OnePlus Pad 3 Review: Smartphones are getting bigger and bigger. Laptops are becoming lighter and thinner. And pills? They’re still stuck in a strangely misunderstood middle ground. Yet for many of us, they’ve quietly become the screen we turn to most, whether it’s watching shows, casual gaming, jotting down notes, or getting serious work done on the go.
The recently launched OnePlus Pad 3, which I’ve been using for the past month and a half, aims to blur the lines between laptop-level performance and mobile-level convenience. It features a large 13.2-inch display with a 7:5 aspect ratio, is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and packs a 12,140mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC fast charging to keep you energized all day long.
Price Rs. Rs 47,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model. At Rs 52,999 for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant, the OnePlus Pad 3 looks promising on paper.
But details on paper rarely tell the whole story. I pushed this Android tablet through streaming marathons, gaming sessions, and work deadlines to see if it could really serve as a daily companion. In this detailed review, we’ll find out whether the OnePlus Pad 3 deserves a spot in your bag or whether spending on a low-budget laptop would be a smart choice.
OnePlus Pad 3 review: Sleek, smart and almost perfect design
There’s something undeniably satisfying about unboxing a gadget that looks like it’s from the future, and the OnePlus Pad 3 embodies that first impression. As soon as you take it out of the box, its impossibly thin frame makes you stop. At just 5.8mm thick, this tablet feels light yet remarkably sturdy, thanks to its aluminum body that’s both cool and premium to the touch. This is the kind of device that instantly boosts your confidence in your desk setup, or in a meeting.
OnePlus has perfected its design philosophy here, blending elegance with practicality. The tablet weighs only 675 grams, making it comfortable to hold even with the Smart Keyboard attached.
However, the design doesn’t attract attention at all. The OnePlus Pad 3 is available in two color options: Frosted Silver and Storm Blue, and I received the latter for review, which is closer to gray than the bold blue its name suggests. Although it’s sleek, it lacks the color or creative flair that rivals like Apple’s entry-level iPad offer. The all-metal back also attracts smudges very easily, which dulls its otherwise polished appearance.
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On the other hand, the ‘Smart Keyboard’ accessory, while convenient, feels like an afterthought. The keys have a slightly soft, “mushy” response, and the material on the bottom provides little grip, causing it to slip during typing sessions. It’s functional but not quite sophisticated. The good thing is that the physical buttons are well placed and responsive, which makes day-to-day use easy. The only real shortcoming is the audio, which doesn’t deliver the crispness expected at this price point. Still, with its sharp build and thoughtful design, the OnePlus Pad 3 proves that sophistication can come in a slim, stylish package.
OnePlus Pad 3 review: A big and stunning display that steals the show
Every once in a while, a gadget comes along that blows you away, not because it takes too much effort, but because it gets one thing so perfect that you can’t stop thinking about it. For the OnePlus Pad 3, that magic lies in its display. If this tablet had a heartbeat, it would pulsate through its 13.2-inch, 3.4K LCD screen.
At first glance, choosing LCD over AMOLED might seem a matter of concern. But wait a moment, and this 12-bit, 3,392 x 2,400 panel will effortlessly win you over. The adaptive 144Hz refresh rate ensures that every scroll, swipe and gesture feels like fluid motion, while 900 nits of brightness makes everything pop even in bright light. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this show spoils you; Every other screen you use afterward feels like a step back.
The secret behind that silky smooth performance is LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) technology. This is what allows the screen to dance between 1Hz and 144Hz depending on what you’re doing, racing to keep up with your game or slowing down when you’re just reading. It’s fast when you need it, quiet when you don’t need it, and incredibly efficient at managing power in-between.
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Then there’s Dolby Vision HDR support, turning movie nights and Netflix into cinematic entertainment. Paired with an eight-speaker setup that produces clear, rich audio, the Pad 3 turns into an entertainment powerhouse.
But beyond its visual brilliance, what really impressed me was its 7:5 aspect ratio. It feels natural whether you’re streaming a show, editing documents, or using multiple windows. There’s enough vertical space to make productivity easy without feeling cramped, a small detail that makes a huge difference when working or traveling.
After spending time with the OnePlus Pad 3, I realized that it’s more than just a tablet – it’s a device that bridges functions and runs seamlessly. Be it your travel companion or your entertainment center, its performance is what makes it hard to put down.
OnePlus Pad 3 review: Smart keyboard and other accessories
The OnePlus Pad 3 Smart Keyboard may seem like an attractive add-on at first, but once you start using it, the charm starts to fade. It’s made of plastic yet feels premium enough to match the tablet’s design, giving it a clean, laptop-style appeal. However, the setup feels quite heavy the moment you attach it, which isn’t ideal if portability is your priority.
Typing on it is a mixed experience. The keys are well spaced and soft to the touch, but they lack the clear, clicky feedback you’d expect at this price. The trackpad, on the other hand, performs well. It is intuitive, responsive and supports multi-finger gestures which makes navigation easy. Sadly, the missing backlight makes it difficult to work in low light.
However, the real issue lies in its magnetic attachment. The keyboard connects via pogo pins and a detachable backplate that also serves as a kickstand. Unfortunately, the magnets feel weak, and even the slightest movement can break the setup. This is frustrating, especially if you’re trying to move the tablet around while holding it upside down.
Despite its great design, the OnePlus Smart Keyboard feels more like a work in progress than an essential accessory. It gets the basics right but lacks the sophistication and robustness that would make it a truly reliable companion to the OnePlus Pad 3.
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OnePlus Pad 3 review: Display and software
There’s something strangely satisfying about a gadget that just works, no fuss, no slowdown, no drama. After using it for over a month the OnePlus Pad 3 feels exactly the same. This isn’t just a tablet trying to impress; It’s one that quietly wins your heart with its performance and thoughtful software.
Under the hood, the OnePlus Pad 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the same top-tier chipset you’ll find in flagship smartphones. This translates to effortless speed, whether you’re editing videos, using multiple apps, or gaming for hours. The device comes in two configurations: 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage, or a better 16GB of RAM with 512GB of storage, and it handled everything I threw at it without any hesitation.
Benchmark results support this, with the Antutu score easily surpassing 2.34 million. On Geekbench 6, it scored 3,048 and 9,404 points in single and multi-core tests respectively, while the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme stress test showed an impressive stability rate of 84.6%.
On the other hand, heat management is also impressive. The large aluminum body helps keep temperatures under control, so even during long gaming sessions, the tablet never feels uncomfortably hot. Even during long periods of gaming in demanding games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9, the tablet remained cool and consistent without any frame drops or throttling. It is indeed one of the most reliable Android tablets for gamers and heavy multitaskers.
However, it’s the software experience that sets the OnePlus Pad 3 apart. The machine runs on OxygenOS 15 (based on Android 15), and it offers a smooth, desktop-like experience. OnePlus promises three years of major updates and six years of security patches, providing long-term peace of mind. The standout feature here is Open Canvas, a multitasking setup that lets you use three apps at once, rearrange them with a single tap, or expand one to full screen without leaving your workflow. Once you get used to it, it’s fluid, smart and surprisingly addictive.
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The interface stays close to stock Android with minimal bloatware and plenty of customization options. Additionally, NFC tap-to-connect, O+ Connect for iPhone and Mac, and AI tools like Voice Recorder’s transcription feature and Notes’ text rewriting tool make everyday use seamless.
That said, Android’s tablet ecosystem still lags behind iPadOS. Some apps, like Google Docs, don’t transition smoothly between app and web versions, and creative software options remain limited. Despite this, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers one of the best Android tablet experiences yet, powerful, polished and purpose-built for real work. It’s not attempting to replace your laptop, but it may tempt you to use it more than you intended.
OnePlus Pad 3 review: Battery life and charging
Be it long workdays or intense sessions, the OnePlus Pad 3 can handle it with ease. Its massive 12,140mAh battery delivers 8 to 9 hours of screen time even with heavy usage. And when it’s time to recharge, the included 80W fast charging gets it back to 100% in less than an hour and a half, no waiting, just go.
final call
The OnePlus Pad 3 offers powerful performance and long battery life, making it one of the best Android tablets under Rs. 50,000. Its stunning 13.2-inch 3.4K display, sleek metal design and flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Elite processor makes it one of the most capable Android tablets that is ideal for entertainment, multitasking and productivity on the go. Long battery life and fast charging further add to its appeal.
However, the Smart Keyboard feels flimsy, with soft key feedback and weak magnetic attachments that make it unreliable for productivity tasks. While the all-metal design is classy, ​​it easily attracts stains, and the audio output lacks the crispness expected at this price. Furthermore, despite OxygenOS 15’s fluidity and desktop-style multitasking, Android’s app ecosystem for tablets still lags behind iPadOS in terms of creative and professional software support.
Still, Rs. At Rs 49,999, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers an excellent balance of power, design and value. It is ideal for users who want premium performance, top-tier display quality, and reliable battery life without stepping into the Apple ecosystem. Those who want a more robust creative or typing experience may prefer the iPad Air or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. Still, for everyone else, the OnePlus Pad 3 is a sophisticated, future-ready tablet that blends work and play better than most tablets in its class.
