4 reasons I think the OnePlus Pad 3 is worth the upgrade

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

With that in thoughts, my expectations for the OnePlus Pad 3 had been excessive, and I am happy to report that with the Pad 3, OnePlus has taken the whole lot nice in regards to the Pad 2 and made it even higher, significantly when it comes to its design, efficiency, and its show.

Nonetheless, the primary sticking level that many individuals will instantly level out about OnePlus’ new premium pill this 12 months is the worth, and rightfully so. The OnePlus Pad 3 retails for a whopping $700 this 12 months, which is a big enhance 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 value hike is admittedly difficult to come back to phrases with, in comparison with different tablets in an analogous value vary, such because the $800 13-inch M3 iPad Air, the OnePlus Pad 3 greater than proves its value.

1

High of the road efficiency

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC reigns supreme

Some of the vital upgrades this 12 months with the OnePlus Pad 3 is its efficiency. The brand new pill is supplied with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, making it the primary pill within the US to characteristic Qualcomm’s newest high-end cell chipset. In distinction, the OnePlus Pad 2 was outfitted with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which was formidable final 12 months, however the 8 Elite takes it to an entire new degree. 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.

Based on 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. Once I carried out my very own exams, this largely held true. Working a Geekbench 6 CPU check on each the Pad 2 and Pad 3 aspect by aspect (each working the newest 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. Compared, the Pad 3 recorded a single-core rating of three,084 and a multi-core rating of 9,017. In cell video games like Fortnite and PUBG, this efficiency increase was evident, and each video games ran exceptionally effectively. 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 12 months, after I examined the OnePlus Pad 2, my solely main grievance in regards to the pill was that there wasn’t a smaller show possibility. Nonetheless, after utilizing the Pad 2 for nearly a 12 months 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 flicks in mattress.

Just like the OnePlus Pad 2, the OnePlus Pad 3 is offered in only one show dimension, and this 12 months, it is even bigger than earlier than. The OnePlus Pad 3 incorporates 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. 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 effectively with the 13-inch iPad Air. Nonetheless, it lacks an OLED panel, just like the $1,000 M4 iPad Professional has. All issues thought of, for a $700 pill, the OnePlus Pad 3 gives a big and vibrant show, making gaming and watching exhibits a pleasure. Would I like to see a smaller model in the future, nonetheless? Completely, however what we now have this 12 months is kind of an improve when it comes to dimension and backbone, and there isn’t any denying this show is not beautiful.

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 reasonable use, because of its large 12,140mAh battery. OnePlus claims it could actually survive as much as 15 hours of video playback on a single cost, which I imagine is correct in the event you alter the brightness accordingly.

My favourite half about unboxing this pill was that OnePlus really included the charging brick within the field, in contrast to the Pad 2. This implies you may cost the OnePlus Pad 3 from zero to one hundred pc in simply 92 minutes, because of its help 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 embrace the charging brick).

The OnePlus Pad 3 additionally boasts 70 days of standby time. In case you do not use your pill day by day, the Pad 3 can theoretically final over two months while not having a cost. I sometimes use my pill just a few instances per week, often relying on my schedule, so that is good for individuals 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 digital camera

Lastly, the final main factor that stood out to me in regards to 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 appears to be like 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 lately 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 want, because it appears to be like extra trendy and feels higher within the hand. One final change OnePlus made to the design is the location of the digital camera. I used to be all the time perplexed by the Pad 2’s awkwardly positioned round digital camera, positioned within the heart of the pill, and I thought of it one among its largest drawbacks. With the Pad 3, OnePlus has lastly acknowledged the necessity for change, scrapping the round digital camera in favor of a dual-lens vertical association much like that of the iPhone 16, which is positioned on the again left-hand nook of the pill (when held vertically).

General, OnePlus really knocked it out of the park with this pill by taking the whole lot individuals liked in regards to the Pad 2 and making it even higher. It is a profitable system that would repay — if individuals can settle for its greater value 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 ready 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’ll help as much as Android 18, which continues to be a number of years away.

In case you pre-order the OnePlus Pad 3 earlier than July 7, you may 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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