Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus Pad immediately stands out with its distinctive Halo Green color option, a refreshing departure from the standard slate grays and silvers dominating the tablet market. Crafted from a single piece of aluminum, the unibody design feels exceptionally premium and rigid, devoid of any creaks or flex. Weighing 552 grams and measuring just 6.5mm in thickness, it strikes a remarkable balance between a substantial, robust feel and comfortable long-term holdability. The rounded edges and matte finish contribute to a secure grip, preventing accidental slips. The camera module is uniquely centered on the back, a design cue that OnePlus calls the “Star Orbit,” which not only looks distinctive but also helps in preventing wobble when placed on a flat surface. The strategic placement of buttons and USB-C port is intuitive, and the inclusion of magnetic strips on the spine seamlessly integrates with optional accessories like the Folio Case and Stylo.
Display: A Visual Powerhouse
At the heart of the OnePlus Pad is an 11.61-inch LCD display that challenges perceptions of what mid-range tablets can offer. With a resolution of 2800 x 2000 pixels, it delivers a sharp 296 pixels per inch, making text, images, and videos appear crisp and detailed. The 7:5 screen ratio is a game-changer, providing a more paper-like experience that is superior for reading documents, web browsing, and split-screen multitasking compared to the skinnier aspect ratios of many competitors. The true headline feature is the 144Hz refresh rate, which ensures buttery-smooth scrolling, responsive touch inputs, and a fluid gaming experience. While it’s an LCD panel and not OLED, OnePlus has implemented advanced technologies to achieve a high brightness of up to 500 nits, excellent color accuracy covering the DCI-P3 color gamut, and a custom chip for automatic color temperature adjustment. The display is also certified for Netflix HD and Amazon Prime Video HDR, making it a compelling device for media consumption.
Performance and Software: OxygenOS Optimized
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, the OnePlus Pad delivers flagship-level performance that handles everything from daily tasks to intensive gaming with ease. Paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, the tablet exhibits snappy app launches, effortless multitasking, and sustained performance under load. In real-world usage, switching between numerous Chrome tabs, editing a document in Google Docs, and streaming YouTube music simultaneously posed no challenge. The Dimensity 9000’s 4nm architecture ensures efficient power consumption, which translates to less thermal throttling during prolonged use. The software experience is defined by OxygenOS 13.1, built on Android 13. It’s a clean, bloatware-free interface that stays true to the stock Android ethos while adding thoughtful, productivity-enhancing features. The two-column layout in settings and notifications optimizes the larger screen, and features like Auto Connect streamline pairing with OnePlus phones for instant tethering. OnePlus promises three major Android updates and four years of security patches, a commitment that brings it in line with industry leaders and provides significant long-term value.
Battery Life and Charging Speeds
Equipped with a massive 9510mAh battery, the OnePlus Pad is built to last. In rigorous testing, it consistently delivered between 12 to 14 hours of screen-on time with a mixed usage profile that included several hours of video playback, web browsing, and light gaming. For a typical user, this translates to easily more than a full day of use, and for lighter users, it could stretch to two days. When it’s time to recharge, the included 67W SuperVOOC charger is a monumental advantage. It can take the tablet from 0 to 100% in just over 80 minutes, a feat that most other tablets, including the iPad, cannot match. A mere 15-minute charge can provide enough power for several hours of use, making it incredibly convenient for topping up before heading out. This combination of exceptional endurance and industry-leading charging speed addresses one of the most common pain points in the tablet segment.
Camera, Audio, and Call Quality
Tablet cameras are often an afterthought, but the OnePlus Pad offers a competent setup. The 13MP rear camera captures decent photos in well-lit conditions, with accurate colors and sufficient detail for scanning documents or capturing the occasional whiteboard in a meeting. The 8MP front-facing camera, positioned ideally on the landscape edge, is excellent for video calls on Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. It supports 1080p video and features software enhancements for background blur and auto-framing. The audio system is where the Pad truly shines. It features four speakers tuned by Dolby Atmos, offering a rich, immersive, and surprisingly powerful soundstage. The audio is clear, has a noticeable bass response, and the landscape-oriented design ensures a proper stereo experience regardless of how you hold the device. For calls, the quad-microphone array with noise cancellation ensures your voice is transmitted clearly, even in moderately noisy environments.
Accessories and Ecosystem Integration
A tablet’s utility is often defined by its accessories, and OnePlus offers two key companions: the OnePlus Stylo and the Magnetic Keyboard. The OnePlus Stylo is a responsive, low-latency stylus that magnetically attaches to the top of the tablet for pairing and charging. It feels natural for note-taking in supported apps and quick sketches, though its pressure sensitivity levels are not as advanced as those on the Apple Pencil or S Pen. The Magnetic Keyboard is a well-built accessory with large, tactile keys and a responsive trackpad. It transforms the Pad into a credible laptop replacement for writing emails and documents. The ecosystem integration with OnePlus phones is a standout feature. With OxygenOS, you can use your phone’s connection for the tablet (Auto Connect), instantly share files between devices (Clone Phone), and even answer calls directly on the Pad. This seamless connectivity is a significant value-add for existing OnePlus smartphone users.
Price and Value Proposition
The OnePlus Pad starts at a price point that firmly places it in the mid-range category, yet it boasts several flagship-level features. This creates a compelling value proposition. When compared directly to its most obvious competitor, the base model iPad, the OnePlus Pad offers a superior high-refresh-rate display, faster charging, and double the base RAM, all at a similar or sometimes lower cost. Against Android rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, it undercuts them on price while competing fiercely on performance and display quality. However, the value calculation must include the cost of accessories. The Stylo and Magnetic Keyboard are sold separately and can add a substantial amount to the total investment. For a user seeking a premium Android tablet experience without the premium Apple or Samsung price tag, the OnePlus Pad represents one of the best value-for-money options available in 2024.
The Competitive Landscape: OnePlus Pad vs. The Rest
Positioning the OnePlus Pad in the broader market reveals its unique strengths and slight weaknesses. Versus the standard iPad (10th gen), the Pad wins on display fluidity (144Hz vs 60Hz), aspect ratio for productivity, and included fast charger. However, the iPad’s ecosystem, with its vast library of tablet-optimized apps and superior stylus experience with the Apple Pencil, remains a formidable advantage. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, the OnePlus Pad has a more comfortable form factor and faster charging, but Samsung’s DeX mode offers a more desktop-like experience, and the S Pen is included in the box. For Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro users, the competition is tight, with both tablets offering high-performance chipsets and superb displays, but the OnePlus Pad’s unique 7:5 ratio and superior battery life give it an edge for productivity and media consumption.
Ideal User Profile
The OnePlus Pad is not a one-size-fits-all device, but it excels for specific user demographics. It is an ideal machine for the mobile professional or student who needs a device for note-taking, document editing, video conferencing, and media consumption, all without breaking the bank. The long battery life and rapid charging make it perfect for individuals constantly on the move. It is also a superb entertainment device for households, thanks to its excellent display and speakers. However, hardcore digital artists might find the Stylo lacking compared to more established alternatives, and users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem may face a frictionless experience by sticking with an iPad.
Unbiased Pros and Cons
To provide a perfectly honest assessment, here is a blunt breakdown of the OnePlus Pad’s advantages and drawbacks.
Pros:
- Super-Smooth 144Hz Display: The high refresh rate and unique 7:5 aspect ratio offer a superior experience for scrolling, reading, and multitasking.
- Exceptional Battery Life and Charging: All-day battery life combined with 67W fast charging is a best-in-class combination.
- Premium, Sturdy Build: The all-metal unibody design feels more expensive than its price suggests.
- Powerful Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip provides flagship-level speed for all tasks.
- Clean, Promising Software: OxygenOS is bloat-free and comes with a solid update promise.
- Excellent Speakers: The quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos provides an immersive audio experience.
Cons:
- No OLED Option: While the LCD is excellent, those seeking perfect blacks and infinite contrast will be disappointed.
- Accessories Are Sold Separately: The total cost of ownership increases significantly if you need the Stylo and Keyboard.
- Limited Stylus Pressure Sensitivity: The OnePlus Stylo is good for notes but falls short for professional-grade art.
- App Ecosystem Limitations: Like all Android tablets, it suffers from a lack of some tablet-optimized apps compared to iPadOS.
- No Cellular Model (in most regions): The lack of a 5G variant limits its always-connected utility for some users.