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OnePlus Pad Go hands-on Review: Performance, camera and battery Premium feels at an affordable price

OnePlus Pad Go hands-on Review

OnePlus Pad Go hands-on Review The OnePlus Pad Go is a tablet that boasts an excellent design and offers satisfactory performance. The display is one of the standout features of this device, with its sharp and vivid visuals that are sure to captivate users. With its sleek and modern design, the OnePlus Pad Go is a great option for those looking for a high-quality tablet experience. Whether you’re streaming movies or browsing the web, the stunning display on this device is sure to impress.

OnePlus Pad Go hands-on Review

Still, these seem like necessary compromises to make. After all, the OnePlus Pad Go costs nearly half that of the original model, despite having a very similar design, nearly the same display size and resolution, and a four-speaker system. Moreover, the OnePlus Pad Go also adds cellular connectivity, something the OnePlus Pad lacks.

OnePlus Pad Go Comfortable Feels

OnePlus Pad Go boasts a sleek and premium design that is sure to catch anyone’s eye. With its smooth lines and rounded edges, the tablet feels comfortable in your hands, even during prolonged use. However, it is important to note that the rounded edges may make the device more prone to slipping from your grasp if not handled with care. Nevertheless, the elegant design of the OnePlus Pad Go adds an extra touch of sophistication to your tech collection and makes it a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize aesthetics alongside functionality.

OnePlus Pad Range Segment

The OnePlus Pad Go is the company’s second tablet and the first one to compete in the mid-range segment. The flagship OnePlus Pad impressed us earlier this year with its design, display, performance, speakers, and fast charging. It also had some great first-party accessories in the form of a pen and a keyboard folio case.

The OnePlus Pad Go loses a fair bit of that to achieve its lower price. The chipset has been downgraded to Helio G99. The display only refreshes up to 90Hz. And there is no support for the pen and keyboard made for the more expensive model.

OnePlus Pad Go hands-on Review: Key Information

  • The OnePlus Pad Go has a great display.
  • The tab features a decent camera and performance.
  • The price of the OnePlus Pad Go starts at Rs 19,999.

OnePlus Brand Offers

OnePlus has been continuously expanding its diverse range of products. From smartphones and earbuds to monitors and keyboards, the brand offers a wide selection. In February of this year, OnePlus introduced its inaugural tablet called the OnePlus Pad. And just a month ago, OnePlus unveiled another tablet, the OnePlus Pad Go, targeting consumers in search of an affordable tablet without sacrificing quality.

OnePlus Pad Enjoyable Glance

Over the past three weeks, I have had the pleasure of using the OnePlus Pad Go and have found it to be a highly enjoyable device. At first glance, its generous screen size gives it a resemblance to the iPad, which is widely regarded as one of the top premium tablets available today. What sets the OnePlus Pad Go apart, however, is its affordability starting at Rs 19,999. While cost and value are separate considerations, continue reading to discover if the OnePlus Pad Go justifies its price.

OnePlus Pad Go Specifications at a glance

  • Body: 255.1×188.0x6.9mm, 532g; aluminum frame, aluminum back; Stylus support.
  • Display: 11.35″ IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 1720x2408px resolution, 12.6:9 aspect ratio, 260ppi.
  • Chipset: Mediatek MT8781 Helio G99 (6nm): Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G57 MC2.
  • Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; UFS 2.2; microSDXC (dedicated slot).
  • OS/Software: Android 13, OxygenOS 13.2.
  • Rear camera: 8 MP.
  • Front camera: 8 MP.
  • Video capture: Rear camera: 1080p@30fps; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
  • Battery: 8000mAh; 33W wired.
  • Connectivity: LTE; Wi-Fi 5; BT 5.2, aptX HD.
  • Misc: Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), gyro, compass; stereo speakers (4 speakers).

The OnePlus Pad Go specifications lean towards providing a superior visual and audio experience rather than prioritizing features such as gaming, heavy productivity, or photography, in contrast to the pricier model. However, given its intended usage, these compromises may not have a significant negative impact.

Battery and charging

The OnePlus Pad Go comes with an 8000mAh battery, which is significantly smaller compared to the 9510mAh battery found in the similarly sized OnePlus Pad. Additionally, the charging speed has been reduced from 67W to 33W. However, despite the smaller battery capacity, the OnePlus Pad Go performs quite well, thanks in large part to its relatively efficient and economical chipset. Although we do not have precise battery life statistics at this time, the device easily lasted for 2-3 days when connected to Wi-Fi and used for a few hours each day.

During media playback testing, the tablet streamed Netflix for approximately 12 hours with the device brightness set at 75%. Although the charging speed of the OnePlus Pad Go has been reduced by 50%, it still remains relatively close to that of the OnePlus Pad. In just thirty minutes, this tablet is capable of reaching a charge of approximately 37%, and within an hour, it can reach around 70%. A full charge typically takes about an hour and a half. These statistics are quite impressive, particularly when considering the battery’s size.

OnePlus Pad Go hands-on Review: Design 

The design of the OnePlus Pad Go is truly remarkable. It boasts a sleek and premium appearance, and it feels great when held. The rounded edges enhance its comfort during long hours of use, but it also means that it can easily slip from your hands if not careful. Therefore, I would suggest purchasing a case for it as soon as possible. It’s worth noting that OnePlus doesn’t include a case with the device, so you will have to buy one separately.

The back panel has a dual finish. There is a sleek, glossy panel that houses the rear camera. The rest of the panel has a soft matte finish. During my usage of the device, I could see fingerprints and smudges on the glossy part of the back panel. The matte part resists smudges like a pro. At the centre of the back panel is the iconic OnePlus logo and it surely captures attention. The camera lens is protruding and surrounded by a glossy frame. It is located in the centre, which is a unique position. The tab is available in a single colour –– Halo Green, and it is quite a distinctive colour with a soft and soothing appeal.

Power Button Functions

The top edge has a power button along with two speakers. The LTE variant of the tab will also have a SIM slot on the top edge. The right edge houses the volume buttons and the bottom edge has another set of speakers with a Type-C charging port. There is no 3.5mm jack in this tab.

Streaming Experience

In my opinion, an addition of a 3.55mm jack would have been a welcome move. I still prefer using wired headphones or earphones while watching films or web series because I don’t like worrying about my earbuds’ battery. But this isn’t too big of a concern.

Thickness & Hight

The tab has a height of 25.80 cm, width of 18.94 cm and 0.65 cm thickness. It weighs just 552 grams and can easily be carried around. I carried the tab to work almost every day and never felt that it was adding to the weight in my backpack.

Audio

In the front, you get an 11.6-inch display which, at a glance, is quite vibrant and sharp. Let’s talk about that more in the display and audio section.

OnePlus 12 launch

Speakers

The quad-speaker system on the OnePlus Pad Go is comparable to that of the OnePlus Pad. With one speaker located near each corner, no matter how you hold the device, the left speakers will always function as the left channel and the right speakers as the right channel. Similar to its predecessor, the OnePlus Pad Go also provides support for Dolby Atmos codec and audio processing.

Balanced Sound

Although the speakers on the Pad Go and the Pad may seem similar, they actually produce noticeably different sounds. The Pad Go speakers offer a bassier sound with a more powerful lower range, but the higher range sounds darker and less clear. On the other hand, the OnePlus Pad produces a more balanced sound with a brighter high-end.

Volume

In terms of volume, the Pad Go speakers are slightly louder at every level, although both tablets can get quite loud. Additionally, when using the tablets in landscape mode, the stereo separation is excellent. Furthermore, if you play audio that is encoded in native Dolby Atmos format, the sound quality is particularly impressive.

Wired Headphones

I am disappointed to observe that once again, there is no provision for connecting wired headphones. There is absolutely no justification for this omission on a device of this size, as it compels users to choose costly and less dependable Bluetooth audio. Additionally, the OnePlus Pad Go lacks support for the LHDC codec, although it does offer LDAC and all variations of aptX.

 

Software and features

The OnePlus Pad Go is equipped with OxygenOS 13.2, which runs on top of Android 13. Currently, this is the most up-to-date version of OxygenOS and is exclusively available on one other device, namely the OnePlus Open. However, OxygenOS 14 will be the final version as the company officially shifts to it.

Reasonable Express Dissatisfaction

When it comes to the OnePlus Open, it is reasonable to express dissatisfaction regarding the absence of Android 14 upon its release, considering the timing of the device’s launch. This is a common practice employed by manufacturers to avoid updating the device with one fewer Android version in the future, by initially launching it with an outdated version. Although this is particularly concerning given the price of the OnePlus Open, it remains disappointing for the OnePlus Pad Go as well.

Functional Support

Furthermore, the OxygenOS version we receive is highly functional and boasts exceptional multitasking capabilities. It provides complete support for split-screen apps, allowing users to run two apps simultaneously in either a side-by-side or stacked configuration, with the option to adjust window sizes. Additionally, a third app can be operated in a floating window, and content can be easily dragged between all three windows.

Multitasking Capabilities

Surprisingly, the multitasking capabilities of both the OnePlus Pad Go and the pricier OnePlus Pad are not as good as those of the OnePlus Open. The OnePlus Open can simultaneously run three apps side by side and an additional app in a floating window, whereas the two tablets can only handle two apps side by side. It is unfortunate because the larger screen size of the tablets could have made using three apps even more enjoyable than on the OnePlus Open. Furthermore, it is also possible to run certain apps in two instances side by side.

Quick Access

In addition to that, there is also a taskbar available that can be either permanently placed at the bottom of the screen or hidden. It allows you to place apps on it and gives you the option to display recently used content. The app library button enables quick access to any app or allows you to drag it out for multitasking purposes.

OnePlus Pad Go review: Display and audio 

The display of the OnePlus Pad Go is equipped with an LCD panel, boasting a resolution of 2800 x 2000 pixels and a refresh rate of 90Hz. Additionally, it offers a brightness level of 500 nits. Throughout my experience with the device, I extensively utilized it for watching OTT shows and movies, playing games, and engaging in work-related tasks. Remarkably, I found no shortcomings with the display whatsoever. However, it is worth mentioning that smudges did appear on the screen, prompting me to recommend the use of a screen guard.

I spent hours streaming a variety of content on the device, ranging from Friends and How I Met Your Mother to Rick and Morty, The Good Doctor, and The Office. The display on the device was vibrant, clear, and overall very enjoyable. I particularly adore the size of the display, as it is definitely one of the top choices available in the market for watching OTT shows and films. The tab has noticeable but non-disruptive thick, symmetrical bezels on all sides that do not negatively impact the entertainment experience.

Social Media Catch Up

I also used the tab to browse social media and catch up on some of my e-books. The browsing and reading experience, thanks to the large size of the display, is top-notch here. The 90Hz refresh rate works its magic and you can swiftly glide across the screen while reading an article or just exploring your Instagram feed.

Level Of Bass

The audio, with Dolby Atmos speakers, also leaves quite an impression. I played music on the device and the sound filled the room in an instant. There was a decent level of bass too. With that being said, it is to be noted that certain kinds of songs, those that are high on beats, might get minimal distortion when played at max volume. But you will notice that only if you really dig deep and scrutinize every beat of the song. Overall, the audio is crisp, clear and loud. And there is nothing to complain about it.

OnePlus Pad Go review: Performance, camera and battery

The OnePlus Pad Go is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 processor and runs on the OxygenOS 13.1 OS out of the box. The day-to-day performance of the tab was quite satisfactory and didn’t falter much. The tab is great for watching OTT content, browsing the web, playing arcade-style games, etc.

First Powered Start Up

When I first powered on the tablet, it took a few seconds to start up. However, once it was running, I didn’t experience any lags during my usage. The apps loaded quickly and browsing the internet was smooth. What sets this tablet apart is that it doesn’t come with any unnecessary pre-installed software. To test the tablet’s multitasking capabilities, I opened six different applications at once, including three games, and switching between them was effortless.

Game’s Background Music

This means you can easily multitask with this tablet. Now let’s talk about gaming. I tried out various titles like BGMI, Asphalt 9, and Temple Run. Playing BGMI on low graphics settings resulted in a smooth performance, and the large display really brought the world of Asphalt 9 to life. I particularly enjoyed the game’s background music thanks to the tablet’s powerful speakers.

Camera Performance

When it comes to tablets, the camera performance is usually not impressive. However, the OnePlus Pad Go defies expectations in this regard. I took a few pictures of my dog and they surprisingly turned out well. The camera performs even better in daylight. It is capable of handling video calls, taking a few photos, and scanning important documents.

Games Engagment

Regarding the battery life, the tablet endured for approximately 7 hours while I engaged in uninterrupted streaming of videos on Netflix and gaming. Following a continuous 2-hour Netflix streaming session, the battery percentage decreased from 95% to 63%. Additionally, after playing BGMI for 30 minutes, the battery level exhibited a reduction of 12%.

OTT Performance

In case you are not playing games or watching OTT content on the tab, it will have minimal battery discharge. The tab, without playing games or watching OTT content, lasted for about 2 days. During this time, I majorly browsed social media, read a couple of e-books and replied to some of my messages. Yes, the SIM card allows you to text, call, and whatnot and I think it drastically increases the practical usage of the tab. There is a Facial ID unlock feature that works perfectly. However, there is no fingerprint scanner.

OnePlus Pad Go review: Should you buy? 

Are you considering purchasing the OnePlus Pad Go? In brief, the answer is yes. Priced at Rs 19,999, this tablet poses a strong competition to other similar devices like the Redmi Pad and Lenovo Tab P11 Plus. The OnePlus Pad Go offers an excellent display, decent camera, and satisfactory performance. It is specifically designed for individuals who are constantly on the go and enjoy having their entertainment source readily available.

Vivo Y100i 5G

Full Specifications

NETWORK Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
LAUNCH Announced 2023, October 06
Status Available. Released 2023, October 20
BODY Dimensions 255.1 x 188 x 6.9 mm (10.04 x 7.40 x 0.27 in)
Weight 532 g (1.17 lb)
SIM Yes
Stylus support
DISPLAY Type IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)
Size 11.35 inches, 396.1 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1720 x 2408 pixels (~260 ppi density)
PLATFORM OS Android 13, OxygenOS 13.2
Chipset Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm)
CPU Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Mali-G57 MC2
MEMORY Card slot microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
UFS 2.2
MAIN CAMERA Single 8 MP
Video 1080p@30fps
SELFIE CAMERA Single 8 MP
Video 1080p@30fps
SOUND Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
3.5mm jack No
COMMS WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Positioning Unspecified
NFC No
Radio No
USB USB Type-C 2.0
FEATURES Sensors Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only), gyro, compass
BATTERY Type Li-Po 8000 mAh, non-removable
Charging 33W wired
MISC Colors Twin Mint
Price About 230 EUR

Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.

Pros

  • Well-built, attractive design
  • Good display quality and resolution, 7:5 aspect ratio ideal for portrait and landscape use
  • Powerful speakers with Dolby Atmos processing
  • Good battery life with reasonably fast charging
  • Robust multitasking features
  • Expandable storage and optional LTE connectivity

Cons

  • Poor GPU performance
  • Limited 8GB system memory
  • No fingerprint sensor

Bottom Line

The OnePlus Pad Go is a pretty solid offering from the company and a good entrant in the mid-range tablet market. The design, display, speakers, and battery life are good and the OS offers some really useful multitasking capabilities. The addition of data connectivity also makes this significantly more convenient to carry around than its more expensive sibling. The downsides are mostly the lack of any real GPU horsepower and the limited 8GB memory. But for the intended use cases, which are reading, watching, browsing, and a bit of productivity work, the OnePlus Pad Go is a perfectly capable device.

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