NEW OnePlus Pad 2 First Impressions

OnePlus Pad 2: First Impressions

Hey everyone, Nick is here, helping you master your technology. Full transparency: OnePlus did send this tablet out for review, but I was not paid a fee or anything like that to make this video, so all the opinions you hear in this first impressions video are my own. I won't be drawing full conclusions just yet, so you'll get my hands-on look and initial thoughts. We’ll talk more about everything in the full review soon. Feel free to ask questions or let me know what you want to know about this product.

You're looking at the Nimbus Gray Edition of the OnePlus Pad 2, which starts at $549 in the US and $749 in Canada. You can pre-order it today on OnePlus's website, oneplus.com. By late August, it'll also be available on Amazon for quicker delivery. The official sale date is July 30th, so it's just around the corner. You can also purchase some accessories for the OnePlus Pad 2, including the OnePlus Pad 2 Smart Keyboard for $149 and the OnePlus Stylo 2 for $99. These are upgrades from the first version, with a bigger screen, and you can get the OnePlus Folio case for $39.99. These accessories will enhance the workflow of this product.

First impressions of the packaging: the OnePlus Pad box looks like a larger version of a OnePlus phone box, with a nice red and white theme. I’ve already signed in and set up the tablet to save time. It comes wrapped in plastic, and the first impression of the tablet itself is very smooth, with nicely curved corners. The package also includes warranty guides and a charging cable. While my review sample didn’t include the charging brick, you will receive one if you order or pre-order the tablet. Pre-orders are in effect until August 29th, and there's a $50 price drop if you trade in any device. You can also get the OnePlus Pad 2 Folio at 50% off during this period, making it possible to get the whole package for under $700.

The tablet features a volume rocker, a power button, speakers on the bottom and top, a smooth aluminum back, and connectors for the upcoming keyboard. It uses a USB-C 3.2 OTG port and has a microphone hole. The back has a circular camera bump, which might get in the way—I'll discuss this more in the full review. The tablet is very light and thin, weighing just 1.29 pounds, making it comfortable to hold without any accessories attached.

The display looks smooth and rounded, with a weight of just a little over a pound. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 12.1-inch display, 9510 mAh battery, and 12 GB of RAM (expandable with an additional 4 GB) suggest solid performance. I’ll test its multitasking capabilities and provide more details in the full review. The tablet also features a nice variety of static wallpapers, though it only comes in Nimbus Gray. The build quality feels solid and durable at first glance, and the 7:5 aspect ratio seems suitable for both reading and video watching. I'll provide more insights on this after some usage.

The brightness of the display seems adequate for indoor use, though it may struggle outdoors. Considering the price, it offers a good balance of features. The tablet has minimal bezels and a camera meant for landscape orientation, running OxygenOS 14.1. The software is clean and minimal, with an update available right out of the box. Performance-wise, it feels like a premium smartphone, with smooth scrolling and responsive animations. I'll test it further before the full review.

The camera is simple but seems usable for basic photography, with a front-facing camera for video chats. The settings menu is straightforward, similar to what you'd find on a OnePlus phone, maintaining a clean ecosystem. Battery life, with its nearly 10,000 mAh capacity, should be solid, but I'll need more time to confirm this.

Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB-C 3.2. There's Face Unlock, though it's not super secure, so a PIN might be a better option. There’s no fingerprint scanner, which would be a nice addition for future versions.

In summary, my first impressions of the OnePlus Pad 2 are positive. It feels smooth, light, and well-balanced in size. OnePlus may be carving out a niche with its unique shape and size. Stay tuned for my full review after I've had more time with the device. If you're interested, you can pre-order it now and take advantage of the accessory discounts before they go up after August 29th. Thanks for watching, and I'll catch you in the next review. Be sure to be well and peace out!