OnePlus Pad 2 Review: What If Your Tablet Could Replace Your Laptop?

The OnePlus Pad 2, arriving as a successor to the original OnePlus Pad (review), brings with it several upgrades that aim to elevate the tablet experience. With a larger display, improved performance, and better accessories, the Pad 2 promises a more refined package. But does it live up to its potential, and more importantly, is it worth your investment? Let's dive in.

Build Quality and Design

The OnePlus Pad 2 immediately catches the eye with its sleek aluminum unibody and an impressive 12.1-inch IPS LCD display that's both larger and brighter than its predecessor. With a sharp resolution of 2,120 x 3,000 pixels and support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, it transforms movie-watching and streaming into a vibrant experience.

PROS

• Combines tablet and laptop functionality at a good price.
• Bright 12.1-inch screen with HDR10+
• Impressive battery life and quick charging
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Can connect to an external monitor for extended use
• Great six-speaker sound system
• Useful Stylo 2 and Smart Keyboard

CONS

• Trackpad can be finicky; an external mouse might be useful
• External monitor support is limited to screen mirroring.
• Android-specific issues can complicate multitasking and app management
• Back cover doesn’t stay securely attached
• No fingerprint sensor
• Lacks high-end video recording options

Its design seamlessly blends elegance with practicality. The front is dominated by the stunning display, framed by ultra-thin bezels that create a sleek, modern look. Turn it around, and you'll find a smoothly curved metal back that feels luxurious and adds a touch of sophistication.

For those outside China, the OnePlus Pad 2 is available exclusively in Nimbus Gray, a classy dark gray. While it's a bit of a letdown compared to the eye-catching metallic green of the Pad Pro (just another name of the Pad 2) available in China, the tablet's slim profile-just 6.5mm thick and weighing 584g-makes it surprisingly lightweight and easy to handle.

The rear camera module does protrude slightly, but this is necessary to accommodate the lens on such a slim device. The audio setup is impressive, featuring six speakers-four along the shorter sides and two with built-in woofers-for rich, immersive sound.

On top, there's a magnetic charging spot for the optional Stylo 2 stylus, which offers 16,000 pressure levels for precise input. The pogo pins on the opposite side connect to the optional Smart Keyboard, which includes a touchpad and adjustable display angles. Although the keyboard adds some weight, it's a useful accessory for those who need to use the tablet for productivity.

As a bit of a letdown, the OnePlus Pad 2 lacks a fingerprint sensor, which is surprising given its premium features. Instead, it relies on on-screen security options such as PINs, passwords, patterns, and facial recognition.

On the flipside, the OnePlus Pad 2 sports a fast USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port. This allows you to connect the tablet to an external monitor via a USB dock with HDMI support for display mirroring. Unlike traditional PCs, there's no option to extend the display; it's purely for mirroring. However, the fast USB-C port does speed up data transfers between the Pad 2 and external storage, making file management more efficient.

Display and Audio

The OnePlus Pad 2's display is nothing short of impressive. The 12.1-inch IPS LCD screen has been upgraded to offer even more brilliance and clarity than its predecessor. With a resolution of 2,120 x 3,000 pixels, the display delivers stunning sharpness and detail. Whether you're watching your favorite shows, playing games, or simply browsing, the high pixel density ensures that every image is crisp and vibrant.

Supporting HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, the OnePlus Pad 2 is designed to enhance your viewing experience with richer colors and better contrast. This means that when you're streaming high-definition content, you'll see more depth and nuance in every scene. The display's peak brightness of up to 900 nits ensures that you can comfortably view content even in bright environments, making it versatile for both indoor and outdoor use.

The bezels around the screen are notably slim, giving the tablet a modern and immersive feel. This edge-to-edge design maximizes your viewing area while maintaining a sleek and stylish profile. The screen's responsiveness is also top-notch, with smooth interactions whether you're scrolling through apps, drawing with the stylus, or navigating the interface.

When it comes to audio, the OnePlus Pad 2 doesn't disappoint. The tablet features a sophisticated six-speaker setup, which is a significant upgrade from the four-speaker configuration of its predecessor. Four of these speakers are strategically placed along the shorter sides of the tablet, while the remaining two include built-in woofers for enhanced bass performance.

This arrangement creates a surround sound experience that is perfect for enjoying multimedia content. The audio is clear and well-balanced, with the woofers providing deeper bass and more immersive sound. Whether you're watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, the sound quality is robust and engaging, making it easy to get lost in your content.

It's curious that OnePlus has dropped Dolby Atmos support for the Pad 2, especially since the original OnePlus Pad featured it. Instead, the new model relies on its own Holo Audio system, which provides a robust and immersive sound experience through six speakers. This technology adapts the audio channels depending on whether the tablet is in landscape or portrait mode, offering impressive stereo sound for its price range.

Overall, the OnePlus Pad 2 excels in both display and audio quality. Its vibrant, high-resolution screen combined with powerful, well-balanced speakers ensures an exceptional multimedia experience.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the OnePlus Pad 2 offers a mixed bag of results that might leave you scratching your head. Despite being powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, its Single Core score in Geekbench is surprisingly low compared to other devices with the same processor. Even mid-range devices equipped with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 manage to score better in this area. This discrepancy might raise eyebrows, but it's worth noting that benchmarks are just numbers-they don't always reflect real-life performance.

To get a clearer picture, I put the OnePlus Pad 2 through a rigorous set of benchmarks and stress tests. While the tablet did get notably warm at the top where the camera is located, it never crashed or shut down during any of my tests. This suggests that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is stable and that OnePlus has done a solid job with optimizations.

In terms of gaming, the OnePlus Pad 2 truly excels. With High Performance Mode and OnePlus' Game Mode activated, I tested Need for Speed: No Limits. The gameplay was smooth, maintaining a steady 30 fps (with 99% of the time hitting high 29 fps and only occasional dips to 25 fps). Remarkably, after about 30 minutes, the tablet stayed cool to the touch, making for an enjoyable gaming experience.

I also played Devil May Cry for 30 minutes with flawless 60 fps gameplay. The tablet felt comfortable to hold throughout the session. With one of the best processors available for Android devices, the OnePlus Pad 2 can handle any game you throw at it.

In summary, while the OnePlus Pad 2 has its quirks in benchmark scores, its real-world performance in gaming is undeniably impressive, making it a strong contender for anyone looking to enjoy high-quality mobile gaming.

Accessories and Software

OnePlus Stylo 2

The OnePlus Stylo 2 is a standout accessory that enhances the OnePlus Pad 2's versatility. With its impressive 16,000 pressure levels, the stylus provides an ultra-responsive and precise writing experience. This makes it ideal for everything from detailed sketching to fast note-taking. The high refresh rate of the Pad 2's screen complements the Stylo 2, ensuring minimal lag and a natural feel.

However, the absence of capacitive buttons is a noticeable shortcoming; these buttons could simplify tasks like erasing or switching tools, which currently require navigating through menus. Despite this, the Stylo 2 shines with features such as screen-off notes and a presentation mode, adding significant value for both professional and creative tasks.

OnePlus Smart Keyboard

The OnePlus Smart Keyboard is designed to transform the Pad 2 into a more effective productivity tool. The keyboard is robust, with well-spaced keys that offer satisfying travel and tactile feedback, mimicking a traditional typing experience. The large touchpad supports multi-touch gestures that replicate on-screen controls, such as scrolling and task switching. This feature is particularly useful for navigating the tablet's interface more fluidly.

However, the Smart Keyboard isn't without its issues. The back cover, which magnetically attaches to the tablet, doesn't always stay firmly in place, which detracts from the overall premium feel. The lack of backlighting can be a drawback for those who work in low-light conditions.

The keyboard includes an NFC tag for seamless screen sharing with OnePlus phones and other useful shortcut keys, though it could benefit from an emoji button for easier communication.

Software - OxygenOS 14.1

The OnePlus Pad 2 operates on OxygenOS 14.1, which is a customized version of Android 14 designed specifically for the tablet form factor. The launcher provides the option to use an app drawer or display all icons on the home screen. While this customization offers flexibility, the generous padding around icons limits space for widgets, making it challenging to add multiple widgets without compromising screen real estate.

Multitasking is supported with features like split-screen mode, accessible via a simple two-finger swipe. This mode allows you to run up to three apps simultaneously, although only two can be actively used side-by-side at a time. Floating windows are another useful feature, allowing you to open apps in small, resizable windows that can be minimized. However, this feature is limited to certain apps and only supports one floating window at a time.

My Experience Using the OnePlus Pad 2 as a Laptop Replacement

Using the OnePlus Pad 2 as a laptop replacement has been a journey of discovery, blending both impressive highs and a few surprising hiccups. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and OxygenOS 14.1 under the hood, the tablet delivers a smooth and snappy performance that makes multitasking a breeze. The high-refresh-rate display, paired with accessories like the Smart Keyboard and Stylo 2, turns it into a versatile workhorse for everything from drafting documents to sketching creative ideas.

However, Android-specific quirks can sometimes throw a wrench in the works. For instance, the tendency for Android to default to opening native apps instead of web versions can disrupt the flow, forcing you to juggle between different apps rather than seamlessly switching between browser tabs like you would on a traditional laptop. This can be particularly frustrating during complex multitasking.

Additionally, the touchpad sometimes struggles to register clicks and scrolls in certain apps such as Docs, which can be frustrating when you're trying to navigate or input text. The app resizing options are also limited compared to Windows, where you have the freedom to adjust and manage multiple apps with greater flexibility.

Despite these issues, the OnePlus Pad 2 remains a strong contender for general productivity and creative work, though it has yet to fully replace my laptop for more intensive multitasking and complex workflows.

Battery and Charging

The OnePlus Pad 2 is powered by a robust 9,510mAh battery, which ensures it can comfortably last through a day and a half of heavy use. Whether you're working, streaming, or gaming, the battery life remains more than satisfactory.

The real highlight, however, is its fast-charging capability. Thanks to 67W fast charging, the tablet can recharge from 0 to 100% in just over 50 minutes. This rapid charging feature is a game-changer for those who need quick top-ups, making it incredibly convenient for users who are constantly on the go or who may have forgotten to charge the device overnight.

Camera and Connectivity

The OnePlus Pad 2 features a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. The rear camera performs admirably for basic tasks like capturing documents and taking casual snapshots, though it's not designed for high-end photography. The front camera, meanwhile, handles video calls and selfies with adequate clarity, making it suitable for everyday use.

Curiously, there's no 1080p 60fps or 4K 60fps recording option, which seems odd given the tablet's capabilities. While it's understandable that tablet cameras aren't usually top-tier, having at least a 1080p 60fps option would have been beneficial for those looking to make the most out of the large display for video recording.

Connectivity on the Pad 2 is robust, with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring fast and reliable connections. However, the tablet lacks cellular capabilities, which might be a drawback for those who need constant internet access on the go. OnePlus has introduced features like Auto Connect and Content Sync, which work well if you're invested in their ecosystem.

Price

OnePlus Pad 2 (8GB + 128GB): ₹39,999
OnePlus Pad 2 (12GB + 256GB): ₹42,999

Verdict

The OnePlus Pad 2 offers exceptional value at its starting price of Rs 39,999, positioning itself as a top-tier Android tablet that perfectly balances performance and affordability. While it may not fully replace a traditional PC or Mac for intensive workflows, it excels at handling most laptop-like tasks with ease.

For those considering this tablet, the optional keyboard case is a worthwhile investment, transforming it into a powerful productivity tool.

Overall, if you're in the market for a high-performance tablet that meets a wide range of needs while providing excellent value, the OnePlus Pad 2 is your best bet.