OnePlus Pad 3 Ultimate Review: Strong Contender for iPad Pro Killer

The tablet market? Let’s just say it’s seen better days. Remember when they were the next big thing? Now, they’re playing second fiddle to our smartphones, which, let’s be honest, can handle pretty much everything a tablet throws at them. So, why bother buying one? You might be surprised, but the top reason people fire up their tablets is for…Netflix. Yep, evenIhave a top-of-the-line, 13-inch iPad Pro M4. And what do I mostly use it for? Binge-watching and the occasional stint as a second screen for my MacBook Pro. The irony isn’t lost on me.

OnePlus isn’t just playing the tablet game; they’re rewriting the rules. Enter the OnePlus Pad 3: armed with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and a surprisingly palatable $699 price tag. Yes, it’s a $150 jump from last year, but consider this a down payment on a quantum leap in tablet performance. Is it worth the splurge? We’re diving deep to find out. Prepare for the full review.

OnePlus Pad 3 Review: Specifications

Here’s the full spec sheet for the OnePlus Pad 3.

Network

| | | | — | — | | Types | WiFi Only |

Display

Body

Platform

| | | | — | — | | OS | Android 15 and Oxygen OS 15 | | SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | | GPU | Adreno 830 |

Memory

| | | | — | — | | RAM | 16GB RAM | | Storage | 256GB, 512GB UFS 4.0 |

Cameras

| | | | — | — | | Main | 13MP | | Selfie | 8MP | | Video Capture | 4K/1080p/720p@30fps |

Sound

| | | | — | — | | Speaker(s) | 8 Speakers (4 Woofers + 4 Tweeters) | | Audio jack | No |

Battery

Connectivity

View Device Specs

OnePlus Pad 3 Ultimate Review: Hardware and Build Quality

OnePlus seems to have Goldilocks’d the thickness on the Pad 3, their new 13-inch slate. While shaving millimeters seems to be the industry’s obsession the iPad Pro 13-inch boasts a razor-thin 5.1mm, and the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra a sleek 5.4mm OnePlus opted for a slightly more substantial 5.9mm. The result? A tablet that feelsgoodin the hand. That unnerving, almost brittle feel of ultra-thin devices is gone. Contributing to this comfortable grip is likely OnePlus’s unusual 7:5 aspect ratio display. It’s a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous 16:10 format, and even Apple’s 4:3, offering a unique visual experience and a more secure hold.

The OnePlus tablet sports a subtle, yet strategic shift this year: the camera module’s migrated to the upper-left corner. Say goodbye to centered snapshots! While a whisper of a bump remains, it’s a non-issue, especially when cloaked in OnePlus’s own keyboard or folio case. Think of it as a design nod, not an obstruction.

The Pad 3’s magnetic keyboard connection? That’s handled by three pogo pins nestled discreetly near the base of its rear panel. While the sleek keyboard isn’t part of the standard $699 package, pre-ordering now unlocks a special bonus: choose the Keyboard, a protective Folio Case, or the precision Stylo 2 – all absolutely free!

That gleaming OnePlus logo? Center stage. Love it or hate it, it’s there. Honestly, I stopped noticing it after, like, five minutes. Now, about that USB-C port. Prepare for a minor OCD trigger: it’s off-center, nudged towards the edge. Blame the tablet’s slim physique – that port had to scoot back to make way for the display magic.

Despite its slender build, the OnePlus tablet unleashes a sonic boom with its octet of speakers – a quartet of woofers harmonizing with four tweeters. Forget Dolby Atmos – this slate conjures audio magic all its own. Binge-watching and playlist sessions become immersive experiences. The sound quality boldly challenges the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, despite their premium price tags.

Forget sharp corners. This tablet’s all about subtle curves meeting a flat plane, a design choice that feels fantastic in hand. But let’s be honest, with a 13-inch display, you’re less likely to cradle it and more likely to let it lounge on a table or nestle comfortably in your lap.

OnePlus has done it again. The new tablet doesn’t just feel premium, itexudesit. And the Storm Blue? It’s not just a color; it’s a statement. This year, OnePlus is painting the tech world blue, and I, for one, am completely on board. If the OnePlus 13 follows suit, sign me up.

OnePlus Pad 3 Ultimate Review: Display

Initial impressions of the OnePlus Pad 3 were a mixed bag. Learning it sported an LCD, not the vibrant OLED I’d grown accustomed to, felt like a step back. However, that feeling vanished the moment I powered it on. OnePlus has worked wonders calibrating this display; the colors explode with richness and depth, making you completely forget it’s not OLED. Sure, an OLED would have been the cherry on top, but the trade-off for a more accessible price point is a compromise I’m willing to make.

Forget the Galaxy Tab S10 FE. The OnePlus Pad 3 just redefined tablet displays. Imagine colors so vibrant they practically leap off the screen, framed by bezels so slim they practically vanish. Now crank up the refresh rate. We’re talking a silky-smooth 144Hz LTPO panel. Sure, not everything takes full advantage of that speed demon, but when it does? Prepare for a visual feast.

For the past year, my 13-inch iPad Pro has been my constant companion. Some might scoff at the size, but for me, it’s been pure gold. Picture this: I’m on my patio, sunlight dappling through the leaves, and I’m working away on a screen that rivals my MacBook Pro. The freedom of a tablet, the power of a laptop – it’s the perfect blend.

While not scorching bright like the rumored 6,000-nit OnePlus 13, the OnePlus Pad 3 still manages a respectable 900 nits, enough to hold its own under the open sky. The outdoor visibility is decent. The Achilles heel? The intensely reflective display. Imagine how perfect this tablet would be if it were armored with Corning’s Gorilla Glass. Let’s hope that Corning expands Gorilla Armor beyond Samsung’s reach, the OnePlus Pad 3 would be a perfect candidate.

Overall, the OnePlus Pad 3 has a display that exceeded my expectations.

OnePlus Pad 3 Ultimate Review: Performance

OnePlus doesn’t just play the performance game; they redefine it. The Pad 3 isn’t just another tablet; it’s a performance beast unleashed. Inside, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, with its blazing-fast 4.32GHz Prime core, roars to life. Accompanied by a staggering 12GB of RAM and lightning-quick 256GB UFS 4.0 storage, it obliterates lag and bottlenecks. Craving even more power? Select markets outside the US get the ultimate configuration: a colossal 16GB of RAM paired with a massive 512GB of storage. This isn’t just a tablet; it’s a mobile command center ready to conquer any task.

The OnePlus Pad 3 transforms into a vibrant entertainment hub. Hours melted away as I binged videos, then I threw demanding games at it. The Pad 3 didn’t just cope; it conquered. Credit likely goes to the behemoth of a vapor chamber OnePlus crammed inside – possibly the largest I’veeverseen in a tablet.

OnePlus’ render isn’t lying this cooling system is colossal, practically the tablet’s twin. Because of its sheer size, heat is a non-issue. I’ve pushed this tablet for hours under the blazing sun, 80 degrees and all, and it barely registers a hint of warmth. Now that’s impressive engineering.

The OnePlus Pad 3 boasts facial recognition, but temper your expectations. In ideal, brightly lit conditions, it performs adequately. Step into a dimly lit room, however, and the Pad 3 struggles to recognize your face, falling far short of the seamless experience offered by Face ID on an iPad Pro. The omission of a fingerprint sensor is a puzzling oversight, particularly for OnePlus. A fingerprint sensor would offer a reliable alternative, especially when facial recognition falters in low light. Its absence leaves you fumbling in the dark, wishing for a more dependable biometric unlock.

Benchmarks

OnePlus boasted the Pad 3 could crush AnTuTu with a score of 2.95 million, a truly audacious claim. While our tests didn’tquitereach that Everest-like peak, the Pad 3 still conquered every other Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 device we’ve thrown at it. The caveat? Those vanquished foes were all phones, battling thermal constraints within cramped chassis. The Pad 3, with its roomier architecture, enjoys a significant cooling advantage, and the AnTuTu score reflects it.

Here’s how the OnePlus Pad 3 stacks up on AnTuTu:

| Device | AnTuTu Score | | — | — | | OnePlus Pad 3 | 2,806,068 | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | 2,351,930 | | Apple iPad Pro M4 | 2,797,277 | | OnePlus 13 | 2,689,625 | | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | 2,439,788 |

Forget settling. This tablet doesn’t just compete, it dominates. Think David versus Goliath, only Goliath is a pricey iPad Pro boasting a "desktop-class" chip. Guess what? This tablet still wins. And those other Snapdragon 8 Elite pretenders? They’re left in the dust. This isn’t just value; it’s a performance coup.

Geekbench 6 confirms it: the OnePlus Pad 3 isn’t just playing; it’s dominating. Performance mirrors, even rivals, those top-tier devices rocking the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Expect blazing-fast speeds and seamless multitasking.

| Device | Geekbench 6 Single-Core | Geekbench 6 Multi-Core | Geekbench 6 GPU | | — | — | — | — | | OnePlus Pad 3 | 2,994 | 9,044 | 19,176 | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | 2,191 | 7,358 | 12,204 | | Apple iPad Pro M4 | 3,756 | 13,305 | 53,342 | | OnePlus 13 | 3,036 | 9,150 | 18,342 | | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | 3,128 | 9,793 | 18,379 |

When the heat turned up, the OnePlus Pad 3 didn’t break a sweat. OnePlus boasts a three-degree advantage over the competition, but in our real-world testing, that felt like an understatement. This tablet stays cool under pressure.

The tablet faced the ultimate trial: 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test. The results were astonishing, revealing temperatures cooler than anything we’ve witnessed before. Next, we unleashed it on an hour-long Genshin Impact marathon, cranked to maximum graphics and searing brightness. Prepare for another surprise – the temperature readings defied expectations. Here’s the breakdown.

| Device | Wild Life Extreme Stress Test | Genshin Impact Gaming | | — | — | — | | OnePlus Pad 3 | 93 | 89.5 | | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | 99.8 | 97.4 | | Apple iPad Pro M4 | 101.1 | 97.6 |

Forget lukewarm tablets. The OnePlus Pad 3 ran a cool six degrees cooler than the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra under pressure, leaving the iPad Pro M4 sweating in the dust.

Forget benchmarks. This isn’t about numbers; it’s aboutexperience. While Apple’s iPad Pro might flaunt a faster chip, the real story is how that power translates toreal-world use. Is itactuallybetter? Maybe on paper. But hold that thought. Because later this year, iPad OS 26 is unleashing a tidal wave of functionality, finally tapping into thetruepotential of all that processing muscle. Apple isn’t just building a faster tablet; they’re crafting a whole new world of possibilities. The game is about to change.

OnePlus Pad 3 Ultimate Review: Battery Life and Charging

The OnePlus Pad 3 isn’t just big on screen, it’s packing a battery that’s positively colossal – a whopping 12,140mAh! To put that into perspective, Samsung’s monstrous 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra only manages 11,200mAh, and even Apple’s shiny new 13-inch iPad Pro M4 is left in the dust with its 10,290mAh power pack. And the kicker? The Pad 3 is barely thicker than either of them. Talk about a battery beast in disguise!

OnePlus isn’t just packing batteries; they’re engineering endurance. Their secret weapon? Silicon carbon. Forget fleeting power; this tablet’s battery laughs in the face of deadlines and binge-watching sessions. Sixteen hours of screen-on time – a cinematic odyssey fueled by videos – and still clinging to 20% life? It’s not just impressive; it’s borderline sorcery.

Juice depleted? No problem. This beastly tablet ships with the same rapid 80W charger found with the OnePlus 13 and 13R, replenishing its massive 12,140mAh battery in a mere 90 minutes. That’s right, from zero to full in the time it takes to watch a movie. In our real-world tests, we clocked in at around 92 minutes – astonishingly close to the advertised time. While charging times can fluctuate slightly, prepare to be impressed by the sheer speed of this power-up process.

Just like on its phones, OnePlus has mastered battery life and charging on the Pad 3.

OnePlus Pad 3 Ultimate Review: Software

Apple, you’ve got a hardware beast with the iPad, but software? That’s where the OnePlus Pad 3 is breathing down your neck. Before I dive in, full disclosure: I pitted the OnePlus Pad 3 against iPad OS 18 (from 2024)beforeexperiencing the iPad OS 26 revolution. The real question is, has Apple closed the software gap enough to stay on top?

OnePlus is seriously upping its tablet game! Buckle up, Pad 3 owners, because the software support is about to get legendary. We’re talking THREE major Android OS updates. Your Pad 3 will journey from its initial Android 15 launch all the way to Android 18! But the real showstopper? A staggering SIX YEARS of security updates. That’s right, your Pad 3 will be shielded from digital threats for an unprecedented six years – blowing the Pad 2’s support out of the water by a full two years. This isn’t just an update; it’s a commitment.

The Pad 3 inherits the Mac-friendly features from the Find N5 and Find X8 Ultra, and honestly, I’m hooked. To unlock this magic, you’ll need the O+ Connect app on your Mac and/or iPhone. Heads up, though: if you’re juggling OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme devices, each brand demands its own separate account. I learned this the hard way when my OPPO Mac login refused to play nice with my OnePlus Pad 3. Talk about frustrating! Unifying these logins across brands can’t come soon enough.

Transform your OnePlus Pad 3 into a portable powerhouse alongside your Mac! Forget clunky setups this dynamic duo streamlines your workflow wherever you go. I recently discovered this firsthand while covering a realme event in Paris. My MacBook Pro, paired with the Pad 3 as a secondary display, transformed my cramped hotel room into a productivity haven. Sure, it requires a little finesse since it isn’t integrated in Apple’s ecosystem, but the expanded screen real estate is a game-changer, especially when you are on the road. I use the remote feature rarely, instead the additional monitor capabilities of the Pad 3 stand out.

The OnePlus Pad 3’s photo syncing? Magic. I snapped a screenshot on the Pad andpoof, it was instantly on my MacBook Pro. Seriously clutch during WWDC – grabbing stream screenshots on the Pad and having them instantly available on my Mac was a total game-changer.

Open Canvas: Already incredible, now even better. OnePlus has somehow refined what seemed perfect, making the drag-and-drop experience silkier than ever. Multitasking is now ridiculously intuitive. Oxygen OS 15’s smart split-screen suggestion anticipates your needs. When switching between apps, a subtle prompt appears, offering instant split-screen functionality – helpful, not intrusive, and easily dismissed if desired.

Forget specs and benchmarks. The OnePlus Pad 3 isn’t just another tablet; it’s a seamless extension of my entire digital life. While Samsung’s DeX is a worthy contender in the desktop-experience arena, the Pad 3 carves its own niche, specifically for those of us steeped in the Apple ecosystem. It’s not just good; it’s the best, most intuitive tablet experience I’ve found, finally bridging the gap between Android and Mac in a way that feels utterly natural. Consider me converted.

Should you buy the OnePlus Pad 3?

My expectations for the OnePlus Pad 3 were sky-high long before it landed on my doorstep, fueled by a software renaissance at OnePlus and OPPO. Last year’s Oxygen OS 15 gifted OnePlus users with iPhone-esque Airdrop magic. Then OPPO upped the ante, turning the Find N5 into a Mac-lover’s dream with photo syncing, remote desktop superpowers, and multi-window mastery. Considering my love for Open Canvas, and how it blows the competition out of the water, the OnePlus Pad 3 had a seriously high bar to clear.

And I have to say, they met each and every one of them.

Forget everything you think you know about tablet pricing. OnePlus is about to blow your mind. The Pad 3 isn’t just competing with Samsung’s FE series; it’s practically pricedalongsidethem. Seriously, it’s highway robbery for this level of quality. Unless you’re hopelessly devoted to the Samsung galaxy, grabbing the OnePlus Pad 3 is a no-brainer. Or, you know, if you simply don’t need a tablet (but who are we kidding?).

You should buy the OnePlus Pad 3 if:

You want the most powerful Android tablet on the market.
You want a Tablet for your Mac that is not an iPad.
You want a cheap, powerful tablet.
You want the best multi-tasking experience available.

You should not buy the OnePlus Pad 3 if:

You don’t need a tablet.
You have a recent tablet from, say, the last two years.
You want a smaller tablet.

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