OnePlus Pad 2 review

Introduction:

After six months, the OnePlus Pad receives a worthy successor: the OnePlus Pad 2. It features an enhanced screen with more brightness, a high-end chipset, stronger speakers, and better accessories.

We enjoyed the OnePlus Pad because it was a simple tablet with no gimmicky or niche features, yet it still covered all the bases well. Of course, everything was reasonably priced as well. Let us examine the new features of the OnePlus Pad 2, which elevates the game.

The new model features an aluminum unibody with an even larger 12.1-inch IPS LCD screen with 2,120 x 3,000 pixels resolution, 10-bit color depth, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision streaming, and up to 900nits of peak brightness. It also supports the new (optional) Stylo 2 stylus.

The highlight of the OnePlus Pad 2 is the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which should thrive under that big screen and with such a big heatsink (aluminum unibody).

The OnePlus Pad 2 has the same basic cameras as its predecessor – a 13MP rear camera with 4K video capturing and an 8MP front camera with 1080p videos.

Six speakers are present in the OnePlus Pad 2, as opposed to the original OP Pad’s four. With Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, the connectivity has been improved; nonetheless, this tablet only supports Wi-Fin and lacks GPS and optional cellular connectivity. If you currently own a OnePlus phone, OnePlus has developed some lovely continuity features.

Lastly, the same 9,510mAh battery that powered the OnePlus Pad 1 is also included in the Pad 2.

OnePlus Pad 2 specs at a glance:

• Body: 268.7×195.1×6.5mm, 584g; Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame; Stylus support.
• Display: 12.10″ IPS LCD, 1B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 144Hz, 600 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak), 2120x3000px resolution, 12.74:9 aspect ratio, 304ppi.
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm): Octa-core (1×3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3×3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2×3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2×2.3 GHz Cortex-A520); Adreno 750.
• Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
• OS/Software: Android 14, OxygenOS 14.1.
• Rear camera: 13 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide).
• Front camera: 8 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30ps, gyro-EIS; Front camera: 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS.
• Battery: 9510mAh; 67W wired, 64% in 30 min, 100% in 81 min (advertised).
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4, aptX HD, LHDC.
• Misc: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass; stereo speakers (6 speakers).

We believe that the OnePlus Pad 2 is the best tablet available for €499; its features are robust and well-balanced, and if you purchase it directly from OnePlus, you’ll also receive a free stylus and charger. The absence of a fingerprint reader is the single feature that we believe might be a deal-breaker.

Unboxing the OnePlus Pad 2

The tablet and one of those recognizable red USB-A-C connections are included in the relatively small paper box that the OnePlus Pad 2 comes in.

Naturally, there isn’t a charger included, but OnePlus is giving one out for free if you purchase it via the official website. That along with a stylus or folio case—both excellent presents.