If you’ve been eyeing the new iPad Pro M4 but hesitating because of the steep $1,300 price tag, you’re not alone. But here’s some good news: there’s another tablet option that offers impressive specs and performance for a fraction of the cost.
We’re talking about the OnePlus Pad 3, a tablet that competes with the iPad Pro in more ways than one-yet starts at only $700.
The OnePlus Pad 3 might not carry the Apple logo or boast OLED display marketing, but it packs some serious punch. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and a 13.2-inch high-resolution display, it puts many Android tablets to shame and comes closer to the iPad Pro than you’d think. If you’re looking for premium performance without the premium price, this is a worthy alternative.
One of the most striking comparisons comes in terms of performance. The iPad Pro M4 holds the crown for raw power, posting an impressive score of 13,280 in the Geekbench 6 multi-core tests. In contrast, the OnePlus Pad 3 scores just under 9,000. But here’s the twist: unless you’re a pro video editor or constantly running heavy-duty software, the difference in day-to-day use is almost imperceptible. The Snapdragon 8 Elite on the Pad 3 runs apps smoothly and remains cool under stress, offering plenty of power for most users.
The iPad Pro M4’s performance can sometimes feel underutilized, especially considering that iPadOS can be restrictive. But with the upcoming iPadOS 26, there might be more room for improvement. Still, when it comes to real-world use, the OnePlus Pad 3 holds its ground.
When it comes to displays, both tablets shine in their own right. The iPad Pro M4’s 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED panel offers stunning contrast and brightness, especially with HDR support and deep blacks. On the other hand, the OnePlus Pad 3 uses a 13.2-inch LCD display with a 3392 x 2400 resolution. It’s not OLED, but the display is sharp, vibrant, and color-accurate, peaking at 900 nits of brightness. Plus, it boasts a 144Hz refresh rate, which beats the iPad Pro’s ProMotion 120Hz.
Battery life is another area where the OnePlus Pad 3 outshines the iPad Pro M4. The iPad’s 10-hour web-browsing test is good, but the Pad 3 lasts a remarkable 15 hours in the same test. When it comes to charging, OnePlus also takes the lead with its 80W charging speed, fully recharging the tablet in just 90 minutes. The iPad, in contrast, takes over two and a half hours to reach full charge with its slower 18W brick.
Audio performance is another surprise. The OnePlus Pad 3 features eight speakers, including four woofers and four tweeters, delivering deep, immersive sound that stands up to the iPad Pro, which has excellent speakers but loses some bass due to its slimmer build.
When it comes to accessories, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers a more affordable experience, but it’s not as polished as Apple’s. The keyboard and stylus are more affordable, but the trackpad’s performance and the stylus’s responsiveness leave something to be desired. Still, OnePlus offers a nice touch by including a free folio case or stylus with early orders.
In terms of software, the iPad Pro benefits from a polished iPadOS experience, with apps like Final Cut Pro and Photoshop that blur the line between tablet and desktop computing. iPadOS 26 promises a new interface and better external display support. On the other hand, OxygenOS on the OnePlus Pad 3 offers more flexibility and customization, allowing you to work with files more freely and install full Android apps without restriction.
The bottom line? The iPad Pro M4 is a technical masterpiece, but the OnePlus Pad 3 offers incredible value. For half the price, it delivers a similar experience in terms of display quality, performance, and battery life. The charging speed and audio quality are comparable, and the OnePlus tablet offers more flexibility for casual and power users alike. While you might miss out on OLED, Apple’s ecosystem perks, and the long software update support, the Pad 3 delivers value that’s hard to beat.