4 causes I feel the OnePlus Pad 3 is well worth the improve

When OnePlus introduced its plan to unveil the OnePlus Pad 3 in June, I discovered it onerous to hide my pleasure. In 2024, I had the chance to check and overview the OnePlus Pad 2, which stood out to me as one of many best Android tablets within the US final yr, that includes a powerful 12-inch show and a strong Qualcomm chipset.

With that in thoughts, my expectations for the OnePlus Pad 3 have been excessive, and I am happy to report that with the Pad 3, OnePlus has taken every little thing nice concerning the Pad 2 and made it even higher, significantly by way of its design, efficiency, and its show.

Nevertheless, the primary sticking level that many individuals will instantly level out about OnePlus’ new premium pill this yr is the value, and rightfully so. The OnePlus Pad 3 retails for a whopping $700 this yr, which is a major improve from the $550 price ticket of the OnePlus Pad 2.

For the previous week, I have been testing the OnePlus Pad 3 forward of its official launch. Though its $150 worth hike is admittedly difficult to return to phrases with, in comparison with different tablets in an identical worth vary, such because the $800 13-inch M3 iPad Air, the OnePlus Pad 3 greater than proves its value.

1

Prime of the road efficiency

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC reigns supreme

Some of the important upgrades this yr with the OnePlus Pad 3 is its efficiency. The brand new pill is provided with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, making it the primary pill within the US to characteristic Qualcomm’s newest high-end cellular chipset. In distinction, the OnePlus Pad 2 was outfitted with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which was formidable final yr, however the 8 Elite takes it to a complete new stage. Instantly upon booting up the Pad 3 for the primary time, I may really feel how a lot snappier it felt in comparison with the Pad 2.

In accordance with OnePlus, the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC within the Pad 3 is 45 p.c sooner than its predecessor, with a 300 p.c enchancment in NPU (neural processing unit) velocity. After I carried out my very own assessments, this largely held true. Operating a Geekbench 6 CPU check on each the Pad 2 and Pad 3 aspect by aspect (each working the most recent model of OxygenOS), the Pad 3 ran laps across the Pad 2.

For reference, the Pad 2 achieved a single-core CPU rating of 955 and a multi-core rating of 4,687 in Geekbench 5. As compared, the Pad 3 recorded a single-core rating of three,084 and a multi-core rating of 9,017. In cellular video games like Fortnite and PUBG, this efficiency increase was evident, and each video games ran exceptionally nicely. For multitasking and productiveness duties, the Pad 3 has your again, and its Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC stands as worthy competitors to the 13-inch M3 iPad Air, at a cheaper price.

2

Bigger and extra vibrant show

The OnePlus Pad 3 has a 13.2-inch show

Final yr, after I examined the OnePlus Pad 2, my solely main grievance concerning the pill was that there wasn’t a smaller show possibility. Nevertheless, after utilizing the Pad 2 for nearly a yr now, my annoyance with its show dimension has subsided, and I’ve actually come to take pleasure in utilizing its 12-inch display, particularly for watching YouTube movies and films in mattress.

Much like the OnePlus Pad 2, the OnePlus Pad 3 is accessible in only one show dimension, and this yr, it is even bigger than earlier than. The OnePlus Pad 3 contains a 13.2-inch show with a 3.4K decision (3392 x 2400 pixels), a 144Hz adaptive refresh price, and a peak brightness of 900 nits. As compared, the OnePlus Pad 2 has a 12.1-inch show with a 3.2K decision (3000 x 2120 pixels), matching the refresh price and brightness of the Pad 3.

In case you’re a fan of bigger shows, the Pad 3 undoubtedly delivers, and it competes nicely with the 13-inch iPad Air. Nevertheless, it lacks an OLED panel, just like the $1,000 M4 iPad Professional has. All issues thought-about, for a $700 pill, the OnePlus Pad 3 affords a big and vibrant show, making gaming and watching reveals a pleasure. Would I like to see a smaller model someday, nonetheless? Completely, however what we’ve got this yr is kind of an improve by way of dimension and backbone, and there is no denying this show is not gorgeous.

3

Lengthy-lasting battery life

The 12,140mAh battery has as much as 70 days of standby time

In relation to battery life, the OnePlus Pad 3 is not messing round. Throughout my week-long expertise testing the pill, I solely needed to cost it twice, regardless of average use, because of its large 12,140mAh battery. OnePlus claims it may well survive as much as 15 hours of video playback on a single cost, which I consider is correct in case you modify the brightness accordingly.

My favourite half about unboxing this pill was that OnePlus truly included the charging brick within the field, in contrast to the Pad 2. This implies you’ll be able to cost the OnePlus Pad 3 from zero to 100% in simply 92 minutes, because of its assist for 80W Supervooc charging and the charging brick that comes with the pill itself. That is far superior to the OnePlus Pad 2, which has a 9,510mAh battery and solely helps 67W Supervooc charging (and did not embody the charging brick).

The OnePlus Pad 3 additionally boasts 70 days of standby time. In case you do not use your pill on daily basis, the Pad 3 can theoretically final over two months with no need a cost. I sometimes use my pill just a few instances per week, normally relying on my schedule, so that is good for folks like me who do not use their tablets as typically.

4

A vastly improved design

The Pad 3 has flat edges, is slimmer, and has a brand new digicam

Lastly, the final main factor that stood out to me concerning the OnePlus Pad 3 is its new design. OnePlus clearly took inspiration from the iPad Air, which is ok by me as a result of this pill seems to be and feels nice to carry. The Pad 3 options an all-metal aluminum alloy unibody design, weighing simply 675g (1.48 lbs) and measuring 5.97mm thick. To place its thickness in perspective, it is almost as skinny because the not too long ago launched Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which is 5.8mm.

The Pad 3 additionally bids farewell to the Pad 2’s rounded edges, choosing a flat-edged design that I choose, because it seems to be extra fashionable and feels higher within the hand. One final change OnePlus made to the design is the location of the digicam. I used to be all the time perplexed by the Pad 2’s awkwardly positioned round digicam, positioned within the heart of the pill, and I thought-about it one in all its greatest drawbacks. With the Pad 3, OnePlus has lastly acknowledged the necessity for change, scrapping the round digicam in favor of a dual-lens vertical association just like that of the iPhone 16, which is positioned on the again left-hand nook of the pill (when held vertically).

Total, OnePlus really knocked it out of the park with this pill by taking every little thing folks liked concerning the Pad 2 and making it even higher. It is a successful method that would repay — if folks can settle for its greater worth of $700 consequently.

The OnePlus Pad 3 is coming July 8

The OnePlus Pad 3 is now obtainable for pre-order for $700 and is about to launch on July 8. OnePlus is promising three Android OS updates and 6 years of safety updates for the pill. It comes with Android 15 pre-installed out of the field, which implies it should assist as much as Android 18, which continues to be a couple of years away.

In case you pre-order the OnePlus Pad 3 earlier than July 7, you’ll be able to choose two free items to obtain with the pill, together with the OnePlus Pad 3 Sensible Keyboard, OnePlus Pad 3 Folio Case, or the OnePlus Stylo 2.

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