iPad (10th Generation) vs. OnePlus Pad: Does the iPad Have a Worthy Competitor?
When buying a tablet, the iPad is the default choice for many. It’s a time-tested product with one of the most robust third-party accessories and application support. Consequently, challenging the iPad’s position is difficult, but OnePlus is ready to take on Apple.
The OnePlus Pad—announced in February 2023—is an attempt by the Chinese company to enter the tablet market and make a mark. Here, we’ll compare the two devices and see how the hardware stack up to help you make the right purchase decision.
The iPad (10th generation) starts at $449 in the United States and is available in two storage variants: the 64GB model for $449 and the 256GB one for $599. There’s even the option of choosing a 5G-enabled cellular model with either variant, adding $150 to the price.
The OnePlus Pad, on the other hand, starts at $479 in the United States for its 128 GB variant with 8GB of RAM. In some regions around the globe, there’s also a variant with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There aren’t any cellular models available for the OnePlus Pad.
Design Differences
When it comes to the design and build of the tablet, there are quite a few resemblances. First, the materials used on both tablets are similar; they feature an aluminum chassis with a glass front. Second, each tablet features pogo pins on the left edge (when held in portrait) for connecting with keyboard cases.
You’ll also find volume rockers on the side and a lock button at the top. In the case of the iPad, the top button also houses the Touch ID sensor. And lastly, you’ll notice the tablets' similarly placed speaker grills and USB-C ports.
Now, while the tablets share a similar layout, the execution of the design varies quite a bit. The iPad shares a lot of resemblance with the iPad Pro lineup, with squared edges. The OnePlus Pad features more curved ones, making the tablet easier to hold.
As for colors, the iPad is available in four fun options—Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow—while the OnePlus Pad is available in a solitary Green.
Display Comparison
Both tablets use an LCD panel with unique aspect ratios; the iPad has Apple’s standard 19.5:9 ratio, making it great for many activities, whether reading, watching a movie, or playing games.
The OnePlus Pad offers a unique 7:5 ratio, which is wider than the iPad when held in landscape, making it much better for watching movies. It is also larger, measuring 11.6 inches compared to the iPad’s 10.9-inch screen. The OnePlus Pad also has a higher pixel density and refresh rate, which are noticeable on a tablet.
OnePlus also one-ups the iPad when it comes to the display’s refresh rate. It will feel much smoother and can positively impact your experience while scrolling through the UI or playing games.
That said, they both have the same peak brightness level of 500 nits and offer stylus support. OnePlus sells a stylus, the OnePlus Stylo, while Apple only supports the first-gen Apple Pencil—one of thereasons we dislike the iPad (10th generation).
Processor, RAM, and Storage
The iPad (10th generation) uses the A14 Bionic, the same chip on the iPhone 12 Apple launched in 2020. In 2023, the processor still handles applications like a champ and will be able to accomplish many things that you’ll demand from your iPad, be it taking notes, playing games, or even working spreadsheets for your business. You can expect all thebest iPadOS 17 featuresto work fine on this tablet.
The OnePlus Pad is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip; this flagship processor launched in 2021—available on devices since Q1 2022. Bundled with the 8GB (or 12GB in some regions) of RAM, there’s a lot this device can do without a hiccup.
Although the iPad (10th generation) has 4GB of RAM, iPadOS is excellent at memory management, unlike Android devices. So, comparing the two tablets purely based on the available RAM is unfair.
Software: iPadOS vs. Android
There are manyfactors to consider when buying a tablet, but a core element of your decision should be the software, as the larger canvas of the tablet has a lot more potential to offer.
If you’re looking for an already well-developed experience, it’s clear that the iPad should be your choice. It has been in the market for longer, and more applications are available. Plus, you canuse the iPad’s multitasking features efficientlyto get a lot done in a working session.
The OnePlus Pad with Android 13 isn’t that far behind the iPad in terms of built-in features for multitasking. Plus,Google’s useful additions to Android for tabletsdo help its case. Still, reviews have pointed out that the software experience could be smoother, and OnePlus has some work to do if it wants to be considered an iPad competitor.
Battery Performance
When it comes to all-day use, neither tablet will disappoint, as they feature large batteries. The iPad has a 28.6Wh battery, while the OnePlus Pad has a nearly 39% larger 37Wh one compared to the iPad.
With the iPad, Apple sticks to its claim of 10 hours of video streaming on Wi-Fi before its battery hits its limit. For the OnePlus Pad, while we couldn’t find identical comparison metrics, you can expect better performance, but don’t expect it to be anything significant as the latter does have a 144Hz screen with a higher resolution to power at all times.
As for charging hardware, both the iPad and OnePlus Pad come with a power adapter in the box. Apple provides a standard 20W USB-C adapter, whereas the OnePlus Pad gets a 67W SuperVOOC adapter. The former is one ofthe best USB-C chargersbecause of its reliability, but the latter will help you power your OnePlus Pad from zero to 100 percent in about 80 minutes.
The iPad Is Ideal for Work, but OnePlus Offers a Lot for $500
If you’re looking for a tablet where you’ll be able to enjoy the hardware experience the most and intend to use it for media consumption, the OnePlus Pad is undoubtedly the better choice. It has a nicer screen, and its curved edges will feel more comfortable for long-term use.
But if your use case involves being productive, where you might be working with web apps or need robust software implementation, the iPad should be your go-to! Perhaps, you can even consider upgrading to an iPad Air, which offers great value and is comparable to the Pro models.
Let’s compare the display, camera, and more for the iPad Air 5 and the 11-inch iPad Pro.
Freeing up vital memory on Windows only takes a moment, and your computer will feel much faster once you’re done.
Sometimes the smallest cleaning habit makes the biggest mess.
It saves me hours and keeps my sanity intact.
Anyone with more than a passing interest in motorsports must see these films.
You can block out the constant surveillance and restore your privacy with a few quick changes.
