OnePlus Pad 3: Is it worth the price?

After months of anticipation, OnePlus has launched the OnePlus Pad 3 in India, starting at Rs. 47,999 (12GB/256GB) and Rs. 52,999 (16GB/512GB).

- Tasneem Kanchwala

While pricier than its predecessor, it undercuts rivals like the iPad Air and Galaxy Tab S10, offering premium specs and thoughtful features.

The Pad 3 ditches the circular rear camera for a sleeker pill-shaped module, bringing it closer in look to Samsung's Galaxy Tabs. Its aluminum unibody feels premium, and at 5.97mm thickness, it's slim but slightly heavier at 675 grams, making prolonged handheld use tiring. Button placement is convenient, though the lack of cellular connectivity is a missed chance. Accessories such as the folio case and Stylo 2 stylus are available, while the Smart Keyboard is expected soon.

The 13.2-inch LCD display (3392 x 2400, 7:5 aspect ratio) is the centerpiece, offering 98% DCI-P3 coverage, sharp visuals, and great viewing angles. At 900 nits peak brightness, outdoor use is good but not OLED-level, and blacks lack depth. Still, the 144Hz adaptive refresh rate and 540Hz touch sampling make scrolling and gaming super fluid. Slim bezels give an immersive feel with an 89.3% screen-to-body ratio.