OnePlus Pad Review: A Promising Entry, But Can It Be The New Favourite?

 OnePlus Pad Review: A Promising Entry, But Can It Be The New Favourite?

The OnePlus Pad, OnePlus' first tablet, has made its grand entrance into the tablet market, positioning itself as a formidable contender against popular options like the Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. Priced at ₹37,999, the OnePlus Pad offers an excellent combination of essential elements and features that meet the demands of discerning users. 

Design

The OnePlus Pad boasts an aesthetically pleasing design with its slim profile and impeccable construction. Its edge-to-edge glass display is subtly curved along the periphery, while the uniform bezel provides a resting place for the thumb during usage. The tablet is offered in an attractive Halo Green colour, exuding elegance. 

The power button and speakers are positioned on the left and right sides, respectively. The tablet features a metallic back, which, though prone to smudging, adds to its overall appeal. It is important to note that the tablet lacks certified ingress protection against dust and water and does not include a fingerprint scanner for security.

Accessories

There are two accessories available, the OnePlus Magnetic Keyboard and the OnePlus Stylo, but they are sold separately. The OnePlus Magnetic Keyboard is an all-in-one folio case, keyboard, and trackpad that attaches to the tablet magnetically using pogo pins. The folio case has a soft, leather-like texture on the outside for a good grip and a felt-lined interior to wipe smudges from the tablet's back. The keyboard features a chiclet-style design with reasonably-sized keys for typing, including shortcuts for commonly used functions. The viewing angle is fixed when you are using the case, and there is no backlighting of the keyboard.

The second accessory, the OnePlus Stylo, is a wireless stylus that connects to the tablet via Bluetooth. It charges magnetically and attaches to the top of the tablet. The stylus is easy to use and enables scrolling and creative drawing.

 

Display

The OnePlus Pad showcases an impressive 11.61-inch screen with a unique 7:5 aspect ratio. The IPS LCD panel offers exceptional quality, with vibrant colours and remarkable contrast. The tablet supports various HDR formats, enhancing the viewing experience for movies and games. The 144Hz refresh rate distinguishes it from its competitors and ensures smooth visuals. The display also supports stylus input, making it convenient for tasks like drafting and artistic expression. The brightness capacity of 500 nits ensures good visibility, even in bright outdoor settings.

Performance

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, coupled with 12GB LPDDR5 memory and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, the OnePlus Pad delivers impressive performance. It rivals the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 in terms of speed and efficiency, allowing for seamless multitasking and browsing. The tablet also demonstrates excellent heat dissipation and thermal performance, maintaining consistent performance even during intensive usage. While it performs admirably for most tasks, it may encounter occasional stuttering during demanding gaming sessions.

Camera

The OnePlus Pad features a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. The rear camera captures images with commendable quality, exhibiting accurate colours and good dynamic range. It surpasses expectations for tablet cameras and is suitable for casual photography. The front camera delivers visually pleasing images and videos, making it ideal for video calls. The camera software offers a range of modes and features for customization, ensuring a satisfactory photography experience.

Battery and Charging

Equipped with a large 9,510mAh battery, the OnePlus Pad offers exceptional battery life, easily lasting a full day even with extensive usage. The tablet supports 67W fast charging, facilitated by the included 100W charger. The rapid charging capability allows the tablet to be replenished quickly, taking approximately 80 minutes for a full charge. It should be noted that high-speed charging is exclusive to compatible OnePlus and Oppo devices using proprietary technology and cables.

 

Operating System and Features

The OnePlus Pad runs on OxygenOS 13.1, a customized version of Android 13 designed specifically for tablets. It includes several convenient features to enhance multitasking, such as split-screen functionality and flexible windows. The tablet lacks cellular connectivity but offers Cellular Data Sharing, enabling the sharing of cellular data from a OnePlus phone. Multi-Screen Connect facilitates screen mirroring, content synchronization, and app relay, requiring both the tablet and OnePlus phones to have OxygenOS 13.1 for full compatibility.

Verdict

The OnePlus Pad impresses as a debut tablet, offering a range of features and capabilities. Its large display, enduring battery life, and fast charging support make it a compelling choice. While the tablet lacks a fingerprint scanner and cellular connectivity, its overall performance and design make it a worthy competitor in the tablet market.