Surprise iPad rival finally gives Android users a | Tech News

Apple’s iPad could be the commonly-used catch-all time period for pill computer systems lately, however there may be a big vary of various gadgets to the well-known iPad that every one run Android as an alternative. Available in a wider vary of sizes and styles, there may be an Android pill on the market for each price range, and one has simply been introduced that features a welcome addition not typically seen within the market.

OnePlus shocked Android followers on Monday by saying the approaching arrival of the OnePlus Pad 3, a pill it says has “a focus on performance and productivity” and can come to the UK on June 5, 2025. The price remains to be unannounced.

“The OnePlus Pad 3 merges supercharged hardware with market leading software to create the best tablet experience of 2025”, OnePlus stated in a press release.

Sometimes when corporations say such issues it’s hyperbole, however OnePlus could have the spec sheet to back it up with the Pad 3. It confirmed that the pill will likely be one of the primary ever to make use of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, Qualcomm’s present strongest cellular processor.

That’s the identical chip inside the OnePlus 13, Samsung Galaxy S25, Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Honor Magic 7 Pro, in addition to different latest flagship Android telephones.

But Android producers hardly ever use Qualcomm’s top-end processor of their tablets, so to see the most recent silicone in OnePlus’s latest effort is thrilling. The company used the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in its OnePlus Pad 2 from final 12 months, so that is the second 12 months operating we’ve seen top-end chips in OnePlus tablets.

”In simply two short years we have now constructed a robust status for bringing probably the most highly effective and productive tablets to the market,” stated Celina Shi, Chief Marketing Officer, OnePlus Europe. “The OnePlus Pad 3 continues this legacy with a cutting-edge chipset and intelligent software features – like Open Canvas – to help elevate productivity, creativity and entertainment. We’re confident that the OnePlus Pad 3 will be the best Android tablet of 2025!”

We don’t have full specs yet for the Pad 3, but if it’s anything like its predecessor I’ll be pleased. I’ve used the OnePlus Pad 2 extensively and it’s very good indeed, with a lovely bright 12.1-inch LCD screen, superb stereo speakers, a thin 6.5mm design, smooth OxygenOS software and up to 256GB storage and 12GB RAM.

OnePlus will hopefully make some smart updates to tempt buyers into investing in the Pad 3. If it’s compatible with OnePlus’s stylus, and if there’s a keyboard accessory like with the Pad 2, the Pad 3 could prove to be a genuine laptop replacement. It’s hard to replace a Windows or Mac laptop with a tablet, but for my money, Android is much better at it than iPadOS.

As confirmed in the above quote, the Pad 3 will run Open Canvas, which is good news. This is OnePlus’s clever software that lets you recreate the feeling of working and switching between open windows without cluttering the whole screen. It hides the edges of the open apps and leaves the app you’re in on most of the screen, but keeps the apps running in the background, allowing for quick switching.

It’s much more intuitive than Android tablet rival Samsung’s method, and it wipes the floor with Apple’s clunky Stage Manager windowing system for iPads.

Few other details were revealed, other than that UK and European buyers will be able to get the OnePlus Pad 3 in Storm Blue colourway, and that you’ll be able to remotely control a Mac computer and easier share files with “new apps and functionality”.

Before the launch on June 5, OnePlus is letting prospects reserve the OnePlus Pad 3 for £1. This will open up some ‘Bonus Drop’ presents reminiscent of a £50 low cost coupon and a reward code to get a free OnePlus SUPERVOOC 80W Dual Ports GaN Power Adapter Kit value £49.99 when shopping for the Pad 3.