OnePlus has thrown its hat into the ring once again with the launch of its latest tablet, the OnePlus Pad 2. This new offering aims to carve out a significant niche in the Android tablet market, positioning itself as a worthy alternative to Apple’s iPad Air.
Powerhouse Performance
At the heart of the OnePlus Pad 2 lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a powerhouse that promises to deliver top-tier performance.
This puts the Pad 2 in a league of its own among Android tablets, as it’s currently the only slate sporting this cutting-edge silicon. While it may not outpace Apple’s M2 chip in raw benchmarks, it’s expected to handle most tasks with ease.
Impressive Display and Audio
The Pad 2 boasts a 12.1-inch 3K (3000 x 2120) LCD screen with a variable refresh rate ranging from 30 to 144Hz. While it’s not OLED, the display offers a respectable 600 nits of typical brightness, peaking at 900 nits.
To complement the visual experience, OnePlus has equipped the tablet with a six-speaker stereo setup supporting Dolby Atmos, promising immersive audio for media consumption.
Sleek Design and Accessories
Measuring just 6.49mm thick and weighing about 1.3 pounds (590g), the OnePlus Pad 2 strikes a balance between portability and screen real estate. It’s slightly heavier than its predecessor but remains competitive with similar-sized tablets from Apple and Samsung.
OnePlus has also introduced new accessories to enhance productivity:
- The OnePlus Stylo 2 ($99)
- The OnePlus Smart Keyboard ($150)
Early hands-on reports suggest that the keyboard, in particular, stands out with its large haptic trackpad and comfortable key layout.
Software and AI Features
Running on Android 14 with OnePlus’ OxygenOS overlay, the Pad 2 includes several AI-powered features:
- AI Toolbox with text-to-speech capabilities
- Recording summaries
- AI Eraser 2.0 for photo editing, similar to Google’s Magic Eraser
These features aim to boost productivity and creativity for users.
Battery Life and Charging
The OnePlus Pad 2 retains the 9,510 mAh battery of its predecessor, coupled with 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging. While OnePlus claims an impressive 43 days of standby time, real-world usage is likely to be more modest, based on experiences with the previous model.
Pricing and Availability
The OnePlus Pad 2 is available for preorder with a starting price of $550 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration. This positions it as a more affordable option compared to the iPad Air while offering competitive specs.
Early birds can take advantage of a limited-time bundle offer until July 30, which includes the tablet, keyboard, and stylus for $485. After this date, prices are set to increase significantly.
The tablet will be available on the OnePlus website from July 30 and on Amazon from August.
The Verdict
While it’s too early for a definitive judgment, the OnePlus Pad 2 is shaping up to be a strong contender in the tablet market. Its combination of powerful hardware, sleek design, and competitive pricing could make it an attractive option for those seeking an iPad alternative or a high-performance Android tablet.
As the tablet landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that OnePlus is making a serious play for market share. Whether it can truly challenge the iPad’s dominance remains to be seen, but the Pad 2 certainly appears to be a step in the right direction for Android tablets.
