The first OnePlus Pad was a strong contender with the Google Pixel tablet. Many experts and consumers even crowned it the best Android tablet. It’s not surprising now that its successor has left the Pixel tablet in the dust.
The Pad 2 tablet is better value with a faster processor, larger and clearer, and long battery life. Here are more details of why the OnePlus Pad 2 is the ultimate choice.
Specs overview: OnePlus Pad 2 Vs Google Pixel Tablet
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| Component | Google Pixel Tablet | OnePlus Pad 2 |
| Processor | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB, no card slot | 128 GB / 256 GB, no card slot |
| Display | 10.95 inches, 1600 x 2560 pixels, IPS LCD | 12.1 inches, 2120 x 3000 pixels, IPS LCD, 144Hz |
| Cameras | Main: 8 MP (wide); Selfie: 8 MP (wide) | Main: 13 MP (wide); Selfie: 8 MP (wide) |
| Battery | 7020 mAh, 15W wired charging | 9510 mAh, 67W wired charging |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen 1), magnetic connector | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC, USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector |
| Price | $399 (dockless) / $499 (with dock) | $499 |
OnePlus Pad 2 looks more premium
OnePlus’ latest Pad 2 tablet looks virtually identical to the original Pad. If you like having a variety of colors to choose from or are upgrading from the OnePlus Pad, you may find this Nimbus Gray model a little underwhelming. On the plus side, the rear panel has a matte finish that OnePlus says won’t catch your fingerprints easily.
On the other hand, the Google Pixel Tablet has a more old-fashioned aesthetic thanks to its larger bezels and the cylindrical charging dock that doubles as a speaker. This setup is great if you want to prop it on your bedside table, use it as a kitchen companion, or turn it into your mini TV. Like the Pad 2, it’s a balanced mix of glass and aluminum, 100% of which Google says comes from recycled materials. It also comes in more colors, including Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose, which might fit better with a home decor theme.
When it comes to traveling, both tablets offer the same portability level; however, you can get an official keyboard folio case for the Pad 2, which brings additional prowess in the productivity stakes. Weirdly, Google did not see fit to launch an official keyboard case for the Pixel Tablet.
Instead, Google focused more on the Pixel Tablet being a home-based device, with its dock providing additional audio power and smart home functions. This increased the price of the Pixel Tablet to more than its specifications perhaps warrant.
If you don’t care for the additional smart home features, you can buy the dockless Pixel Tablet model for $50 less. Regarding audio, the Pad 2 has six stereo speakers, while Google’s tablet has four. Both tablets share a USB Type-C port but have no headphone jacks.
OnePlus Pad 2 has a clearer display & thinner bezels
The OnePlus Pad 2 presents a 12.1-inch LCD screen offering a high-resolution experience with up to 900 nits of brightness. It also has a higher refresh rate of 144Hz, as seen on the previous model, and a higher resolution of 2120 x 3000 pixels. The Pixel tablet has a 10.95-inch IPS LCD screen with a standard 60Hz refresh rate and a 1600 x 2560 pixel resolution. It provides a nice viewing experience but doesn’t quite match the clarity and vibrancy of the Pad 2’s screen. Both tablets support Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
The Pixel tablet has thicker bezels that make it look like it belongs in 2007 — and means less usable area for you in contrast to the Pad 2. With the bright color options it comes in, you can’t ignore it.
Experience raw power on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
The heart of any exceptional tablet lies in its performance, and the OnePlus Pad 2 is no underperformer. It uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, an upgrade from the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset used on the OnePlus Pad we previously compared with the Pixel Tablet.
It’s built on a 4-nanometer process with tiny transistors, making the chip faster in multitasking, rapid app launches, and effortlessly handling demanding tasks such as video editing or gaming.
It includes a high-performance Cortex-X4 core, three Cortex-A715 cores, and four Cortex-A510 cores, with a peak clock speed of 3.3 GHz.
On the other hand, the Google Pixel Tablet relies on the Tensor G2 chip, a capable processor in its own right, but falling short compared to the Snapdragon’s power. It’s more suited for AI tasks like Circle to Search and carries two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores. It has a lower peak clock speed of 2.85GHz than the other Pad 2.
Beyond the processor, you’ll find that both tablets offer generous RAM options, with configurations ranging from 8GB to 12GB. But the OnePlus Pad 2 edges ahead with UFS 3.1 storage, promising quicker load times and overall system responsiveness compared to the Pixel Tablet’s UFS 3.0.
OnePlus Pad 2 excels n camera quality, while the Pixel Tablet adds features
The OnePlus Pad has a better rear camera with 13 MP compared to the Pixel Tablet’s 8 MP, and it can record videos in 4K, while the Pixel Tablet only does 1080p. The Pad 2 also has a wider aperture of f/2.2 and supports LED flash, a lifesaver in low-light conditions. Physically, the centrally placed module looks better too. I’m a little biased on this part because I prefer centrally placed cameras. The Pixel Tablet has a sleek single rear camera, but it’s on the top edge of the back panel.
Both tablets have 8MP front cameras for selfies, but the Pixel’s front camera has a wider aperture. Overall, the Pixel tablet doesn’t have an LED flash, but it makes up for it with extra features like HDR and panorama that are missing on the Pad 2. So, if you want better photo and video quality, the OnePlus Pad is better. But if you like additional photo perks, the Pixel Tablet is a good choice.
Longer battery life, faster charging with OnePlus
The OnePlus Pad 2 packs a larger 9510mAh battery, the same capacity used on the first OnePlus Pad. It also supports rapid 67W wired charging, allowing for quick top-ups. This is particularly beneficial if you frequently use your tablet and prefer to keep the wait time between charges short. Plus, the charging speed is enough that the battery will charge while using the tablet for gaming.
Meanwhile, the Pixel Tablet, equipped with a 7020mAh battery, falls short during intensive usage and supports 15W charging, which is significantly slower in comparison.
Read:
OxygenOS is a breath of fresh air
Software-wise, the Pad 2 runs OxygenOS on top of Android, providing customization options. The Pixel Tablet features stock Android, offering a familiar experience but lacking some of the customization and productivity features found in OxygenOS. Originally, both OS were closely similar. But OxygenOS has become more feature-packed by integrating with OPPO’s Color OS.
For example, OxygenOS allows you to use two accounts for apps like WhatsApp on the same phone, something Pixel UI doesn’t support. The launcher is also more tweakable, letting you change app icons and manage layouts in ways Pixel UI can’t. Additionally, OxygenOS has smoother animations and transitions, making the phone feel more responsive and refined compared to the more basic Pixel UI.
This part can be a pro or a con, depending on your preference. I’ll stick to the stock Android OS any day over customization. I love a straightforward user experience and quicker updates. If you’re a power user who likes changing settings and using advanced features, the advanced options in OxygenOS are more appealing.
Key takeaway
The Google Pixel Tablet costs $399 without the dock and $499 with it. It’s a budget-friendly choice, and the dock doubles as a speaker. However, it has a slower processor and fewer accessories. It’s worth the purchase if you’re looking to save money, but perhaps the original OnePlus Pad is the better option.
Meanwhile, the OnePlus Pad 2 is available for $499 with a free folio case. It’s more expensive than the dockless Pixel Tablet but offers more value.
