OnePlus Pad artist review - Great for drawing BUT...

Summary

In this review, Joe discusses the OnePlus Pad, a rebranded tablet from Oppo. He praises its hardware, display, audio quality, and battery life, as well as the performance of the OnePlus Stylo pen. However, he criticizes the lack of a full backup option in Oxygen OS, the absence of a micro SD card slot, and limitations in file management and app rotation. Joe concludes that while the tablet is great for drawing, users should consider backup options and app compatibility.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The OnePlus Pad is a rebranded version of the Oppo Pad 2, sharing similar features and functionality but with minor design differences and language variations in their operating systems.
• 💬 The OnePlus Pad runs on Oxygen OS version 13.1, which is similar to the Color OS version 13.1 on the Oppo Pad 2, but with some missing features compared to other tablet operating systems.
• 💰 The OnePlus Pad is priced at $479, with additional costs for accessories like the magnetic keyboard folio ($149) and the OnePlus Stylo pen ($99).
• 🖥️ The tablet is only available with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, unlike the Oppo Pad 2 which offers configurations with higher RAM and storage options.
• 🖌️ The OnePlus Stylo pen supports palm rejection, tilt, and over 4,000 levels of pressure sensitivity, offering a performance comparable to the Apple Pencil and Samsung S Pen.
• 🔋 The tablet has a battery life of approximately 10 to 11 hours and a bright, vibrant 11.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2800x2000 and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz.
• 🌞 The display is very reflective due to the lack of an anti-reflective coating, which can be an issue when using the tablet outdoors under direct sunlight.
• 📚 The tablet lacks a micro SD card slot, which could be limiting for artists who require more storage for their digital art files.
• 🔗 Oxygen OS on the OnePlus Pad lacks full backup options, which is a significant drawback for artists who need to ensure their artwork is safely backed up.
• 📈 The tablet's performance is smooth and lag-free, capable of handling graphics-intensive gaming and suitable for professional art creation, despite some software limitations.

Q & A

What is the OnePlus Pad's relationship with the Oppo Pad 2?

The OnePlus Pad is essentially a rebranded version of the Oppo Pad 2. Both tablets are sold under different brands by the same parent company, Oppo. They share similar main features and functionality, but there are some minor design differences and differences in operating system language and storage configurations.

What are the main differences in storage configurations between the OnePlus Pad and the Oppo Pad 2?

The OnePlus Pad is only available with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. In contrast, the Oppo Pad 2 offers configurations with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage, and even a 12GB RAM with 512GB storage option.

How does the OnePlus Pad's display compare to the iPad Pro 11 inch in terms of size and aspect ratio?

The OnePlus Pad has an 11.6-inch IPS LCD display with a 7x5 aspect ratio, which is slightly smaller and has a different aspect ratio compared to the iPad Pro 11 inch. The 7x5 aspect ratio is noted to be more versatile for tasks like drawing and web browsing in portrait orientation.

What are the key features of the OnePlus Stylo pen?

The OnePlus Stylo pen supports palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, and has over 4,000 levels of pressure sensitivity. It is comparable in performance to the Apple Pencil and the Samsung S Pen, offering accuracy and sensitivity in drawing and writing.

What is the main issue with the OnePlus Stylo pen's tilt functionality?

The main issue with the OnePlus Stylo pen is that it does not allow for changing the tilt effect while drawing. This means that once the pen is tilted to achieve broader strokes, it cannot be adjusted mid-drawing to achieve thinner lines, which can be a limitation for artists.

How does the OnePlus Pad's audio quality compare to other tablets?

The OnePlus Pad has excellent audio quality, with loud, clear speakers that provide good surround and depth. This is likely due to the Dolby Atmos technology integrated into the tablet, making it a standout feature for media consumption.

What are the limitations of the OnePlus Pad in terms of file management and storage?

The OnePlus Pad has a limitation of only 128GB of internal storage without a micro SD card slot, which can be restrictive for professional artists. Additionally, the default file management app 'My Files' has limited features and does not integrate with cloud services out of the box.

What are the main drawbacks of Oxygen OS on the OnePlus Pad?

Oxygen OS on the OnePlus Pad lacks certain features found on other tablets, such as a full backup option for art files. This can be a significant drawback for artists who rely on backups to protect their work. Additionally, some apps designed for vertical orientation do not rotate automatically in landscape mode.

How does the OnePlus Pad handle drawing and sketching performance?

The OnePlus Pad handles drawing and sketching well, with the OnePlus Stylo pen providing consistent and predictable performance. It is capable of creating professional art, but users may need to adjust to the smoothness of the plastic pen tip on the glass surface.

What are the OnePlus Pad's main advantages for artists and digital creators?

The OnePlus Pad offers a well-designed, lightweight tablet with a high-resolution display, excellent audio quality, and a pen that performs well for drawing and sketching. Its performance is comparable to other professional tablets like the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab, making it a viable option for digital creators.