Oppo Pad 3 Pro: Tablets can be pretty divisive. Some people think they’re pointless when phones and laptops already exist, while others use them all the time. If you’re checking out the Oppo Pad 3 Pro, you’re probably in the second group and just want to know if this tablet is worth getting over an iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab.
After spending months with it (and comparing it against the latest iPads and Galaxy Tabs), here’s how the Oppo Pad 3 Pro holds up.
Price and Availability of Oppo Pad 3 Pro
The Oppo Pad 3 Pro launched at £499, but since it’s been replaced by the Pad 4 Pro, prices have dropped – making it a better value than before. The catch? It’s not the easiest device to find, and Oppo’s own site might be your only option.
There’s only one version: 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and Wi-Fi only (no SIM). Compared to iPads and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 FE, you’re getting more memory and storage for about the same money.
It’s available in the UK and Europe, but not in the US or Australia. In those regions, the OnePlus Pad 2 is basically the same tablet with a different name.
Oppo Pad 3 Pro vs Oppo Pad 2?
Released in November 2024, the Pad 3 Pro improves on the Pad 2 with:
- A bigger, brighter display
- Faster storage
- A stronger Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
- A new Starlight Blue color option
- Some added AI features
It’s slightly heavier, but overall a more powerful and polished device.
Design and Display
The design feels premium. The Starlight Blue finish stands out, and the curved edges make it more comfortable to hold compared to the flat edges of iPads and Galaxy Tabs.
It’s clearly built for landscape use, with cameras and the smart connector positioned for horizontal orientation. You also get eight speakers built into the slim 6.5mm frame.
The 12.1-inch LCD display is one of the highlights. With a 3,000 x 2,120 resolution, it’s sharper than iPads and Samsung’s FE series. It also reaches 900 nits of brightness, which makes it usable even outdoors. Add a 144Hz adaptive refresh rate and Dolby Vision HDR, and the visuals are crisp, smooth, and perfect for gaming, streaming, or scrolling.
Performance and Battery
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12GB RAM, performance is fast and reliable. Apps load quickly, multitasking is smooth, and gaming runs without issues. iPads are still slightly faster side by side, but the difference isn’t noticeable day-to-day.
Oppo’s Hyperboost system helps with gaming by keeping frame rates high, while modes like Pro Mode and Low Power Mode let you balance power and battery.
The 9,510mAh battery is another win. Watching Netflix for an hour at half brightness only used around 6%, meaning you’ll easily get multiple days of mixed use. Standby time is excellent, and when you do need to charge, 67W fast charging tops it up quickly (though you’ll need your own charger).
Audio also impresses – the eight speakers deliver surprisingly immersive sound for such a thin device.
Software
The tablet runs Android with Oppo’s ColorOS 15. It’s clean, colourful, and customisable. It’s not quite as polished as iPadOS, and the App Store still beats the Play Store for tablet-optimised apps, but Oppo makes up for it with solid multitasking – you can run three apps at once here.
There are also a few AI extras, like webpage summaries and text-to-speech. They’re nice touches, but not major selling points.
Verdict
The Oppo Pad 3 Pro is a solid premium Android tablet that feels like an even better value now that prices have dropped. It’s got a great design, sharp display, strong performance, long-lasting battery, and good speakers.
The downsides? It’s no longer the newest Oppo tablet, accessories can be hard to get, and iPadOS still has the better app ecosystem. But if you’re looking for an Android alternative to an iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab, this is a very strong option.
Pros
- Premium design and build
- Excellent display (bright, sharp, 144Hz)
- Strong performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Long battery life + fast charging
- Good multitasking features
Cons
- Hard to find accessories
- Not available everywhere
- iPadOS still offers better apps
