Professional’s Score
Execs
- Gorgeous 144Hz show
- Excellent audio system
- Spectacular efficiency
- Stable battery life
Cons
- Hit-and-miss software program
- Just one storage choice
- No mobile choice
- 80W charger bought individually in UK
Our Verdict
The OnePlus Pad is without doubt one of the finest tablets you should buy – supplied you solely need one thing for leisure. For really getting work accomplished, an iPad or Home windows slate stays a better option.
Value When Reviewed
$479
Greatest Costs At this time: OnePlus Pad
$479
The Android pill renaissance is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down. Not too way back, this was nearly completely Samsung’s area, however we now have respectable slates from the likes of Xiaomi, Oppo, Nokia and Lenovo to select from.
OnePlus is the newest firm to hitch the get together with the appropriately named OnePlus Pad. This $479/£439 pill doesn’t reinvent the wheel, however does present a compelling expertise for the cash.
Does that imply you can purchase one, although? I feel sure, however provided that you utilize your pill in a selected form of manner.
Design & construct
- Premium glass and aluminium design
- Solely accessible in darkish inexperienced
- Face unlock, however no fingerprint sensor
The OnePlus Pad has the same old mix of glass and aluminium we’ve come to count on from trendy tablets, but it nonetheless manages to face out.
That’s primarily as a result of eye-catching Halo Inexperienced end on the rear. It shimmers attractively within the mild, but manages to keep away from selecting up many fingerprint smudges or different dust.
However in a world the place so many tablets are black or gray, it’s a courageous transfer for OnePlus to not supply an alternate color choice. I personally actually just like the darkish inexperienced aesthetic, however you won’t. Not like with smartphones, many individuals shall be utilizing the OnePlus Pad case-free.
At 552g, it’s not particularly mild for an 11.6in pill. However I had no points holding it for lengthy durations of time, with the aluminium again making it extra grippy than glass could be.
The opposite defining characteristic on the rear is a round rear digicam module. It’s a nod to OnePlus’ smartphones, even when there’s just one lens right here. It solely protrudes barely from the again of the pill and has no impact on usability – the Pad continues to be comparatively snug to carry.
Whereas it received’t be to everybody’s tastes, I don’t have any complaints concerning the design. Regardless of its mid-range value, the OnePlus Pad appears and looks like a flagship pill.
It doesn’t assist cell information or expandable storage, so there’s no SIM tray. Alongside the same old energy and quantity controls on the aspect, you’ll discover 4 audio system and a pogo connector for docking into the elective keyboard.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Charging and information switch are by way of USB-C, though there’s no 3.5mm audio jack. That’s not surprising, contemplating nearly all OnePlus telephones have ditched the port, however lack of area can’t be used as an excuse right here.
Disappointingly, OnePlus has additionally determined to not embody a fingerprint sensor on the Pad. Face unlock isn’t as safe, nevertheless it’s straightforward to arrange, dependable and really quick. The selfie digicam that it depends on is in a pure place – above the display screen when utilized in panorama mode.
Display screen & audio system
- 11.6in LCD show
- 144Hz refresh charge
- Glorious quad stereo audio system
The show on the OnePlus Pad is undoubtedly its finest characteristic. It’s an 11.6in, 2800×2000 LCD show, with that decision giving it an uncommon 7:5 facet ratio. OnePlus says that is impressed by bodily books, and it definitely feels very pure to carry and use.
Glorious element makes it a very good choice for informal studying, however the Pad is able to a lot extra. Excellent, vivid colors assist content material come alive, whether or not it’s common pictures on social media or a feature-length movie. The OnePlus Pad is a complete knockout in relation to content material consumption – all the pieces simply appears so good.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Earlier than testing the OnePlus Pad, I used to be involved that the dearth of an OLED show would negatively have an effect on the viewing expertise. However I needn’t have apprehensive – the LCD panel is simply as spectacular in almost each state of affairs. The one actual exception is darker scenes, the place colors can seem extra gray than deep black.
However that’s a small compromise that most individuals shall be keen to make at this value, particularly if you get the best refresh charge of any pill. The Pad’s show can hit an unimaginable 144Hz, making all the pieces really feel extraordinarily slick and fluid. Whereas the impact isn’t fairly as spectacular as smartphones, you do discover an actual distinction in comparison with 60Hz, which is what Apple’s $599/£669 iPad Air is caught at.
What’s extra, LTPO tech means the refresh charge can dynamically drop all the best way right down to 30Hz, serving to to preserve battery life. It feels such as you’re getting the very best of each worlds, though you may set a most of 60Hz should you’d want.
Alongside a contact sampling charge of 144Hz (what number of occasions the show can register contact enter per second), the OnePlus Pad is without doubt one of the most responsive tablets you should buy.
The display screen is extremely reflective, so the 485 nits of brightness nonetheless isn’t sufficient for snug out of doors visibility. However should you’re within the automotive or on public transport, it’ll be simply nice.
Watching stuff on tablets typically depends closely on sound. The excellent news is that the OnePlus Pad has a few of the finest audio system within the sport. There are 4 in whole – two both aspect – and so they ship some impressively punchy audio.
It’s notably obvious whereas enjoying music, the place the Pad delivers a wealthy, full-bodied sound with a pleasant hit of bass. Crystal-clear vocals imply podcasts sound simply pretty much as good, too. Whereas the amount doesn’t get loud sufficient for room-filling audio, you do handle to keep away from any audible distortion to the sound.
The audio system are even delicate to path, that means the pill can modify which audio system output which sound relying on the way you’re holding it. In portrait orientation, the 2 audio system on the suitable aspect shall be totally different to panorama mode, for instance.
Equipment
- All equipment bought individually
- Unconvincing Magnetic Keyboard
- Spectacular Stylo digital pen
Shopping for the OnePlus Pad will solely get you the pill itself, however there are many further equipment price contemplating.
An everyday $39/£59 Folio Case is one choice, though I examined the premium $149/£149 model with a keyboard inbuilt. Pairing is automated when you connect the pill – no Bluetooth required.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
With a smaller show than nearly all laptops, the keyboard expertise is inevitably compromised. All of the common keys are nonetheless right here, however issues really feel very cramped. It took me some time to get used to, and typing speeds remained slower than typical all through testing.
Mixed with low key journey and no backlighting, the keyboard is underwhelming. The tiny trackpad under it’s equally irritating – you’ll nearly definitely have to attach a mouse for any severe shopping.
Regardless of counting on Bluetooth, the $99/£99 OnePlus Stylo digital pen is far more profitable. It magnetically attaches to the highest of the pill for pairing and charging, whereas the expertise utilizing it’s impressively near pen on paper.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
A 2ms response time means there’s no noticeable delay earlier than handwritten notes or sketches seem on the display screen. Good palm rejection tech avoids any unintentional marks, nevertheless it isn’t stress delicate – you’ll must manually choose totally different shades to simulate it.
The entire arrange with keyboard and pen could be very harking back to both iPad Professional or Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 Extremely, however the OnePlus Pad prices quite a bit much less.
Specs & efficiency
- MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip
- Spectacular efficiency, even whereas gaming
- 128GB of storage, no mobile choice
The OnePlus Pad is powered by Dimensity 9000 chipset. It isn’t MediaTek’s newest and best – that award goes to the Dimensity 9200 – however on the time of writing, the Dimensity 9000 continues to be one of the succesful chips on any cell system. To see it on a mid-range pill is mightily spectacular, and means efficiency on the OnePlus Pad is excellent – I couldn’t ask for a lot better.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Regardless of 8GB of RAM being your solely choice, the pill handles the entire most typical duties with ease. For me, this included loads of internet shopping, electronic mail, social media and watching movies, plus some occasional images.
There was no noticeable slowdown or hesitation in anyway, even when rapidly switching between them or utilizing side-by aspect. It doesn’t really feel fairly as zippy as one of many newest iPads, nevertheless it’s not far off.
Impressively, this nice efficiency extends to gaming, one of the demanding use instances for the OnePlus Pad. The expertise enjoying the likes of Name of Responsibility: Cellular and PUBG Cellular was indistinguishable from the very best tablets on the market – though only a few titles can output on the full 144Hz refresh charge.
Whereas there was some noticeable dropped body on Asphalt 9: Legends, it was nonetheless very playable. The Pad additionally remained solely barely heat to the contact, even after round half an hour of gaming. Even with out a fan, I’ve no issues about thermals right here.
The OnePlus Pad is without doubt one of the most succesful Android tablets you should buy, the benchmarks are a blended bag when in comparison with the competitors:
Inside storage could be a difficulty for some folks. There’s 128GB on the one mannequin accessible, with no choice to broaden by way of microSD. With round 15GB taken up with system information you may’t uninstall, it leaves simply over 100GB, which is ok should you depend on cloud storage and primarily stream movies, however if you wish to set up many video games and save music or video information, you would possibly run out sooner.
The dearth of any mobile choice can be disappointing. You’ll must make do with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity as a substitute.
Cameras
- First rate 8Mp selfie digicam
- Helps 1080p video
- Underwhelming 13Mp rear digicam
Cameras aren’t a precedence on tablets in the identical manner as smartphones, however they’re nonetheless helpful in lots of conditions.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The obvious is utilizing the front-facing digicam for video calling, which depends on an 8Mp sensor on the OnePlus Pad. It could seize in as much as Full HD (1080p) at 30fps, and I used to be pleasantly stunned with the outcomes.
Normally, you may count on clear, well-exposed footage with loads of element. The selfie lens is nothing particular, nevertheless it will get the job accomplished for informal video calls or work conferences. Stills are of an analogous normal, and corresponding to finances telephones in lots of instances. There’s a portrait mode right here, nevertheless it’s not the very best.
I don’t advocate utilizing a pill as your fundamental images system, however the 13Mp rear sensor continues to be price having. Stills and movies (as much as 4K at 30fps) are likely to look barely grainy and washed out, however they’re completely nice for reference pictures or the occasional house video.
In order for you a rear digicam for something greater than the fundamentals, simply get a very good smartphone as a substitute. Everybody round you’ll thanks.
Battery life & charging
- 9510mAh battery
- Snug all-day battery life
- 80W charger not included in UK
OnePlus has geared up the Pad with a 9510mAh battery, which equates to round 37Wh should you’re extra acquainted with laptop computer batteries. That’s an honest capability for a pill of this dimension, though the excessive decision 144Hz show inevitably places it beneath pressure.
Even so, you received’t have to fret about battery life fairly often. The OnePlus Pad can final a full day of utilization – together with a few hours of power-hungry gaming – and nonetheless have cost to spare by bedtime. In the event you solely use a pill within the night, two and even three days on a single cost is feasible.
That is mirrored within the PCMark app’s battery check, which goals to simulate real-world utilization at 200 nits of brightness. A time of 10 hours and 43 minutes is above common, even should you’re taking a look at about half of that for precise display screen time.
Whereas I wasn’t capable of check it on account of my shorter overview interval, OnePlus additionally claims you will get a full month of standby time. In the event you solely use a pill sometimes, it’s good to have this peace of thoughts.
However if you ultimately run out, the charging state of affairs varies relying on the place you’re based mostly. Whereas US prospects get the 80W charger (which expenses at 67W due to US mains energy restrictions) within the field, it’s £39 further within the UK the place prospects solely get a USB-C to USB-A cable in any other case.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
When you’ve got a quick charger mendacity round at house – nice. However I solely had a 33W model, which charged the OnePlus Pad painfully slowly. It reached simply 18% in half-hour, which was very underwhelming.
With no wi-fi charging both, I used to be anticipating higher from OnePlus.
Software program
- OxygenOS, Android 13
- Pill-specific options work nicely
- Lack of succesful, optimised apps
The OnePlus Pad runs OnePlus’ OxygenOS 13.1 pores and skin over Android 13. In the event you’ve used a OnePlus (or Oppo) cellphone, the software program expertise shall be acquainted, however there are some helpful further options right here.
They embody a two-finger swipe down from the center of the display screen (in panorama mode) to entry split-screen multitasking, which is pleasingly intuitive as soon as you work it out. The OnePlus Pad can show as much as three apps on the display screen at anybody time, plus one other in a separate floating window.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
OnePlus additionally has what it calls a ‘Good Sidebar’, which supplies fast entry to those choices and different generally used apps. However I discovered it extra annoying than helpful, as a swipe from the suitable aspect can simply set off it by chance.
Elsewhere, the OxygenOS expertise is like what we’ve seen earlier than. Except for a redesigned fast settings menu and new inventory apps, it’s a lot the identical as so-called ‘inventory’ Android. There are a handful of apps which may very well be thought of bloatware, however most of those may be uninstalled.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
OnePlus’ software program expertise makes it straightforward to load up a sport or begin watching a video, however you’ll run into issues when attempting to get work accomplished. Most desktop-level productiveness apps merely aren’t accessible, whereas these which might be – equivalent to Microsoft Phrase and Adobe Lightroom – are lacking some key options.
Then there’s the truth that most third-party pill apps are merely bigger variations of the cellphone app, with no optimisations for the bigger show. The dearth of highly effective, optimised apps impacts all Android tablets, nevertheless it’s nonetheless the primary motive to not purchase the OnePlus Pad.
OnePlus has dedicated to 4 main Android model updates and 5 years of safety updates for its flagship telephones, however there’s no particular dedication for the OnePlus Pad.
Value & availability
Given the specs on supply, the OnePlus Pad is competitively priced. The one configuration accessible will get you 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for $499/£449. It’s accessible to pre-order now.
Equipment are elective extras, with the Folio Case ($39/£59), Magnetic Keyboard ($149/£149) and Stylo pen ($99/£99) all price contemplating.
First rate Android tablets at this value level are only a few and much between, with the Xiaomi Pad 5 essentially the most credible various. In the event you’re not set on Android, different tablets together with 2022 iPad (from $449/£499) and Floor Go 3 (from $399/£369) are additionally price contemplating.
However for all the pieces you’re getting right here, the OnePlus Pad is superb worth for cash.
Verdict
OnePlus is late to the pill sport, however its first try has been well worth the wait.
The OnePlus Pad excels on the fundamentals of an incredible slate, with a surprising show, glorious efficiency and nice battery life. You even get top quality audio system, all inside a slick, premium design.
However with just one storage choice and no mobile or fingerprint assist, it’s price contemplating different choices if this stuff are necessary to you.
Finally, the restrictions of Android on tablets means this an incredible pill for leisure, however not severe work.
Specs
- MediaTek Dimensity 9000
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB non-expandable storage
- 11.6in 2800×2000 LCD show
- 144Hz dynamic refresh charge
- 9510mAh battery
- 67W quick charging (charger not included in UK)
- Entrance-facing 8Mp digicam
- Rear 13Mp digicam
- Quad stereo audio system
- 258 x 189.4 x 6.5mm
- 552g (pill solely)