If you’re looking to buy a new tablet in 2024, you’re likely choosing between two companies.
Apple’s iPad remains the market leader, offering a range of optimised apps that Android tablets still can’t match. However, if you’re satisfied with the more limited selection, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab range caters for both budget and high-end tastes.
However, you might need to expand your horizons to include a third company: OnePlus. The Chinese firm made a strong tablet debut with the original OnePlus Pad last year, and now it’s back for more with the aptly-named Pad 2.
And after having tried out the device for myself, there are a few key things that make it worthy of consideration.
No-compromise performance
The OnePlus Pad is by no means a flagship tablet, so you’d expect some compromise when it comes to performance. The most common way to achieve this is by swapping a high-end chip for something less powerful.
Not on the Pad 2, though. OnePlus has equipped it with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 , Qualcomm’s latest and greatest chipset. Alongside 12GB of RAM, you’re set for now and well into the future.
During initial testing, the OnePlus Pad 2 feels impressively fast and responsive. Especially when combined with that display…
A stunning screen
The original OnePlus Pad already had one of the best tablet displays in the business, and the Pad 2 makes it even better.
It’s equipped with a 12.1-inch 3K (3000 x 2120) OLED panel, complete with refresh rates up to 144Hz. The latter can automatically adjust down to 30Hz where appropriate, helping to improve battery life.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The screen looks just as good in person as it sounds – photos really don’t do it justice. Alongside no fewer than six speakers, the experience watching YouTube videos is superb.
Premium design
It’s not just what’s under the hood, though. The OnePlus Pad 2 looks and feels great, with no obvious compromises compared to flagship tablets.
OnePlus has stuck with a premium blend of glass and aluminium, with the latter stretching round to the sides of the devices. Many cheap tablets opt for plastic here, instead.
Curved edges make the Pad 2 comfortable to hold. At 584g, it’s slightly heavier than last year’s Pad (552g), but still relatively lightweight and easy to take almost anywhere with you.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The best Android tablet software
The OnePlus Pad runs Android, so I’m not about to claim that the software experience is better than the iPad. There simply aren’t enough third-party apps that are optimised to operate on tablets.
But with Oxygen OS 14.1 (over Android 14), OnePlus has done the absolute best to make the experience as optimised for the big screen as possible. All of its own apps take full advantage of the extra display, as do many of those made by Google.
The quick settings menu and app drawer are intuitive and easy to use, while there are a range of gestures designed to make multitasking easier. They include the OnePlus Open ‘s ‘Open Canvas’ feature, which allows you to open up to three apps side-by-side and extend the total usable area beyond the edge of the display.
The software experience on the Pad 2 will be familiar to anyone who’s used the OnePlus Open foldable
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
What’s more AI features for writing, speaking, image editing and summarising are all set to be added in a September software update.
However, OnePlus hasn’t outlined a specific commitment when it comes to software updates for the Pad 2.
An affordable price tag
Despite several high-end features, the OnePlus Pad 2 isn’t priced like a flagship tablet. In fact, it’s significantly more affordable.
The device will cost £499/€549/$549.99 with pre-orders live now via the OnePlus website . It’ll go on sale from 1 August.
However, it’s worth noting that all of the accessories will be sold separately (once pre-orders are over). The Stylo 2 stylus costs €99/$99.99, while the keyboard will set you back €149/$149.99. A regular case will also be available for €59/$39.99, with UK pricing for all three yet to be confirmed.
But even so, initial impressions suggest the OnePlus Pad 2 will be very good value for money. Will that still be the case after extended usage? Look out for our full review on Tech Advisor soon to find out.
In the meantime, see our guides to the best tablets and best Android tablets to see what the Pad 2 will be up against.
You may also be interested in our OnePlus Nord 4 review .
Author: Anyron Copeman, Mobile Editor, Tech Advisor
Anyron is Mobile Editor at Tech Advisor, where he’s been a mainstay of the editorial team since 2019. In his current role, Anyron is responsible for all smartphone, tablet and mobile network coverage on the site. A BA Journalism graduate, he has experience with a wide range of consumer tech products and services, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables and more.
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