OnePlus Pad Go Review, Price and Specification
OnePlus Pad Go Review, Price and Specification
Last year, OnePlus introduced its iPad rival, the OnePlus Pad, which received positive feedback. Now, they’ve launched a more budget-friendly option in the UK—the OnePlus Pad Go. Priced nearly £100 less than its predecessor, it’s an attractive choice for those looking to save a few pounds. But what sacrifices have been made to achieve this lower price? Let’s dive into the details.
Design and Build Quality
First impressions matter, and the OnePlus Pad Go doesn’t feel cheap. Slightly more compact than the original, it has an 11.3-inch display and weighs just over half a kilo. The bezels around the screen are just right—not too thick, allowing for a comfortable grip.
The frame is mostly metal, but the top features a glossy plastic strip that tends to attract fingerprints and smudges. You’ll find yourself wiping it down frequently unless that doesn’t bother you. Thankfully, the frosted metal section does a good job of resisting grime.
The Pad Go is available in a single color option, a refreshing “Twin Mint.”
Software and Performance
Running OxygenOS 13.2 on top of Android 13, the OnePlus Pad Go is not equipped with the latest Android 14, which feels a bit outdated given that Android 15 is already in beta. While OnePlus promises a couple of years of updates, there’s no telling when they will actually arrive.
There’s no fingerprint sensor; instead, you rely on Face Unlock, which is quick and effective. The software experience is similar to the original Pad, featuring the familiar shelf for widgets and quick access to apps.
Storage is limited to 128GB, but you can expand it with a microSD card of up to 1TB—a nice touch. Multitasking is straightforward, with a dock at the bottom of the screen for easy access to your most-used apps.
Display
The OnePlus Pad Go features an LCD panel with a resolution of 2480 x 1720 pixels. While it’s slightly less crisp than the original Pad, it’s still good for editing photos and watching movies. However, there’s no HDR support, which is a letdown for streaming services.
The display has a warm tint that might require adjustment through the color settings. Brightness maxes out at around 400 nits, making it difficult to see in bright sunlight. The refresh rate has been reduced from 144Hz to 90Hz, but the experience remains smooth during everyday use.
Audio
Audio quality is impressive, thanks to the quad speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support. The sound is powerful enough to drown out background noise, making it suitable for watching videos or listening to music. However, there’s no headphone jack, so you’ll need to rely on Bluetooth for private listening.
Cameras
On the front, there’s an 8MP camera for video calls, positioned centrally for landscape use. It captures Full HD video, and while the quality is decent, you’ll need to be close to the tablet for optimal sound capture due to the built-in mics.
There’s also a rear camera, but honestly, using a tablet for photos is a bit unconventional.
Performance
Powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, the OnePlus Pad Go’s performance is adequate for everyday tasks but not for gaming. Expect some lag when launching apps or multitasking, but it’s not a deal-breaker for casual users. The gaming mode in OxygenOS provides some enhancements, but serious gamers might want to look elsewhere.
Battery Life
The battery capacity is slightly reduced to 8,000mAh, but the efficient chipset means you can still expect impressive battery life. Streaming video for 13 to 14 hours is possible, making it ideal for long journeys. However, fast charging is not available, so expect to wait over an hour to get a full charge.