In 2023, OnePlus entered the Android tablet space with the Pad Go. Two years later, the company launched the successor to the popular big-screen device. While OnePlus’ first tablet was average at best, the newly launched OnePlus Pad Go 2 brings some significant upgrades and improvements in almost all areas – be it hardware, software or design.
However, after using it as my daily tablet for the past few weeks for streaming, reading, and productivity, it has steadily grown on me to the point where I’ve largely stopped using my Galaxy Tab. Here’s what stood out during my time with the device.
The OnePlus Pad Go’s (review) design was controversial, largely due to the oversized circular camera module on the back. While some users may have liked it, I wasn’t a fan, especially because it caused the tablet to wobble when placed flat on a desk, something many of us regularly do. The OnePlus Pad Go 2 addresses this with a much cleaner, iPhone-like single camera lens that sits more discreetly on the back.
OnePlus has also dropped the dual-tone finish in favour of a unibody metal design that looks and feels premium. I received the Lavender Drift variant, which blends in nicely with my other peripherals and even complements my flip phone. OnePlus also bundled a lavender-coloured folio case that matches the tablet and doubles as a stand, along with the OnePlus Pad Go 2 Stylo. The tablet is surprisingly bright even under direct sunlight. (Image Credit: Anurag Chawake/Indian Express)
Display
The OnePlus Pad Go 2 features a large 12.1-inch display with a 7:5 aspect ratio, making it taller and squarer than most tablets. While this works well for browsing, reading and multitasking, the boxier screen results in thicker black bars at the top and bottom when watching videos in full screen compared to more traditional tablet displays.
OnePlus has also increased the refresh rate from 90Hz to 120Hz, which is immediately noticeable when scrolling through websites or reading articles. Since this is a mid-range tablet, it uses an IPS LCD panel instead of OLED, but colour reproduction and brightness are impressive. With a peak brightness of 900 nits, I had no trouble using the tablet outdoors on a sunny winter afternoon in Delhi, even with direct sunlight hitting the screen.
The OnePlus Pad Go 2 is one of the smoothest mid-range Android tablets I have ever used. (Image Credit: Anurag Chawake/Indian Express)
Performance
My biggest gripe with the OnePlus Pad Go was its performance. With the OnePlus Pad Go 2, however, it feels like the company has paid heed to user feedback and made meaningful improvements. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra chipset, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 can handle whatever you throw at it.
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Whether it was web browsing, reading manga, watching movies or multitasking, the tablet rarely showed any signs of lag or throttling, even during extended use. That said, this isn’t the most powerful chipset for gaming. Titles like Call of Duty, BGMI and Genshin Impact run at respectable frame rates, but you’ll need to lower the graphics settings for a smooth experience.
Another notable upgrade is storage. Unlike the OnePlus Pad Go, which used UFS 2.2, the new tablet features faster UFS 3.1 storage that delivers nearly double the speed. In everyday use, this translates to quicker app launches and smoother performance in games.
The OnePlus Pad Go 2 has an iPhone-like minimal camera. (Image Credit: Anurag Chawake/Indian Express)
Software
The OnePlus Pad Go 2 runs OxygenOS 16 based on Android 16 out of the box, with OnePlus promising five years of software updates and security patches. Based on my experience so far, the company’s software support and update rollout have been largely reliable and delivered mostly on time.
On the software front, OnePlus appears to have optimised OxygenOS 16 well for the larger screen. Within any app, you can simply swipe up from the bottom bar to access options for split view or floating windows, making multitasking quick and intuitive. Like on OnePlus phones, OxygenOS 16 also remembers grouped apps, allowing you to jump back into multitasking with ease.
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The OnePlus Pad Go 2 also supports a stylus, and OnePlus has done a commendable job integrating it into the UI, particularly in the Notes app, where it feels natural and responsive. Having used several mid-range tablets with buggy or inconsistent software, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 stands out as one of the smoothest and most polished Android tablets available in this price bracket.
Battery
Battery life on tablets can be tricky to judge, as many of us leave them on standby for long periods and then use them heavily in short bursts. That said, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 has a great battery life, thanks to the large 10,500mAh battery.
With light usage, the tablet easily offers over 10 hours of screen-on time. Even under heavy workloads, it lasts anywhere between 7–8 hours, which is more than enough for a full day of office use. OnePlus also includes a 45W charger in the box, although the tablet itself supports charging speeds of up to 33W. A full charge from zero to 100 per cent takes close to two hours, but that didn’t bother me, as I usually plugged it in overnight.
This may be the best Android tablet to buy under Rs 30,000. (Image Credit: Anurag Chawake/Indian Express)
OnePlus Pad Go 2: Who is it for and should you buy it?
The OnePlus Pad Go 2 is a well-rounded tablet that gets most things right. From performance to software to updates, there’s very little to complain about, aside from the folio case, which makes the tablet difficult to use with one hand.
The display is sharp, performance is excellent, and the speakers are loud enough to comfortably fill a medium-sized room. If I were to nitpick, the only real drawbacks are the slightly slower charging speeds and the absence of a dedicated keyboard case.
With a starting price tag of Rs 25,999, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 offers great performance, loud speakers, a sharp display and a fantastic battery life. Honestly, this is one of the best mid-range tablets I have ever used.
If you have a budget of Rs 30,000 and are looking for a tablet that will comfortably last you for years, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 is a no-brainer. I’ve been recommending Xiaomi tablets for years, but the OnePlus Pad Go 2 has genuinely made me change my mind.
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