TL;DR: This tablet definitely surpassed my expectations and converted me into the Android Tablet ecosystems. Thanks to more tablets being released into the market, there’s been some optimization in apps like Twitter (or X now) and the usage has been very varied.
So many posts in a row about this device, but I just am surprised how it found a place in my day-to-day life. I’d say the downside to the tablet is not having a 12gb - 256gb version available for sale in my country.
I tried it with the keyboard case and the experience got way more pleasant than it already was with a third party case. It’s a great accessory to have, the pen stays glued to the pad more often than with the other case. I’d say 8 out of 10 times you take it out of your bag, it will stay on the tablet’s side.
Utility #
This device has brought me so much utility that I didn’t know I needed. I’ll make a quick list and not go into full detail about it because most of them are worthy of their own post. I’ll go in depth after I feel like I have had some experience with them.
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Portable Monitor
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Multi-Tasking monster
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Installing a Linux VM without rooting
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All in one messaging through Beeper
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Both Laptop replacement and complement
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Screen mirroring OnePlus phone is so handy.
I’ll describe my favorites.
Portable Monitor #
By using SpaceDesk, I’m able to use the OnePlus Pad as a portable wireless monitor. It lets you control your PC with the same keyboard the tablet uses, that way I save some space on my desktop as well. You can also use the touchscreen, touchpad, or bluetooth mouse connected to your tablet but these ones are limited to only interacting with the tablet’s screen.
Once you install the server on your PC and the client on your tablet, connecting is as simple as opening the app and pressing connect.
Multi-Tasking #
I’ve put some stress into this tablet. Here it’s running Honkai Star Rail in window mode, 7DS Grand Cross and a youtube video. All while screen recording. It’s keeping a good frame rate in most of them! I felt a little dirty after doing this. It was like watching those TikToks with Family Guy and Subway Surfers.
https://youtu.be/74xir9mLu5E?si=Qbi5y_jzPLjBh-hg
Linux #
Using Andronix and RealVNC and by side-loading F-Droid and Termux. You’re able to run a linux environment in your tablet, and I love it. There’s some free modified versions of popular distros and some paid ones. I’ve tried a couple of the paid ones but the free Arch Linux one was the one that worked best for me. I’ve been using it to get a portable device where I can get vscode and a terminal and develop the gatsby version of this blog.
The Good #
Comparing this to my previous points in my one month in review:
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The screen still is the best part of the device.
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The price makes it a very good deal, competing with samsung tabs and the new google pixel one.
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OnePlus signature fast charging is there, just not it’s fastest version. Makes up for it with battery life though. Get’s a very good balance of both.
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The split screen feature is okay, but floating windows are way superior.
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Still love using it as an extra monitor.
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The features that I was looking forward to were added and they are amazing. The screen mirroring feature has been my favorite. It’s so smooth and responsive.
The Bad #
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I’m still bitter that the unique features of the tablet were patched in months later and not shipped with the product, not even a day one update. I’m glad that they were added in and worked really well though.
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No cellular slot… My phone plan complains a lot about the data sharing feature, so I hope the next version has a sim slot.
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Still no 12gb/256gb option. I’ve been managing but I just wish I had that or at least an SD card option.
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I underestimated the battery life on this one, my opinion has changed from my last update.
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I really don’t like the huge back camera sensor being so big and so bad at the same time. It’s an average camera but I just don’t like how it looks.
The Keyboard #
I am surprised on how much the experience changes with the keyboard case. I wish the angle was adjustable but It’s a good angle for most cases. It’s sturdy enough and the magnet is strong enough that you can let it sit on your lap and it will hold on, but it’s pushing it. I worry about it falling too much but it has held on every time.
The Verdict #
I am still very surprised about this tablet. Even though my main phone has been an iPhone for a while, I feel like I still get a lot out of it. It’s a must-have for OnePlus users and a very nice-to-have for everyone else. My recommendation to the average person that asks me for advice would still be “just get an iPad”, but for the tech savvy person this will be my new one. With an extra recommendation to wait for a next version that comes with more storage because you will want to use it all the time.