Now, with the OnePlus Pad 3, the company is refining that formula.
Yet the verdict remains largely the same: it’s an excellent Android tablet for entertainment, and just okay for light productivity.
The OnePlus Pad 3 ships with OxygenOS 15, the company’s operating system based on Android 15, and it’s here where the most interesting improvements lie.
Beyond new features, OnePlus’ software stands out thanks to a much-improved update policy — making the Pad 3’s price hike a bit easier to swallow.
The OnePlus Pad 3 is even better suited for binge-watching, reading, streaming music, and light multitasking than before.
OnePlus made an impression on the world when it first released its tablet, offering premium features at a reasonable cost. The OnePlus is currently improving that formula with the OnePlus Pad 3. This most recent model closes the gap with competitors like Apple and Samsung thanks to significant software enhancements and minor hardware upgrades like a larger, sharper display, a larger battery, and an updated smart keyboard.
However, the conclusion is still essentially the same: it’s a great Android tablet for entertainment and only passably good for light work. However, it is $150 more expensive at $699.99 than the original, which begs the question of whether it still provides the same value.
My response might have been no a year ago. Despite tariffs and general cost increases, the Pad 3 is still competitive, particularly when compared to similarly specced rivals like the $749.99 Galaxy Tab S10 FE. In the end, what you want from your tablet will determine whether it’s the right purchase for you.
8. .
Score Verge.
$700.
The Good.
improved 144Hz display that is larger.
louder speakers with greater immersion.
makes it simple to share files and mirror screens with Macs and iPhones.
Better software policies and basic but helpful AI features are beginning to catch up.
The bad.
It cost a lot.
It weighs more than the iPad Pro.
Not very good for significant productivity yet.
Movies and television shows appear more vibrant thanks to the OnePlus Pad 3’s larger 13.2-inch LCD display and slightly sharper 3392 x 2400 resolution. Although it is easier to carry thanks to its thinner, flatter aluminum frame, weighing 675g, it is too heavy to hold comfortably for extended reading or viewing sessions compared to the 13-inch iPad Pro. More immersive sound for YouTube, games, and streaming is provided by the new eight-speaker system, which is even louder and has four woofers and four tweeters placed around the device.
A marginally larger 12,140mAh cell from OnePlus has also increased battery life. With two apps and a couple of tabs open, the battery only dropped 15% after a few hours, indicating that it could easily last longer than a day. It can charge from 0% to 100% in 92 minutes, according to OnePlus, with a 10-minute top-up providing 18%. In my tests, it charged from 20 percent to 80 percent in 76 minutes, increasing by 20 percent in 20 minutes. This is impressive and almost exactly as quick as promised.
It’s unlikely that most users will notice a significant improvement over the Pad 2. Iterative rather than revolutionary, the experience isn’t always a bad thing.
The screen still reaches 900 nits, which is usable outside, and the 7:5 aspect ratio was still perfect for reading Adam Grant’s Think Again. The 144Hz refresh rate also made sure that the images were fluid while I watched the final season of You and played games like Asphalt Legends and Block Blast. The Pad 3’s internal Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor is still present, and it comes with choices of 12GB RAM and 256GB or 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage. For most users, the performance is quick and more than adequate.
The most intriguing enhancements are found in OxygenOS 15, the company’s operating system based on Android 15, which comes pre-installed on the OnePlus Pad 3. Although competitors like Samsung, Google, and Apple have outperformed OnePlus in terms of software, OxygenOS 15 is a major advancement, especially for light productivity.
The Pad 3’s compatibility with Apple devices, which is uncommon in the Android world, is among its most noticeable improvements. Particularly appealing to mixed Apple-Android households, it facilitates screen mirroring and makes it simple to share files and live photos with Macs or iPhones. The Mac Remote Control feature, which allows you to view and control your laptop or desktop in real time, transfer files between devices, and access PC files remotely from the tablet, was surprisingly helpful to me as an Apple user (when it actually worked, which I’ll get into shortly).
The process is simple: download the O+ app on your Mac or Windows computer, log in to your OnePlus account, and make sure that every device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Although not always reliable, the connection is fast once set up. As I write this, I’m having trouble reconnecting my MacBook Air. Since the Pad 3’s 8MP front camera isn’t very good, input lag and a slightly fuzzy mirrored display make this feature less suitable for media or video calls. However, it can still be used to quickly access files without using messaging apps or cloud storage, or to turn the tablet into a secondary display. The Pad 3 reminded me of Samsung’s DeX, but OnePlus’ version requires an internet connection, whereas DeX works offline with just a cable. It also made it easier for me to use the Pad 3 over my laptop for more tasks.
Additionally, OxygenOS 15 supports Google’s AI tools. With the final addition of Circle to Search, you can now quickly search for anything on screen by making a gesture. Using a specific Smart Keyboard shortcut or the power key, Google’s Gemini Assistant is simple to use. From writing tools that enhance your writing to a voice note cleanup feature that eliminates filler words from transcripts while maintaining your original audio, other features feel simple but are actually quite beneficial. In order to make photo retouching simpler, OnePlus also included fundamental photo editing features like AI Detail Boost and reversible edits.
When it comes to significant productivity, the Pad 3 is still lacking. The overall experience is still constrained by Android software limitations, even though the larger screen and Open Canvas multitasking system, which appeared on the Pad 2, allow you to run up to three apps side by side or stack and float them (something I found particularly useful when reading and taking notes). Many Android apps, such as Slack and Airtable, are still not screen-size-optimized.
In addition to new features, OnePlus’ software is notable for its significantly better update policy, which helps to mitigate the price increase of the Pad 3. In addition to six years of security patches—two more than the Pad 2 provided—it now comes with three Android version updates, beginning with Android 15. It’s a safer long-term investment because of this. However, Samsung guarantees seven years of OS and security updates for the Tab S10 FE Plus, so it would be good to see OnePlus go even farther for a tablet this price.
Lastly, the Pad 3 is available with a set of accessories, just like its predecessor. The Stylo 2 stylus remains unchanged and functions flawlessly, but you will need the $199 Pad 3 Smart Keyboard or the $49.99 Pad 3 Folio Case to fit the larger tablet. Although the Smart Keyboard has more obvious changes, the latter feels a lot like the first version. In addition to practical extras like a built-in NFC receiver for speedy file sharing and a dedicated key to activate Google’s Gemini AI assistant, it now has larger keys that make typing more pleasurable.
Although it was excellent for typing emails, the keyboard isn’t the best for labor-intensive tasks. My primary complaint was the trackpad; despite its spaciousness, it frequently interfered with productivity by making text selection challenging and frequently causing inadvertent shortcuts, such as unintentional screenshots. The keyboard’s stability needs to be improved as well; it currently connects using pogo pins, which feel unsteady on your lap but function well at a desk. Fortunately, it has Bluetooth support, so you can use it wirelessly after detaching.
Compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus Pad 3 is even more suitable for light multitasking, music streaming, binge-watching, and reading. Additionally, it is more future-proof due to the enhanced software update policy. Although few tablets are a true laptop replacement or productivity powerhouse, software limitations keep it from being so.
Photographed by The Verge/Sheena Vasani.
Decide to Proceed: OnePlus Pad 3.
Nowadays, in order to use any smart device, you have to accept a number of terms and conditions that nobody really reads. We are unable to read and examine each and every one of these agreements. However, because these are agreements that most people don’t read and most certainly can’t negotiate, we started keeping track of how many times you have to hit “agree” in order to use devices when we review them.
You have to accept the following in order to use the OnePlus Pad 3.
OnePlus’s terms of service.
The User Privacy Security and Protection Agreement of OnePlus.
The Terms of Service of Google.
The terms and conditions of Google Play.
OnePlus’ User Experience Program, System Stability Improvement Program, Google’s location services, and Google’s device maintenance features are also available for you to choose from. You must accept the Camera Statement of Use in order to use the Pad’s camera.
There are at least five optional agreements and four required ones overall.
