For a very long time, Samsung and Apple have dominated the pill market, with a little bit of Lenovo and Amazon’s Fire Tab sprinkled in on the decrease finish. However, over the previous couple of years, we have seen new choices arrive, aiming to place a little bit of strain on the incumbents.
Last 12 months marked the primary time that OnePlus received into the combo, because it launched the OnePlus Pad. It combines a glossy and premium design with a beautiful 144Hz show. Unfortunately, the software program did not actually hit the mark, falling a bit wanting our expectations.
Fast ahead to now and the OnePlus Pad 2 is right here, hoping to repair these pesky software program quirks, whereas additionally implementing some slightly distinctive options.
OnePlus Pad 2: Price and availability
The OnePlus Pad 2 launched on July 16, 2024 at an occasion hosted in Milan, Italy. It was introduced alongside different OnePlus units, together with the Nord 4, Nord Buds 3 Pro, and Watch 2R. The pill formally went on sale on July 30, with a retail value of $549.
OnePlus additionally launched a number of equipment for the Pad 2. These embody the brand new Smart Keyboard, priced at $150, the Folio Case 2 for $40, and the Stylo 2 for $100.
OnePlus Pad 2: Design and show
If you’ve got beforehand checked out the unique OnePlus Pad, then the design of the OnePlus Pad 2 ought to look proper at house. It’s clear that OnePlus did not really feel the necessity to do a lot in the best way of fixing up the design. The greatest distinction is the introduction of a bigger display, because the Pad 2 depends on a 12.1-inch display, up from the 11.6-inch show of its predecessor.
Those hoping to see OnePlus transfer to an OLED panel with the Pad 2 shall be barely dissatisfied. I say “barely” as a result of regardless that that is an IPS LCD panel, it does pack a punch with its 3K decision. Although the colours aren’t fairly as punch because the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, the OnePlus Pad 2 does look higher than my docked Pixel Tablet.
It’s value mentioning that whereas some may be dissatisfied within the determination to make use of an LCD panel, that will not be the case for everybody. As my colleague, Nick Sutrich, has detailed on quite a few events, OLED shows are extra vulnerable to have an effect on these affected by PWM. Because of that, he is unable to make use of many units with OLED shows, whereas the OnePlus Pad 2 may be the proper pill.
Speaking of which, the Pad 2 does have one other benefit right here, because the show affords as much as a 144Hz refresh charge. This edges out the Tab S9 Ultra’s 120Hz panel, whereas completely blowing previous the Pixel Tablet, which is caught at 60Hz. As you may suspect, we now have a little bit of customization on this entrance, permitting you to stay to 60Hz, bump it as much as 144Hz, or let the pill choose for you with Auto Select.
As for the remainder of the design, there’s actually not an excessive amount of to put in writing house about. On the again, you will discover a comparable digital camera hump to the one from the unique OnePlus Pad, housing a 13MP lens. Besides that, we now have a complete of six audio system, 4 of that are on the underside (or proper), with the opposite two discovered on the highest (or left).
It’s clear that OnePlus expects individuals to make use of this pill in panorama orientation, because the 8MP selfie digital camera is buried within the bezel between the display and body. At the highest, there is a flattened space the place the brand new Stylo 2 could be stowed when not in use, which may also be certain that it is all the time charged and able to go. While on the opposite aspect, there is a trio of pogo pins the place the Smart Keyboard cowl connects.
All-in-all, OnePlus did a stable job with the design, as there are solely so some ways to design a slab of glass and metallic. If there was something I’d complain about, it could be the necessity for extra colour choices. Currently, the Pad 2 is just obtainable in a “Nimbus Gray.” Instead, I’d’ve most well-liked to see a colour choice just like the “Emerald Dusk” of the OnePlus Open.
OnePlus Pad 2: Performance and battery
Rather surprisingly, the one different pill to be launched with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has been Redmagic’s Nova Gaming Tablet. So if gaming is not your forte however you desire a highly effective pill, the OnePlus Pad 2 is the best way to go, providing fairly a formidable increase when it comes to efficiency. Previously, OnePlus relied on the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC, which was a stable alternative, but it surely nonetheless fell behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
Paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, this instantly makes the OnePlus Pad 2 the most effective Android tablets in sheer efficiency alone. In the time that I’ve spent with the Pad 2, I have never actually run into any points in that regard.
Along with simply utilizing the pill as a pill, one of many issues I like to make use of for benchmarking is seeing how effectively a tool can deal with Switch emulation. However, that is not likely a “one-size-fits-all” strategy for each gadget, so I additionally determined to run just a few benchmarks. This contains Geekbench 6 together with 3DMark’s Wild Life and Wild Life Extreme exams.
One factor that I had forgotten about is that OnePlus implements a “High-Performance Mode” into a lot of its units. After rediscovering and turning on this mode, I re-ran the benchmarks and got here away a bit stunned. For one, the usual “3D Mark Wild Life Stress Test” solely lasted just a few seconds earlier than displaying “Maxed Out” outcomes.
I additionally seen that taking part in Tears of the Kingdom with the Pad 2 linked to a GameSir Galileo G8 controller resulted in rather more secure body charges. Instead of hovering between 15-25 fps with apparent graphical glitches, Tears of the Kingdom stayed at 20-30 fps with no artifacts or glitches. It does not play flawlessly, however if you wish to play extra intensive video games, you will need to allow the High Performance Mode.
The greatest draw back to holding this enabled is that the battery will drain a bit quicker than if it had been turned off. Even nonetheless, the OnePlus Pad 2 continued to impress throughout my testing, particularly within the standby time. Every time I reached for the pill, it nonetheless had some juice left within the tank.
And as I’m penning this overview from the Pad 2, I began with about 85%, and the battery is at present sitting at 56%. Mind you, that is over the course of about two hours, with the show not timing out, whereas additionally utilizing Open Canvas, switching between apps, with each the Smart Keyboard and Stylo 2 connected.
Thankfully, battery life is a type of issues that I do not really feel the must be overly involved about with the OnePlus Pad 2. Even when the juice has been absolutely squeezed, we now have 67W charging speeds courtesy of SuperVOOC charging. OnePlus claims that it takes nearly an hour and a half to go from 0-100%, and so long as you could have a suitable charging brick, you are good to go.
That’s actually the one catch right here, as whereas OnePlus features a USB-A to USB-C cable within the field, that is all you will discover. Unfortunately, the corporate has adopted the custom of not together with a charger within the field. Instead, you will have to come back out of pocket for a fast-charging brick, offered that you do not have already got one.
OnePlus Pad 2: Accessories
With a brand new pill that additionally comes with a bigger design, this gave OnePlus the chance to launch just a few new equipment. This features a redesigned Smart Keyboard, along with the OnePlus Stylo 2. As is the case with the charging brick, OnePlus doesn’t embody any extra equipment within the field, which means that you’re going to be spending one other $250 to get the keyboard and stylus.
Admittedly, I used to be stunned to see OnePlus transfer away from iPad-like keyboard design, which made the OnePlus Pad “float” above the keyboard. However, it did not take lengthy for my opinion to vary, as this is not simply one other boring keyboard attachment.
It appears as if OnePlus took a web page out of Microsoft’s playbook, as the brand new Surface Pro Flex Keyboard can be utilized connected, or indifferent, from the Surface Pro 11. This is identical premise discovered with the OnePlus Pad Smart Keyboard, because it attaches to the underside of the Pad 2 by way of pogo pins.
However, for those who take away the connection, the Pad 2 and Smart Keyboard will keep linked, successfully working as a Bluetooth keyboard. As I just lately picked up the Surface Pro 11 and Flex Keyboard for myself, I can not let you know how a lot I like this concept and am excited to see it come to the OnePlus Pad 2.
I do not know whether or not it is truly as sensible as I wish to assume, however there’s positively one thing to be mentioned concerning the comfort. OnePlus even thought concerning the “versatile ribbon” between the pill and keyboard, as you’ll be able to simply fold it up and the ribbon will not get in the best way.
This brings us to my greatest gripe concerning the keyboard, as I’m simply not a fan of how flimsy this versatile ribbon is when connected to the pill. When I’m utilizing the Pad 2 and Smart Keyboard in my lap, all the pieces simply shifts and strikes round an excessive amount of for my liking. As a end result, I’ll both simply take the keyboard off and prop up the display with my legs stretched out, or I’ll simply ditch the keyboard and work immediately from the pill.
Something else I’d’ve preferred to see is for OnePlus to take Microsoft’s strategy to how the ribbon attaches to the highest of the keyboard. Currently, it rolls upward, with the pogo pins dealing with you, and stays in place due to the built-in magnets. However, I’d’ve a lot most well-liked for it to have the ability to roll in the wrong way, placing a little bit of a slope on the keyboard for higher ergonomics when the 2 are separated.
That being mentioned, if there’s one factor I do love, it is a massive trackpad, and OnePlus does not disappoint. It’s massive sufficient that I do not really feel like I’m utilizing a toddler’s toy, however not too massive that I’ve to cope with my palms by accident tapping and transferring the cursor round. It additionally affords a satisfying click on, certainly one of which is a lot better than what you will discover from Samsung’s Book Cover Keyboard, and it is even higher than many Chromebooks.
There are a few different tips that OnePlus tossed into its Smart Keyboard. The first of which is that there is a devoted AI key, sandwiched between the Search and Alt keys. Currently, this solely serves as a solution to summon Google Assistant or Gemini, however OnePlus has larger plans down the street. More AI options are on the best way, as the corporate claims software program updates are coming later this 12 months so as to add new performance.
Arguably the extra thrilling characteristic is discovered on the correct aspect of the keyboard, on the palm relaxation. This is the place you will discover a not-so-subtle NFC brand, because the Smart Keyboard has built-in NFC capabilities. Provided that you just’re additionally utilizing a OnePlus telephone, this may allow you to rapidly and simply join the 2 units.
In doing so, you are in a position to ship information backwards and forwards, and might even mirror the display out of your telephone to your pill. Think of it like having Phone Hub in your Chromebook, however between the OnePlus Pad 2 and a OnePlus telephone.
Switching gears over to the Stylo 2, I could not be happier to see that OnePlus affords a stylus, even when it does not come within the field. This is one space the place Samsung nonetheless has a bonus, seeing as the corporate contains an S Pen with a lot of its Galaxy Tab units.
Nevertheless, the Stylo 2 is a wonderful companion to the OnePlus Pad 2, and I’d argue that it is a must-buy even for those who determine towards getting the Smart Keyboard. For one, it is pressure-sensitive, making it nice for artists who need to apply totally different strokes when utilizing the Pad 2 to attract.
Since I’m not a lot of an artist, the extra vital characteristic to me is the delicate suggestions I get when jotting down notes. I’d most likely even go as far as to say that it is nearly on par with utilizing an Apple Pencil on an iPad, and is best than what you get with the Galaxy Tab and an S Pen.
Something else that I’m a giant fan of is that the Stylo 2 is extra comfy to really use. One of my complaints with the S Pen is that the ultra-slim design simply is not nice for somebody with meaty paws. My arms find yourself cramping after only a few minutes, an issue that I’ve but to run into with the Stylo 2.
OnePlus additionally did the good factor right here as I can simply connect the Stylo 2 to the highest of the Pad 2 when I’m not utilizing it. Not solely does it present peace of thoughts that I did not go away it behind, however I’ll by no means have to fret concerning the battery operating out both. It’s good to see increasingly more tablets undertake this performance, because it’s one much less factor I’ve to fret about holding charged.
OnePlus Pad 2: Software
If you used a OnePlus telephone from the previous few years, then you definitely’ll really feel proper at house with the OnePlus Pad 2. The pill ships with OxygenOS 14.1, which is unsurprisingly primarily based on Android 14. In my time with the Pad 2, I’ve already acquired just a few updates, primarily centered on bug fixes, but it surely’s nonetheless been good to see.
With that in thoughts, you will get the identical expertise right here as you’d on the OnePlus 12 or OnePlus Open. There are a boatload of choices within the Settings app, however the star of the present is Open Canvas, which first debuted on the OnePlus Open.
This is a totally totally different strategy to multitasking in comparison with what you will discover on the Galaxy Tab S10 collection and different Android tablets. Instead of splitting the display and resizing home windows, you’ll be able to have three full-screen apps operating on the similar time.
The good thing about that is that you do not have to fret about apps not working correctly, or having content material reduce off for the sake of including extra apps to the display. However, Open Canvas does allow you to do this, displaying three apps on the similar time, for those who actually need to.
Although it isn’t precisely revolutionary, there’s one thing to be mentioned about OnePlus considering exterior of the field to carry one thing distinctive to its pill. When you could have a giant display in entrance of you, it is sensible that you just need to make the most of the display actual property, and Open Canvas permits you to do exactly that.
OnePlus Pad 2: The competitors
When trying on the present panorama of tablets, the OnePlus Pad 2 is type of an anomaly. In phrases of energy, the closest competitors is the Galaxy Tab S9, which depends on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The Tab S9 does achieve a bonus by that includes an AMOLED show, versus the LCD panel on the Pad 2. However, you will additionally pay no less than $200 extra for the Tab S9, which is kind of a steep value to pay, even with the advantages Samsung tablets have to supply.
Then, there’s the Pixel Tablet, which is both the identical value or solely $100 cheaper than the Pad 2, relying on whether or not you need the Charging Speaker Dock or not. There’s additionally a matter of efficiency, because the Tensor G2 simply does not match as much as one of the best Snapdragon processors, not to mention the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. And whereas it is nice that you should utilize a USI stylus with the Pixel Tablet, you will be counting on third-party options for that and a keyboard.
I’d argue the stiffest competitors to the OnePlus Pad 2 comes from Apple, with the iPad (tenth Generation). Despite being powered by an outdated chipset, the A14 Bionic, it is no secret that Apple excels on the subject of optimization. Not to say that the iPad prices $150 lower than the Pad 2. And if you need a pill with a bit extra energy, the 11-inch iPad Air options Apple’s M2 chip and is just $100 greater than the OnePlus Pad 2.
OnePlus Pad 2: Should you purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You need essentially the most highly effective Android pill.
- You have already got a OnePlus telephone and need to benefit from the ecosystem.
- You do not need to spend an arm and a leg for a performant pill.
You should not purchase this if…
- You desire a pill with expandable storage.
- You want (or need) higher biometrics.
The greatest attraction of the OnePlus Pad 2 is its value, retailing at $549, however can commonly be discovered for much less. With that, you get a 12.1-inch display, the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, and fairly nice battery life. Not to say the varied options that improve the expertise if you have already got a OnePlus telephone.
This is the pill that I had hoped to see final 12 months, however I’m glad to see OnePlus ship the second time round. It provides me hope that folks can notice that you just need not spend greater than $500 on a great Android pill. In flip, hopefully, we’ll see much more choices hit the market.
Powerful AND reasonably priced
The OnePlus Pad 2 affords one thing did not anticipate, because it’s powered by the newest Qualcomm processor, however does not price an arm and a leg. There are a few sacrifices to be made, however OnePlus makes an attempt to make up for these with just a few distinctive options.
