OnePlus Pad 2 Review: An Exciting New Tablet in the Market

My friends, I would venture to say that this is one of the more interesting products OnePlus has put out. The OnePlus Pad 2 was unveiled at the company’s recent launch event. There are only a few standout options in the tablet space, but even then they’re usually expensive or underpowered. Now, with the OnePlus Pad 2, everything changes!

Specifications

SpecificationDetails
Display12.1-inch 3K resolution IPS LCD, 144Hz
ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM8GB / 12GB
Storage128GB / 256GB
Battery9510mAh, 67W fast charging
Operating SystemOxygenOS 14.1 based on Android 14
Front Camera8MP
Rear Camera13MP, 4K 30FPS video recording
ConnectivityWiFi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, USB 3.2 Gen 1
Speakers6-speaker setup, Dolby Vision support
StylusOnePlus Style 2 (S Pen)
KeyboardOnePlus Pad Smart Keyboard
Price39,999 Rs
Oneplus Pad 2 Review

Unboxing the OnePlus Pad 2

The box of the OnePlus Pad 2 is huge. It contains the packaging for the conventional stylus, the OnePlus Style 2, and also has a smart keyboard, which I’ll refer to as the Onewheel Midi. When you open up this box, oh god. Once you open the box, we have our tablet on top with documentation, followed by a Red Cable Club card, a 67W charger, and a USB Type A to Type C charging cable.

A OnePlus representative noted that this is a two-piece accessory, with the other half being an actual keyboard cover for whatever tablet, laptop, or phone you are pairing it with. Below, we’ve got ourselves some dimensions for the upcoming device: Dimensions 247.5 x 186.7 mm. iPads in general come just shy of each dimension above or thereabout, so wait and see what pops up here if interested. They have a stylus too called the OnePlus Style 2. The packaging is both cool and you can see OnePlus gave it some thought in presenting their tablet well.

Documentation, which was expected as well as a Red Cable Club card, is included with the tablet. The charger is perhaps one of the best bits in terms of accessories. The charger is a fast charging solution, coming in at 67W. That, along with a red cable — OnePlus’ signature USB Type A-to-C — and that’s all you get in the box, but it covers everything important.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus Pad 2 boasts a full metal unibody design with a blend of flat and curved sides that offer a more rounded, faceted look. The tablet weighs about 465g and feels solid while holding it in hand. I even drop-tested it, and nothing happened to the tablet through that test alone, which is a testament to how well-made this thing really is.

The initial impression when picking up the OnePlus Pad 2 is its build quality. It appears similar to the original OnePlus Pad mockups that got a lot of fans excited. This device has a full metal unibody design. One side is flat and another one is curved, which makes it seem round. This means that it has a shiny and premium feel to it.

Speaking of weight, it’s a little over 465g — I usually guess wrong, but this feels fine. The device feels neither too heavy nor too light, but instead has a good amount of reassuring weight to it. The tablet is constructed quite well and does not feel fragile. This was actually the first drop test for a tablet I have ever done, and it walked away unscathed. This is a testament to the fantastic construction of the OnePlus Pad 2.

Ports and Buttons

On the sides of this tablet, we have three smart connectors for keyboard support as well as a pair of speaker grills, a USB Type-C port, microphones, and a volume rocker along with a power button. The one I received also has a magnetic stylus holder on the front left. How you feel about the stylus (nice finish, second tip) will depend on how much use you get out of a pen for quick note-taking.

In terms of ports and buttons, the OnePlus Pad 2 is quite well-equipped. It comes with three smart keyboard connectors. On the right-hand side, you have a speaker grill followed by the USB Type C port, along with a microphone, and lastly another speaker grille. The top part of the tablet is flat due to a slot for your stylus. The stylus, which is perfectly crafted and also includes an extra point, is a welcome accessory.

Volume buttons, a microphone, and the magnetic stylus holder are on the left side of this tablet. Located on this side is also the power button. In the end, port locations and button placement are more or less intuitive, making the tablet easy to use.

Smart Keyboard Folio Case

The heavy-duty OnePlus Pad Smart Keyboard accessory turns the tablet into something closer to a laptop experience. This one also has a physical keyboard with real function keys and even lets you take a screenshot with the press of a key. The folio case supports better carrying and a sturdier stand setup if you use it properly.

The smart keyboard folio case is bulky but productive. This smart keyboard is nice to turn the tablet into a laptop-like device. It has a good feel, and the keys are responsive, allowing you to type comfortably. The keyboard is also equipped with some of the best and most convenient function keys around. An example is just 1 key press for a screenshot.

The folio case is more than just a cover; it’s meant to be transported with, making the tablet feel nice and solid in use. Fold it up, close it, put the keyboard on top, and take it with you like your laptop anywhere. It brings it close to a laptop experience.

Display and Multimedia

The highlight of the show is the 12.1-inch 3K resolution IPS LCD display, which runs up to a 144Hz refresh rate on the OnePlus Pad 2. Though it’s not an AMOLED, the display has great colors and goes up to 900 nits brightness, making it easy to watch content in broad daylight. The tablet offers multimedia playback through 6 speakers and Dolby Vision, which brings excellent sound quality.

Let’s talk about the display. The OnePlus Pad 2 features a 12.1-inch IPS LCD panel with WQXGA (2880 x 1800-pixels) resolution. It is not an AMOLED display but colors are punchy and the display quality is great. The tablet offers a 144Hz fast refresh rate that keeps everything looking buttery smooth.

The tablet has appropriately-sized bezels. They are thin enough to give you an immersive experience but still thick enough to provide a good grip when you hold the tablet. It achieves a brightness of 900 nits at the highest and it is easily viewable even under direct sunlight.

The OnePlus Pad 2 houses 6 speakers and features Dolby Vision. The sound is crystal clear and the separation between both sides is fantastic, making it one of the best-sounding tablets on the market.

Performance

The OnePlus Pad 2 looks extremely powerful as it is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. It includes an 8GB/128GB version and a high-end model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. With an Antutu score close to 2 million, it can run games like Genshin Impact at almost a constant 60 FPS. Thermals are well-managed and it will not overheat even during long hours of gaming.

The most exciting part about the OnePlus Pad 2 is its performance. It is a very powerful device running the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. Two models are available – one with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, and the other with a huge 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. That is an impressive Antutu score just shy of the 2 million mark.

The tablet played high-performance games like Genshin Impact without any problems during our tests. We managed to maintain 59.6 FPS without any drops, and thermals were in check even after long gaming hours. It peaked at 48–49 degrees and never exceeded that temperature, allowing you to game for hours on end without worrying about overheating.

Battery and Charging

The tablet is powered by a 9510mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging. This means you can use your tablet for many hours without having to suddenly worry about where the nearest plug socket is.

Being a tablet, battery life is pretty important and the OnePlus Pad 2 lives up to expectations. It is perfect for heavy users with its 9510mAh battery, allowing you to get through a day on one charge. It also supports 67W fast charging via a USB-C cable for quick refueling when required. With a battery this big and such quick charging, the OnePlus Pad 2 is one of those tablets you can use for hours without any worries about power.

Operating System and Features

Powered by OxygenOS 14.1 with tons of optimization over Android 14, the OnePlus Pad 2 provides a super smooth experience. It includes multi-window support, capable of running three windows at different dimensions. The smart keyboard and S Pen work well in combination, with the taskbar making it easier to access your apps quickly.

The tablet operates on OxygenOS 14.1 based on Android 14. It is optimized for larger screens, offering a fluid and easy experience. You can open multiple windows, up to three in different sizes, making it ideal for multitasking. The smart keyboard and S Pen combo are smooth, making it convenient to type and switch to drawing or note-taking with less hassle. The taskbar ensures productivity by having all the apps you commonly use just one tap away.

Since it is a WiFi-only version, it includes NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB 3.2 Gen 1. OnePlus has promised to roll out an update later this month to add artificial intelligence features, making the tablet future-proof. The tablet includes all the essential sensors and cameras. There is an 8MP selfie camera and a 13MP rear camera capable of 4K video.

In terms of connectivity, the OnePlus Pad 2 covers all the basics. As I mentioned earlier, it is a WiFi-only variant but supports NFC and Bluetooth 5.4. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 port ensures fast data transfer. OnePlus says they will roll out an update later this month to add artificial intelligence features.

Price and Where to Buy

The OnePlus Pad 2 starts at only ₹40,000, and for that money, you are getting a lot of features along with top-notch performance. The 8GB/128GB variant is priced at ₹39,999, while the 12GB/256GB variant comes in close to around ₹42,000.

The OnePlus Pad 2 will be available for purchase via the official OnePlus website or authorized retailers.

Conclusion

The OnePlus Pad 2 is an attractive, sleek tablet that offers a great display and top-notch performance. It is also very good value for money, priced at under ₹40,000. If you want a tablet that will last long-term, then the OnePlus Pad 2 is definitely worth considering. The smart keyboard and S Pen are sold separately for an extra ₹5500 and ₹8500, respectively.

Om Juvatkar is a tech enthusiast with expertise in web development and embedded systems. He creates innovative digital solutions and shares insights on smartphones and tech news through his blog. You can reach him at omjuvatkar@mysmartphonehub.com.

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