OnePlus Pad 2 review: Powerful tablet with big ambitions

The OnePlus Pad 2 completes the producer’s vary of tablets, which now spans from the reasonably priced OnePlus Pad Go, through the unique 11.6-inch OnePlus Pad to this 12-inch pill with high efficiency.

It was solely in early 2023 that OnePlus made its debut as a pill producer. With a unusual design, concentrate on consolation and its personal method to multitasking, the unique Pad made a compelling case as a mixed-use pill for the house. Nevertheless, it lacked the required software program to make it an amazing productiveness machine.

Have issues modified on this second-gen slate? Right here’s our full evaluate.

Design, Specs & Efficiency

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• Robust efficiency
• Some AI options

In comparison with the unique OnePlus Pad, the Pad 2 boosts each display dimension and efficiency, and introduces a bunch of latest options.

The design of the pill is recognisable from the unique OnePlus Pad, with rounded grip-friendly edges, a stable aluminium physique and spherical digicam puck centrally positioned close to the lengthy aspect on the again. The position of the digicam is a small element that I recognize concerning the design – it permits the pill to lie firmly on a desk, regardless of the digicam physique protruding just a few millimetres.

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

OnePlus doesn’t maintain again on the {hardware}, with the Pad 2 powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. That’s the identical flagship chipset which powers most of the greatest Android telephones you should buy – together with the OnePlus 12.

You additionally get 12GB of RAM and and 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage on the one configuration obtainable.

Nevertheless, in keeping with benchmarks, efficiency isn’t fairly nearly as good as the perfect telephones round. It’s held again, doubtless as a consequence of both restricted warmth dissipation or a deliberate downclocking. Efficiency is extra according to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 than Gen 3, although after all that’s nonetheless very quick.

OnePlus Pad 2 benchmarks

And with Gen 3 you additionally get different advantages, corresponding to assist for Wi-Fi 7 and a way more highly effective NPU (Neural Processing Unit).

The latter helps allow a bunch of AI options inside Oxygen OS, OnePlus’ pores and skin over Android 14, from clever deletion of objects in images and computerized enhancement of facial readability, to transcribing and summarising recorded conferences.

Different AI options are anticipated in a future software program replace, together with some which are already obtainable on the OnePlus Nord 4.

It’s not fairly Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy-level breadth and high quality of options but, however OnePlus is heading in the right direction. And naturally, the Snapdragon’s NPU might be utilised by any third-party app that desires it.

The graphics aren’t working at full velocity with the identical gaming efficiency as on telephones both, however which may be extra as a consequence of the truth that the display with its excessive decision is reluctant to push as much as excessive body charges in graphic-heavy video games.

Display & Audio system

• 12-inch, 2120 x 3000 show
• 144Hz refresh charge
• Six audio system

In any other case, the show is effectively suited to gaming, with as much as 144Hz body charge, massive color gamut, excessive brightness and assist for each HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient. It’s not an OLED however an IPS panel, so that you received’t get that final distinction, however the deep blacks you often get with OLEDs are nonetheless obvious right here, and it handles totally different viewing angles with out challenge.

You additionally get well-balanced auto brightness, that means visibility is sweet, even in daylight. There’s additionally an computerized color tint, nevertheless it tends an excessive amount of in the direction of heat tones, so the picture is nearly sepia-toned. I swap that off and set it manually as a substitute – it’s straightforward to regulate.

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

The system has a complete of six audio system, with two pairs on the quick sides and two built-in woofers. They mix to supply lush sound that is excellent in encompass mode, utilizing ‘OReality’, a sound enhancement expertise from OnePlus’ sister firm Oppo.

You may get a very good cinema really feel, the best stability and element for music, and further element within the sound for while you’re taking part in video games.

What doesn’t impress, nevertheless, is the sound quantity. It could possibly get very loud, however shortly turns into sharp and shrill, to the extent that it’s fairly disagreeable.

Battery Life & Charging

• 9510mAh battery
• Spectacular battery life
• 65W charging, however no charger within the field

Battery life is likely one of the OnePlus Pad 2’s principal strengths.

You may count on round 11-12 hours of lively app use on a single cost, or much more for video streaming, which is an actual optimistic. You received’t get that on an iPad or Galaxy Tab, particularly not for video, the place the Pad 2 appears to have each an environment friendly processor and environment friendly display.

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

You too can cost the battery impressively quick – supplied you may have a charger that helps OnePlus and Oppo’s 67W Supervooc quick charging. As is frequent these days, there’s no charger within the field.

In the event you do have a appropriate charger, you may count on a full cost in lower than an hour. I don’t have entry to 1 in my take a look at pill, however a 65W GaN charger I had was nearly as quick.

Equipment

• OnePlus Stylo 2 pen
• OnePlus Folio Case 2
• Each bought individually

On the higher lengthy aspect, the sting is bevelled to be able to place the Stylo 2 pen there for storage and induction charging. It really works effectively, however received’t be a necessity for most individuals.

Nevertheless, if you wish to flip the Pad right into a productiveness laptop computer of kinds, the Sensible Keyboard is a superb. You get a built-in kickstand, snug and well-built keyboard and a big, responsive mouse pad. It additionally has a built-in NFC reader, which might be useful.

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

It’s linked through Bluetooth, so may also be run whereas disconnected from the pill. It got here as a shock once I unplugged it and it continued to manage mouse and textual content enter.

Nevertheless, there’s no approach to shortly swap it off. Shouldn’t there simply be a swap on the keyboard? It looks like a design mistake.

Neither of the equipment are included within the worth, however they’re typically discounted when purchased in a bundle with the pill.

Software program & Updates

• OxygenOS 14 over Android 14
• Three years OS, 4 years safety updates

On the software program aspect, I nonetheless miss some issues from OnePlus to make the Pad 2 a greater productiveness pill for work.

A desktop mode that makes mouse and keyboard management extra central is the primary. Each Samsung and Lenovo now have actually good variations of this, and it makes it a lot simpler to do issues like work in writing and spreadsheet apps or multitask with a number of browser home windows.

On a display as massive and high-resolution as this one, it might have been a plus, particularly with the quick processor that may undoubtedly energy it. Proprietary multitasking interface Open Canvas feels higher on the smaller OnePlus tablets – it’s higher at making a small display really feel greater than utilising a bigger display.

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

OnePlus can be eager, like another producer, to construct ecosystems, and pairing with a OnePlus telephone gives some benefits. You may shortly sync your telephone with the pill utilizing the NFC perform within the keyboard to share information or show the cell display as a window on the pill.

However that’s extra spectacular than essential. The cell phone is true there, and there are many different methods to simply sync information between gadgets.

WPS Workplace is pre-installed, nevertheless it’s the one precise app that looks like an app for work right here. And it’s solely a fundamental model, with some options requiring an improve to the Professional subscription. I’d as effectively run Google Docs or Microsoft Phrase as a substitute.

By way of software program updates, OnePlus is providing three main OS updates and 4 years of safety patches for the Pad 2. That’s an honest dedication, and on the higher finish for an Android pill in 2024.

Worth & Availability

The OnePlus Pad prices £499/$549.99. On the time of writing, it’s solely obtainable direct from both OnePlus UK or OnePlus US.

That presently features a free Folio Case 2, however upgrading to the Sensible Keyboard will value you £149/$149.99. Including the Stylo 2 pen is an additional £99/$99.99.

It’s a extremely aggressive choice for the worth, however most of the greatest Android tablets supply a equally sturdy expertise. You’ll usually pay much more, although.

Must you purchase the OnePlus Pad 2?

There’s no denying that the OnePlus Pad 2 is nice worth for cash. It’s basically a scaled-up model of the unique when it comes to dimension, efficiency and high quality in lots of areas. The one actual exception can be the mediocre cameras.

It’s nonetheless as much as you to search out methods to make use of the Pad 2 as a piece pill, although. There have been some makes an attempt to create a system for that, however OnePlus hasn’t gone far sufficient.

For shopping, leisure and gaming, it’s unquestionably an excellent pill. However it’s actually not the one one round this worth.

Specs

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• 12GB RAM 
• 256GB non-expandable storage 
• 12.1-inch, 2120 x 3000 LCD show 
• 144Hz dynamic refresh charge 
• 9510mAh battery 
• 67W quick charging (charger not included)
• Entrance-facing 8Mp digicam 
• Rear 13Mp digicam 
• Six audio system 
• 268.7 x 195.1 x 6.5 mm
• 584g (pill solely)