OnePlus Pad 3 Review: A Premium Android Tablet That Delivers
OnePlus Pad 3 Full Review
Introduction
The OnePlus Pad 3 is the latest flagship tablet from OnePlus, aiming to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and Apple iPad Pro. With a sleek design, powerful hardware, and OxygenOS optimizations, the Pad 3 promises to be a versatile device for productivity, entertainment, and gaming.
In this in-depth review, we’ll explore every aspect of the OnePlus Pad 3, including its design, display, performance, software, battery life, and more. By the end, you’ll know whether this tablet is worth your investment.
Design & Build Quality
The OnePlus Pad 3 continues the brand’s minimalist yet premium design language. It features an all-metal unibody construction with slim bezels, giving it a modern and sleek look. The tablet is available in two classic colors: Halo Green (a matte green finish) and Stellar Black (a glossy black variant).
Key Design Features:
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Thin & Lightweight: At just 5.8mm thick and weighing 552g, it’s comfortable for long reading or media sessions.
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Premium Materials: The aluminum chassis feels sturdy and resists fingerprints.
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Ergonomic Design: Rounded edges make it easy to hold, and the centered rear camera ensures a balanced grip.
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Accessories Support: Works with the OnePlus Stylo 2 (magnetic attachment) and OnePlus Folio Keyboard for productivity.
Compared to its predecessor, the Pad 3 has slightly slimmer bezels and a more refined camera module. It doesn’t have an IP rating for water resistance, which is a minor downside compared to the Galaxy Tab S9.
Display: A Visual Treat
The OnePlus Pad 3 boasts an 11.6-inch 3K (3000 x 2000) LCD with a 144Hz refresh rate, making it one of the smoothest Android tablets available.
Display Highlights:
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144Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate: Adjusts dynamically between 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 144Hz for power efficiency.
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500 nits Peak Brightness: Good for indoor use but slightly dim under direct sunlight.
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HDR10+ & Dolby Vision Support: Enhances streaming quality on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.
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TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certified: Reduces eye strain during extended use.
While it’s not an OLED panel (like the Galaxy Tab S9), the LCD is well-calibrated with accurate colors and deep blacks. The high refresh rate makes scrolling, gaming, and note-taking incredibly smooth.
Performance: Flagship-Level Power
Under the hood, the OnePlus Pad 3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset (same as flagship smartphones), paired with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 256GB UFS 4.0 storage.
Performance Benchmarks:
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Geekbench 6: Single-core: 2,200, Multi-core: 6,800
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3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 9,500 points (similar to high-end gaming phones)
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AnTuTu v10: 1.6 million+ (top-tier performance)
Real-World Usage:
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Multitasking: Handles multiple apps, split-screen, and floating windows effortlessly.
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Gaming: Runs Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile, and PUBG Mobile at max settings (90-120 FPS).
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Thermals: Stays cool under load thanks to a large vapor chamber cooling system.
This is easily one of the fastest Android tablets available, outperforming even the Galaxy Tab S9 (Exynos variant).
Software: OxygenOS 15 (Based on Android 15)
OnePlus has optimized OxygenOS 15 for the Pad 3, offering a clean, bloatware-free experience with useful tablet-specific features.
Key Software Features:
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Taskbar (Like iPadOS): Quick app switching and drag-and-drop multitasking.
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Split-Screen & Floating Windows: Run up to three apps simultaneously.
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OnePlus Stylo 2 Support: Low-latency stylus with tilt detection (4,096 pressure levels).
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Cross-Device Integration: Seamless file sharing with OnePlus phones (OxygenOS ecosystem).
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Google’s Tablet-Optimized Apps: YouTube, Chrome, and Google Docs work well in landscape mode.
The software experience is smooth, but some third-party apps still lack proper tablet optimization (a common Android tablet issue).
Battery Life & Charging
The OnePlus Pad 3 packs a 12140mAh battery , which is slightly larger than its predecessor.
Battery Performance:
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Video Playback (YouTube, 50% brightness): 14-15 hours
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Gaming (High Settings): 6-7 hours
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General Use (Browsing, Notes, Streaming): 10-12 hours
It supports 67W SuperVOOC fast charging, taking ~80 minutes for a full charge. Unfortunately, there’s no wireless charging, which is expected at this price.
Cameras: Decent for a Tablet
Tablets aren’t known for great cameras, but the Pad 3 holds its own:
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Rear Camera: 13MP (f/2.2) – Good for document scanning, decent in daylight.
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Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.0) – Works well for Zoom calls and selfies.
Don’t expect smartphone-level quality, but it’s serviceable for occasional use.
Audio & Connectivity
The Pad 3 features a Eight speakers setup Dolby Atmos tuning, delivering rich, immersive sound—great for movies and gaming.
Connectivity Options:
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Wi-Fi 7 & Bluetooth 5.3 (future-proof)
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USB-C 3.2 (supports video out for external monitors)
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No 5G/LTE option (Wi-Fi-only model)
The lack of a headphone jack might disappoint some, but Bluetooth audio works flawlessly.
Accessories: Stylo 2 & Folio Keyboard
OnePlus Stylo 2
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4,096 pressure levels
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Magnetic attachment & wireless charging
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Low latency (2ms) – Great for artists and note-takers.
OnePlus Folio Keyboard
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Backlit keys & trackpad
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Good key travel (1.2mm)
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Multi-touch gestures supported
These accessories make the Pad 3 a viable laptop replacement for light work.
Price & Availability
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12GB + 256GB: $599 (Competitively priced against the iPad Air & Galaxy Tab S9)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
✅ Smooth 144Hz display
✅ Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
✅ Excellent battery life & fast charging
✅ Premium build & sleek design
✅ Great for gaming & multitasking
Cons:
❌ No OLED display (LCD is good but not best-in-class)
❌ No cellular/Wi-Fi 7 is overkill for most users
❌ Limited tablet-optimized apps (Android issue)
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
The OnePlus Pad 3 is one of the best Android tablets in 2024, offering flagship performance, a high-refresh-rate display, and a premium design at a competitive price.
Buy It If:
✔ You want a powerful Android tablet for gaming & productivity.
✔ You prefer a clean, bloatware-free software experience.
✔ You’re already in the OnePlus ecosystem.
Skip It If:
✖ You need an OLED screen (consider Galaxy Tab S9).
✖ You want a tablet with cellular connectivity.
Rating: 4.5/5
The OnePlus Pad 3 is a fantastic tablet that bridges the gap between affordability and premium features. If you’re looking for an iPad alternative with high-end specs, this is a strong contender.
What do you think about the OnePlus Pad 3? Let us know in the comments! 🚀