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 evaluate 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 powerful 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 every little thing nice concerning the Pad 2 and made it even higher, notably when it comes to its design, efficiency, and its show.

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

1

High of the road efficiency

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC reigns supreme

Probably the most vital upgrades this 12 months 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 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 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.

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) pace. 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 facet by facet (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. As 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 enhance 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 concerning 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 measurement has subsided, and I’ve actually come to get pleasure from utilizing its 12-inch display screen, particularly for watching YouTube movies and flicks in mattress.

Much like the OnePlus Pad 2, the OnePlus Pad 3 is obtainable in only one show measurement, and this 12 months, it is even bigger than earlier than. The OnePlus Pad 3 includes 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.

Should 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-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 12 months is kind of an improve when it comes to measurement and determination, and there is not any denying this show is not gorgeous.

3

Lengthy-lasting battery life

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

With regards 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 huge 12,140mAh battery. OnePlus claims it could survive as much as 15 hours of video playback on a single cost, which I imagine is correct if you happen to regulate 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’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 embrace the charging brick).

The OnePlus Pad 3 additionally boasts 70 days of standby time. Should you do not use your pill day by day, the Pad 3 can theoretically final over two months with no need a cost. I usually use my pill just a few instances every week, normally relying on my schedule, so that is excellent for folks like me who do not use their tablets as usually.

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 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 practically 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 trendy and feels higher within the hand. One final change OnePlus made to the design is the position 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 middle of the pill, and I thought-about it considered one of its greatest 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 just like that of the iPhone 16, which is positioned on the again left-hand nook of the pill (when held vertically).

General, OnePlus actually knocked it out of the park with this pill by taking every little thing folks beloved concerning the Pad 2 and making it even higher. It is a profitable formulation 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 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 should assist as much as Android 18, which continues to be a number of years away.

Should 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 Good Keyboard, OnePlus Pad 3 Folio Case, or the OnePlus Stylo 2.

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