OnePlus has been making waves in the tech world for a while, and their entry into the tablet market with the OnePlus Pad last year was met with positive reception. This year, OnePlus is back with the OnePlus Pad 2, boasting a top-of-the-line processor, a larger display, and a revamped, though somewhat quirky, accessory lineup. But does this new tablet live up to the hype, and is it a worthy successor to its predecessor? We dive deep into the design, display, software, performance, cameras, battery life, and overall experience to find out whether the OnePlus Pad 2 can stand its ground against the titans of the tablet world.
OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Design: The Pinnacle of Premium
The OnePlus Pad 2 may share a resemblance to its predecessor, but the similarities end with the centrally positioned rear camera. The new design is a feast for the eyes and feels exceptionally premium. Crafted from metal, the unibody chassis features a beautifully machined rear panel that seamlessly wraps around the sides, accentuating the high-resolution display on the front. Rounded edges and corners grace three sides of the tablet, merging seamlessly with the flat rear surface, the only exception being the camera module.
The unique integration of the new **Smart Keyboard** is impressive. Though only half of the case (the kickstand portion) adheres to the tablet’s back, it effortlessly supports the **584-gram** tablet. Powerful **magnets** secure the top half of the tablet, while the bottom half of the case can be flipped out between **110-165 degrees**, allowing flexibility in viewing angles. This makes the top half of the case perfect for movie watching while the bottom half can be folded down for comfortable stylus use.
The bottom half of the new case houses a **205mAh battery** and charges using the **3-pin Pogo connector** located on the tablet’s collar. The keyboard half of the case can also connect directly to the tablet via the **Pogo connector**, offering convenient docking functionality.
This arrangement allows users to utilize the keyboard both connected and detached, a boon for users who prefer a more elevated viewing experience or a remote display setup. All supported gestures function flawlessly in both connected and wireless modes, and pairing the Bluetooth keyboard is straightforward by holding **Control+R+F** for 10 seconds.
Unfortunately, the keyboard half of the case is held in place by a single magnet positioned on the top right corner of the display. This magnet is insufficient to keep the keyboard secure when closed, leading to the keyboard frequently detaching. Additionally, the two-piece design makes it impractical to use on your lap as a laptop, unlike the more rigid keyboard cover of the original OnePlus Pad.
The **OnePlus Stylo 2** is a brand new addition priced at **Rs. 5,499**. It feels weighty, akin to a conventional pen, but features a comfortable, grippy texture that enhances the writing and drawing experience.
## **OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Display: Size Matters, but HDR Isn’t Here**
The OnePlus Pad 2 boasts a larger display compared to its predecessor, measuring in at **12.1 inches** while maintaining the same **7:5 aspect ratio**. With a sharpened **306PPI**, graphics, photos, and the user interface appear sharper, benefiting multitasking with its **Full View Mode** in **Open Canvas**. The expanded display makes the 7:5 aspect ratio ideal for both work and play, addressing the constraints users encountered with the smaller display of the original Pad.
The **900 nits of brightness** are more than sufficient for outdoor use, making the tablet suitable for work or video viewing under direct sunlight. However, the lack of **HDR certification** is a significant drawback, as it prevents users from enjoying HDR-supported content in its full glory. While SDR content looks great, the **LCD panel** lacks the deep blacks found on OLED displays.
The display supports a **144Hz refresh rate**, but it only reaches **120Hz** when navigating the software interface or within apps. This makes the 144Hz refresh rate more of a gimmick than a genuine advantage.
## **OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Software: A Touchy Trackpad**
OnePlus has introduced much-needed **AI features** into **OxygenOS 14.1**, building upon the foundation laid by Oppo’s ColorOS. These features include **AI Eraser 2.0**, **Smart Cutout 2.0**, **AI Toolbox**, and **Recording Summary**, which converts recorded audio into text summaries. The **Scan Document** tool uses AI to efficiently scan documents. While these features are not as robust as those found on Samsung tablets, they offer a valuable and accessible suite of AI tools. Notably, **AI Eraser**, while functional, doesn’t match the accuracy and reliability of Google Photos’ **Magic Eraser.**
The new **Smart Keyboard** features a **large trackpad**, significantly larger than the one offered with the original Pad. While the trackpad surface is smooth enough for gestures and clickable, its performance is inconsistent due to underlying software issues. Browsing websites, certain links become unresponsive when the **”Tap to click” ** option in the touchpad settings is disabled. However, enabling this option makes all taps clickable, which can be frustrating and introduces a level of redundancy. This issue was only resolved after a recent firmware update, highlighting the need for continued software optimization.
The **Open Canvas** feature, inherited from OnePlus’ Open Foldable, is a game-changer when it comes to multitasking. You can view three full-sized windows concurrently in *preview mode* using a four-finger pinch-out gesture on the touchpad. For full functionality, *Full View Mode*, which allows for actual work within all three windows, can only be triggered by performing the same gesture on the display. Open Canvas is incredibly useful for serious work.
Unfortunately, limitations within **OxygenOS** (or **Android**) prevent the touchpad from scrolling Google Docs documents while editing them, unlike iPadOS. Users have to lift their hands from the keyboard to tap the display for every scroll, creating a frustrating and impractical workflow.
## **OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Performance: A Powerhouse**
Equipped with the **Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC**, the OnePlus Pad 2 effortlessly handles demanding tasks with no hiccups. The tablet runs cool for the most part, only experiencing slight warming during outdoor camera use. Even while playing demanding games such as **Genshin Impact**, **Call of Duty Mobile**, and **Asphalt Legends Unite** at the highest settings, the tablet remained cool under pressure.
Below is a table comparing the OnePlus Pad 2’s benchmark performance against its predecessor:
| Benchmark | OnePlus Pad 2 | OnePlus Pad |
|———————–|—————|—————-|
| AnTuTu v10 | **15,64,773** | 8,39,224 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | **11,625** | 10,275 |
| Geekbench V6 Single | **929** | 1,065 |
| Geekbench V6 Multi | **4,536** | 3,265 |
| GFXB T-rex | **50** | 60 |
| GFXB Manhattan 3.1 | **50** | 55 |
| GFXB Car Chase | **46** | 34 |
| 3DM Slingshot Extreme | **Maxed Out** | Maxed Out |
| 3DM Slingshot | **Maxed Out** | Maxed Out |
| 3DM Wild Life | **Maxed Out** | 7,226 |
| 3DM Wild Life Unlimited| **17,615** | 8,512 |
The tablet boasts impressive audio capabilities with **6 speakers**, delivering a powerful sound experience with sufficient bass and volume. It’s **Dolby Atmos certified**, ensuring an immersive audio experience when enjoying supported content on streaming apps.
One major drawback that carries over from the original OnePlus Pad is the absence of **biometric authentication**. Users are limited to **passcode/pattern input** for secure unlocking, which is not ideal. While **Face Unlock** is included, it relies on the basic **selfie camera** and is only suitable for personal use in controlled environments.
The **Stylo 2** has a unique feature: the flat side of the pen, closer to the tip, houses a pressure-sensitive sensor that enables tap gestures. These gestures primarily work with **ballpoint pen** and **pencil** tools. The **haptic motor** enhances the experience by providing subtle feedback, creating a genuine pen-like feel.
Unfortunately, the **laser pointer** function is unreliable, failing to reliably align the pen tip with the pointer on the display.
The **Smart Keyboard** boasts comfortable keys with good travel and avoids the stiffness found on some soft keyboards. The absence of a cramped layout ensures a comfortable typing experience even for extended periods.
The keyboard case incorporates an **NFC patch** to the right of the trackpad. This patch enables users to cast apps to the tablet’s display seamlessly by tapping a OnePlus smartphone to the patch.
While the **lack of cellular connectivity** hinders the tablet’s versatility, OnePlus offers a workaround called **Auto Connect**, which automatically connects the tablet to a OnePlus smartphone’s cellular connection when both devices are in proximity. This feature requires users to be logged into their OnePlus accounts on both devices for it to function.
The **Content Sync** and **Notification Sync** features further reinforce the reliance on OnePlus devices. Content Sync allows for effortless data transfer between a OnePlus smartphone and the Pad 2, including photos, videos, and more. Notification Sync lets users check and respond to their smartphone notifications directly on the tablet.
## **OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Cameras: Adequate, But Not Exceptional**
The camera capabilities of the OnePlus Pad 2 are, as expected, fairly basic. The 13MP rear-facing camera, with its accompanying LED flash, is adequate for capturing documents and official paperwork. While it can capture photos with sufficient detail and dynamic range in daylight, users might want to grab their smartphone for advanced photography.
The front-facing 8MP camera is sufficient for selfies, offering decent edge detection. It’s also suitable for video conferencing calls, provided the lighting is adequate.
## **OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Battery: Long-Lasting Workhorse **
Though the OnePlus Pad 2 sports the same **9,510mAh** battery as its predecessor, the larger display could have negatively impacted battery longevity. However, the improved performance of the **Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC** minimizes this impact, resulting in an impressive **15 hours and 28 minutes** in our video loop test (compared to **18 hours and 10 minutes** for the original Pad). This translates to two full workdays (around 9 hours) with primarily work-related use. For intense gaming, you can expect slightly less, just over a day’s worth of battery life.
The charging speeds have also received a boost. The tablet reaches **56 percent charge** in just **30 minutes** and completes a full charge in **1 hour and 14 minutes**, significantly faster than competing tablets.
## **OnePlus Pad 2 Verdict: Closer to Laptop Replacement, But Not Quite There Yet**
While Android tablets still lag behind Apple’s iPads in terms of work-centric functionality, the **OnePlus Pad 2** makes significant progress in bridging the gap. It might not entirely replace your laptop, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. The tablet seamlessly integrates into the OnePlus ecosystem, especially with its new connectivity features. While the touchpad can be frustrating at times, Open Canvas delivers a commendable multitasking experience. The two-piece Smart Keyboard, despite its quirks, offers a more versatile setup compared to the previous OnePlus keyboard accessory.
At a starting price of **Rs. 39,999**, the OnePlus Pad 2 offers a compelling proposition with superior hardware compared to its competitors. The **Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+**, priced from **Rs. 42,999** for the 12.4-inch model, offers IP68 rating and cellular connectivity (5G) but requires an extra **Rs. 12,000** for the cellular option. The **Lenovo Legion Tab**, designed for gaming, boasts superior performance at **Rs. 34,999**.
Aside from cellular connectivity and the lack of biometric authentication, there are no glaring shortcomings, making the OnePlus Pad 2 a perfect choice for gamers seeking a large-screen experience and users looking for a tablet that doubles as a productivity device.
