In a market often dominated by Apple’s iPad lineup, OnePlus has made a compelling entry into the premium tablet space with the launch of the OnePlus Pad 3. This latest tablet from the brand combines high-end specifications, a productivity-oriented design, and smart software features, creating a versatile device that caters to both professionals and casual users.
Let’s take a deep dive into everything the OnePlus Pad 3 offers, from design and display to performance, battery life, and accessories.
Sleek Design Meets Premium Build
The OnePlus Pad 3 features a slim and modern design crafted from a precision-milled aluminum alloy. At just 5.97mm thick and weighing around 675 grams, it’s incredibly portable for a tablet of its size. The metal unibody gives it a solid feel in the hands, making it suitable for both mobile professionals and home users who want a stylish yet robust device.
The minimalist aesthetic is clean and elegant, with a centered camera module on the back and thin bezels around the front, making it visually appealing whether you’re using it in portrait or landscape mode.
Expansive Display for Work and Play
One of the most striking elements of the OnePlus Pad 3 is its massive 13.2-inch LCD display. It delivers an impressive resolution of 3392 x 2400 pixels, translating to 3.4K quality, with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate. This makes scrolling through documents, streaming movies, and gaming incredibly fluid and sharp.
The 12-bit color depth and peak brightness of 900 nits offer vivid colors and excellent visibility, even in well-lit environments. The 7:5 aspect ratio may seem unusual at first, but it offers more vertical screen space, which is ideal for reading, writing, or multitasking with multiple app windows.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 “Elite” Power Under the Hood
At the heart of the OnePlus Pad 3 is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite chipset, Qualcomm’s top-tier mobile processor. Built to handle the most demanding apps and multitasking scenarios, it’s paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring lightning-fast performance and ample space for all your needs.
Whether you’re editing videos, working on multiple documents, or enjoying graphically intensive games, the Pad 3 doesn’t stutter. Benchmark scores show it outperforming many rivals, putting it on par with flagship laptops in terms of speed and responsiveness.
Long-Lasting Battery with Fast Charging
The OnePlus Pad 3 is equipped with a massive 12,140mAh battery, which is one of the largest in its class. It promises up to 17 hours of video playback, which means it can easily last for days on a single charge under moderate use.
Charging is handled by OnePlus’ proprietary 80W SuperVOOC fast charger, capable of refueling the device from 0 to 100% in just 92 minutes. A 10-minute charge can give you around 18% battery—enough for a few hours of usage if you’re in a rush.
Software Features with a Smart Touch
Running on OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, the OnePlus Pad 3 brings a suite of smart features to enhance usability and productivity. Some notable software tools include:
- AI Writer: Helps draft content quickly with grammar suggestions and writing improvements.
- AI Summarize: Ideal for students and professionals, this tool condenses long documents into key bullet points.
- Open Canvas: A multitasking interface that allows users to run up to three apps side-by-side, drag and drop content between them, and create custom workflows.
Additionally, OnePlus’ OPlus Connect feature lets users connect their Pad 3 with other OnePlus devices, such as smartphones and smart TVs, to share files and even control the tablet remotely.
Rich Audio and Premium Accessories
Audio quality is another strong point of the OnePlus Pad 3. It features an eight-speaker setup—four woofers and four tweeters—that delivers immersive sound with clear highs and deep lows. This makes it a great companion for watching movies, attending virtual meetings, or simply listening to music.
For those who want a laptop-like experience, OnePlus offers several official accessories:
- Smart Keyboard: A detachable Bluetooth keyboard with a trackpad, ideal for typing documents or emails.
- Stylo 2 Stylus: A magnetic stylus that supports pressure sensitivity, useful for taking notes or sketching.
- Folio Case: A foldable protective case that doubles as a kickstand for hands-free usage.
These accessories are sold separately but are often included in bundle offers during promotional periods.
Camera & Connectivity: Basic but Sufficient
On the camera front, the OnePlus Pad 3 is equipped with a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera. While these cameras aren’t designed for photography enthusiasts, they are more than sufficient for video calls, scanning documents, or taking quick snapshots.
Connectivity-wise, the tablet supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster and more stable connections. It includes a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port for data transfer and charging. However, it lacks cellular connectivity and biometric security features like a fingerprint sensor. Face unlock via the front camera is the only biometric option available.
Pricing & Availability
The OnePlus Pad 3 is available in two configurations:
- 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage: Priced at approximately ₹58,000 (or $699 internationally)
- 16GB RAM + 512GB Storage: Priced around ₹66,000 (or €699 in Europe)
Pre-orders have begun in several regions, with availability rolling out in phases. Early buyers may be eligible for exclusive discounts, free accessories, or trade-in bonuses.
The Competition
In the premium Android tablet segment, the OnePlus Pad 3 faces stiff competition from:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
- Lenovo Tab Extreme
- Xiaomi Pad 6 Max
- Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2
However, OnePlus stands out with its better price-to-performance ratio, faster charging speeds, and a more tailored software experience focused on productivity.
Verdict: A Serious Contender for Power Users
The OnePlus Pad 3 is not just another tablet—it’s a productivity powerhouse packed into a sleek frame. With its high-resolution display, flagship processor, long-lasting battery, and smart features, it comfortably bridges the gap between entertainment and work.
Although it misses out on cellular connectivity and biometric security, its advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. Whether you’re a student, creative professional, or tech-savvy user looking for a dependable Android tablet, the OnePlus Pad 3 is a worthy investment.
FAQs
Q1: Does the OnePlus Pad 3 support SIM cards or LTE/5G connectivity?
No, the Pad 3 is Wi-Fi only and does not support any form of cellular connectivity.
Q2: Is the keyboard and stylus included in the box?
No, these are optional accessories that must be purchased separately unless part of a promotional bundle.
Q3: How does the OnePlus Pad 3 compare to an iPad Pro?
While the iPad Pro may still lead in terms of app optimization and ecosystem, the Pad 3 offers comparable performance and better value, especially for Android users.
Q4: Is the display good for reading and writing documents?
Yes, the 7:5 aspect ratio and 3.4K resolution make it ideal for productivity tasks like reading PDFs and editing documents.
Q5: Can it be used for casual gaming or streaming?
Absolutely. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite and 144Hz display, it’s perfect for high-end gaming and 4K video streaming.