OnePlus Pad 3 Review: Perfect for the game, not for work

When OnePlus First presented his tablet For the world, it has impressed with high -end specifications at an affordable price. Now, with the OnePlus Pad 3, the company refines this formula. This last model brings modest hardware levels – including a larger and clearer display, a larger battery and an updated smart keyboard – as well as significant software improvements that help him get closer to competitors like Samsung and Apple.

However, the verdict remains largely the same: it is an excellent Android tablet for entertainment, and quite simply for light productivity. But at $ 699.99, $ 150 more than the original, it raises the question: does it still offer the same value?

A year ago, my answer could have been no. But in the current climate of the prices and the increase in costs at all levels, the PAD 3 is still the blow – in particular against specific competitors such as the Tab Galaxy at $ 749.99 S10 Fe. Whether it is the right purchase to you finally depends on what you want on your tablet.

The OnePlus Pad 3 has a larger 13.2 inch LCD screen with a slightly clearer resolution of 3392 x 2400, which makes films and emissions more vibrant. It is housed in a thinner and more flat aluminum frame which is easier to transport, although 675 g, it is heavier than the 13 -inch iPad Pro and too heavy to keep comfortably for a long reading or visualization sessions. The new eight -speaking system – with four woofers and four tweeters positioned around the device – is even stronger, offering a more immersive audio experience for YouTube, games and streaming.

OnePlus has also improved the battery life with a slightly larger 12,140 mAh cell. The battery only dropped by 15% after a few hours with two applications and a few open tabs, which suggests that it can easily last more than a day. OnePlus says that it can charge 0 to 100% in 92 minutes, with a 10 -minute recharging providing 18%. During my tests, he charged 20% to 80% in 76 minutes, increasing by 20% in 20 minutes – almost as fast as promised, and always impressive.

Most users will probably not notice a huge leap PAD 2. Experience is more iterative than changing games – but it is not necessarily a bad thing.

The 7: 5 appearance report was always ideal for reading SpotWhile the refresh rate of 144 Hz provided smooth visuals while I caught up in the last season of You and played games like Asphalt legends And Block the explosion! The screen always ends at 900 nits, which makes it usable outside. Under the hood, the PAD 3 keeps the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, with options for 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage or 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB. Performances are catchy and more than sufficient for most users.

The OnePlus Pad 3 is shipped with Oxygenos 15, the operating system of the company based on Android 15, and this is where the most interesting improvements are. OnePlus software has dragged behind its competitors like Samsung, Google and Apple, but Oxygenos 15 represents a significant step forward, especially for light productivity.

One of the most notable upgrades is the way PAD 3 now plays with Apple Devices – a rarity in the Android world. It supports the screen mirror and easy sharing of files and live photos with Macs or iPhones, which makes it particularly attractive for mixed Apple-Android households. As Apple’s user, I found the Mac remote control function surprisingly useful (when this really worked, in which I will dive shortly), because it allows you to visualize and control your laptop or your desktop in real time, transfer files between the devices and access PC files remotely from the tablet.

The configuration is simple: Download the O + application for Mac or Windows, log into your OnePlus account and make sure that all the devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Once configured, the connection is fast, but not always consistent. At the time of writing, I had trouble reconnecting my MacBook Air. The input delay and a slightly blurred mirror screen make this functionality less ideal for multimedia or video calls (especially since the 8MP front 8MP camera), but it remains useful to transform the tablet into secondary display or quickly access files without relying on cloud or messaging storage applications. This also made me easier to use the PAD 3 on my laptop for more tasks, reminding me of Samsung Dex – although the OnePlus version requires an Internet connection, unlike Dex, which works offline with a cable.

Oxygenos 15 also supports Google AI tools. The search circle is finally on board, allowing you to instantly search for anything on the screen with a gesture. The Google Gemini assistant is easily accessible via the power key or a dedicated smart keyboard shortcut. Other features seem basic but really useful, from writing tools which polish your text to a cleaning function of the voice note which strips the words of filling of transcriptions while preserving your original audio. OnePlus has also added basic photo editing tools such as AI retail boost and reversible modifications, which facilitates photo retouching.

PAD 3 is still below serious productivity. Although the largest screen and the multitasking system in open canvas – which made its debut on the PAD 2 – you allow you to run up to three applications side by side or to float them (which I found particularly useful when you read and taking notes), the overall experience remains limited by the constraints of Android software. Many Android – Slack and AirTable applications, for example – are still not optimized for large screens.

Beyond new features, OnePlus software stands out thanks to an improved update policy – which makes the price increase in PAD 3 a little easier to swallow. It is now delivered with three updates of the Android version (starting with Android 15) and six years of security fixes, two years more than the PAD 2 offered. This makes it a safer long -term investment. However, Samsung promises seven years of SG and security updates for the S10 Fe Plus tab, so for a tablet at this price, it would be good to see oneplus go even further.

Finally, like its predecessor, the PAD 3 can be purchased with a set of accessories. The unchanged 2 pen stylus works as well as before, but to accommodate the largest size of the tablet, you will need the $ 199 Pad 3 Smart keyboard or the $ 49.99 Pad 3 Folio box. The latter is very similar to the previous version, but the smart keyboard sees more notable changes. It now offers larger keys which constitute a more pleasant strike experience, as well as useful extras as an integrated NFC receiver for fast file sharing and a dedicated key to launch the Gemini AI assistant from Google.

Although the keyboard is ideal for typing emails, it is not ideal for heavy work. My main problem was the trackpad – although spacious, it often disrupted productivity by making the selection of text difficult and frequently triggered involuntary shortcuts, such as accidental screenshots. Keyboard stability also requires improvement; It always connects via pogo pins, which work well on a desk but feel unstable on your knees. Fortunately, the Bluetooth support allows you to detach and use it wirelessly.

The OnePlus Pad 3 is even better suited for the observation of frenzy, reading, streaming music and light multitasking than before. The improved software update strategy also makes it more to the test of future. The limits of the software prevent it from being a real replacement or a portable productivity power, but there again, few tablets are.

Photograph by Sheena Vasani / The Verge