There is a generation of Indian users for whom Android feels far more intuitive than Windows or Mac. For years, I wanted to replace my Windows laptop with a capable Android tablet, and the OnePlus Pad 3 finally fulfilled that need. I have spent over 90 days using it as my primary work device, and this is how it performed in

 

daily use.

 

Before diving in, it is important to note that this use case works best for people like me who do not play high-end games or use professional video editing software. Those tasks would still require a Windows or Mac machine. For my routine, which mainly involves writing, watching movies, and web browsing, the OnePlus Pad 3 was more than sufficient.Using the OnePlus Pad 3 as a laptop replacement

 

The OnePlus Pad 3 features a 13.2-inch 3.4K display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 900 nits of HBM brightness, and a 540Hz touch sampling rate. The larger display compared to its 12.1-inch predecessor offers extra workspace without feeling oversized. While it is not an OLED panel, the IPS screen performs well for movies, web browsing, and casual gaming, even outdoors.OnePlus has also reduced the tablet's

 

thickness and weight to 5.97mm and 675g, respectively. The folio case, keyboard, and stylus are sold separately. The case allows angle adjustments from 110 to 165 degrees, although the magnetic hold could be stronger. The keyboard is functional but does not match the tactile feedback of a laptop keyboard and lacks a backlight, requiring external lighting for nighttime work. Despite these minor drawbacks, the tablet quickly becomes comfortable for everyday use.

 

Two key factors make the Pad 3 a compelling laptop alternative: battery life and software integration.The 12140mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC fast charging easily lasted over a day and a half for my usage, which included around nine hours of writing and browsing, plus movie streaming and music playback. By comparison, typical Windows laptops last four to five hours for similar use. While ARM-powered devices like the Pad 3 offer long battery life, most PCs still do not use such efficient processors.

 

The software experience is equally impressive. OnePlus' OxygenOS is among the smoothest Android skins available. If you own a OnePlus phone, you can fully integrate it with the Pad 3: transfer files, relay apps, sync notifications, share the clipboard, and even use your phone's mobile data without activating a hotspot. The NFC-enabled keyboard allows instant file sharing with compatible OnePlus and Oppo devices.OxygenOS also offers shortcuts that make multitasking easier, such as a home key combination, clipboard access, and recent task switching. The Open Canvas split-screen feature lets you run up to three apps simultaneously, which is particularly useful for productivity and Al applications. Al-powered tools such as Al Translation, Al Writer, Al Notes, Gemini Live, and Circle to Search are included, though I did not find them essential to my workflow.

 

Challenges encountered

 

Although the Pad 3 performed exceptionally well, I faced some limitations, mainly related to Android itself rather than OnePlus hardware.

 

No immersive reading mode: Unlike Windows, there is no way to hide menus completely while reading on Android. I tested several browsers, but none fully removed the status bar.Limited browser support: Android browsers do not offer the same customization as Windows alternatives. Extension support is limited, and not all browsers work well in split-screen mode. I settled on Edge Canary, which handled most tasks, though some extensions were inconsistent.

 

Underutilized processor power: The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is extremely powerful, but few Android apps and games fully exploit its potential. Video editing and high-end gaming remain areas for improvement.

 

Minor bug: Occasionally, my connected mouse froze for a few seconds. OnePlus resolved this with a software update, but it was worth mentioning.Final thoughts

 

The OnePlus Pad 3 represents the best

 

Android tablet experience currently available, combining a high-quality display, long-lasting battery, smooth software, and strong processing power. While Android tablet support still has some limitations, these are minor compared to the advantages. For anyone seeking an Android tablet around the ₹40,000 range,