The OnePlus Pad already tops our list of the best Android tablets, but it looks like the OnePlus Pad Pro could take its place in just a few weeks.
In a new Weibo post (via WCCFTech), OnePlus describes the OnePlus Pad Pro – which we expect will be called the OnePlus Pad 2 in the US – as the “most powerful Android tablet” to date. The company hasn't confirmed chipset details yet, but previous rumors have pointed to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for the upcoming best tablet contender, which would really justify OnePlus' bold claim.
The original OnePlus Pad featured an extremely capable MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, while its closest Android-powered competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, sports an equally powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Nearly all of the best Android phones — including the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 — are powered by the latest version of Qualcomm's flagship silicon, so it makes sense that OnePlus would also want to fit the OnePlus Pad 2 with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, at least in the US.
Interestingly, some tests have shown that the recently released MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ is the most powerful Android chipset in the market, so OnePlus may mention this particular chipset in its marketing instead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Furthermore, MediaTek chipsets are typically cheaper than Qualcomm chipsets, so opting for the Dimensity 9300+ would likely allow OnePlus to maintain the relative affordability of the OnePlus Pad with the OnePlus Pad 2.
That said, we think it's more likely that the company will equip the OnePlus Pad 2 with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, as the latter is notable in the US market.
Same but different
According to what we've heard about the OnePlus Pad 2 – which is set to be unveiled on June 27 – allegedly leaked Weibo images show a tablet looking very similar to the OnePlus Pad, though we're expecting OnePlus to bring battery and camera improvements to the new model.
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For reference, the OnePlus Pad has a 9,510mAh battery and two cameras: a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP selfie snapper. Other specs include an 11.6-inch LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, up to 256GB of storage, and up to 12GB of RAM.
With its high-resolution screen, big battery and competitive price tag, the OnePlus Pad is already rivalling the iPad 10.9 (2022), so hopefully the OnePlus Pad 2 can reduce the appeal of the more well-known iPad when it launches later this month.