Surprise iPad rival finally gives Android users a truly powerful alternative

Apple’s iPad may be the commonly-used catch-all term for tablet computers these days, but there is a huge range of alternative devices to the famous iPad that all run Android instead. Available in a wider range of shapes and sizes, there is an Android tablet out there for every budget, and one has just been announced that includes a welcome addition not often seen in the market.

OnePlus surprised Android fans on Monday by announcing the imminent arrival of the OnePlus Pad 3, a tablet it says has “a focus on performance and productivity” and will come to the UK on June 5, 2025. The price is still unannounced.

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

Sometimes when companies say such things it’s hyperbole, but OnePlus may have the spec sheet to back it up with the Pad 3. It confirmed that the tablet will be one of the first ever to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, Qualcomm’s current most powerful mobile processor.

That’s the same chip inside the OnePlus 13, Samsung Galaxy S25, Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Honor Magic 7 Pro, as well as other recent flagship Android phones.

But Android manufacturers rarely use Qualcomm’s top-end processor in their tablets, so to see the latest silicone in OnePlus’s newest effort is exciting. The company used the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in its OnePlus Pad 2 from last year, so this is the second year running we’ve seen top-end chips in OnePlus tablets.

''In just two short years we have built a strong reputation for bringing the most powerful and productive tablets to the market,” said 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 customers reserve the OnePlus Pad 3 for £1. This will open up some ‘Bonus Drop’ offers such as a £50 discount coupon and a gift code to get a free OnePlus SUPERVOOC 80W Dual Ports GaN Power Adapter Kit worth £49.99 when buying the Pad 3.