OnePlus Pad 3 Review 2025: A Short Comprehensive Guide.

The OnePlus Pad 3 is the latest addition to OnePlus’ tablet lineup, aiming to deliver a premium Android tablet experience at a competitive price. Launched in June 2025, it builds on the success of its predecessors with a larger display, upgraded internals, and enhanced software features. Priced starting at $699/£529, it competes with heavyweights like Apple’s iPad Air and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 series. This review covers every aspect of the OnePlus Pad 3, from design and performance to software and accessories, to help you decide if it’s the right tablet for you.

Design and Build

The OnePlus Pad 3 sports a sleek, modern design with flat edges and a premium all-metal unibody. Measuring 289.61 x 209.66 x 5.97mm and weighing 675 grams, it’s slightly thicker and heavier than the 13-inch iPad Pro (5.1mm, 579 grams) and Galaxy Tab S10+ (5.5mm, 581 grams) but remains portable. Available in Storm Blue globally and Frosted Silver in select regions like India, its design is elegant but prone to smudges.

The camera module has been redesigned, moving to a pill-shaped bump in the top-left corner, aligning with conventional Android tablet aesthetics. While this change doesn’t affect usability, the lack of an IP rating for water and dust resistance is a drawback, so caution is needed in harsh environments. Overall, the design is premium and functional, especially when paired with optional accessories like the Smart Keyboard.

Display

The OnePlus Pad 3 features a 13.2-inch LCD display with a 3.4K resolution (3392 x 2400 pixels) and a 144Hz adaptive refresh rate. The 7:5 aspect ratio is optimized for multitasking, providing ample space for productivity apps and media consumption. With a peak brightness of 900 nits and a standard brightness of 600 nits, it performs well in various lighting conditions.

Color accuracy is impressive, covering 111.4% of the sRGB gamut and 78.9% of the DCI-P3 gamut, with a Delta-E of 0.23 for precise colors. While it doesn’t match the contrast of OLED displays found in the Galaxy Tab S10+ or iPad Pro, the LCD panel is vibrant and detailed, making it excellent for watching movies, gaming, and working. Reviewers note it handles titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Disney Pixar’s Elemental with stunning clarity.

Performance

The OnePlus Pad 3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, offering a 45% CPU and 40% GPU performance boost over its predecessor. It comes with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage in the base model, with a 16GB RAM/512GB storage option in some regions. Benchmark scores are impressive, with 2,980 (single-core) and 8,993 (multi-core) on Geekbench 6, outperforming the Galaxy Tab S10+ (2,137/7,130) and nearing the iPad Air M3 (3,042/11,804).

In real-world use, the Pad 3 excels at multitasking, handling apps like Google Docs, Chrome, and Disney+ simultaneously without lag. Gaming performance is stellar, with titles like Call of Duty Mobile and GTA: San Andreas running smoothly at high settings, enhanced by an eight-speaker audio system for immersive sound.

Battery Life

Equipped with a 12,140mAh battery, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers exceptional battery life. Real-world tests show it lasts over 16 hours with adaptive refresh rate enabled, surpassing the OnePlus Pad 2 (14 hours), Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus (15 hours), and iPad Pro M4 (13 hours). It supports 80W SUPERVOOC charging, reaching 100% from 5% in about 121 minutes with a 65W charger. Note that the 80W charger is included only in the US; in other regions, it’s sold separately (TechRadar).

Software and Features

Running OxygenOS 15 on Android 15, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers a clean and polished user interface. The Open Canvas multitasking system allows up to three apps to run simultaneously, with improved split-screen functionality and floating windows for enhanced productivity. AI features, such as AI Summarizer for web browsing and AI Assistant for note-taking, are integrated subtly and add value without being intrusive (Tom's Guide).

The O+ Connect feature enables seamless file sharing and remote control of macOS devices, making it a great option for Apple ecosystem users. However, it doesn’t support Windows, which is a limitation for some users. OnePlus promises three Android upgrades and six years of security updates, which is solid but trails Samsung’s seven years of OS updates.

Accessories

OnePlus offers several accessories to enhance the Pad 3’s functionality:

• Smart Keyboard ($199/£169): Features a larger keyboard and trackpad with NFC for file transfers. However, the trackpad can feel mushy, and the keyboard isn’t backlit.
• Folio Case ($49/£59): An origami-style case for protection and adjustable viewing angles.
• Stylo 2 ($99/£99): A stylus with haptic feedback and magnetic attachment, though its responsiveness lags behind premium options like the Apple Pencil.

These accessories are optional but significantly boost the tablet’s versatility for productivity-focused users.

Cameras

The OnePlus Pad 3 features a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. While functional for basic photography and video calls, the cameras are a weak point. Photos are often overexposed with muted colors and lack detail, performing below expectations for a premium tablet. For most users, the cameras are adequate but not a highlight.

Price and Value

The OnePlus Pad 3 starts at $699 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage model in the US and £529 in the UK. The 16GB RAM/512GB storage variant is priced at $699 in the US and £599 in the UK. Compared to competitors, it offers excellent value:

• iPad Air (M3): $799 for 256GB, more powerful but pricier.
• Galaxy Tab S10+: $999 for 256GB, with an OLED display but higher cost.
• Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: $649/£649 for 256GB, a budget option with less powerful hardware.

The Pad 3’s combination of performance, display quality, and battery life makes it a standout for its price (Mark Ellis Reviews).

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
• Large, vibrant 13.2-inch display with 144Hz refresh rate
• Long battery life with fast 80W charging
• Clean, feature-rich OxygenOS 15 with Open Canvas multitasking
• Competitive pricing for premium features

Cons:

• No fingerprint scanner or advanced facial recognition
• No microSD card slot for storage expansion
• IPS LCD display instead of OLED
• O+ Connect limited to macOS, not Windows
• Cameras underperform compared to competitors

Conclusion

The OnePlus Pad 3 is a compelling Android tablet that delivers premium performance at a mid-range price. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, vibrant 13.2-inch display, and long-lasting battery make it ideal for multitasking, gaming, and media consumption. While it lacks a fingerprint scanner, microSD slot, and OLED display, these are minor trade-offs given its value. The O+ Connect feature is a boon for macOS users, but Windows users may feel left out.

If you’re seeking a high-end Android tablet that rivals the iPad Air and Galaxy Tab S10+ without the premium price tag, the OnePlus Pad 3 is an excellent choice. It’s versatile, powerful, and budget-friendly, making it one of the best Android tablets of 2025.

FAQs

1. Does the OnePlus Pad 3 have a fingerprint scanner?
   No, it relies on basic facial recognition, which is less secure than biometric fingerprint scanning.
2. Can I expand the storage on the OnePlus Pad 3?
   No, there’s no microSD card slot. However, it offers 256GB or 512GB of internal storage.
3. Is the display on the OnePlus Pad 3 OLED?
   No, it’s an IPS LCD display, which is vibrant but doesn’t match the contrast of OLED panels.
4. Does the OnePlus Pad 3 support stylus input?
   Yes, it’s compatible with the Stylo 2 stylus, which supports haptic feedback and magnetic attachment.
5. Can I use the OnePlus Pad 3 with Windows devices?
   The O+ Connect feature is limited to macOS for remote control. File sharing works with Android and iOS but not Windows.