and establishes OnePlus as a player in the tablet market.
OnePlus Pad: Video Review
Design
The OnePlus Pad showcases a premium design that combines glass and aluminum, a common choice for modern tablets. However, it manages to stand out from the crowd, thanks to its stunning Halo Green finish on the rear. This eye-catching color option shimmers beautifully in the light while remaining resistant to fingerprint smudges and dirt. It’s worth noting that the OnePlus Pad is only available in dark green, which may not appeal to everyone’s taste.
In terms of dimensions, the OnePlus Pad measures 258.03 x 189.41 x 6.54mm. While it weighs 552g, which is not particularly light for an 11.6-inch tablet, its aluminum back provides a grippy feel, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The device’s design is further accentuated by a circular rear camera module, reminiscent of OnePlus’ smartphones. Although it only features a single lens, the module protrudes slightly from the tablet’s back without hindering usability.
On the side of the device, you’ll find the usual power and volume controls, along with four speakers for immersive audio and a pogo connector for seamless integration with the optional keyboard accessory.
Charging and data transfer are facilitated through the USB-C port, aligning with OnePlus’ trend of excluding the 3.5mm audio jack in their devices. Although the absence of this port may not come as a surprise, given OnePlus’ previous decisions, it’s worth mentioning that space limitations cannot be used as an excuse in this case.
One noteworthy aspect is that the OnePlus Pad offers face unlock functionality for easy and secure authentication. However, it does not include a fingerprint sensor for alternative biometric authentication methods.
Despite its mid-range price tag, the OnePlus Pad exudes a flagship-like look and feel, ensuring a premium tablet experience. However, it’s important to note that the tablet does not support mobile data or expandable storage, resulting in the absence of a SIM tray.
Display
The OnePlus Pad boasts a remarkable display that stands out as its most impressive feature. Measuring 11.6 inches and offering a resolution of 2800×2000 pixels, this LCD display adopts an uncommon 7:5 aspect ratio, providing a unique viewing experience.
One of the standout aspects of the OnePlus Pad’s display is its high refresh rate. It supports a refresh rate of 144Hz, offering incredibly smooth system navigation and interactions. Additionally, it offers a touch sampling rate of either 120Hz or 144Hz, ensuring precise and responsive touch input. While the display’s motion blur may be slightly more noticeable compared to similarly fast OLED phone displays, the overall experience remains impressively smooth.
The display’s LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology allows for dynamic refresh rate adjustment, enabling the display to drop as low as 30Hz when necessary to conserve battery life. This feature provides users with the flexibility to enjoy a smooth experience while optimizing power consumption. If desired, users can also manually set a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz.
The OnePlus Pad’s display excels in delivering great detail and impressive brightness. With a peak brightness of 500 nits, it surpasses the Lenovo Duet 3i’s brightness levels. Moreover, it supports HDR formats such as Dolby Vision, enhancing the visual quality of TV shows and other content with richer colors and improved contrast.
With excellent detail, decent brightness, and support for HDR formats, the OnePlus Pad’s display provides an immersive and visually stunning viewing experience.
Performance
The OnePlus Pad is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It’s worth noting that there is no microSD slot available, meaning storage expansion is not possible.
The Dimensity 9000 is a capable and powerful chip, although it is slightly older. It is the same processor found in flagship phones from 2022. The OnePlus Pad handles common tasks with ease. Activities such as web browsing, email, social media usage, video streaming, and occasional photography pose no challenge for the tablet. There is no noticeable slowdown or hesitation, even when rapidly switching between apps or using side-by-side multitasking. While it may not match the sheer speed of the latest iPads, it comes quite close.
Impressively, the OnePlus Pad delivers excellent performance in gaming, which is often demanding on devices. Playing popular titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile offers an experience comparable to the best tablets available, although it’s worth noting that very few games support the full 144Hz refresh rate. The tablet remains only slightly warm to the touch, even during extended gaming sessions, and its thermal performance is commendable without the need for a fan.
However, storage capacity might be a concern for some users. With only 128GB of internal storage available and around 15GB taken up by system files that cannot be uninstalled, users are left with just over 100GB of usable storage. This should suffice for those who rely on cloud storage and primarily stream videos. However, if you plan to install numerous games or store a large amount of music or video files, you may run out of storage faster than expected.
The OnePlus Pad runs on Android 13 with OxygenOS 13.1, offering a customized software experience optimized for tablets. It introduces useful features like the split-view mode, enabling multitasking across compatible apps. The integration with OnePlus smartphones provides additional benefits for users, such as seamless data sharing and password synchronization.
It’s disappointing to note that the OnePlus Pad does not offer any cellular connectivity options. Instead, it relies on Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity. While Wi-Fi connectivity should suffice for most scenarios, the absence of a cellular option means you won’t have the convenience of mobile data connectivity on the go.
OnePlus Pad: Camera
The OnePlus Pad features a 13-megapixel rear camera capable of recording 4K videos at up to 30 frames per second. On the front, there’s an 8-megapixel sensor that supports 1080p recording at 30fps. While the cameras on the OnePlus may not match the capabilities of modern smartphones, they are adequate for occasional snapshots.
In the world of tablets, cameras are not typically a top priority as they are in smartphones. However, they still serve a purpose in various situations. One notable use is for video calling, where the front-facing camera on the OnePlus Pad, equipped with an 8-megapixel sensor, performs well. It can capture video in Full HD (1080p) resolution at 30fps, providing clear and well-exposed footage with satisfactory detail. The front camera proves useful for casual video calls and work meetings. Still images taken with the front camera are of a similar standard and comparable to budget smartphones, while the portrait mode may not be the most impressive.
Regarding the rear camera, the OnePlus Pad delivers decent results for both stills and videos. However, it’s important to note that the image and video quality may appear slightly grainy and washed out. Nevertheless, these cameras are suitable for capturing reference photos or occasional home videos. While they may not excel in terms of image quality, they serve their purpose adequately.
OnePlus Pad: Battery
The OnePlus Pad is equipped with a powerful 9510mAh battery that offers impressive battery life, ensuring you won’t have to worry about running out of charge frequently. With moderate usage, including a couple of hours of power-hungry gaming, the tablet can easily last a full day and still have battery power remaining by bedtime. If you primarily use the tablet in the evenings, it’s even possible to stretch the battery life to two or three days on a single charge. This longevity provides peace of mind, especially for those who use the tablet sporadically.
OnePlus also claims that the OnePlus Pad can offer a full month of standby time, which is particularly useful for those who use the tablet only occasionally. This feature provides reassurance that the tablet will be ready for use whenever needed, even after longer periods of inactivity.
In terms of battery performance benchmarks, the OnePlus Pad fares well. In the PCMark battery test, it achieves a time of 10 hours and 43 minutes, which is above average and showcases its ability to sustain power for extended periods.
Regarding charging capabilities, it’s worth noting that the charging situation may vary on the region. Customers in the US receive an 80W charger in the box, which charges the tablet at 67W. However, in the UK, customers receive only a USB-C to USB-A cable, and the 80W charger is available separately for an additional cost. Regardless, the 67W charging capability ensures that the OnePlus Pad can be fully charged in approximately 80 minutes. This fast charging speed is more than sufficient, considering the tablet’s reduced charging frequency compared to smartphones.
OnePlus Pad: Conclusion
The OnePlus Pad makes a strong debut in the tablet market. With its premium design, unique 7:5 aspect ratio, and eye-catching Halo Green finish, it stands out from the competition. The tablet’s dimensions and aluminum back provide a comfortable grip, making it easy to hold for extended periods.
The OnePlus Pad’s standout feature is its impressive 11.6-inch LCD display. With a resolution of 2800×2000 and a 144Hz refresh rate, the display offers smooth and detailed visuals. The LTPO technology allows for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life while still providing an excellent viewing experience.
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC and 8GB of RAM, the OnePlus delivers solid performance for everyday tasks, including web browsing, social media, and video streaming. It handles gaming exceptionally well, matching the performance of high-end tablets. However, the limited 128GB internal storage without expandable options may be a drawback for those requiring ample space for games and media files.
The tablet’s rear camera, while not on par with flagship smartphones, is sufficient for occasional snapshots and video recording. The front-facing camera performs well for video calls, providing clear and detailed footage.
Battery life is one of the OnePlus Pad’s strengths. With its 9510mAh battery, the tablet easily lasts a full day of usage and can extend to two or three days for those who primarily use it in the evenings. The inclusion of fast charging capabilities ensures quick replenishment of the battery when needed.
Overall, the OnePlus Pad presents a compelling option in the tablet market. It combines a premium design, impressive display, solid performance, and excellent battery life. While it may not match the camera capabilities of smartphones and lacks expandable storage, it offers a well-rounded experience for users seeking a premium Android tablet.
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