When OnePlus first arrived on the scene, it promised a bloatware-free smartphone experience. Over the years, the brand delivered several successful devices, along with a few experiments that did not quite go in its favour. The past couple of years, however, have been spent refining what OnePlus does best: Delivering a clean, premium user experience. The consistency that defined the brand in its early days is once again visible in the AI era. The OnePlus Pad Go 2 is a case in point.
This mid-range tablet gets the consistency element right across the board, from display and performance to battery life. It works just as well as a companion for college students as it does for those who are constantly on the move, taking notes, making plans, and falling back on streaming to unwind.
More screen estate
OnePlus has opted for a 12.1-inch 2.8K LCD display (2800 × 1980) with Dolby Vision support, including playback of Dolby Vision content on Netflix. With a pixel density of 284ppi, 98 per cent DCI-P3 colour coverage, and a peak brightness of 900 nits in high-brightness mode, the screen remains clear even under bright, sunny conditions.
The 7:5 aspect ratio makes this a versatile device, whether you are reading or streaming movies. It offers 14 per cent more active area than a traditional 16:10 display, resulting in a more natural, book-like layout.
You can easily work in split-screen mode and keep a floating window.
Complementing the display is a capable set of speakers. OnePlus’ Omnibearing Sound Field technology can automatically detect screen orientation and adjust stereo channels accordingly, delivering rich and immersive audio.
A useful AI bouquet
This is the company’s first 5G tablet. With the 5G variant, users can insert a SIM card to make calls, send messages, and enjoy smooth video streaming, online classes, and fast downloads directly on the tablet. Paired with a OnePlus phone, the tablet also supports mobile data communication sharing. Simply placing the tablet near the phone enables automatic connectivity, without the need for a SIM card in the tablet. According to OnePlus, this feature reduces the phone’s battery consumption by around 30 per cent compared to standard hotspots, while also allowing the tablet to use the phone’s GPS for more accurate positioning.
Powering the device is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra chipset, which is capable of handling everyday tasks with ease. Weighing under 600g and measuring just 6.83mm in thickness, the tablet has been used extensively to test its software-centric features. Advanced Handwriting Recognition converts handwritten notes into editable digital text, while Handwriting Enhancement automatically improves the appearance of your writing. The Handwriting Calculator allows users to solve complex equations simply by writing them out. Within the Notes app, Image Cutout enables instant background removal from images, making journals and notes stand out.
The processor is also responsible for supporting a growing list of AI features. AI Writer helps generate and refine summaries, meeting notes, self-introductions, and speeches. AI Recorder converts speech into text, while AI Reflection Eraser detects and removes glare from photos. The list is already fairly long and continues to expand.
There is also support for the OnePlus Stylo. With low latency and 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, note-taking and sketching feel intuitive and responsive.
Make the call
What works particularly well is the massive 10,050mAh battery, which comfortably lasts a couple of days on a single charge. Fast charging is supported, and OnePlus claims up to 60 days of standby, 53 hours of music playback, or 15 hours of video playback. In real-world use, with higher brightness levels, louder volume, and heavy use of software features, including gaming, achieving around 12 hours of usage is not difficult.
The tablet also supports reverse charging at 6.5W. A full charge from zero takes roughly 129 minutes.
There is decent performance when playing games.
So, what’s the catch? As more people gravitate towards foldable phones and already own laptops, tablets increasingly need to offer something extra. Light web browsing, Zoom calls, and streaming are tasks any tablet can handle. The bigger question is whether an Android tablet can truly become mainstream. The depth and quality of apps available on the iPad still remain unmatched.
That said, if you are looking for an Android tablet that does not strain your wallet, OnePlus has done a commendable job. A tablet paired with a stylus can easily become a student’s best digital friend and the same holds true for writers and readers. The OnePlus Pad Go 2 (pricing was yet to be announced when we went to press) is enjoyable to use and easy to get accustomed to, though its long-term appeal will depend on how many genuinely useful AI features OnePlus continues to roll out.