OnePlus Pad 3

The OnePlus Pad 3 is a compelling alternative to the iPad, Galaxy Tab and Pixel Tablet at an impressively affordable price. Just don’t expect it to replace your laptop.

So, one other question comes up. Is the OnePlus Pad 3 enough to challenge the iPad's dominance at the top? Not quite, but the gap isn't as large as you'd think, and the next generation might catch up completely. If you prefer Android devices, the OnePlus Pad 3 is an easy recommendation. The only time I wouldn't recommend it is if you prefer a smaller screen, because the 13.2-inch display is larger than you might expect. I'd love the OnePlus Pad 4 to offer two screen sizes, this, and a 7-inch model, where I think it'd easily take some market share away from the bigger players.

OnePlus shipped out the Pad 3 in Storm Blue (12GB/256GB) for us to review. We spent about two weeks with the device, before writing this review. This is not a sponsored review, OnePlus did not see this review before it went live. And therefore did not influence our opinion of this tablet.

The OnePlus Pad 3 features an expansive 13.2-inch LCD panel with a 3.4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It's powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB of RAM, providing ample horsepower for even the most intensive Android apps. OnePlus included a massive 12,140mAh battery, which the company claims can hold a charge for 70 days on standby.

The OnePlus Pad 3 is even better suited for binge-watching, reading, streaming music, and light multitasking than before. The improved software update policy also makes it more future-proof. Software limitations prevent it from being a true laptop replacement or productivity powerhouse, but then again, few tablets are.

For value for money, the OnePlus Pad 3 is a stone-cold killer. It's big, it's fast, it lasts long, and it's relatively cheap. There is no other model on the market that can beat the Pad 3 across all of those metrics.

The OnePlus Pad lineup has come a long way from the original, which offered solid hardware but lackluster performance. Now, OnePlus has seemingly caught its stride, as the OnePlus Pad 3 combines a premium design with excellent software for an even better experience. That's not to say there aren't trade-offs, but they're easy to look past when you consider the price.

The OnePlus Pad 3 shows that third time's the charm for OnePlus, which has delivered a fully featured Android tablet that’s sure to have iPad users jealous.