The OnePlus Pad 3, launched globally on June 5, 2025, builds on the success of the OnePlus Pad 2 to deliver a premium Android tablet that balances performance, design, and value. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, featuring a 13.2-inch 3.4K IPS LCD with a 144Hz refresh rate, a massive 12,140mAh battery, and running OxygenOS 15 on Android 15, it’s designed for gamers, professionals, students, and media enthusiasts. With a sleek 5.97mm all-metal unibody, enhanced ecosystem integration, and an estimated price of ₹50,000–₹60,000 in India, it competes head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and iPad Air (2024). This detailed review, informed by hands-on insights from Trakin Tech’s YouTube video and corroborated by tech sources, explores the Pad 3’s strengths, weaknesses, and real-world performance. Is it the ultimate Android tablet for 2025? Let’s find out!

Unboxing and First Impressions

The OnePlus Pad 3 arrives in a minimalist, eco-friendly box, reflecting OnePlus’s signature sleek packaging. Inside, you’ll find:

• The OnePlus Pad 3 (available in Storm Blue or Frosted Silver)
• An 80W SUPERVOOC charger
• A USB-C cable
• A quick start guide and warranty card

The tablet itself feels premium, with its 5.97 mm-thin aluminum unibody and flattened edges, weighing 670g due to its larger 13.2-inch display and 12,140mAh battery. While heavier than the Pad 2 (586g), the weight distribution is excellent, ensuring comfort during extended use. The redesigned rear camera module, now in the top-left corner, aligns with modern tablet aesthetics, and the USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port is a welcome addition for fast data transfer and video output. Initial impressions suggest a device that’s both stylish and functional, ready to tackle diverse tasks.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus Pad 3 refines the Pad 2’s design with subtle but impactful changes. At 5.97mm, it’s slightly thicker than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Edge (5.1mm) but thinner than the iPad Air (6.1mm), striking a balance between portability and durability. The all-metal unibody, crafted from high-strength aluminum, feels robust and premium, with no flex or creaks. The flattened edges improve grip comfort compared to the curved edges of the Pad 2, making it easier to hold for reading or gaming.

Weighing 670g, it’s manageable for a 13.2-inch tablet, though prolonged handheld use may require a stand or case. The larger bezels (compared to the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra’s 3.95mm) prevent accidental touches, and the centered 8MP front camera in landscape mode enhances video call ergonomics. The Storm Blue finish resists fingerprints, and the overall build exudes sophistication, rivaling pricier competitors.

Pros:

• Premium all-metal unibody
• Flattened edges for better grip
• Thin 5.97mm profile
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port

Cons:

• Heavier at 670g
• No IP rating for water/dust resistance

Display and Multimedia

The OnePlus Pad 3 features a 13.2-inch IPS LCD with a 3.4K resolution (2400×3392, 315 PPI), a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 7:5 aspect ratio, carried over from the Pad 2. This aspect ratio is ideal for reading manga, e-books, or documents, offering a near-square layout that minimizes black bars for vertical content. With 12-bit color depth, 900 nits peak brightness, and a Delta E of 0.7, it’s one of the most color-accurate IPS LCDs, perfect for creative tasks like photo editing or streaming.

The 540Hz touch sampling rate ensures responsive inputs for gaming, while Dolby Vision certification enhances HDR content on YouTube (though Netflix lacks Dolby Vision due to stringent LCD certification requirements). Compared to OLED panels like the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra, the IPS LCD shows slight color shifts at extreme angles and lacks deep blacks, but its brightness and accuracy hold up well indoors and outdoors.

The multimedia experience is elevated by eight Dolby Atmos speakers (four woofers, four tweeters), delivering loud, rich, and spatial audio that surpasses the Pad 2’s quad-speaker setup and rivals the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra. Whether watching Dune: Part Two or playing Genshin Impact, the soundstage is immersive, with clear vocals and punchy bass. Support for LDAC and LHDC codecs ensures high-quality audio with compatible earbuds like the OnePlus Buds Pro 3.

Pros:

• Vibrant 13.2-inch 3.4K display with 144Hz
• Color-accurate (Delta E 0.7)
• Eight-speaker Dolby Atmos audio
• Responsive 540Hz touch sampling

Cons:

• No OLED (minor color shifts at angles)
• No Dolby Vision on Netflix

Performance and Gaming

The OnePlus Pad 3 is the first tablet to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, an 8-core 3nm chipset with a 2x Cortex-X925 CPU (4.32GHz), Adreno 830 GPU, and 45 TOPS NPU. Paired with 12GB/256GB (LPDDR5X RAM) or 16GB/512GB (LPDDR5T RAM, slightly faster) and UFS 4.0 storage, it scores over 2.5 million on AnTuTu, outpacing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra (Dimensity 9300+) and RedMagic Nova (Snapdragon 8 Elite). Geekbench 6.4 scores of 3,074 (single-core) and 8,980 (multi-core) confirm its flagship prowess.

In real-world tests, the Pad 3 excels:

• Genshin Impact: 60.1 FPS at max settings, no throttling
• BGMI: 120 FPS, ultra-smooth
• Call of Duty Mobile: 120 FPS, consistent performance

A 3D Mark Wildlife Stress Test yielded 99.9% GPU stability, with temperatures below 40°C thanks to graphene-composite vapor chambers and a 30,000mm² cooling area. Unlike some Snapdragon 8 Elite phones that overheat, the Pad 3’s larger chassis ensures excellent thermal management, making it ideal for extended gaming or multitasking.

For productivity, it handles heavy apps like Adobe Lightroom, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace seamlessly, supporting up to three split-screen apps and one floating window via Open Canvas 2.0. The 16GB variant is recommended for power users editing 4K videos or running virtual machines.

Pros:

• Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
• Excellent thermal management
• Smooth gaming at 120 FPS
• Fast LPDDR5X/T RAM and UFS 4.0 storage

Cons:

• No microSD slot for storage expansion

Battery Life and Charging

The OnePlus Pad 3 houses a 12,140mAh battery, larger than the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra (11,200mAh) and iPad Air (~8,600mAh), delivering exceptional endurance:

• Heavy Use (gaming, streaming): 7–10 hours of screen-on time
• Light Use (browsing, reading): 15–17 hours
• Standby: Up to 70 days

The included 80W SUPERVOOC charger fully charges the tablet in 90 minutes, faster than the OnePlus 13S and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra (45W). A 50% charge takes ~40 minutes, ideal for quick top-ups. The lack of wireless charging is a minor omission, but the robust battery life and fast wired charging compensate.

Pros:

• Massive 12,140mAh battery
• 80W charging in 90 minutes
• Up to 17 hours of light use

Cons:

• No wireless charging

Cameras

Tablet cameras are secondary, and the OnePlus Pad 3’s setup reflects this. The 13MP rear camera (f/2.2) captures decent photos for document scanning and supports 4K video at 30 FPS. The 8MP front camera (f/2.0), centered in landscape mode, excels for video calls on Zoom or Google Meet, with natural framing and good low-light performance. Face unlock is reliable but struggles in dark environments, and the absence of a fingerprint scanner (e.g., in the power button) is a missed opportunity.

For context, the cameras outperform the Lenovo Legion Y700 Gen 4’s 8MP front camera but lag behind the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra’s 32MP selfie camera. For tablet use cases—scanning, video calls—they’re adequate but not designed for high-quality photography.

Pros:

• Decent 13MP rear for scanning
• Centered 8MP front for video calls
• Reliable face unlock

Cons:

• No fingerprint scanner
• Average photo quality

Software and Ecosystem

OxygenOS 15 (Android 15) on the Pad 3 is a standout, offering a bloatware-free, tablet-optimized experience with 3 years of OS updates (up to Android 18) and 6 years of security patches (until 2031). Open Canvas 2.0 is a multitasking marvel, supporting three split-screen apps and one floating window, with AI-driven suggestions for seamless app pairing (e.g., X and Google Docs). The persistent dock provides quick access to apps, enhancing productivity.

Ecosystem integration is a highlight:

• OnePlus Devices: NFC-based pairing with OnePlus phones enables screen mirroring, file sync, and call handling. Tapping a OnePlus 13 on the Smart Keyboard’s NFC area instantly connects the devices.
• Apple Devices: O+ Connect allows Mac integration, letting users access tablet files or remotely control a Mac using the Pad 3’s touchscreen and keyboard, a rare cross-platform feature.
• AI Features: AI Summary, AI Writing Tools, AI Speak, AI Detail Boost, AI Reflection Eraser, and AI Eraser rival Samsung’s Galaxy AI and Apple Intelligence, enhancing productivity and creativity.

The software is intuitive, with minimal lag even under heavy multitasking, making it a strong competitor to Samsung’s One UI 6.1 and iPadOS 18.

Pros:

• Feature-rich OxygenOS 15
• Open Canvas 2.0 for multitasking
• OnePlus and Mac ecosystem integration
• Robust AI tools

Cons:

• No desktop mode like Samsung DeX

Accessories

The OnePlus Pad 3 supports two key accessories (sold separately):

• OnePlus Smart Keyboard: A two-piece design with a separate stand and membrane keyboard, offering 1.3mm key travel, good spacing, and a dedicated Gemini AI key. Its wireless flexibility allows remote use, unlike Apple’s Magic Keyboard, though it’s less lap-friendly.
• OnePlus Stylo 2: With 16,000 pressure levels and low latency, it’s ideal for sketching in apps like Concepts or note-taking in OneNote. It’s the same stylus as the Pad 2, ensuring compatibility.

Both accessories enhance the Pad 3’s versatility, transforming it into a laptop alternative for light workloads or a creative canvas. However, their separate cost (~₹10,000–₹15,000 combined) increases the overall investment.

Pros:

• Flexible Smart Keyboard design
• Responsive Stylo 2 for creativity
• Gemini AI key on keyboard

Cons:

• Accessories not included
• Keyboard less lap-friendly than Magic Keyboard

Connectivity

The Pad 3 supports Wi-Fi 7 (tri-band, 320MHz) for blazing-fast internet, Bluetooth 5.4 for reliable audio and peripheral connections, and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port (10 Gbps) for data transfer and video output. The lack of a 5G or eSIM variant is a significant drawback, especially for a tablet this size, as competitors like the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offer cellular options. Users reliant on mobile data will need to tether or use Wi-Fi hotspots, mitigated somewhat by OnePlus phone call syncing.

Pros:

• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 for video output

Cons:

• No 5G or eSIM support

Pricing and Availability

While India pricing is unconfirmed as of June 5, 2025, the OnePlus Pad 3 is expected to retail at:

• 12GB/256GB: ~₹50,000
• 16GB/512GB: ~₹60,000

Based on the Pad 2 Pro’s CNY 3,199–3,999 pricing (~₹37,900–₹47,400), these estimates align with global pricing (~$699–$799). Pre-orders in Europe include a free 80W GaN charger and discounts, suggesting similar incentives in India. Sales are anticipated soon on Amazon India, Flipkart, and OnePlus.in. At under ₹50,000, it’s an unmatched value; even at ₹60,000, it undercuts the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra (~₹95,000) and iPad Air (~₹60,000).

Where to Buy:

• India: Await launch on Amazon India, Flipkart, or OnePlus.in.
• Global: Available from June 5, 2025, on OnePlus.com.
• Import: AliExpress or Giztop (~₹60,000 for 12GB/256GB, shipping by late June).

Pro Tip: Look for Diwali 2025 deals to save up to 10% on the Pad 3 and accessories.

Comparison with Competitors

Feature	OnePlus Pad 3	Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra	Apple iPad Air (2024)
Price	~₹50,000–₹60,000	~₹95,000	~₹60,000
Display	13.2” 3.4K IPS LCD, 144Hz	14.6” 2.9K AMOLED, 120Hz	13” Liquid Retina, 60Hz
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Elite	Dimensity 9300+	Apple M2
RAM/Storage	12GB/256GB, 16GB/512GB	12GB/256GB, up to 16GB/1TB	8GB/128GB, up to 1TB
Battery	12,140mAh, 80W	11,200mAh, 45W	~8,600mAh, 20W
Speakers	8, Dolby Atmos	4, Dolby Atmos	4, Stereo
OS	OxygenOS 15 (Android 15)	One UI 6.1 (Android 14)	iPadOS 18
Key Features	Open Canvas 2.0, Mac control	S Pen included, IP68	Apple Pencil Pro
Drawbacks	No OLED, no 5G	Higher price	Smaller battery

Vs. Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: The Pad 3 offers better battery life, more speakers, and lower price, but lacks OLED and 5G.
Vs. iPad Air: The Pad 3 has a higher refresh rate, larger battery, and better value, but iPadOS offers a tighter ecosystem.

Real-World Use Cases

• Gaming: The Pad 3 handles Genshin Impact (60.1 FPS) and BGMI (120 FPS) flawlessly, with no overheating, ideal for competitive gamers.
• Productivity: Open Canvas 2.0 and the Smart Keyboard make it a laptop alternative for emails, presentations, and light editing in Adobe Express.
• Students: The 7:5 aspect ratio and Stylo 2 are perfect for reading textbooks, annotating PDFs, and long battery life supports all-day classes.
• Media Consumption: The 3.4K display and eight speakers deliver a cinematic experience for Netflix and YouTube.
• Cross-Platform Work: O+ Connect’s Mac control is a boon for users with Apple laptops, enhancing workflows.

Final Verdict

The OnePlus Pad 3 is a refined triumph, blending flagship performance, a vibrant 13.2-inch display, and a feature-packed software experience at a competitive price. The Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures top-tier gaming and multitasking, while the 12,140mAh battery and 80W charging offer unmatched endurance. OxygenOS 15’s Open Canvas 2.0 and cross-platform ecosystem integration (OnePlus and Apple) make it a versatile powerhouse. The lack of OLED, 5G, and a fingerprint scanner are minor drawbacks, but they don’t detract from its value at ₹50,000–₹60,000. For anyone seeking a premium Android tablet in 2025, the OnePlus Pad 3 is a top choice, rivaling the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and iPad Air.

Recommendation: Pre-order now or await the India launch for a tablet that’s both a productivity tool and entertainment hub. It’s a steal under ₹60,000!