Equipped with a vast display, laptop-grade keyboard, and impressive performance specs, the OnePlus Pad 3 stands out as one of the most exciting Android tablets available. After using it as my primary non-work device for over 10 days (my Kindle Scribe and iPad remained untouched on my desk), here’s my assessment.
A sleek, slim design that’s great for travel
Measuring just 5.97mm in thickness, the Pad 3 ranks among the slimmest tablets on the market, only slightly bulkier than the iPad Pro, which holds a record at 5.1mm. OnePlus has clearly focused on portability, and it shows. The Pad 3’s lightweight aluminum frame is perfect for on-the-go use. Despite its large 13.2-inch display, it remains surprisingly comfortable to hold, whether you’re reading, browsing, or watching.
It comes in two color choices — Storm Blue and Frosted Silver. My review unit was in the former, showcasing a striking dark greyish-blue that changes with the lighting. The design is sleek and sophisticated, exuding a premium feel. The build quality is impressive, rivaling offerings from Apple and Samsung without any flex or creaking.
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Large display, limitless possibilities
For those who require a spacious screen for productivity, the Pad 3’s 13.2-inch display is sure to impress. Though it’s LCD instead of OLED, it boasts impressive brightness (up to 900 nits), vibrant colors, and a smooth 144Hz refresh rate. While OLED’s perfect blacks are missed by some, most users won’t notice during everyday tasks. I streamed The Studio on Apple TV+ and was genuinely impressed — it felt akin to a portable cinema experience.
The screen size genuinely enhances productivity. Tasks that felt constricted on smaller tablets — such as document editing, tab switching, and slide adjustments — suddenly become intuitive. With OnePlus’ multitasking-friendly software, this tablet encourages users to leave their laptops behind.
Exceptional speakers, slightly hindered by software
The Pad 3 is equipped with eight speakers — four woofers and four tweeters — delivering some of the best audio quality I’ve encountered on a tablet. Dialogue is clear, music is lively, and even in noisy environments, the sound remains robust without needing headphones.
Traditional software shortcomings for Android tablets are improving, with OnePlus making significant strides. The Pad 3 runs a customized version of OxygenOS that introduces a new multitasking feature called Open Canvas. This allows users to arrange up to three apps on-screen with various layouts, easily switching between them with a tap — no more cumbersome gestures or app-drawer fumbling.
While there’s room for growth — Android’s tablet app selection still lags behind Apple’s — OnePlus’ approach to Android provides a refined, increasingly laptop-like experience.
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A proper keyboard for Android, finally
A true laptop alternative requires a quality keyboard, and OnePlus delivers with their offering. Available separately for $200, the keyboard case includes a spacious trackpad and excellent key travel, resulting in one of the finest typing experiences on an Android device.
Connection is facilitated via pogo pins or Bluetooth, allowing you to use it apart from the tablet if you prefer mobility while you work. It even includes a dedicated key to launch Google’s Gemini AI assistant and NFC support for quick file transfers with OnePlus phones.
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One feature that’s noticeably missing? Backlighting. If you often work at night, you’ll find this absence unfortunate. Otherwise, this keyboard comes remarkably close to a true laptop keyboard for Android.
Impressive performance with long battery life
The Pad 3 is packed with substantial power: featuring the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite Edition, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Whether dealing with multiple Chrome tabs, editing videos in Adobe Rush, or balancing Google Docs and Sheets in split-screen, I encountered no lag or slowdowns.
Its battery life is equally commendable — lasting around 15 hours during my use, which involved everything from work tasks to binge-watching the latest season of And Just Like That. That’s five hours longer than Apple’s official rating for its iPads.
The only significant drawback is the absence of 5G connectivity. Given that this device targets professionals and frequent travelers, the lack of cellular data — especially eSIM support — seems like a missed opportunity as we head into 2025.
Software advancements are finally taking shape
OnePlus has invested heavily in software improvements to brand the Pad 3 as a genuine laptop alternative. As previously mentioned, Open Canvas is its standout feature. Intuitive and robust, it makes multitasking seamless. Resizing apps, floating windows, or drag-and-drop functionality all contribute to a polished and functional experience.
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The Pad 3 also includes various AI capabilities. The voice recorder offers transcription and summarization, Gemini is integrated as the assistant, and the Notes app features generative writing tools. These elements, though small, highlight the increasing maturity of Android in adapting to larger screens.
That said, the absence of top-tier tablet apps persists as a challenge for Android. Unlike Apple’s iPadOS, which boasts dedicated software from companies like Adobe and Affinity, Android often presents stretched-out phone apps as alternatives.
Final thoughts: More than just an iPad Air contender
So where does the OnePlus Pad 3 fit into the landscape?
Let’s be clear: The iPad Pro remains the leader for creative professionals — its software ecosystem, editing applications, and powerful chip give it an advantage for advanced use cases. However, the OnePlus Pad 3 isn’t endeavoring to replace the iPad Pro. Instead, it positions itself as a competitor to the iPad Air, and in many respects, it surpasses it.
With a massive, high-refresh-rate display, an exceptional keyboard, premium design, and performance that tackles demanding tasks effortlessly, this is the finest high-end Android tablet I’ve encountered. While it’s not without flaws — improvements in app availability and cellular connectivity would be beneficial — it’s dangerously close to being the laptop substitute Android enthusiasts have been hoping for.
Final verdict
If you’re a writer, traveler, student, or professional without a need for Final Cut Pro or Logic, the OnePlus Pad 3 is more than equipped to meet your requirements. While it may not serve as a direct replacement for a MacBook Pro — for a significant number of users, it simply might not need to.
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