OnePlus has produced some of the world’s best smartphones and watches at below-average prices in recent years, but its products have remained in the shadow of industry giants like Google and Samsung. With the launch of the OnePlus Pad in 2023, the company has proven that it can also make the most well-rounded Android tablet on the market, boasting great features at a mid-range price point.
A year after OnePlus’ first tablet arrived ahead of many of its contemporaries, attention is now focused on whether the new OnePlus Pad 2’s better specs and larger screen can help offset the pain of its significantly increased price.
OnePlus Pad 2 – Design and Features
At first glance, the OnePlus Pad 2 doesn’t look all that different from its predecessor, except for a noticeable change in color this time around: the matte-finish Nimbus Gray colorway is a more polished look compared to the original’s Halo Green, but there are a few differences worth unpacking here.
Most notable is the stunning 12.1-inch 3K display. It may only be slightly larger than the original OnePlus Pad’s already ample 11.6 inches, but it’s hard to complain about more screen real estate, especially when the display is this crisp and clear. That’s why we’re pleased to see that the OnePlus Pad 2 doubles the original’s somewhat unusual 7:5 aspect ratio, making it wider and taller than your average tablet.
Additionally, the brightness of the Pad 2 has been increased to 900 nits, making this latest model a much better performer in outdoor environments. As an example, I wrote part of this review lounging in my backyard in the direct sunlight of the morning, and with the brightness at full, I could see everything clearly with only a glimpse of my ugly face.
The OnePlus Pad 2 weighs 1.29 pounds, slightly heavier than the original’s 1.22 pounds, but lighter than popular Android tablets with 12-inch screens, such as the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus. But if weight is a big selling point for you, the smaller Galaxy Tab S9 and iPad Air are just 1.10 and 1.02 pounds, respectively. As a frequent tablet user, I don’t mind the weight of the OnePlus Pad 2 if I’m just looking at media or news for a short time, but I can’t deny that a lighter tablet would be more comfortable to hold in my hand for long periods of time.
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM provide more than enough power and speed for the average user, with a variable 144Hz refresh rate that’s perfect for fast app switching and split-screen multitasking. Browse the web, watch videos, and listen to music with no noticeable stutters or slowdowns.
The OnePlus Pad 2’s 9,510mAh battery lasted longer than any tablet I’ve tested, lasting about 12 hours of heavy use with moderate gaming (more on that later). Even better, the 80W fast charging meant the battery was full and ready to go again in about 75 minutes. It’s a real gem.
What’s not so great is the lack of expandable storage and the poor camera, the latter of which should only be used as a last resort for taking photos unless you like noisy, blurry photos. There’s also no 3.5mm jack, but we do want to praise the six speakers, which produce amazing spatial audio for a tablet. Using the device to watch YouTube videos and listen to Spotify playlists was an unexpected pleasure.
Finally, the biometric face unlock feature requires the use of the front camera unless you enter your passcode every time you want to log in to the OnePlus Pad 2. I prefer to use fingerprint authentication since I use my phone at different angles throughout the day, but the face recognition on this tablet is so flawless (even in low light conditions) that I can’t imagine logging in any other way.
Buying Guide
The OnePlus Pad 2 is available to purchase from the OnePlus website for $549.
OnePlus Pad 2 – Software
The OnePlus Pad 2 comes with Android 14 via OnePlus’s own OxygenOS skin, which is the closest to stock Android you can get without buying a Google Pixel device, but there are a few OnePlus-branded apps that have the same functionality as the better Google apps, although most of the apps can be easily removed to tidy up your app drawer.
There are also some OnePlus-specific AI features on offer, putting them on par with offerings from the likes of Google and Samsung. AI Eraser 2.0 lets you remove unwanted objects from photos; Smart Cutout 2.0 lets you create stickers; meanwhile, the AI toolbox includes AI Speaker, AI Summary, and AI Writer to help with on-the-go listening, article summarization, content creation, and more. Of course, how useful these are will depend on how you feel about using AI in these ways.
OnePlus is following the same trajectory as its OnePlus 12 and 12R smartphones, promising three years of OS updates and four years of security updates. This feels a bit low at a time when many companies are pushing for updates up to seven years, but given how quickly hardware ages in an era of rapid technological advancement, many users will want to upgrade within four years anyway.
OnePlus Pad 2 – Gaming
I’ve been testing the OnePlus Pad 2 for a week with games like Call of Duty Mobile and Zenless Zone Zero at various settings to see how the tablet holds up to my demands, and the end result was, well, pretty good. You won’t be able to do geek-level gaming with this tablet, but you’ll also rarely come across anything that the OnePlus Pad 2 can’t handle properly.
With all settings maxed out and OnePlus’ “Pro Gamer Mode” setting turned on, Zenless Zone Zero runs at 55-60 fps when you’re walking around town, but hoveres between 45-50 fps during flashy combat scenes. I didn’t notice any framerate fluctuations too much, but if you’re framerate sensitive, simply leaving the game set to 30 fps can mitigate a lot of the issues.
The main balancing act is between heat and performance. Running high-end games on this device will eventually make it very hot, potentially causing fps drops and other issues that will make for a less than pleasant gaming experience. That being said, a safe bet is to turn on “Pro Gamer Mode” and keep the in-game slider set to medium or high for 30 fps in your most demanding games.
OnePlus Pad 2 – Accessories
The OnePlus Pad 2 really shines when paired with its two main accessories, which you’ll need to buy separately: the Stylo 2 and the Smart Keyboard. As you might guess from the names, the former is a stylus and the latter an attachable keyboard deck, both of which are just as high-quality as the tablet itself.
The Stylo 2 magnetically attaches to the side of the tablet for charging, and aims to replicate the experience of writing on paper with haptic feedback and near-instant response times. It’s a great choice, especially for artists and note-takers. That said, while my drawing abilities are limited to drawing stick figures that look worse than the doodles I get on my bathroom walls, I still enjoy using it for general navigation and writing shopping lists.
Meanwhile, both the Smart Keyboard and the included adjustable back piece attach easily to the tablet with magnets, turning the device into a cool little workstation. I used the Smart Keyboard to write part of this review, and every moment of use was great. The keys are perfectly clicky and responsive, and the trackpad feels great. The fact that I’d rather type on the OnePlus Pad 2 than on the Surface Laptop says a lot.
But considering the One Plus Pad 2 is already pricey, spending another $250 on this pair of accessories starts to take the total price out of the budget range that makes OnePlus appealing to the average user. If you’re not artistically inclined or don’t need to take notes, I’d recommend skipping the Stylo 2. But for those who need to get work done on the go, the Smart Keyboard is a must-have.
