OnePlus Pad 4 in the test: High-end tablet in XXL format

OnePlus Pad 4: Design and build quality

In terms of design, OnePlus has closely followed its predecessor. The Pad 4 again features a very slim aluminum casing with straight sides, rounded corners, and uniform display edges.

At just under 5,9 millimeters thick, the tablet looks exceptionally elegant. It's even thinner than the stylus attached to the side. Despite its slim design, the casing feels sturdy and barely flexes even under strong pressure. The choice of materials and the workmanship thus live up to its premium aspirations.

Our Dune Glow color variant shifts between dark gold, copper, and bronze depending on the light. The surface looks high-quality but attracts fingerprints and smudges relatively quickly. Alternatively, the tablet is available in Sage Mist, a soft green.

The OnePlus Pad 4's most distinctive feature is also its biggest ergonomic challenge. With a 13,2-inch display, it's one of the largest Android tablets. This provides an enormous amount of screen space, but makes the device less handy than more compact models.

At around 672 grams, the iPad 4 isn't exceptionally heavy for its size, but you still wouldn't want to hold it with one hand for extended periods. A stand or case is recommended for reading, drawing, or watching longer videos.

Depending on the orientation, the volume buttons aren't always easily accessible. Additionally, the USB-C port isn't exactly centered on the side of the device. While this isn't a functional issue, it is noticeable in the otherwise very symmetrical design.

The lack of a fingerprint sensor is significantly more bothersome. The tablet is unlocked either via PIN, password, or facial recognition. The latter is convenient but less secure and cannot be used for all apps or permissions. For a premium tablet in this price range, this omission is difficult to understand.

OnePlus Pad 4: Display

With a resolution of 3.392 × 2.400 pixels, texts, photos, and user interfaces are displayed with razor-sharp clarity. Even small fonts remain easily legible, which is particularly noticeable on websites, documents, and large tables.

With its 13,2-inch screen, the Pad 4 feels like a mobile work display. Two or three applications can be opened side-by-side without their content immediately becoming too narrow. When drawing or editing images, there's still plenty of room for toolbars and the actual workspace.

The 7:5 aspect ratio is a good compromise. In landscape mode, more vertical space is available than with a classic 16:9 display. Documents, websites, and creative apps benefit from this. At the same time, the tablet isn't as narrow in portrait mode as many widescreen models.

However, this format results in comparatively large black bars when watching movies and TV series. While the image itself remains large, the entire display area is not utilized for typical widescreen content.

The refresh rate reaches up to 144 Hz. Animations, scrolling, and navigating OxygenOS appear exceptionally smooth as a result. However, the full 144 Hz isn't available in every app or game. Many run at 120 Hz or 60 Hz, which still looks perfectly smooth in everyday use.

OnePlus continues to use IPS instead of OLED. The panel displays colors vividly and largely naturally. Viewing angle stability is also good. This makes the display suitable not only for streaming but also for editing images or illustrations where reliable color reproduction is important. Only with dark image content does OLED offer noticeably more contrast.

The brightness has been slightly increased compared to its predecessor and, according to OnePlus, reaches up to 1.000 nits. This is more than sufficient indoors. Even outdoors on the balcony or in the shade, content remains easily visible. However, in direct sunlight, the reflective surface and the limitations of the LCD panel become noticeable.

OnePlus Pad 4: Performance and Gaming

The OnePlus Pad 4 uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a current high-end chip from Qualcomm. It is one of the fastest platforms in the Android world and can particularly well utilize its performance in the large tablet chassis.

In everyday use, the tablet responds virtually without delay. Apps launch quickly, complex websites run smoothly, and even large files or high-resolution images don't cause the system to lag.

The Pad 4 truly shines when it comes to multitasking. Multiple apps open simultaneously, floating windows, and a split screen are displayed without any noticeable performance drops. During our testing, we were able to conduct research in the browser, edit a document, and keep a messenger app or music stream open at the same time.

Creative applications also benefit from the high performance. Illustration programs, image editing, and even simple 3D modeling ran smoothly. Pen input was immediately registered, and no noticeable delays occurred when zooming or rotating larger projects.

The OnePlus Pad 4 also offers enormous potential for gaming. Demanding Android games run smoothly with high graphics settings and stable frame rates. While the tablet does get slightly warm on the back during extended use, it never becomes uncomfortably hot.

The maximum possible 144 frames per second is not supported by most games. Many titles are limited to 60 or 120 FPS. In some cases, existing settings for higher frame rates were unusable. The hardware is powerful enough, but the Android game library doesn't yet fully utilize its capabilities.

The situation is similar for larger productivity and creative applications. The performance of the Snapdragon chip is hardly the problem. Rather, the issue is often a lack of professionally optimized apps that actually utilize its capabilities.

OnePlus offers the tablet with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, as well as with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. The internal storage uses fast UFS 4.1.

8 GB of RAM is sufficient for streaming, browsing, and occasional multitasking. However, this configuration seems rather limited in a high-end tablet with a strong focus on productivity. Those who plan to use the Pad 4 for several years or regularly open many apps simultaneously should opt for the 12 GB RAM version.

OnePlus Pad 4: Software and Multitasking

The OnePlus Pad 4 runs OxygenOS 16 based on Android 16. The tablet version is well adapted to the large display, appears uncluttered, and comes with significantly fewer unnecessary apps than some smartphone interfaces. Only a few areas of the user interface still need some refinement.

The greatest strength is Open Canvas. OnePlus uses it to allow users to flexibly arrange multiple apps side-by-side or overlapping. Two apps can be opened in split-screen mode with a gesture. A third application can be added via the taskbar. Floating windows are also available. Depending on the arrangement, up to five apps can be open simultaneously.

In practice, a combination of browser, word processor, and messenger works particularly well. Instead of constantly switching between apps, research, documents, and communication remain visible simultaneously. The large 7:5 display offers ample space for this.

The only annoying thing is the rather inconsistent situation with Android tablet apps, but this is a general issue and not OnePlus's fault. Some applications offer a well-designed interface for large displays, while others are simply enlarged smartphone versions. For professional creative programs, the iPad remains the superior choice. Applications like Procreate, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve are not available on Android.

O+ Connect allows you to connect the tablet to a Windows PC or Mac. Files can be transferred wirelessly between the devices. This is particularly useful, for example, when editing photos, documents, or drawings on multiple devices.

It can also be used as an additional PC monitor. This works reasonably well for simple content. However, the delay is noticeable with precise pen input or fast movements. Latency can be reduced via USB, but the connection didn't always prove completely reliable in our tests.

It's not yet confirmed how long OnePlus will provide updates for the Pad 4. Its predecessor received three years of Android updates, so we expect a similar timeframe here.

OnePlus Pad 4: AI Features

OnePlus integrates several AI tools directly into OxygenOS. In the Notes app, texts can be created, rewritten, or summarized. Long web pages and documents can be analyzed via the sidebar and then saved as a short or detailed summary.

The AI ​​Recorder transcribes voice recordings and creates a summary upon request. This can be helpful for meetings, lectures, or spoken notes.

Handwriting and simple sketches can also be processed. The tablet can convert handwritten content into digital text or create tables and diagrams from rough drawings.

The gallery offers additional tools for removing objects and reflections, sharpening images, or automatically adjusting the image crop.

Not every result is perfect, but the features are sensibly integrated into existing apps and can actually save time in everyday life.

OnePlus Pad 4: Speakers

The audio system consists of a total of eight speakers, including four woofers and four tweeters. For such a thin tablet, the sound is surprisingly powerful.

Movies, series, and videos sound spacious and clear. Voices remain easily understandable, while music and effects have sufficient volume. Although the slim casing can't deliver truly deep bass, the sound is still fuller compared to many other tablets.

The maximum volume is also high enough to fill a larger room. At full volume, the sound loses some warmth. However, at normal volume levels, the OnePlus Pad 4 is among the Android tablets with the strongest sound.

The best stereo image is achieved in landscape format. This suits the usual use for movies, games, and productivity applications.

OnePlus Pad 4: Camera

On the back is a 13-megapixel camera that records videos in up to 4K at 30 frames per second. An 8-megapixel front camera is responsible for video calls.

The main camera reliably performs typical tablet tasks. Documents, whiteboards, and short notes can be photographed with good legibility. In sufficient light, it produces decent photos with usable sharpness.

The front camera delivers sufficient quality for video conferences and private calls. The preview image sometimes appears slightly soft, but the final image is acceptable.

For a productivity-oriented tablet, a higher-quality front camera would probably have been more useful than the better rear camera. In everyday use, both serve their purpose, but neither replaces a good smartphone camera.

OnePlus Pad 4: Accessories

OnePlus offers a keyboard cover, a standard folio case, and the Stylo Pro for the iPad 4. All three accessories must be purchased separately. While these accessories expand the device's usability, they are not essential for utilizing the iPad 4's key strengths.

The keyboard cover transforms the tablet into a compact workstation. The keys are sufficiently large, have a clear pressure point, and are suitable even for longer texts. The integrated touchpad responds precisely and supports the most important gestures.

One unique feature is the dedicated AI button. Pressing it twice creates a screenshot that is directly sent to MindSpace and can be analyzed there using AI. Holding the button down instead starts a voice recording, which is then also sent to MindSpace for further processing.

The keyboard backlighting activates automatically as soon as you start typing. It could be a bit brighter, though. The keyboard doesn't have its own USB-C port, so the charging cable has to be connected directly to the tablet and protrudes from the side of the device.

The Stylo Pro responds precisely and with minimal lag. Two included nibs are designed for writing and drawing. Additionally, vibrations and sounds simulate the feel of different writing instruments. Touch and pressure gestures allow you to switch between tools or access further functions.

The standard folio case is probably the most practical accessory for everyday use. It protects the tablet, offers multiple viewing angles, and secures the magnetically attached stylus.

Battery and running time

The battery has a capacity of 13.380 mAh, which is about ten percent larger than its predecessor. Given the large display and the powerful processor, this capacity is also necessary.

In practice, the OnePlus Pad 4 lasts for several days with mixed use of streaming, browsing, writing, and multitasking, provided it is not in constant use. With intensive daily use, it will need to be recharged sooner.

The standby battery life is particularly good. If the tablet remains unused on Wi-Fi for several days, it only loses a few percentage points.

Charging is supported at up to 80 watts SuperVOOC. Despite the high charging power, the massive battery takes about an hour and a half to charge from 0 to 100 percent. The included accessories are a welcome addition, as a matching 80-watt power adapter and a USB-A to USB-C cable in the typical OnePlus red are included.