When OnePlus jumped into the tablet game with the original Pad, it was clear they weren’t messing around. Now with the OnePlus Pad 3, the company doubles down on sleek hardware, impressive performance, and a surprisingly polished tablet experience.
After spending a week with it, here’s why I think the Pad 3 might be the first Android tablet in a long time that doesn’t just feel like an iPad alternative—but its own thing entirely.
A Design That’s Both Familiar and Unique
Right out of the box, the OnePlus Pad 3 keeps that iconic central camera bump and sleek metal body. But this time, it’s even more refined. The device feels thin, light, and just premium. It’s the kind of tablet you want to show off on a coffee table—and yet it feels tough enough to toss in a bag without a second thought.
The bezels are slim but just thick enough that you’re not accidentally triggering the screen with your thumbs every five seconds. It’s a small thing, but it matters when you’re reading, watching, or sketching.
That Gorgeous Display
The screen is one of the biggest highlights. You get a 12.1-inch 3K (3000×2120) IPS LCD, now with an adaptive 144Hz refresh rate. It’s buttery smooth whether you’re flipping through e-books or multitasking with split-screen apps.
Brightness? Solid. Colors? Vivid without being over-saturated. Watching videos on this thing is a joy, especially paired with the Dolby Atmos-tuned quad speakers that somehow manage to sound rich and full despite how thin the tablet is.
Power Under the Hood
OnePlus didn’t skimp on performance. The Pad 3 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This is flagship-tier stuff, and it shows.
Apps launch instantly, multitasking is smooth, and even heavier tasks—like video editing or gaming—run surprisingly well. Whether you’re editing photos on Lightroom or trying to hit headshots in Call of Duty: Mobile, the Pad 3 keeps up.
And yep, it stays cool and quiet through it all.
Android on a Tablet… Finally Making Sense?
Android tablets have historically been a bit awkward. But OxygenOS on the Pad 3 feels surprisingly… good. OnePlus has put real effort into optimizing the UI for larger screens. Things like split-screen multitasking, floating windows, and app continuity all work smoothly.
They’ve also added smart stylus and keyboard support—if you spring for the OnePlus Magnetic Keyboard and Stylo 2, it’s almost like a mini-laptop. Perfect for writing, note-taking, or even sketching on the go.
Battery Life? No Stress
OnePlus packed in a 9,510 mAh battery, and it lasts. I’ve been consistently getting around 10-12 hours of mixed use, and if you do need to top up, there’s 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging. I went from 10% to 80% in under 40 minutes. No battery anxiety here.
Should You Buy the OnePlus Pad 3?
If you’re already in the OnePlus ecosystem, it’s a no-brainer. But even if you’re not, the Pad 3 stands on its own. It’s fast, it’s sleek, and it finally feels like someone actually designed an Android tablet for real use—not just media consumption.
Ideal for:
- Students or professionals who want a light productivity machine
- Creatives who sketch, edit, or design
- Anyone who’s tired of overpriced tablets with locked ecosystems
Final Verdict
The OnePlus Pad 3 isn’t trying to be an iPad killer—it’s carving its own lane. And honestly? That’s what makes it so good. Great screen, top-tier performance, smart accessories, and a UI that finally feels made for tablets. OnePlus may have just figured out what other Android OEMs couldn’t.
