OnePlus has this annoying habit of making me eat my words. When they launched their first tablet in 2023, I wondered was the OnePlus Pad going to be another Android tablet doomed to mediocrity? Fast-forward to 2025, and the OnePlus Pad 3 has me genuinely questioning why any Android user would choose an iPad Air over this.
This isn’t just an incremental update – the Pad 3 is dramatically different from that first-gen OnePlus Pad. Where the original felt like OnePlus testing the waters, and the OnePlus Pad 2 was a great mid-range tablet, this feels like a company that knows exactly what they’re building: a legitimate iPad Air competitor that costs less and, in many ways, delivers more.
Design
The most striking change? OnePlus has finally nailed down the premium aesthetic. This new design language is more distinctive and frankly more Apple-like than previous generations, but in the best possible way. The Storm Blue finish on my review unit screams quality without the typical Android tablet cheapness.
At just under 6mm thin, despite packing in a large display, the OnePlus Pad 3 absurdly svelte. However, once you throw on its Smart Keyboard case, it’s practically as heavy as a laptop, which makes sense given it’s practically as powerful as one. Still, the weight distribution and that unique 7:5 aspect ratio make it surprisingly manageable for extended use.
When placed side-by-side with Apple’s 13-inch iPad Air, the OnePlus Pad 3 holds its own in the premium materials department. Both tablets sport all-aluminum construction, but OnePlus has managed to shave off precious millimeters – the Pad 3’s sub-6mm profile makes the iPad Air’s 6.1mm thickness feel almost chunky by comparison.
At 675 grams, it’s slightly heavier than the iPad Air’s 617 grams, but that extra weight comes from the massive 12,140mAh battery versus Apple’s more modest cell.
Overall, both feel like premium devices worthy of their price tags, but OnePlus has clearly studied Apple’s playbook and executed their own vision exceptionally well.
Display
That 13.2-inch LCD display on the OnePlus 3 is absolutely gorgeous. The 3.4K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate deliver visuals that are both stunning and fluid without a hint of lag. Colors pop without being over-saturated, and the 315 PPI ensures everything looks crisp whether you’re editing photos or binge-watching Netflix.
The 7:5 aspect ratio continues to be OnePlus’s secret weapon. That means it offers more vertical real estate for productivity while maintaining that cinematic feel for entertainment. It’s the kind of thoughtful display design choice that shows OnePlus understands how people actually use tablets.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite that powers the OnePlus Pad 3 doesn’t just deliver flagship phone performance – it delivers genuine computer-level power. I threw everything at this tablet and it handled everything without breaking a sweat or showing any lag.
With 12GB of RAM, multitasking feels genuinely effortless. This is also where OnePlus’s software optimization really shines – the hardware is powerful enough, and OxygenOS 15 is smart enough to make full use of it.
Software
Speaking of software, Open Canvas multitasking is excellent to use. OnePlus has refined their tablet interface to the point where it’s actually able to rivals iPadOS for productivity workflows. The drag-and-drop functionality feels natural, app switching is seamless, and the AI-powered suggestions actually make sense.
This is where the Pad 3 is able to truly compete with the iPad Air. While Android’s tablet app ecosystem still trails iOS, OnePlus has created a user experience that makes the most of what’s available.
Audio
The eight-speaker setup – four woofers, four tweeters – and spatial audio creates a powerful audio experience. Watching content on the OnePlus Pad 3 made me question why I bother with external speakers sometimes.
Battery Life
That ridiculously large 12,140mAh battery delivers computer-level endurance to match the computer-level performance. The 80W SUPERVOOC charging hits 100% in 92 minutes, making the iPad Air’s charging feel glacial by comparison.
But what’s especially unique about the OnePlus Pad 3 is that it can stay on standby power for 70 days. This kind of standby endurance is not what you’ll get from a typical tablet.
Accessories
The new Folio Case ($49.99) deserves special mention – it’s versatile and doesn’t add much thickness to the OnePlus Pad 3’s already svelte design. The tri-fold design offers multiple viewing angles that actually work for different use cases. The magnetic connection is strong enough to trust, and the overall quality feels worthy of the premium price, while managing to be lighter than its predecessor.
There’s also a new Smart Keyboard case ($199) available that now has a dedicated AI key. The OnePlus stylus, the Stylo 2 ($99), however, has not changed.
The iPad Air Reality Check
Here’s the thing – OnePlus is directly gunning for the iPad Air, and they’re succeeding. At $699 for the base model versus the iPad Air’s higher price tag of $899, the Pad 3 offers serious competition. The only area where Apple maintains an edge is app ecosystem maturity, but that gap is narrowing as developers finally take Android tablets seriously again.
What’s Missing
My biggest gripe? OnePlus needs a smaller tablet option. We’d love to see an iPad Mini competitor from OnePlus, because there really aren’t any good ones out there. The Android tablet space desperately needs a premium small-form-factor option under $500, and OnePlus has proven they can deliver quality at this level. Of course, the OnePlus Open is kind of a foldable iPad Mini competitor, but it sports a premium price tag.
Bottom Line
The OnePlus Pad 3 represents a watershed moment for Android tablets. This isn’t just another mediocre Android tablet—it’s a genuine iPad Air competitor that costs less while delivering computer-level performance in a beautifully designed package.
One thing is for sure, the OnePlus Pad has evolved dramatically from its first-generation. The Pad 3 feels purpose-built, premium, and genuinely competitive with Apple’s best. If you’re not locked into iOS, this tablet makes a compelling case for jumping ship.
At $699, the OnePlus Pad 3 it undercuts the iPad Air while matching or exceeding it in most meaningful ways.
Pre-orders for the OnePlus Pad 3 start today on OnePlus.com, with the device becoming available starting July 8th across OnePlus.com, Amazon and Best Buy Canada.