OnePlus has rolled out yet another tablet—the OnePlus Pad 2. It draws power from the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC—the strongest chipset in the game (as of now.) For an additional price, you can grab a keyboard and stylus, giving it that laptop replacement vibe. But the real question is: can it actually walk the walk, or is this just a fancy refresh? Let’s find out in my review.
OnePlus Pad 2
Rs 39,999What Is Good?
- Big and fast 144Hz display
- Can handle multitasking very well
- Stylus works smoothly
- Audio is crisp and clear
- Selfie camera works well for video calls
- Almost clean software, open canvas is handy
What Is Bad?
- The tablet is heavy, even more with keyboard
- Keyboard case is not designed to sit on your lap
- Starts heating up after a gaming session
OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Pricing and Availability in India
The OnePlus Pad 2 is available in two variants on OnePlus eStore, Amazon and Flipkart.
Variants | Pricing |
8GB RAM + 128GB Storage (WiFi) | Rs 39,999 |
12GB RAM + 256GB Storage (WiFi) | Rs 42,999 |
OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Design and Display
The whole point of tablets being compact and lightweight has been significantly undermined by the OnePlus Pad 2. It is very heavy; in comparison to the OnePlus Pad, the Pad 2 is 32 grams heavier. The addition of the keyboard case contributes to the overall weight. I constantly had to switch hands to balance the weight between both hands. Interestingly, I even tried doing bicep curls with both Pads in hand, and I’m sure my right bicep is stronger because of the OnePlus Pad 2.
Design | Specifications |
Weight | 584 grams |
Thickness | 6.5mm |
Colours | Nimbus Gray |
Port and Button Placements | Bottom: USB port, Two speaker grilles
Top: Two speaker grilles, power button Right Side: Volume buttons, stylus clip-on area Left Side: Pogo pins for keyboard |
When it comes to thickness, the OnePlus Pad 2 is impressively sleek. The build quality feels robust. However, when held horizontally, it feels like I’m holding a steering wheel, especially while playing Dr. Driving.
As for colour options, it’s a one-horse race. I’m not exactly swooning over the gray colourway; it’s about as exciting as plain butter toast. The green option on the OnePlus Pad looks absolutely fabulous—if only OnePlus had provided something similar for this model.
Display | Specifications |
---|---|
Size | 12.09-inch |
Type | LCD |
Resolution | 2120×3000 pixels |
Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
Peak Brightness | Claimed: 600 nits, Tested: 483 nits |
Minimum Brightness | 02 nits |
The bezels, 144Hz refresh rate, and overall size—everything about the OnePlus Pad 2 hits the right notes. I binged Modern Family on Disney+ Hotstar and a few more movies on Netflix, and while the Pad 2 boasts Widevine L1 certification, HDR is noticeably absent. Still, credit where it’s due—the colours are spot-on, so your multimedia marathons should be smooth sailing.
As for the audio, the Pad 2 provides a very crisp and clear audio. The However, the vibrations are felt on the back.
OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Keyboard and Stylus
The quality of the keyboard is top-notch, and the build feels very sturdy due to its weight. Plus, the back panel case and the keyboard attach seamlessly to the Pad 2 because of the magnetic connectors. So, removing and reattaching it won’t be much of a hassle. The support on the back panel is good as well. However, the Pad 2 doesn’t magnetically attach to the keyboard when you want to use it on your lap like a laptop. It always needs the support of a table to sit properly.
Dear OnePlus, there was no need to change this—you nailed it with the original Pad.
Surprisingly, the keyboard still works even when it’s not magnetically attached to the Pad 2, which is a win. Just plop the Pad 2 on the table and type away with the keyboard on your lap. And let’s not forget the trackpad, which makes the whole experience even smoother.
The stylus feels like a nostalgic throwback to those trusty wooden Natraj pencils, and it pairs effortlessly with the Pad 2. It’s like peanut butter and jelly—just meant to be together. Thankfully, it magnetically snaps onto the Pad, so no more panic attacks about losing it, especially for those of us who tend to misplace things constantly (yes, that’s me.)
From doodling to note-taking and even leisurely scrolling, the stylus made the whole experience smooth and satisfying. It’s a little touch that makes a big difference in how enjoyable the Pad is to use.
OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Performance and Software
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC is currently Qualcomm’s crown jewel, powering flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iQOO 12, Xiaomi 14, and OnePlus 12. So, seeing this beast of a chipset in a device under Rs 40,000 is nothing short of surprising.
When it comes to synthetic benchmarks, the smartphones mentioned above leave the OnePlus Pad 2 in the dust. And, that’s totally understandable, since both are not targeted towards the same audience and neither are they the same form factor.
Hardware | Specifications |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC |
RAM | Up to 12GB |
Storage | Up to 256GB |
Storage Test | 1462151 |
CPU Throttling Test | 86 per cent of its max performance |
Software Version | Oxygen OS 14.1, based on Android 14 |
Connectivity Details | Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4 |
The Pad 2 is undeniably a gaming powerhouse; however, you might notice that the upper portion gets considerably toasty after a session or two when held horizontally.
Gaming is just one of many things users might dabble in—there are plenty of variables at play. That said, the Pad 2 truly shines when it comes to productivity. I’ve used it to take notes during important meetings, draft my articles in Google Docs, attend crucial Zoom calls, and even squeeze in some gaming. This tablet handles multitasking like a champ and caters to all your productivity demands.
The OnePlus Pad 2 runs on Oxygen OS 14.1. Sure, there are a few pre-installed OnePlus apps and Netflix—though let’s be honest, you were going to install the latter anyway, so no big deal. Thankfully, there’s no spammy nonsense cluttering up your notifications, which is a win.
On the bright side, it comes loaded with handy features like Split View, Recording Summary, Flexible Window, and Quick Return. And just like the OnePlus Open, the Pad 2 offers Open Canvas, letting you juggle three apps and drag-and-drop files like a pro. This ups your productivity game and is also something we mentioned in our OnePlus Open review.
OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Cameras
The 13-megapixel rear camera does what it’s supposed to in daylight. The colours are accurate, however I still noticed a lot of grains. In low light? Not much better. But honestly, who’s out here clicking photos with a tablet? (Trust me, if you are, people will judge, and not in a good way.)
Camera | Specifications |
Primary Camera | 13-megapixel rear camera, f/2.2 aperture |
Selfie Camera | 8-megapixel selfie camera, f/2.3 aperture |
Video Recording Capabilities | Up to 4K at 30fps |
As for selfies, they click decent photos with natural skin tones and maybe a blemish or two. It’s also perfectly fine for important video calls or meetings—it delivers just enough to get you through without a hitch.
OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Battery and Charging
The OnePlus Pad 2 packs a 490mAh smaller battery than the Redmi Pad Pro 5G. But it’s on par with its older sibling—the OnePlus Pad. It charged from zero to full in exactly an hour, which is pretty solid.
During testing, the Redmi Pad Pro 5G clocked in a solid 12 hours and 4 minutes of use—way more than the OnePlus Pad 2.
Battery | Specifications |
Battery Capacity | 9510mAh |
Charging Adapter | 67W, charger in the box |
Charging Time | 1 hour |
PCMark Battery Test | 9 hours 33 minutes |
I put the Pad 2 through the wringer, from heavy gaming to multitasking, snapping photos, and squeezing in a Netflix marathon. By the end of the day, it was practically gasping for juice. For light to moderate use, it can limp into day two, but the battery life could’ve definitely been better.
OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Verdict
The OnePlus Pad 2 is a solid contender, flaunting impressive multitasking skills, a gorgeous display that’s a joy for multimedia, and a design that screams premium.
But if you are looking at a laptop replacement, do consider the keyboard case and stylus which nudge it toward the higher end of the price spectrum.
The rear camera is pretty average, to say the least. The battery life? Not exactly a champion in that department. With all these quirks, it might not be the top choice out there, especially without SIM support, but it’s definitely worthy enough to be on your shopping list.
All that said, the OnePlus Pad from last year is still a great choice if you are looking to save some money. Besides that, you can also take a gander at the Xiaomi Pad 6 which usually revolves around the same price range.