OnePlus Pad 3 with smart keyboard quick review: 10 important things that we noticed
OnePlus has launched the Pad 3 in India, and it comes bearing tons of headline features like a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, powerful charging and even software that’s designed keeping the tablet interface in mind. To top all of these features, there are AI tools and features onboard too. I have used the tablet for a while, and here are my initial thoughts about it.
Design: Sleek, simple and functional Remarkably thin at under 6mm, this 13.2-inch tablet is surprisingly sturdy and well-balanced. Its curved edges and matte finish lend it a sophisticated, productivity-focused feel. A noticeable upgrade from the original OnePlus Pad, it boasts tighter seams, slimmer bezels, and a less obtrusive camera. The fingerprint-resistant back and minimalist design exude a premium, yet understated elegance.
2/9
Display: Odd aspect ratio, works just fine The tablet features an unusual but functional 7:5 aspect ratio, offering a balance for reading, editing, and multitasking, enhanced by a sharp 3.4K resolution. While not cinematic, the display is immersive. The 3.4K 12-bit panel with HDR10+ delivers vibrant, accurate colours and sufficient brightness for clear viewing even in bright conditions, excelling with Dolby Vision trailers, 4K videos, and RAW photo editing. Plus, it has a 144Hz refresh rate that makes the entire experience seamless and smooth.
3/9
Audio: One big strength The speakers from the OnePlus Pad 3 deserve their own section. Eight drivers, spread across both sides, and they sound good for a tablet this slim. There’s spatial awareness built into how the Pad 3 routes sound when rotated, and you feel stereo separation. In landscape mode, vocals are centred and clean, and in portrait, the speakers don’t get muffled or off-balance. I played a few tracks off Tidal and even tried a bit of mobile gaming—this is one of the rare tablets where I didn’t feel the need to reach for headphones immediately.
4/9
Accessories: Makes it complete I tried the new magnetic keyboard for a bit, and this time it doesn’t feel like a last-minute accessory. Key travel is nice and offers proper feedback, and the trackpad, while small, is responsive enough for quick gestures. The stand makes the tablet feel stable and less wobbly, even on the go. The Smart Stylo 2 is also supported, but that needs to be purchased separately, just like the keyboard. It’s too early to say if it’s ready for real illustration workflows, but for annotating PDFs or jotting down thoughts in OneNote, it holds up well. Palm rejection is decent too—no weird ghost lines when resting my hand.
Performance: It’s powerful The chip inside isn’t the regular Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. This is the most powerful chip in the Android ecosystem. While I didn’t get a chance to push the tablet to its limits, for initial impressions, the Pad 3 performed well without any lag or stutter while working with multiple apps at the same time.
6/9
OnePlus AI features are functional The OnePlus Pad 3 features AI-driven enhancements like intelligent app preloading, adaptive refresh rate management, and contextual multitasking suggestions. It optimises performance and battery life by learning usage patterns over time. The tablet also supports AI-based handwriting recognition with the stylus, making note-taking and productivity more seamless and efficient.
7/9
Multitasking is seamless OxygenOS 15 on tablets is doing the heavy lifting here. Just like OnePlus Open, the OnePlus Pad 3 can also handle a three-window setup uniquely. And, it is now about handling three apps at a time, but the implementation and how seamless the interaction between all three of them is is more important. I tried editing a document on one side while dragging an image from the gallery in split view, and the transitions were clean. No janky resizing. OnePlus’s Open Canvas implementation feels less like a gimmick and more like a viable way to work.
8/9
The ecosystem is important If you use a OnePlus phone, the Pad 3 becomes more useful. File drops are quick, clipboard sync works automatically, and you can even control your phone’s screen from the tablet without latency. I received a call on my phone, and the tablet prompted me to pick it up right there. The same applies to connecting OnePlus Buds and other OnePlus devices.
OnePlus Pad 3: Initial impressions In a space where most Android tablets still feel like oversized phones, the OnePlus Pad 3 finally feels like something else. It’s lean without feeling light on power, sharp without being shouty, and practical without compromising build. There’s real potential here—for students, for creative pros, and even for casual couch browsing. It’s not reinventing the tablet, but it’s making a damn good case for its usability and practically.
