OnePlus Pad 3 – Review Is this the best Android tablet yet of 2025?

We have a new tablet from OnePlus in the form of the OnePlus Pad 3. This is the replacement for the OnePlus Pad 2, which I have been using for the past year and has cemented itself in its place as my go-to tablet device for most of that year.

The OnePlus Pad 3 has a different design, which we’ll discuss later. However, my main focus during this review is to determine if it’s a worthy successor to the OnePlus Pad 2 and to test it as a potential laptop replacement for the duration of my review. To do this, shortly after posting the OnePlus Pad 3 Unboxing video (which I encourage you to watch if you haven’t already), I shut down my MacBook Pro. Since then, I’ve been using my OnePlus Pad 3 exclusively as my primary writing device. I’ve already used it in that role to complete my recent REDMAGIC Air 10 review.

Without further ado, let’s delve into the design of the OnePlus Pad 3.

Design
In terms of design, there are some quite obvious differences and there are also some quite subtle differences. The most obvious difference. Is the fact that the OnePlus Pad 3 has grown in size over its predecessor. Now, whilst a lot of people have become used to tablets growing to be a larger size with the likes of the Galaxy Ultra tablets of recent years, this will be the first time I have used a tablet that measures in excess of 13 inches. But what I want to try and do during this review is to see if this is a worthy successor to the OnePlus Pad 2 and also test it as a possible laptop replacement for the duration of my review, period.

So, without further Ado, let’s have a closer look at the design of the OnePlus Pad 3.

I must admit, I was a bit sceptical about the larger screen size of the OnePlus Pad 3. For me, one of the advantages of a tablet over a traditional laptop is its versatility and portability. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to use the OnePlus Pad 3 in the same way I had used the OnePlus Pad 2. However, I’m pleased to say that the increase in screen size hasn’t diminished my use cases as much as I had anticipated.

Admittedly, it is not anywhere near as compact as it is forebear, and it will take up more space in your bag or other storage location. But I have found that when combined with the OnePlus Pad 3 Smart Keyboard, which is available as an optional accessory, currently half price on the website (when bought with the tablet). It does allow me to use the tablet more as a laptop than I would say was ever possible with the OnePlus Pad 2.

One of my typical scenarios for getting work done these days is actually whilst sitting in the front of a van. I can use the OnePlus Pad 3 with its keyboard, with the back of the tablet resting against the steering wheel, and I am still able to type in a relatively comfortable position.

Obviously, one of the additional benefits of having a bigger screen size is that multitasking becomes more of a realistic possibility. However, I will discuss these benefits further when we look at software. Going back to that bigger screen. We now have a 13.2-inch display panel. This panel has a 3.5 K resolution, and it is an LCD panel. Whilst some may look at that and think LCD is a poor choice, I would disagree with having used it. The panel is very crisp and clear, and handles colour tones very well. Don’t get me wrong, though, this is not as good at handling deep blacks as you will see from an OLED panel. It has been perfectly suited to watching content and, perhaps more importantly, getting work done.

Another thing to note is the size and dimensions of the display section of the tablet. The tablet is very thin, under 6mm (5.97mm to be exact), and the bezels are also quite thin for a tablet, not too small to jeopardise your viewing experience, but small enough so they don’t encroach on your viewing experience.

On the rear of the tablet, we still have a camera. However, this camera has now moved to the upper right-hand corner of the rear panel when viewed from the back. This is a different placement from where it was on the…OnePlus Pad 2, which was in the centre. The back panel is also now composed of one single piece of aluminium and does not sport the two-tone style of the predecessor. At the bottom of the back panel. We now have connection points in the form of a pogo pin connector. This is for the optional… OnePlus Pad 3, Smart Keyboard. I prefer this point of connection over the predecessor, which was on the bottom edge, as it creates a much more secure and stable mounting point for the keyboard.

Around the edges, we find that there are four speaker enclosures, two on either side. These speaker enclosures contain two speakers; each one contains a woofer and a tweeter. This creates a very pleasant sound stage, especially as all four speakers’ arrays are symmetrically positioned.

On the right-hand side of the tablet is where you will find your USB Type-C. The port does support the capability of display output, but there is only support for display mirroring at the moment. OnePlus does not have a desktop mode when connected to a display output at this time. Perhaps, this is something that will come in the near future, particularly as Android 16 is rumoured to be supporting a native desktop-style mode when connected to a display output.

In terms of other ports. The OnePlus Pad 3 does, of course, have the dual microphone ports. One of which is nestled next to the USB Type-C port on the right-hand side. And the other is on the uppermost edge next to the volume buttons. Also found on the uppermost edge is the area for mounting the optional stylus, which will magnetically connect to the tablet, where it will also charge via wireless induction charging. I don’t have the OnePlus Stylo 2 accessory. So I will be unable to test this, and you will therefore not see this in any pictures of the device.

I have already mentioned two of the accessories that are available for the OnePlus Pad 3, and it would be remiss of me not to mention the third. Again, this is one I don’t have; however, it is one that may be worthwhile if you are intending on using this primarily as a media focused device. It is, of course, the OnePlus Pad 3 Folio case. As the name suggests, the case is a folio-style case that acts as both a cover and a stand. I believe it will support both landscape and portrait. And when used in landscape, you do have a few different positions, where you can angle it as appropriate. This and the OnePlus Pad 3 Smart Keyboard attach to the tablet via magnets that are embedded into the body of the tablet itself. These magnets are strong. And they make a solid and reassuring “thunk” when you attach them to the tablet itself.

I do want to take a moment and cover the design of the OnePlus Pad 3 Smart Keyboard accessory. This has had a subtle redesign. To accommodate being mounted onto the OnePlus Pad 3. As previously mentioned, the point of connection is on a magnetised flap, which extends underneath the bottom edge of the tablet and up onto the back of the tablet itself. This, in turn, will then connect to the Pogo pins on the tablet. I have found in my limited usage that the connection is much more secure than on the OnePlus Pad 2 Smart keyboard. It also helps to create a much more stable base for using the tablet in its laptop mode on one’s lap. This is something I couldn’t really do with the OnePlus Pad 2.

The other part of the Smart Keyboard cover is the magnetic back panel, which is where the tablet gets its support for standing up. This is again a strong and stable connection, and it has many angles of adjustment for getting a comfortable viewing angle.

However, when using the OnePlus Pad 2, with the Smart Keyboard accessory, one thing I really enjoyed was the ability to separate the keyboard and the tablet, but still have the keyboard connected to the tablet via Bluetooth. This allowed me to set up a working area within my van where I could have the screen behind the steering wheel on the dashboard. And then I could have the keyboard positioned better for prolonged typing. I have noticed that with the Smart keyboard cover for the OnePlus Pad 3, I can no longer have this option. Now, I am not sure if this is a software switch that I need to enable. Or whether it is a functionality that has been pulled as a feature by OnePlus. If I find this to be true, then I will update this review accordingly.

Update: I have been advised by OnePlus that the OnePlus Pad 3 Smart Keyboard does not support the Bluetooth connection of its predecessor, as the keyboard does not have an internal battery anymore.

The keyboard itself is very comfortable to type on. I find the key spacing, based on a 13-inch platform, is a little more comfortable than on the smaller OnePlus Pad 2 Smart Keyboard setup. This is most likely due to the fact that this keyboard is virtually the same as the Apple Magic Keyboard V1 that I currently use at my desk for most of my writing.

We do still have a large trackpad, which is really comfortable to navigate around the tablet interface. It supports multi-finger gestures, allowing you to minimise Windows, take screenshots, navigate through multiple apps, and bring up all your apps in the multitasking overview. Unfortunately, I believe this is something that cannot be helped due to the keyboard’s design. The trackpad is prone to clicking when you have the keyboard in your lap. In my slightly cramped van work position, I’ve found it’s better to disable the trackpad and focus my touch inputs on the screen itself.

This is certainly one area where I do miss having the OnePlus Stylo 2, as this goes a long way to minimise the fingerprint marks that end up covering the screen. I would definitely consider packing a Microfibre cloth in your bag, as it is not just the screen that picks up these fingerprint smudges, but that magnetic backing plate for the keyboard cover is prone to it as well.

I really appreciate OnePlus’s decision to include command keys in the keyboard. One particularly useful one is the screenshot key, which makes capturing screenshots a breeze for future reference. I’ve also found the AI key to be incredibly helpful with Google Gemini, allowing me to access my toolkit swiftly. The media control keys are also very useful. Additionally, I enjoy being able to use my familiar keyboard shortcuts from my full-fledged MacBook Pro laptop within the Android ecosystem.

Hardware and Performance

Now that we have the design side of things sorted, it is time to look at what makes this tablet tick. That means we will need to have a deeper look at the heart of the tablet. Inside the OnePlus Pad 3 is a top-of-the-range chipset in the form of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is supported by an Adreno 830 GPU. This means that you are not going to have any app or service that will cause the performance on the tablet to struggle in any way. I have been able to run any app that I wanted to, and it loads quickly and smoothly, including any of the Google work apps that I have been using to write this review. I have also been using the tablet a lot for streaming content from various services, and these have all been seamless.

I have even managed a bit of gaming on the OnePlus Pad 3, going with my staples of Asphalt Unite and Grand Mountain 1 and 2. These are games that don’t demand much in that way of performance, so these have been absolutely fine for playing and have been able to support their maximum settings with no issues. I was also able to set the tablet up to work with my old Google Stadia Gamepad via Bluetooth, which allowed me to get a better gaming experience. However, I will say that holding the device in hand can be a bit cumbersome due to its large form factor. Playing with a dedicated controller does give a much better experience.

The tablet boasts an impressive 12,140mAh battery, designed to keep you powered up for extended periods. This substantial battery capacity ensures you can indulge in hours of uninterrupted streaming, whether you’re binge-watching your favourite series or catching up on the latest films. Its longevity means you can confidently rely on it during long journeys, whether you’re on a cross-country train ride or a long-haul flight.

For those planning adventures to distant sunny destinations, this tablet’s battery performance is particularly advantageous. You can explore new cities, relax on the beach, or embark on scenic excursions without the constant worry of your device running out of power. Unfortunately, I won’t have the opportunity to test the tablet’s endurance during my upcoming holiday to Madeira this summer (as I have to return the device at the end of the loan period), but its specifications strongly suggest it will handle such travel scenarios with ease.

The connectivity performance is very good, as I mentioned, I have been able to use the tablet with my Pixel Buds 2 Pro and my Google Stadia gamepad over Bluetooth with no issues or any appreciable latency that I can see. The performance of the Wi-Fi has been great, with me being able to get a strong and stable connection anywhere in my home, which is sometimes problematic.

I have also been able to get a very good connection to my Oppo Find X8 Pro when using the O+ Connect app to allow me to screen share and control my phone from the tablet. This also allows me to seamlessly share files and data between the two devices. It is also a really easy way to share the mobile hotspot from the phone and allow me the option of connection from anywhere I have a phone data signal. You can start this connection in one of two ways. You can either initiate it from the Smart Keyboard cover by holding the phone over the NFC spot on the lower right-hand corner of the keyboard. This will then start the connection process to your phone. Upon first setup, you will need to tick some checkboxes and grant a few permissions, but once done, it is smooth and quick to connect. The other way is by accessing the connection menu and initiating the connection on either the tablet or the phone side, as long as the pairing has been done at least once. If you do it this way on the first attempt, it still requires the same setup as the NFC method. Unfortunately, during the writing of this review, I sold the Oppo Find X8 Pro, so I was unable to capture any images of this working.

Volume when using it without headphones is clear and crisp as long as you don’t try and run it at full volume as at above 80% volume you will start to notice a bit of distortion but it is not hing that is too severe and 80% is more than loud enough for most environments where you are going to be using the speakers!

One other point of note is that during my use and even during the most intensive of tasks I have not noticed any considerable heat build up the device but it is worth bearing in mind that I have been mainly using the OnePlus Pad 3 in its “Laptop” mode so there has not been a massive amount of handheld use.

When you are in “laptop” mode, the Smart keyboard and stand do really come into their own and do exactly what they say on the tin. I have found that the stand is solid and will cope with all the biggest pokes at the screen. The keys on the keyboard are very nice to type on, and the travel is deceptively good for a low-height membrane-style keyboard. It also provides a reassuringly good amount of travel for a low-profile-style board. The trackpad is smooth and tracks your finger movement well, but being that the actual keyboard is less than 1cm thick, it is prone to false clicks when the keyboard is on your lap. I was quite surprised at how “lapable” the OnePlus Pad 3 and OnePlus Pad 3 Smart keyboard really are.

When it comes to performance, I can confidently say that this is, without a doubt, one of the best-performing Android tablets I have ever had the pleasure of using. This impressive performance can be attributed to a combination of factors, notably the exceptional software optimisation, which I will delve into shortly, and the top-tier hardware specifications that this tablet boasts.

The seamless user experience is a testament to how well the software complements the hardware. The tablet handles multitasking effortlessly, applications load swiftly, and navigation feels fluid and responsive, making it a joy to use whether for productivity tasks, media consumption, or light gaming.

If I were to deduct any points, it would be solely for the choice of display technology—specifically, the use of an LCD panel instead of an AMOLED one. However, upon reflection, I find that this decision has its merits. While an AMOLED panel could offer slightly deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, the difference in display quality is relatively marginal for everyday use. Moreover, incorporating an AMOLED display would have significantly driven up the cost, potentially making the tablet less competitive in its price segment.

In fact, I appreciate that OnePlus decided against the more expensive AMOLED option. This strategic choice helps keep the tablet’s price point more accessible, giving it a significant edge over competitors. The LCD panel used here is of excellent quality, offering bright, crisp visuals with good colour accuracy and strong viewing angles, which more than suffice for most users’ needs.

I am highly impressed by this tablet’s exceptional performance. Its powerful hardware, seamlessly optimised software, and stunning high-quality display come together to deliver an outstanding user experience.

Now that we have covered the hardware and performance, I want to take some time to go through the software and how this enables this to work as a “laptop”

Software

The OnePlus Pad 3 runs on OxygenOS 15, an operating system that significantly evolves OnePlus’s recent software, with a primary focus on multitasking. This is best showcased by Open Canvas, OnePlus’s innovative approach to managing multiple application windows based on usage. First seen on the OnePlus Open, this feature has been further developed in collaboration with Oppo on their Colour OS platform. Having experience with the Oppo Find N5, I was already quite familiar with the advanced nuances of Open Canvas on the OnePlus Pad 3. Essentially, Open Canvas allows you to have up to three full-sized apps running simultaneously on your display. When I say “full-sized,” I mean windowed versions of the apps. In practice, this means a tiny sliver of the other two apps remains visible even when you’re actively using one. This is just one of several ways to display multiple apps. You can also opt for a single main app with two smaller ones, or have two apps displayed side-by-side, each taking up half the screen.

This last option proved incredibly useful during my review, as I did all my writing on the OnePlus Pad 3. The ability to have Google Docs open alongside a Google Sheets spreadsheet, or even another Google Docs window or press release notes, allowed me to quickly and easily reference information from one document and write it into another. Using multitasking in this way, especially with the OnePlus Pad 3 Smart Keyboard, creates a near-laptop-like experience. Without Open Canvas, I would seriously doubt how easy it would be to use this device as a laptop replacement.

Beyond Open Canvas, the latest OxygenOS software includes several other valuable features. The ability to drag an app from the taskbar while another full app is open, and have it immediately snap to whichever side you drag it to for multitasking, is very useful.

There’s also a taskbar-style sidebar that can be pulled out from the side of the tablet. It can be set up on either side, but only one at a time, and it provides quick access to frequently used apps and some of the OnePlus AI tools, such as AI Write or AI Translate, if they’re relevant to your current task.

I attempted using the AI Write option for editing this review, but I encountered a frustrating limitation: the AI Write tool can only be used with up to 3,000 characters. While this might be sufficient for using the tool as a prompt to generate content, it was inconvenient for my purpose of editing and improving the flow of existing content. It’s possible I wasn’t using the tool as intended, but the name “AI Write” implies a multi-function tool for writing and content creation, similar to the writing tools I regularly use on my MacBook.

In addition to the existing AI tools, there has been a significant expansion centred around Google’s Gemini-based offerings. These enhancements are designed to provide users with more intuitive and versatile search experiences. Notably, the introduction of Image Search allows users to effortlessly find relevant visuals, enhancing both personal and professional productivity. This feature, coupled with the new full-screen search functionality, is accessible through the innovative Circle to Search tool. Circle to Search greatly simplifies the process of identifying and retrieving information directly from the screen by allowing users to circle items of interest, prompting an instant search.

Previously, such functionality was notably absent from the OnePlus Pad 2, leaving many users eagerly anticipating its inclusion. The good news is that this feature has now been successfully implemented, markedly improving the device’s AI capabilities. This advancement not only fills a critical gap but also aligns the OnePlus Pad 2 with the latest industry standards in smart device AI integration.

Furthermore, accessing this comprehensive AI toolset has been made remarkably straightforward. Both Circle to Search and Gemini are now readily accessible via a quick key press on the smart keyboard. By simply pressing the dedicated AI key, users can instantly bring up Gemini, facilitating seamless interaction with AI-powered features. This convenient shortcut also enables the use of Circle to Search, making it easier than ever to leverage advanced AI tools in everyday tasks.

Another software aspect worth mentioning is the gaming sidebar. OnePlus has been developing this over time, and it offers certain optimisations within gameplay on the tablet. While significantly simpler in operation than game spaces found on dedicated gaming devices like Red Magic, which is understandable as the OnePlus Pad 3 isn’t primarily sold as a gaming device, it’s still useful. When you pull the game task toolbar out from the corner of the screen, it allows you to change the performance mode for the game being played and, I believe, initiate a screen recording session. My main use for this was quickly changing performance modes to increase performance and quality while playing a game.

Other software features include video enhancement and image enhancement. Video enhancement brightens colours in videos, which I found worked within apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, as well as with native content on the device. Image enhancement brightens the colours and vibrancy of photos, both on the device and on cloud-based services like Google Photos.

When it comes to image editing within the OnePlus Gallery, you have a wealth of tools, including Object Eraser, Smart Cropping, and AI Detail Boost enhancement. These tools are very easy to use and offer essentially the same functionality as those found in the Google Photos suite. For this reason, I tended to do the majority of my image editing within Google Photos, an environment I’m more familiar with from using Pixel devices over the years.

I really appreciate the direction OnePlus is taking OxygenOS. The strong similarities between OxygenOS and Oppo’s ColorOS are very evident, and having used both device families recently, there’s very little difference between them. Another app that was very useful during my time with the OnePlus Pad 3 was O+Connect. This app originated from Oppo and has been implemented on OnePlus devices.

It allows for seamlessly linking a OnePlus or Oppo device to my tablet and transferring content between them. It also lets me connect the tablet to either a Windows PC or a Mac and even remotely control either a Windows device or my Mac. This is a very useful feature set, especially if you need to quickly pull files from your desktop onto your tablet.

During my brief review period, around the time of the tablet’s full sale launch (June 19th), the device received a significant software update. This is fairly normal for newly released devices, especially when they’re sent out to reviewers before public release. So, as a new owner, you can expect the software version you receive to be the one I currently have installed.

Camera
Cameras on tablets have always struck me as somewhat peculiar, especially as these devices continue to increase in size, exemplified by the latest OnePlus Pad 3. The idea of holding up such a large device to take photos can seem awkward compared to the ease and convenience of smartphone photography. However, manufacturers continue to enhance tablet camera capabilities, blurring the lines between traditional tablet usage and mobile photography.

On the rear of the OnePlus Pad 3, there is a neatly positioned camera module tucked into the corner. This module houses a 13MP camera, which offers respectable image quality for a tablet. The camera is capable of up to 10x zoom, allowing users to capture distant subjects with reasonable clarity. This feature could be particularly useful for scenarios such as taking photos of presentations, documents, or even casual outdoor shots where getting physically closer isn’t feasible.

Since the device utilises a single-lens setup, it does lack some of the versatility found in multi-lens smartphone cameras. There are no ultra-wide or macro modes, which means you can’t capture expansive landscapes or detailed close-ups with the same finesse. Instead, it adopts a straightforward point-and-shoot approach, focusing on simplicity and ease of use for casual photographers.

Nevertheless, the camera comes with a night mode feature, designed to enhance low-light photography. By keeping the shutter open slightly longer, the camera can gather more light, resulting in brighter and clearer images in dim conditions. While it may not rival the quality of dedicated night mode cameras on high-end smartphones, it still adds a useful dimension for those spontaneous evening shots.

You can, of course, still capture video with the camera, and you have the options of 720p, 1080p, and 4K. The quality of the video is also shown below. They are both relatively short clips, one of which is Full HD and the other of which is 4K. Both of the clips are shot at 30fps, which is the maximum available.

Here is a 1080P sample

Here is a 4K sample (This may have been reduced by the WordPress wizards)

 

There’s no built-in portrait mode, so it’s quite a basic camera setup. However, I’m glad about this because, in my opinion, the use case for a tablet is to capture documents and use it for video calls.

This is where the front 8MP camera comes into its own as it allows you to make video calls in pretty good quality. It also allows you to adjust the bokeh and whether you are using the wide angle option for the camera or not.

Some video from the Front camera, first with 1X Zoom setup

Secondly, with the zoom set as 0.8x Zoom for those wider-angle video calls.

The camera’s on the OnePlus Pad 3 may not be revolutionary, but it provides practical functionality for everyday use. Its features cater to convenience rather than professional photography, making it a handy tool for quick snaps, video calls, and document scanning.

Conclusion

I am very impressed with the OnePlus Pad 3, and it has been a joy to use it for the duration of this review. It is a powerful tablet and ticks all the boxes that a typical tablet customer could want. I tried to use the tablet in a more “Pro” style of use as a tool for writing this review, and for the most part, it worked very well. The only time I really came up against any issues it was not due to the OnePlus Pad 3 but down to the Android Software. I am sure if I were to spend more time experimenting with this setup, I would be able to find sufficient workarounds for the shortcomings of the Apps that I was using in this review’s creation.

If you are looking for a new tablet and don’t fancy paying the Apple or Samsung tax for their products, then this is a very good option, especially when you combine it with the array of accessories that are available to purchase (or get for free if you are lucky enough). I have found that the performance is excellent for gaming, media playbac,k and even getting work done.

I, for one, will miss the OnePlus Pad 3 when it is returned, as it has become a core piece of kit for me in my “blogging” arsenal.

If you want to purchase a OnePlus Pad 3 or any of the associated accessories, then you can buy it now from the OnePlus website and potentially have it gracing your lap/desk within the next week.