OnePlus Pad Review: Best Budget iPad Killer!

OnePlus Pad Review: A Budget Tablet With Premium Ambitions

The OnePlus Pad marks the company’s first serious step into the tablet market, and it does so with a clear goal: challenge established tablets by offering a high-refresh-rate display, strong performance, long battery life, and useful accessories at a competitive price. Rather than feeling like a scaled-up phone, the Pad is designed around content consumption, productivity, and entertainment, with hardware choices that punch above its tier.

Under the hood, it features a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, an 11.61-inch 144Hz display, and a 9510 mAh battery with 67W charging. Add quad speakers, Dolby Vision support, and optional stylus and keyboard accessories, and the OnePlus Pad becomes a compelling option for students, families, and light productivity users.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus Pad looks and feels premium. The centrally placed OnePlus logo on the back sits beside a single camera, while the curved body improves comfort during extended use. There is no notch or punch hole; the front camera is tucked into the bezel, preserving a clean display area. Physical controls include two volume rockers and a magnetic connector for charging the OnePlus Pencil stylus, with quad speakers, two on each side.

The tablet is available in a single Halo Green color, which gives it a calm, distinctive appearance. Build quality combines a 2.5D glass front with an aluminum body, creating a solid, premium feel. At 6.54mm thick and 552 grams, it is slim and substantial without being unwieldy. The lack of a headphone jack and fingerprint scanner are notable omissions, and there is no water protection, so care is needed around moisture.

Display Performance

The 11.61-inch IPS LCD panel offers a 2000 x 2800 resolution, about 296 ppi, and a rare 144Hz refresh rate for this price bracket. The result is smooth scrolling, responsive app navigation, and fluid gaming. Colors are accurate thanks to 10-bit support, while HDR10+ and Dolby Vision enhance movies and streaming content.

The 7:5 aspect ratio and 84.2 percent screen-to-body ratio make the display well suited to PDFs, documents, and video. Minimal bezels improve the viewing experience, and 500 nits of peak brightness aids outdoor visibility. While it is not an OLED panel, the display exceeds expectations for a budget tablet and delivers a satisfying visual experience.

Camera Capabilities

The OnePlus Pad uses a single 13MP rear camera with an f/2.2 aperture. Daylight photos are satisfactory, with pleasing colors and good dynamic range, though fine detail is limited compared with high-end tablets. Low-light performance is acceptable but shows noise when zoomed in. Video recording supports 4K at 30fps, with gyro EIS available during 1080p recording.

The 8MP front camera with f/2.3 aperture handles selfies and 1080p video. It is adequate for video calls and basic self-portraits but not exceptional. Overall, the camera system is functional for a tablet, where photography is usually secondary.

Performance and Gaming

Performance is a major strength. The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 is a 4nm octa-core chipset with a peak speed of 3.05GHz, delivering smooth multitasking and fast app switching. Paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, it rivals more expensive devices in responsiveness. Gaming performance is strong, with titles like PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9, and Genshin Impact running smoothly, though occasional frame drops can occur in demanding scenes. The Mali-G710 GPU and 144Hz refresh rate help maintain fluid gameplay.

Multimedia is excellent thanks to four Dolby Atmos speakers that deliver rich, immersive audio. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and support for SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC codecs, ensuring high-quality wireless audio.

Accessories and Productivity

OnePlus has embraced the accessory ecosystem. The White Stylo magnetic stylus attaches to the tablet and charges automatically, with 2ms latency and a 0 to 60 degree tilt range for precise note-taking and drawing. The Magnetic Qwerty keyboard attaches without Bluetooth pairing and includes a touchpad, transforming the tablet into a productivity machine. These accessories make the Pad more versatile for work and study.

Software and User Experience

OxygenOS 13.1 on Android 13 provides a tablet-friendly interface. The launcher resembles iPadOS, with neatly arranged app icons and a customizable sidebar. Notifications, keyboard cursor precision, and split-screen multitasking enhance usability. The app slicing feature allows two apps to run side by side, and flexible windows let one app float for multitasking. Face unlock and passcode options are available, though face unlock can be inconsistent. Auto Connect simplifies interaction with nearby devices.

OnePlus promises three years of Android updates and four years of security patches, giving the tablet a respectable software lifespan.

Battery Life and Charging

The 9510 mAh battery is a standout feature. OnePlus claims 30 days of standby and about 12.4 hours of video playback, while real-world use delivers two to three days of average usage. Heavy gaming and streaming reduce runtime, but the 67W SUPERVOOC charger refills the battery in about 60 minutes. The Battery Health Engine helps protect long-term battery life. The charger and USB-C cable are included in the box.

Key Specifications

• Display: 11.61-inch IPS LCD, 2000 x 2800, 144Hz
• Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 9000
• RAM/Storage: 8GB LPDDR5, 128GB UFS 3.1
• Rear camera: 13MP
• Front camera: 8MP
• Battery: 9510 mAh, 67W wired charging
• OS: Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1
• Colors: Halo Green

Verdict

The OnePlus Pad is an impressive first tablet. It offers a beautiful high-refresh display, strong performance, excellent speakers, long battery life, and useful accessories at a competitive price. The lack of expandable storage, average cameras, and no water protection are reasonable compromises. For buyers seeking a budget-friendly tablet that handles entertainment, study, and light productivity with ease, the OnePlus Pad is a strong contender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the OnePlus Pad support a stylus?

Yes. The optional White Stylo magnetic stylus charges when attached and offers low latency for notes and drawing.

Can I expand the storage?

No. There is no microSD slot, so users are limited to the 128GB internal storage.

Is there a headphone jack?

No. Audio is handled through Bluetooth or USB-C, with support for high-quality codecs including LDAC.

How long does the battery last?

Average use can deliver two to three days, while heavy tasks reduce runtime. The 67W charger refills the battery in about an hour.

Does it support cellular connectivity?

No. The OnePlus Pad is Wi-Fi only, with no LTE or SIM option.