OnePlus Pad 3 – How did they manage to price it this way?
The OnePlus Pad 3 is now available in the Philippines. It comes with the top Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and it costs less than ₱40,000.
Let those things sink in; and no – what you just read isn’t some fluff that I conjured from nothing. This new tablet by OnePlus is now officially available.
To give you a quick comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra costs PhP92,990 for the same 12GB/256GB variant of the OnePlus Pad 3. Performance wise, the latter is much faster and more powerful, has better battery capacity, and rocks all the necessary accessory that you can think of that the former also has. The only major downsides that I see on the OnePlus Pad 3 is the non-OLED display and slightly lower volume when compared to my Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. Then again, in terms of price to performance ratio, this is a no-contest, and I don’t see any reason right now for people choosing the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra over OnePlus’ newest baby. Heck, it’s far even more difficult to find a smartphone of the same chipset and better price than the OnePlus Pad 3 these days.
Now, let me give you a drill down of all the features that I love about the OnePlus Pad 3.
Fast and Reliable Performance
The main reason people talk about the OnePlus Pad 3 is the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. I totally agree. This is one of the fastest chips you will find in any Android tablet. You get smooth and quick performance. Apps open fast. Games run with high graphics and no lags. You can jump between work, browsing, streaming, and gaming with no delay. Even after hours of use, the Pad 3 stays cool and doesn’t slow down.
If you work with many documents, edit photos, or make video calls, the Pad 3 handles all of this easily. With up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of fast storage, you don’t have to worry about freezing, slowdowns, or running out of space. You can open several apps at once, and the tablet keeps up.
What I’ve got is the 12GB RAM and 256GB version. It performs fast, and games like Genshin Impact and Diablo Immortal play at 60fps at highest settings.
Big, Bright, and Sharp Display
The OnePlus Pad 3 has a 13.2-inch LCD display, with a very sharp 3392 x 2400 resolution. Colors look real and bright despite not having an OLED display. The screen gets up to 900 nits, so it’s easy to see even outside during the day. What stands out is its 144Hz refresh rate. This makes the screen feel very smooth when you scroll, swipe, or play games. Text stays clear, and there’s no blur.
The 7:5 aspect ratio means you get more room for reading, split-screen use, and drawing. You can open two documents side by side, or take notes while watching a video.
What I normally do is I save app group of apps that I mostly use side by side. For instance, I’ve got YouTube on the left side of the display, and Google Docs on the right. I write while watching Border Security on YouTube.
Long Battery Life and Fast Charging
Most tablets last less than a day if you use them for work, school, or fun. The OnePlus Pad 3 has a big 12,140mAh battery. This lasts more than a full day with work, video calls, or games. If you need to charge, it comes with an 80W charger. You can charge from zero to 100% in just over 90 minutes. You don’t have to worry if you forget to charge at night—a quick top-up during breakfast is enough.
When my productivity is at its peak, that’s only when its battery drains much faster than usual. What device won’t do it anyway. In situations like this, the battery lasts for about 8 hours of continuous heavy use and still get about 20% more remaining. For consumptions less than 1000ma, you’ll probably see this tablet run for about 14-15 hours.
Premium Design That Feels Good
The OnePlus Pad 3 is thin and light for its size. It’s only 5.97mm thick and weighs 675g. You can hold it with one hand for reading, or carry it in a bag. The aluminum unibody feels strong. The edges are smooth. It doesn’t bend or creak when you hold it.
This tablet also has eight speakers—four woofers and four tweeters. The sound is crisp and clear. Whether you’re in a meeting, watching TV, or listening to music, the sound has depth and volume.
Useful Software and AI Features
The Pad 3 runs on Android 15 with OxygenOS 15. It gets regular updates and security patches. You get built-in AI tools from Google Gemini and OnePlus AI. These can help you organize notes, summarize long emails, and even control smart devices.
If you have a Mac, you get extra features. You can use your Pad 3 as a remote for your Mac. You can drag files between the tablet and your computer. The trackpad and keyboard work across both, so it feels like you have one big desk.
Cameras That Get the Job Done
Most people don’t use tablets for photos, but the Pad 3 covers what you need. It has a 13MP back camera and an 8MP front camera. Both are good for video calls, scanning documents, and quick snaps. The main camera records up to 4K videos.
Connectivity
You get modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so video calls and downloads are fast. The USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port lets you charge fast, move files quickly, and plug in keyboards, mice, or storage. If you buy the official keyboard and stylus, you can type or draw easily.
Price Makes It Stand Out
In the Philippines, you can get the OnePlus Pad 3 for ₱35,990 (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) or ₱39,990 (16GB RAM, 512GB storage) at Digital Walker. For what’s inside, that is a great deal. Competing tablets with similar features often sell for ₱70,000 or more.
What Sets It Apart
- Flagship chip at half the price: You get the latest, most powerful Qualcomm chip for less than ₱40,000.
- Large, smooth screen: The 13.2-inch screen is sharp, bright, and very smooth.
- All-day battery + fast charging: Lasts throughout the day, recharges fast.
- Modern software and AI: Newest Android, smart features from Google and OnePlus.
- Build quality: Strong and light, easy to carry.
- Great audio: Eight speakers make a clear difference for movies and meetings.
- Good after-sales support: Official stores, good local support options.
Where It Could Improve
No device is perfect. The Pad 3 doesn’t come with an AMOLED screen, unlike some high-end rivals. It doesn’t have water or dust resistance. There are also fewer tablet-optimized apps on Android than on iPadOS. But for its price, these don’t outweigh its strengths.
It’s a Must Have
The OnePlus Pad 3 gives you top-level performance, a big and sharp screen, long battery life, real AI features, and a strong build at a fair price. At less than ₱40,000, nothing else in its class matches what it offers for users in the Philippines. For work, study, entertainment, or creative tasks, it’s the best flagship tablet you can buy today without overspending.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
