OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Can it Dethrone the iPad Air?

The OnePlus Pad 2 is here, and this review looks at whether it can beat the iPad Air in the competitive tablet market.

When it comes to tablets, the iPad has long been at the top of the list. However, the Android ecosystem has been continually trying to knock Apple off its perch. And it might be that OnePlus has stepped up to the challenge with the release of the OnePlus Pad 2. This is the third time this company has strayed into the tablet arena.

The Pad 2 is packed with cutting-edge features. This mobile device is meant to go head-to-head with Apple’s iPad Air. Given the robust hardware configuration, stunning display, and competitive pricing point, the Pad 2 is generating a buzz. But can it truly stand toe-to-toe with the iPad Air? Let’s dive into the details and find out.

OnePlus Pad 2 Display

One of the standout features of the OnePlus Pad 2 is its display. The tablet boasts a 12.1-inch LCD with a 3K resolution (2120 x 3000 pixels). Due to this, the visuals retain sharpness and vibrance. Moving over to the aspect ratio, 7:5 is a unique choice. Granted that it is a more square-like shape, it is ideal for productivity tasks, especially when paired with a keyboard.

OnePlus chose to go with a 144Hz refresh rate in the Pad 2. This keeps the scrolling smooth and the touch interactions responsive. While most apps default to lower refresh rates, the option to tweak settings allows users to take full advantage of the high refresh rate. Because of such a high refresh rate, simple tasks like browsing the web, playing games, or navigating the interface become a delight.

The display is also rated at 900 nits peak brightness. Simply, that means you won’t have a problem seeing the screen even when it’s bright outside. The support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG is a boon for the multimedia experience. The colors pop out with more depth and contrast. However, finding content that fully utilizes these formats can be a challenge. For instance, while Netflix supports Dolby Vision, the app had compatibility issues on the tablet during testing.

OnePlus Pad 2 Design

Design-wise, the OnePlus Pad 2 is a looker. At 6.5mm thick and weighing 584 grams, it strikes a balance between being lightweight and substantial. The edge-to-edge glass front combined with the slim bezels produces a modern, premium feel. The Nimbus Gray finish is sleek, but it tends to attract fingerprints, so a folio case might be a wise investment to keep it looking pristine.

The tablet’s back houses three contact plates for the magnetic keyboard, and the 8MP front camera is discreetly placed on the bezel. One notable omission is a fingerprint scanner, which some users might miss. The face unlock feature works well in good lighting but struggles in low-light conditions, often requiring a password entry.

OnePlus Pad 2 Performance

The OnePlus Pad 2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. Given the high memory, both read-only and storage, this tablet handles multitasking, gaming, and media consumption like a piece of cake. The tablet is snappy and responsive for everyday tasks. Lags or stuttering are almost non-existent.

The benchmark tests also give the same verdict about the Pad 2. The tablet scored 4702 points in Geekbench 6’s multi-core test and 950 points in the single-core test. In 3D Mark’s Wild Life Extreme Stress test, it achieved 4490 points with an average stability of 66.8%. The Pad 2 is more than capable of handling demanding applications and games.

OnePlus Pad 2 Battery Life

Battery life is another area where the Pad 2 shines. The 9510mAh can hold the phone for a reasonably long amount of time. Specifically, it will give you over 12 hours of video playback and web browsing. In mixed usage scenarios, including gaming, streaming, and social media, the tablet delivered around 9 hours of screen time.

When it’s time to recharge, the 67W Supervooc charging technology ensures a quick turnaround, taking the battery from 0 to 100% in just 78 minutes.

OnePlus Pad 2 Camera

Tablet cameras are rarely a selling point, and the Pad 2 is no exception.

The rear camera is 13 MP and the front camera is 8 MP. Obviously, this is nothing compared to what mobile devices are capable of today. But for basic tasks, like clicking a selfie or a normal photo, this is plenty of power. With good lighting, the rear camera captures decent photos and videos. However, photos in low-light conditions will not come out too good. The front camera is suitable for video calls and selfies.

OnePlus Pad 2 Software

The OnePlus Pad 2 runs on Android 14, with the OxygenOS 14.1 skin. The interface is clean and user-friendly. With the Content Sync feature, the tablet and OnePlus smartphones can be seamlessly connected. So on all your OnePlus devices, your photos, videos, and other content will be at the tip of your fingers. If you intend to use the Pad 2 for work purposes, the split-screen functionality and three-app multitasking capabilities will come in handy.

However, the software experience is not without its drawbacks. The lack of optimized third-party app support is not something Android tablets have excelled in for a long time. Many apps do not function well in landscape mode, which is a common use case for tablets with keyboard support. Popular apps like Spotify and LinkedIn often display awkwardly stretched interfaces, detracting from the overall user experience. This is a significant area where Apple’s iPad still holds a considerable advantage.

OnePlus Pad 2 Accessories

The OnePlus Pad 2 supports both a magnetic keyboard and the OnePlus Stylo 2 stylus, although these accessories are sold separately. The keyboard is priced at $149 and attaches magnetically to the tablet. The Stylo 2, which costs $99, offers features similar to the Apple Pencil, such as the ability to simulate writing on paper and double-tap to switch tools in the OnePlus Notes app.

By and large, the Pad 2 is a commendable effort from OnePlus. The hardware is powerful and the design is premium. The price tag of the Pad 2 is $549, and at this number, this is a big achievement. The basic parameters, the display, battery life, and the performance, are all impressive. However, the software experience, particularly the lack of optimized third-party app support, holds it back from truly rivaling the iPad Air.

If you are already invested in the OnePlus ecosystem, the Pad 2 is an excellent addition. Your other devices function so much better with this device in the mix. However, if productivity and app compatibility are paramount, the iPad Air remains a more reliable option.