Almost a month ago, I brought up the OnePlus Pad first impression article, where we discussed the new OnePlus tablet and what it brings to the table. However, now that I have used the tablet for over a month now, let me share honest details of it after almost all media or influencers have covered the same.
While a lot of people have criticized OnePlus to be copying iPad, I would say to some extent they tried to implement the same look and feel that iPads have made in the industry. While in India, Android tablets do exist and sell, in markets like the US, iPad is the go-to tablet so, maintaining the essence that iPads have built is hard to compete with any company.
So, it makes sense for OnePlus to compete and bring similar features at an affordable price point, and in India, the OnePlus Pad with accessories costs far less than an iPad 10th Gen with original Apple accessories. While the tablet starts at ₹37,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant whereas the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant will cost only ₹2k more i.e. ₹39,999.
This makes the OnePlus Pad cheaper than iPad 10th Gen in India and a tad bit expensive in the US at $479, still, I would say it’s a good value for the price. Also, you can bundle all accessories which I explained in detail in the first impressions article, for just Rs.13k more, which is far less than the cost of Apple Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.
So, price aside, we do understand, OnePlus wants to provide better value-for-money but is it worth going for in 2023 practically? Let’s find out:
OnePlus Pad Features & Specifications
- [Display ]: 3K+ Display (16.61-inch/29.49cm), 7:5 read-fit ratio; Display type: IPS LCD; Display resolution: WQHD+ (2800×2000 high resolution) Dolby Vision display, 296 PPI; Max Display brightness (500 nits); Screen refresh rate: 144Hz; Support 10-bit true color
- [Calling supported]: The OnePlus Pad can make calls and use smartphone cellular data via the Auto Connect feature
- [Storage]: 12GB RAM+ 256GB storage;
- [Processor & Operating system]: Android 13 OS, MediaTek Dimensity 9000, 4 nm advanced flagship chipset;
- [Camera]: Front 8MP and Back 13MP Camera with 4K recording with camera Flash
- [Special Features]: Palm Rejection, Quad Speakers with Dolby Atmos, Compatibility with external HDD, Central Portrait mode
- [Accessories]: OnePlus Stylus and Keyboard are compatible. (the OnePlus stylo and Keyboard are sold separately)
What We Appreciate:
Yes, we will talk about the factors why the OnePlus Pad makes sense for anyone and how what I loved during my extended period of usage:
Taller Display with 144Hz refresh rate
The OnePlus Pad has this unique 7:5 read-fit aspect ratio which for the first time felt awkward to me but practically it makes sense, even better than the 4:3 aspect ratio you see on iPads. This gives the tablet much more headroom to be used as a book to read or a secondary device to do basic stuff quite easily, also you can stretch media to fill up the screen, giving you more screen real estate.
This 11.61-inch display with 2800*2000 pixel resolution and a high 144Hz refresh rate does give you that soothing feel while working which I really loved and it’s even more satisfying than a 60Hz OLED display. At first, I was thinking why OnePlus chose an LCD display but later while the display quality is really good no doubt, the fluidity of work 144Hz brings is sensational!
OnePlus Pad can toggle between frame rates of 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz, the quality of content while streaming or even during daily usage is also quite good. It goes up to 500 nits, which is also great for taking outdoors. The tablet has a Widevine L1 license for FHD streaming and overall, the display is one of the advantages that this OnePlus Pad has to offer definitely.
Reliable Everyday Performance
The OnePlus Pad is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC, coupled with up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, which on paper might sound okay-ish, but actually, it’s quite flagship quality. I have actually done my daily work by opening multiple Chrome tabs on this tablet, and it breezed through, with no lag, no stutter, clean and simple, just as I enjoy doing work on my older iPad 7th Gen.
The 12GB RAM can hold multiple background apps without any hiccups and it performs even better than Safari on iPads in some cases. As you will see in the benchmarks in my OnePlus Pad first impression article, this Dimensity 9000 SoC performs on par with A14 Bionic’s scores but isn’t as powerful as M1 obviously.
Still, my point for most people, the performance that this Android tablet has to offer is exceptional, and even a heavy user like me enjoyed using it daily, but don’t expect to do heavy video editing or PhotoShop that you can do on iPads. Even in terms of connectivity, the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 works like a charm as I said previously, and I faced no issues in using it for over a month now.
Great Media Consumption
If you love to watch YouTube, and Netflix a lot you will love endless binge-watching on this OnePlus Pad, the colors look punchy, and the sharpness and contrast to some extent really feel good, if you have never seen OLED displays, for those people this display is really good.
I even enjoyed reading books on this OnePlus Pad because of this unique aspect ratio, and also you do not have eye strains. This new aspect ratio is better than Apple’s or equivalent to Samsung or Lenovo’s in a similar price range and so you will enjoy everyday YouTube or Binge-watching Netflix, Prime Video, and more, also has support for Spatial Audio for supported earphones and headphones.
Impressive Battery Life
The battery life of this OnePlus Pad is exceptional, thanks to the huge 9510mAh battery while still being very light to carry, with fast 67W SUPERVOOC charging support. What iPads don’t offer, OnePlus is offering real fast charging, letting you recharge this big boy in less than an hour, which I really like, and once charged the battery life is really impressive.
When ideal, the OnePlus Pad could last you for days and has lesser power drain than even my iPad, with Bluetooth and WiFi off, it lasts for a week and I was also shocked seeing this. The chipset is incredibly efficient, in terms of daily usage you will easily last through a day of work or play easily and in my usage, the tablet lasted me for 2 days comfortably.
A Great Overall Experience
In its true sense, I used the OnePlus Pad for everyday work like writing articles, editing them, or even mailing people and a lot more. I never had any issues in browsing, editing photos, or doing casual stuff, its one insanely powerful as iPads, but powerful enough that a low-end Core i5 or Ryzen 5 struggles to keep 10 tabs open in Chrome.
So, for the price, I would be evenly satisfied if I bought it because it has truly become a great secondary device that I can carry, use and rely on. The keypad folio along with the stylus helps me draw, write, and do anything I want without thinking twice, it’s comfortable to hold with the folio and the keyboard instantly clicks onto the tablet without any issues.
From typing with the keyboard to drawing with the pen, the complete satisfaction, this OnePlus Pad gives you is just next-level, I would highly recommend using the tablet with the accessories for the best experience. Also, the FHD camera works pretty well if you attend calls or meetings, whereas the loudspeakers do help if you are listening to music or anything.
What We Want to be Improved:
UI & Software
The hybrid OxygenOS with ColorOS isn’t that good when compared to stock AndroidOS and I would suggest OnePlus make the UI better in future. Though is cool stuff going on to make the tablet experience but it lacks that sense of pure Android OS which I loved on the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro reviewed recently.
I would love OnePlus to bring the core elements of the new Android 14 in future and use the desktop-like experience which Android offers when used with keyboards.
Dolby Vision Missing
Though OnePlus has said the display is capable of streaming content in Dolby Vision but still Netflix doesn’t detect the display optimized for Dolby Vision yet, so another thing OnePlus should work on.
Verdict
Now, should you buy this OnePlus Pad in 2023? Well, if you want a reliable tablet in the Rs.40k price segment, this OnePlus Pad is a really good option out there with almost every basic thing done right. It’s powerful, fluid in performance, great display with a high refresh rate, impressive battery life with fast charging and more, for most people it should be enough for daily usage.
However, if you are in love with iPads and have extra money to spend I understand the love towards iPadOS, which OnePlus needs to improve its UI moving forward. Still, for the price, the OnePlus Pad gives a good experience with tons of features which even the iPad doesn’t provide and that is commendable for the first try they did.
With the accessories, the OnePlus Pad surely gives you a complete experience and could be your next secondary tablet which is highly recommended in 2023. After one month of daily usage, as a user I am quite satisfied, however, those minor cons can be overlooked for the complete package you get for the price.
Buy from the OnePlus India store: https://fas.st/PatBRo or from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Nl8ZLF
