Android smartphones have consistently challenged, and often surpassed, the iPhone. However, the tablet landscape tells a different story. For 15 years, since the inaugural Galaxy Tab, Android manufacturers have aspired to dethrone the iPad in the category Apple essentially created. Despite these efforts, the iPad, particularly with the iPad Pro M4 introducing a stunning tandem OLED display, generally remains the top tablet choice for most consumers. While the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra was a strong contender with its own impressive screen technology, it came with compromises in processor choice, overall size, and battery life relative to expectations. The new OnePlus Pad 3 aims to address these shortcomings, and after extensive use, it stands out as one of the most compelling Android tablets available.
A True Flagship Without the Premium Price or Bulk
Front view of the sleek OnePlus Pad 3 showcasing its large display and slim bezels, positioned as a top Android tablet.
Before the OnePlus Pad 3, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra was arguably the peak Android tablet, but its sheer size was a significant drawback for many. While the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus offered a more manageable alternative, the OnePlus Pad 3 emerges as the superior choice, especially considering its flagship credentials. OnePlus, known for its “flagship killer” ethos, delivers precisely that with the Pad 3. Starting at $699, it packs genuine flagship specifications, comparable to high-end smartphones, and an enhanced Open Canvas system for unparalleled multitasking on an Android device. Its 13.2-inch screen is perfectly sized, featuring an iPad Pro M4-esque design. The display boasts a 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision support, and a peak brightness of 900 nits. While it’s an LCD panel rather than OLED, these specifications are undeniably flagship-tier.
Incredible Performance Fueled by Snapdragon 8 Elite
The OnePlus Pad 3 tablet displaying its vibrant screen, highlighting the powerful performance driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
At the heart of the OnePlus Pad 3’s appeal is its processor: the formidable Snapdragon 8 Elite. This is the same flagship chipset powering top-tier smartphones like the OnePlus 13, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Razr Ultra 2025. Impressively, it’s the full 8-core version, not the scaled-down 7-core variant found in slimmer devices like the Oppo Find N5. This powerhouse is complemented by options of 12GB RAM with 256GB storage, or a hefty 16GB RAM with 512GB storage. Such specs are usually reserved for premium phones costing significantly more, not a tablet at this price point. This makes the OnePlus Pad 3 the first Android tablet to genuinely compete with the iPad Pro’s M4 chip in raw performance, power efficiency, and AI capabilities. Despite its immense power, the Snapdragon 8 Elite also contributes to remarkable battery longevity.
A Battery That Lasts for Days and Recharges in Minutes
OnePlus Pad 3 connected to its 80W fast charger, illustrating its rapid charging capability for extended battery life.
OnePlus products consistently deliver on three fronts: swift performance, excellent battery life, and ultra-fast charging. The OnePlus Pad 3 proudly continues this tradition, offering an experience akin to the best OnePlus smartphones. Its 12,140 mAh battery is among the largest in any tablet, surpassing both the iPad Pro and the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, even though the latter has a larger screen. In practical use, the battery comfortably provides nearly nine hours of screen-on time on a single charge. While this is slightly less than the preceding Pad 2, the substantial performance boost makes it a worthwhile trade-off. A standout feature is its rapid charging. In the US, an 80W charger is conveniently included, capable of fully recharging the OnePlus Pad 3 in just 90 minutes. For context, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra supports 45W charging, taking over two hours, while the iPad Pro M4 with 30W charging needs about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Outstanding Multitasking That Apple Could Learn From
Demonstration of Open Canvas multitasking on the OnePlus Pad 3, with two apps running side-by-side in split-screen mode.
Android tablets have historically held a key advantage over iPads: superior multitasking capabilities. For over a decade, pioneered by Samsung devices, the best Android tablets have offered innovative ways to manage multiple windows simultaneously on their large displays. Apple’s response, including features like SlideOver and pop-out views, still falls short of the advanced multitasking found on leading Android tablets. The OnePlus Pad 3 showcases an evolved version of Open Canvas, a multitasking feature that allows users to run several applications concurrently, unconstrained by the physical screen size. This feature, which first debuted on the OnePlus Open (making it a top folding phone), is now integrated into the OnePlus Pad 3, as well as phones like the OnePlus 13 and Oppo Find N5, providing a fluid and productive user experience. [internal_links]
The OnePlus Pad 3 Offers Exceptional Value for Money
The OnePlus Pad 3 shown with its attachable keyboard case, emphasizing its versatility and value as a productivity tablet.
It’s challenging to find significant faults with the OnePlus Pad 3, especially concerning aspects within OnePlus’s control. The hardware is excellent, complemented by support for an optional stylus and a keyboard case, ticking all essential boxes for a modern tablet. The only notable drawback, common to Android tablets and folding phones, is that some Android applications are not fully optimized for larger screens. Despite this, the OnePlus Pad 3 delivers exceptional value, starting at $699. While accessories like the Pen ($100), folio case ($50), or keyboard case ($200) increase the overall cost, it remains more affordable than its direct competitors. Furthermore, pre-order deals often include some of these accessories free of charge. At this price, the OnePlus Pad 3 is an incredibly compelling package.
In conclusion, the OnePlus Pad 3 makes a powerful statement in the Android tablet market. It combines flagship-level performance, a vibrant display, impressive battery life with rapid charging, and sophisticated multitasking features, all at a highly competitive price. For users seeking a premium Android tablet experience that genuinely challenges the iPad’s dominance without breaking the bank, the OnePlus Pad 3 is an outstanding choice and arguably one of the best Android tablets currently available.
