Latest news with #AndroidTablet
Phone Arena
5 days ago
- Phone Arena
The most powerful Android gaming tablet has a new name and a release date
Android tablet Receive the latest Android news By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Android tablet RedMagic Astra Gaming Tablet retail package | Image credit: RedMagic Not many phones are using the Leading Version of Snapdragon 8 Elite, but there's one that everyone is familiar with, Samsung's Despite its compact chassis, RedMagic's Another tidbit revealed by RedMagic is that its new tablet comes with a fingerprint sensor, a feature that not many slates offer. The Astra Gaming Tablet will be available in multiple storage sizes including 12/256GB, 16/512GB, and 24GB/1TB. Fans who Not many phones are using the Leading Version of Snapdragon 8 Elite, but there's one that everyone is familiar with, Samsung's Galaxy S25 (the entire series). No tablet besides the RedMagic Astra Gaming Tablet takes advantage of this very powerful chip its compact chassis, RedMagic's gaming tablet packs a massive 8,200 mAh battery that features support for 80W wired charging speeds, the fastest in the industry for a tablet of its tidbit revealed by RedMagic is that its new tablet comes with a fingerprint sensor, a feature that not many slates Astra Gaming Tablet will be available in multiple storage sizes including 12/256GB, 16/512GB, and 24GB/1TB. Fans who sign up on the international website are offered the chance to win a full refund after they purchase the tablet. We've already reported about Nubia's new gaming tablet , RedMagic Tablet 3 Pro, which also happens to be the most powerfulavailable on the the RedMagic Tablet 3 Pro is now available for purchase in China for prices starting at 4,000 yuan ($550 / €480), which is an incredibly low amount considering its specs. We expect the tablet to cost a bit more when it launches globally, but not by of which, RedMagic confirmed recently that its powerful Android gaming tablet will be available internationally beginning July 1. The slate will also have a different name for global markets: RedMagic Astra Gaming tablet's dedicated page on RedMagic's official website doesn't reveal any information about the price, but we do know Astra will be available in either Eclipse Black or Starfrost many powerful Android tablets out there, Astra is a compact slate featuring a 9.06-inch OLED display with 2400 x 1504 pixels resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio and 165Hz refresh rate. In fact, this is the industry's first OLED gaming tablet, at least according to RedMagic. Apart from having an OLED panel, the Astra Gaming Tablet is also the industry's first to feature a display with 5280Hz ultra-high frequency PWM reason it's the most powerfulavailable on the market is because RedMagic is using Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version, which is a slightly overclocked version of the 'vanilla' model.
Android Authority
14-06-2025
- Android Authority
I tested the $390 Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. Here's why it's my new favorite budget Android tablet.
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro may not be your first choice for a budget Android tablet, but it's one of the best you can get in 2025. With an outstanding display and speaker setup, reliable performance and battery life, and a good out-of-the-box software experience, it's an excellent package for less than $400. Shopping for an affordable Android tablet in 2025 is… less than ideal. We're at a point where Samsung and Amazon are largely keeping the budget tablet market afloat, coupled with endless options from no-name brands, none of which are worth your time or attention. It can make your choices feel quite limited, but you do have more to choose from. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is one such choice. It was announced at CES this January and hit store shelves this April, all of it done with very little fanfare. The $390 price is on the high end of the budget Android tablet space, but it's more appealing than the $500+ flagships. The hardware looks good, too, but the quiet, inconspicuous launch makes it feel like Lenovo lacks confidence in the tablet. Curious to find out for myself, I spent the last few weeks testing the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, and it's not at all what I expected. Lenovo's tepid launch strategy might lead you to believe there's nothing special here, but having used and lived with the Idea Tab Pro, I think this is one of the best budget Android tablets you can buy right now. Everything I love about the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Joe Maring / Android Authority There's a lot that can go wrong with lower-cost tablets. Whether it's the hardware, display, performance, battery life, charge speeds, or software, one of these things usually takes a backseat to accommodate a low price. But, amazingly, that's not the case with the Idea Tab Pro. The build quality is what struck me first. The Idea Tab Pro's entire body is constructed out of aluminum, and it looks and feels exceptional. It's cool to the touch, the 6.9mm profile means it's easy to grip, and the frame has shown no signs of bending or creaking — something that's not always a given with cheaper tablets like this. Joe Maring / Android Authority The (very good) fingerprint sensor on the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. I was also really happy to find a fingerprint sensor built into the power button. This is a feature a lot of budget Android tablets often forgo (even the $700 OnePlus Pad 3), but Lenovo managed to include one in the Idea Tab Pro. And it's great! It's fast, reliable, and makes unlocking the tablet or accessing a password manager/banking app so much easier. Entering a PIN for these things isn't the end of the world, but I'd much rather have a fingerprint sensor for them, and I'm glad to have one here. Even more impressive than the fingerprint sensor is the screen. While I don't love the 12.7-inch size (more on that later), everything else about the screen is excellent. The 2944 x 1840 resolution is sharp, the LCD panel produces pleasing colors, and the 400 nits of max brightness is plenty for normal use. Joe Maring / Android Authority You probably won't want to use the Idea Tab Pro in direct sunlight, but sitting in a brightly lit coffee shop right by a window, I had no visibility issues whatsoever. The off-axis viewing angles aren't the best, but so long as you aren't watching a movie at an off-angle, they shouldn't be a serious issue. Almost everything about the Idea Tab Pro's screen is excellent. Also seeming to understand that a good display is only as good as the speakers that accompany it, Lenovo has crammed in a shockingly good audio experience into the Idea Tab Pro. You get a quad speaker setup (two on the left frame, two on the right), and it's legitimately incredible for a sub-$400 tablet. The speakers get really loud, so loud that if I have the tablet at just 50% volume, I can easily hear it at the opposite end of my 1,000-square-foot apartment. At max volume, the Idea Tab Pro sounds like a portable Bluetooth speaker — and with surprisingly little audio distortion, too. It's honestly pretty amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect from the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chip and 8GB of RAM, but the Idea Tab Pro has been surprisingly performant. Its CPU benchmarks below the Legion Tab Gen 3 and OnePlus Pad 3, which is to be expected considering both are more expensive. The Idea Tab Pro also scores the lowest in the Wild Life GPU Stress Test, but interestingly, it ran significantly cooler throughout, too. Those low numbers may seem concerning, but unless you're actively trying to push the Idea Tab Pro to the limit, I don't think you'll have any serious performance complaints. Apps open and run without a problem, multitasking isn't an issue, and 2160p YouTube videos play without a hitch. Even playing a few rounds of Call of Duty: Mobile at Very High graphics and High frame rate settings, the Idea Tab Pro handles it like a champ. Joe Maring / Android Authority What about the battery? Tablet use can vary wildly from person to person. As someone who grabs the Idea Tab Pro a handful of times each day to watch a video, scroll through Reddit, or play a couple of rounds of CoD: Mobile, I can usually get through five days before needing to charge. Watching a 2160p YouTube video only drains 10% after an hour, while the Idea Tab Pro barely loses 1% battery while sitting idle overnight. And when it is time for a top-up, the 45W wired charge speeds mean you get back up to a full battery in about two hours with a compatible USB-C Power Delivery charger — not too shabby at all. A great software experience, with one catch Joe Maring / Android Authority PC Mode on the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. I have slightly more mixed feelings about the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro's software, although most of it is a positive experience. Lenovo's ZUI skin has some visual tweaks compared to 'stock' Android, but for the most part, it's a clean, familiar interface. Google's Entertainment Space lives to the left of your main home screen, there's split-screen and floating window multitasking, and you can swipe up to see your app dock at any time. I've also been surprised by the amount of extra (and useful) goodies Lenovo throws on top of the stock Android experience. My personal favorite is PC Mode, which transforms the usual Android UI into a desktop layout in the same style as Samsung DeX. It's laid out well, allows for more advanced multitasking, and is a great option to have if you plan on using the Idea Tab Pro with a keyboard accessory. Once Android 16 arrives, that's the last OS upgrade the Idea Tab Pro will ever see. That 'one catch' mentioned above is Lenovo's update policy. The Idea Tab Pro ships with Android 14 out of the box, is now upgradeable to Android 15, and will eventually be updated to Android 16. But once Android 16 arrives, that's the last OS upgrade the Idea Tab Pro will ever see. You'll get security patches for longer (four years total), but that doesn't excuse the limited number of Android OS updates. At the bare minimum, the Idea Tab Pro should be supported through Android 17, and, if we're being honest, even Android 18. Calling it quits after updating the Tab Pro to this year's Android version is not adequate support and is objectively the worst thing about Lenovo's otherwise excellent tablet. My biggest issue with the Idea Tab Pro Joe Maring / Android Authority Although that update policy is the biggest objective issue with the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, I do have a more personal issue I want to mention before we wrap things up. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro has a 12.7-inch display and weighs 620 grams. If you ask me, that's too big and too heavy for the ideal tablet form factor. While the big screen is great for watching movies, it can make some on-screen game controls a bit awkward, and it makes unoptimized Android apps all the more obvious and irritating to interact with. And for some weight context, the 620-gram body is significantly heavier than tablets like the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Google Pixel Tablet (497 grams and 493 grams, respectively) — and you feel it after holding the Idea Tab Pro for too long. I don't think this is a dealbreaker for the tablet, but it is something to keep in mind. A slightly smaller screen and lighter build would go a long way in making the Idea Tab Pro a more comfortable and welcoming tablet, and I hope that's something Lenovo addresses if/when it releases a second-gen model. Lenovo Idea Tab Pro review verdict: Is it worth it? Joe Maring / Android Authority Even with the bulky design and lacking update policy, I've still been really happy with the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. This is a well-made Android tablet with a great display, outstanding speakers, solid performance, reliable battery life, fast charging, and a good software experience. It even comes with a free, pressure-sensitive stylus that attaches to the back of the tablet. The Idea Tab Pro will set you back $390 if you buy directly from Lenovo, but if you pick it up at Amazon, it's available for $380 and comes with a free folio case. Considering everything the Idea Tab Pro gets right, it's a pretty exceptional price. What are your alternatives? The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus ($219.99 at Amazon) is quite a bit cheaper, but it also has a lower-quality display, a weaker chipset, less internal storage, and much slower charging. It's a solid option for the price, but you also get what you pay for. Joe Maring / Android Authority Lenovo's own Legion Tab Gen 3 ($549.99 at Lenovo) is also worth considering. It's pricier, but it also has a much smaller display, a more manageable design, and significantly more horsepower. If you want a compact and powerful Android tablet, it's one of the best options out there, but it's also not nearly as well-suited for watching TV/movies, and it's a weaker overall value proposition. If you want a big Android tablet under $400 with a great display, loud speakers, and good performance and battery life, I can't think of any other tablet that's a better deal than the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. It may not be perfect, but at this price, it's pretty darn close. Lenovo Idea Tab Pro MSRP: $390.00 Budget tablet beast. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is a budget Android tablet, released in the US in April 2025. It stands out for its large 12.7-inch display, aluminum design, and impressive speaker setup. See price at Amazon Positives Premium build Premium build Excellent display Excellent display Unbelievably loud speakers Unbelievably loud speakers Good performance and battery life Good performance and battery life Comes with a free stylus Cons Very limited Android updates Very limited Android updates A bit too big and heavy
Geeky Gadgets
11-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
OnePlus Pad 3: The Android Tablet You've Been Waiting For
The OnePlus Pad 3 establishes itself as a standout in the Android tablet market by combining a sleek design, powerful hardware, and versatile software. Priced at $699, it appeals to a broad audience, including students, professionals, and media enthusiasts. Whether for productivity, entertainment, or multitasking, this tablet delivers a seamless experience. With its advanced features and thoughtfully crafted accessories, the OnePlus Pad 3 positions itself as a formidable competitor in the ever-evolving tablet landscape. We get to have a detailed look at the new OnePlus tablet in a new video from Zollotech. Watch this video on YouTube. Design and Build: Elegance Meets Durability The OnePlus Pad 3 impresses with its slim and lightweight design, measuring just 5.97 mm thick and weighing 675 grams. Its elegant Storm Blue finish adds a touch of sophistication, while the robust construction ensures durability. The tablet feels premium in hand, making it suitable for both professional and casual use. However, the reflective screen lacks an anti-reflective coating, which can pose challenges in bright environments. Despite this minor drawback, the overall design and build quality make it a visually appealing and sturdy device that stands out in its class. Display: A Feast for the Eyes The 13.2-inch 3.4K LCD display is one of the OnePlus Pad 3's most striking features. With a sharp 315 PPI resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate, the display ensures smooth and fluid visuals, whether you're gaming, scrolling, or streaming. The inclusion of Dolby Vision HDR and 12-bit color support enhances the viewing experience by delivering vibrant and lifelike images. Additionally, the 900-nit peak brightness ensures excellent visibility in various lighting conditions. Whether you're working on detailed projects or enjoying your favorite movies, the display offers crisp detail and vivid colors that elevate your experience. Performance: Power and Efficiency Redefined At the heart of the OnePlus Pad 3 lies the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This powerful combination ensures fast and efficient performance, whether you're multitasking, gaming, or running resource-intensive applications. The tablet's graphene composite vapor chambers effectively manage heat, allowing for consistent performance even during extended use. Running on Android 15 with Oxygen OS, the software provides a smooth and intuitive interface. Features like floating windows and split-screen multitasking enhance productivity, making the tablet a versatile tool for various tasks. Battery and Charging: Long-Lasting and Fast The OnePlus Pad 3 is equipped with a massive 12,140 mAh battery, offering up to 15 hours of video playback and an impressive 70 days of standby time. This endurance ensures that the tablet can keep up with your busy schedule, whether you're working, traveling, or streaming. The 88W SuperVOOC fast charging technology is another highlight, fully recharging the device in just 92 minutes. This rapid charging capability minimizes downtime, allowing you to stay productive and entertained without interruptions. Audio: Immersive and Balanced The audio system of the OnePlus Pad 3 is designed to complement its high-quality display. Featuring eight speakers—four bass drivers and four tweeters—the tablet delivers clear and balanced sound. The spatial and virtual audio capabilities enhance the listening experience, making it ideal for media consumption, video calls, and casual music listening. Whether you're watching movies or attending virtual meetings, the audio system ensures an immersive and enjoyable experience. Accessories: Expanding Possibilities The OnePlus Pad 3 offers a range of accessories that enhance its functionality and usability. These accessories are designed to cater to different needs, from productivity to creative tasks: OnePlus Stylo 2: A precision stylus ideal for note-taking, sketching, and drawing. It features an additional tip for extended usability, making it a versatile tool for creative professionals and students. A precision stylus ideal for note-taking, sketching, and drawing. It features an additional tip for extended usability, making it a versatile tool for creative professionals and students. Magnetic Folio Case ($49.99): A protective case that supports both landscape and portrait orientations. Its versatility and durability make it a practical choice for everyday use. A protective case that supports both landscape and portrait orientations. Its versatility and durability make it a practical choice for everyday use. Smart Keyboard ($199): A backlit keyboard with a large trackpad, NFC support, and Bluetooth connectivity. This accessory transforms the tablet into a productivity powerhouse, allowing efficient typing and navigation. Software Features: Productivity and Intelligence Running on Android 15 with Oxygen OS, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers a robust suite of software features designed to enhance productivity. Key functionalities include dynamic app scaling, floating windows, and split-screen multitasking, allowing users to manage multiple tasks efficiently. AI-powered tools such as AI summary, AI writer, and AI translation, along with the Gemini assistant, provide intelligent assistance for various tasks. With three years of OS updates and six years of security updates, the tablet ensures long-term reliability and relevance, making it a dependable choice for both personal and professional use. Performance Benchmarks: A True Powerhouse The OnePlus Pad 3 excels in performance benchmarks, scoring 3,111 in single-core and 9,932 in multi-core tests on Geekbench. It also performs exceptionally well in 3D Mark benchmarks, showcasing its ability to handle demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. The tablet maintains smooth performance without overheating, further solidifying its position as a high-performance device suitable for a wide range of applications. Who Should Consider the OnePlus Pad 3? The OnePlus Pad 3 is tailored for a diverse audience, including students, professionals, and media enthusiasts. Its powerful hardware, advanced software, and versatile accessories make it an excellent choice for tasks such as note-taking, creative projects, and immersive media consumption. Whether you're attending virtual classes, working on presentations, or streaming your favorite shows, this tablet adapts to your needs with ease and efficiency. A Balanced and Versatile Tablet The OnePlus Pad 3 combines premium design, robust performance, and thoughtfully designed accessories to deliver a well-rounded package. Its high-refresh-rate display, powerful Snapdragon chipset, and long-lasting battery make it a standout option in the Android tablet market. Whether you need a device for work, study, or entertainment, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers a balanced blend of features and value, making it a top-tier choice for users seeking a reliable and versatile tablet. Master OnePlus Pad 3 with the help of our in-depth articles and helpful guides. Source & Image Credit: zollotech Filed Under: Android News, Tablet News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Android Authority
10-06-2025
- Android Authority
It's time for OnePlus tablets to copy the iPad
Ryan Haines / Android Authority I like the OnePlus Pad 3 — in fact, it might be my favorite Android tablet right now. It's big and powerful, yet light enough and slim enough for life on the go. There's just one problem: It costs $700. The series didn't always cost that much, but it does now, and there's no good way around that. There's also no good way to recommend another OnePlus tablet to someone who can't afford the Pad 3, because OnePlus has a habit of retiring its older slates as soon as a new one comes out. So, it's time for something to change. It's time for OnePlus to take its iPad inspiration to another level and try its hand at a multi-tablet, Apple-like lineup, and here's why. One size fits… some? Ryan Haines / Android Authority Before I get to why I think OnePlus needs to copy Apple — because that's not usually my favorite thing to recommend — let's take a quick look at how we got here. At first, OnePlus's single-tablet strategy worked perfectly. The original Pad struck a pretty good balance of power and price, blending a Dimensity 9000 chipset with 67W wired charging for a decidedly mid-range $459. That's about what the Galaxy Tab S10 FE costs, and I liked that tablet quite a lot. Then, OnePlus stepped it up a level for the Pad 2. It jumped from MediaTek to Qualcomm with a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and expanded its display from 11.61 to 12.1 inches with an additional pair of side-firing speakers. Everything else remained the same — except for the price tag. After just one year, OnePlus bumped the price of the Pad 2 by about $100, bringing it to $549 right as it pulled the recently discounted Pad from shelves. OnePlus makes its Pad better every year... but it's trading value for power. Now, it's done the same thing. Another generation, another set of upgrades, another steep price hike. Only this time, the price hike is even steeper and harder to swallow. Yes, once again, the Pad 3 is bigger, has more speakers, and has a more powerful chipset than before — all things I liked about it and would love to see on more Android tablets. It charges faster than before and will get more software updates than its predecessors, too. However, at $699, the OnePlus Pad 3's audience is entirely different from that of the original tablet. It's no longer a tablet to take notes on during class or take on a plane to stream a few episodes of The Last of Us — it's a laptop replacement that you have to think carefully about before buying. There's also nothing else you can say to OnePlus fans on a budget, because once again, the older model is going away just in time for the new one to hit shelves. There's an iPad for everyone Ryan Haines / Android Authority With that baseline established, let's look at the king of tablets: Apple. You know it, I know it — nobody makes tablets as efficiently or for as many people as Apple. Whether you have $349 or $999, there's an iPad in your price range. Whether you want something the size of an unfolded Pixel 9 Pro Fold or a MacBook Air that's been cut in half, there's an iPad for you. And, across all of them, you get the same clean design, long-term software commitment, and similar accessories. In my experience, that makes iPads so easy to recommend. You can pick one up for your grandma or younger cousin, and although it might differ from your own, you'll know exactly how to get around. Whether they run into an issue with iPadOS or want a cute new case, by already having an iPad, you'll be in a better position to help them. And, when your current iPad reaches the end of its life, you can pick up the latest model for the same price as your last one. In fact, it's actually cheaper to buy the newest 11th-generation iPad right now than it was to buy the first one back in 2010. Yes, it bumped up a bit when the 10th-generation model landed at $449, but Apple quickly — and wisely — dropped back to $349 for its more recent update, making the base iPad inarguably one of the best value tablets on the market. So, what should OnePlus do? Ryan Haines / Android Authority Sitting here and telling OnePlus to copy Apple is easy. I'm not a company, nor do I have to worry about OnePlus's finances, so of course, I think more tablets are better. But, in a practical sense, I think the best way for OnePlus to copy Apple is by copying itself. Confusing enough? Hear me out. Right now, the OnePlus 13 series includes three models (not all available in the US, though). There's the flagship OnePlus 13, the mid-range OnePlus 13R equipped like a 2024 flagship, and the pocket-friendly OnePlus 13T, which I remain deeply upset is not launching in the US. Each one has its own identity, features, and target audience, and they don't step on each other's toes. Phones aren't one-size-fits-all, and tablets shouldn't be either. If OnePlus applied the same strategy to its tablets, it could follow that three-tiered setup almost perfectly. It could keep the OnePlus Pad 3, the flagship centerpiece — the tablet for someone who wants the best of everything. Then, there would be the OnePlus Pad 3R, effectively a OnePlus Pad 2 on the spec sheet, with an updated design to move the camera into the top right corner. Rounding out the trio would be the OnePlus Pad 3T — yes, the small one. Just like the OnePlus 13T, it would compress everything into a smaller chassis while keeping the same top-tier chipset as the flagship. This would probably be the hardest addition for OnePlus to make, as it would be the biggest deviation from its existing Pads, but as a small phone guy, it might also become my favorite. I know it's probably just a pipe dream for now, but I have to consider this a win-win. It would get more OnePlus Pads in more hands and give Android fans an alternative to Samsung's tall, thin Galaxy Tab design, no matter how good it may be for streaming.
The Verge
08-06-2025
- The Verge
The OnePlus Pad 3 tablet is still perfect for play and still awkward for work
When OnePlus first introduced its tablet to the world, it impressed with high-end specs at an affordable price. Now, with the OnePlus Pad 3, the company is refining that formula. This latest model brings modest hardware upgrades — including a larger, sharper display, a bigger battery, and an updated smart keyboard — along with meaningful software improvements that help it inch closer to rivals like Samsung and Apple. Yet the verdict remains largely the same: it's an excellent Android tablet for entertainment, and just okay for light productivity. But at $699.99, $150 more than the original, it raises the question: does it still offer the same value? A year ago, my answer might've been no. But in today's climate of tariffs and rising costs across the board, the Pad 3 still holds its own — especially against similarly specced competitors like the $749.99 Galaxy Tab S10 FE. Whether it's the right buy for you ultimately depends on what you want out of your tablet. The OnePlus Pad 3 features a larger 13.2-inch LCD display with a slightly sharper 3392 x 2400 resolution, making movies and shows look more vibrant. It's housed in a slimmer, flatter aluminum frame that's easier to carry, though at 675g, it's heavier than the 13-inch iPad Pro and too cumbersome to hold comfortably for long reading or viewing sessions. The new eight-speaker system — featuring four woofers and four tweeters positioned around the device — is even louder, delivering a more immersive audio experience for YouTube, games, and streaming. OnePlus has also improved battery life with a slightly larger 12,140mAh cell. The battery dropped just 15 percent after a couple of hours with two apps and a couple of tabs open, suggesting it can easily last more than a day. OnePlus says it can charge from 0 to 100 percent in 92 minutes, with a 10-minute top-up delivering 18 percent. In my testing, it charged from 20 percent to 80 percent in 76 minutes, going up by 20 percent within 20 minutes — nearly as fast as promised, and still impressive. Most users likely won't notice a huge leap from the Pad 2. The experience is more iterative than game-changing — but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The 7:5 aspect ratio was still ideal for reading Adam Grant's Think Again, while the 144Hz refresh rate ensured smooth visuals while I caught up on the last season of You and played games like Asphalt Legends and Block Blast! The screen still tops out at 900 nits, making it usable outdoors. Under the hood, the Pad 3 retains the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, with options for 12GB RAM and 256GB storage or 16GB RAM and 512GB. Performance is snappy and more than sufficient for most users. The OnePlus Pad 3 ships with OxygenOS 15, the company's operating system based on Android 15, and it's here where the most interesting improvements lie. OnePlus' software has trailed behind rivals like Samsung, Google, and Apple, but OxygenOS 15 represents a significant step forward, particularly for light productivity. One of the most notable upgrades is how well the Pad 3 now plays with Apple devices — a rarity in the Android world. It supports screen mirroring and easy sharing of files and live photos with Macs or iPhones, making it especially appealing for mixed Apple-Android households. As an Apple user, I found the Mac Remote Control feature surprisingly useful (when it actually worked, which I'll dive into shortly), as it lets you view and control your laptop or desktop in real time, transfer files between devices, and access PC files remotely from the tablet. Setup is straightforward: download the O+ app for Mac or Windows, sign into your OnePlus account, and ensure all devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Once configured, the connection is quick, though not always consistent. At the time of writing, I've struggled to reconnect my MacBook Air. Input lag and a slightly blurry mirrored display make this feature less ideal for media or video calls (especially since the Pad 3's 8MP front camera underwhelms), but it remains useful for turning the tablet into a secondary display or quickly accessing files without relying on cloud storage or messaging apps. It also made it easier for me to use the Pad 3 over my laptop for more tasks, reminding me of Samsung's DeX — though OnePlus' version requires an internet connection, unlike DeX, which works offline with just a cable. OxygenOS 15 also supports Google's AI tools. Circle to Search is finally onboard, letting you instantly look up anything on screen with a gesture. Google's Gemini Assistant is easily accessible via the power key or a dedicated Smart Keyboard shortcut. Other features feel basic but genuinely helpful, from writing tools that polish your text to a voice note cleanup feature that strips filler words from transcripts while preserving your original audio. OnePlus also added basic photo editing tools like AI Detail Boost and reversible edits, making photo retouching easier. The Pad 3 still falls short for serious productivity. While the larger screen and Open Canvas multitasking system — which debuted on the Pad 2 — let you run up to three apps side by side or stack and float them (something I found especially helpful when reading and taking notes), the overall experience remains limited by Android software constraints. A lot of Android apps — Slack and Airtable, for example — still aren't optimized for large displays. Beyond new features, OnePlus' software stands out thanks to a much-improved update policy — making the Pad 3's price hike a bit easier to swallow. It now comes with three Android version updates (starting with Android 15) and six years of security patches, two more years than the Pad 2 offered. That makes it a safer long-term investment. Still, Samsung promises seven years of OS and security updates for the Tab S10 FE Plus, so for a tablet at this price, it'd be nice to see OnePlus go even further. Finally, like its predecessor, the Pad 3 can be purchased with a set of accessories. The unchanged Stylo 2 stylus works just as well as before, but to accommodate the tablet's larger size, you'll need the $199 Pad 3 Smart Keyboard or the $49.99 Pad 3 Folio Case. The latter feels very similar to the previous version, but the Smart Keyboard sees more noticeable changes. It now features larger keys that make for a more enjoyable typing experience, along with useful extras like a built-in NFC receiver for quick file sharing and a dedicated key to launch Google's Gemini AI assistant. While the keyboard was great for typing emails, it's not ideal for heavy work. My main issue was the trackpad — though roomy, it often disrupted productivity by making text selection difficult and frequently triggered unintended shortcuts, like accidental screenshots. The keyboard's stability also needs improvement; it still connects via pogo pins, which work well on a desk but feel unstable on your lap. Thankfully, Bluetooth support lets you detach and use it wirelessly. The OnePlus Pad 3 is even better suited for binge-watching, reading, streaming music, and light multitasking than before. The improved software update policy also makes it more future-proof. Software limitations prevent it from being a true laptop replacement or productivity powerhouse, but then again, few tablets are. Photography by Sheena Vasani / The Verge Agree to Continue: OnePlus Pad 3 Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It's impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit 'agree' to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don't read and definitely can't negotiate. To use the OnePlus Pad 3, you must agree to: Additionally, you have the choice to opt in to OnePlus' User Experience Program, System Stability Improvement Program, Google's location services, and Google's device maintenance features. To use the Pad's camera, you must agree to the Camera Statement of Use.
