The OnePlus tablet of my dreams could finally be on the way

I’m a big fan of the OnePlus Pad 2 and the latest OnePlus Pad 3. I’ve had the opportunity to test and use both, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with each. Both are powerful tablets, with the OnePlus Pad 3 in particular taking everything I loved about the Pad 2 and making it even better. Whether it’s battery life, performance, or design, the OnePlus Pad 3 is easily one of the best Android tablets available right now.

However, during my time using both the OnePlus Pad 2 and the OnePlus Pad 3, I’ve always had this desire in the back of my mind for a version of these tablets that is smaller and more portable. For reference, the Pad 2 has a 12.1-inch display, while the Pad 3 has an even larger 13.2-inch display. While over time, I’ve gotten used to using larger-screen tablets, I’ve always loved smaller form-factor tablets, like the iPad mini. If OnePlus ever made a tablet like the Pad 3 but smaller, I’d be all in. And it seems that dream might soon become a reality.

According to a reliable tipster named Smart Pikachu on Weibo, OnePlus is developing a “gaming tablet” with a screen size of around 8 inches, featuring a 3K resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate (via NotebookCheck). This could be OnePlus’ attempt at creating its own small form-factor tablet, similar to the iPad mini, which has an 8.3-inch display.

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Please OnePlus, make this 8-inch tablet a reality

Other details shared on Weibo about OnePlus’ small-form-factor gaming tablet suggest it might feature a “simple design,” which hopefully aligns with the design philosophy of the OnePlus Pad 3. One of my favorite aspects of the Pad 3 this year is its fresh, updated look, characterized by a flat-edged design and a vertical camera cutout.

While I didn’t mind the design of the OnePlus Pad 2, its rounded edges weren’t the most comfortable to hold for long periods, and its round camera cutout was placed in an awkward spot — right at the center of the tablet when held horizontally. If OnePlus simply takes the design of the OnePlus Pad 3 and scales it down to an 8-inch size, I’d be very happy.

The leak mentions that this device is being designed as a gaming tablet, but if OnePlus creates a powerful small-form-factor tablet, it could attract interest from more than just gamers. That being said, if it is optimized for gaming, I hope that means there won’t be any hardware compromises. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset powers the OnePlus Pad 3, and if this rumored 8-inch tablet features the same chip, it would be capable of handling any game with impressive visuals and frame rates.

This information is based on leaks for now, so there’s a chance this tablet might never materialize, but I really hope it does. OnePlus has a solid track record with tablets so far, and I believe many people would be interested in more affordable, smaller versions of them, similar to the iPad and iPad mini.

OnePlus is also set to announce a more affordable alternative to the OnePlus Pad 3 in July, called the OnePlus Pad Lite. However, it will only be available in the UK and Europe and won’t be released in the US. Although the specs for the OnePlus Pad Lite aren’t yet official, leaks suggest that it could feature an 11-inch screen. This is a promising first step for OnePlus in offering smaller, more affordable tablets. If it proceeds with the rumored 8-inch gaming tablet, I hope it will reach the US market.

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