The Android Tablet Problem

MKBHD reviews the OnePlus Pad 3 and argues that no matter how good an Android tablet gets, the fundamental use-case gap between phones and computers makes tablets an inherently niche product.

• OnePlus Pad 3 costs $699 with an 80W charger included, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 12,140 mAh battery, and 8-speaker system.
• Battery standby is extreme: OnePlus claims 100% charge retained after two years powered off; real-world test showed 85% → 84% after 24 hours in a bag.
• The core tablet problem: most people already have a phone and a computer, so a tablet needs a unique use case neither can fill — and few tasks qualify.
• Instagram still has no real iPad app in 2025; Meta only recently shipped a WhatsApp iPad app, illustrating how few developers invest in tablet-native UIs.
• MKBHD estimates 90% of iPads seen since 2020 were either point-of-sale kiosks or in children’s hands — signaling how narrow real tablet use has become.
• Android’s hardware variety (foldables, trifolds, multiple aspect ratios) is a double-edged sword: no single device is easy to recommend to large audiences.
• OnePlus Pad 3 display is LCD, not AMOLED — Samsung Galaxy Tabs remain the better pick for media consumption despite higher prices.

2025-06-20 · Watch on YouTube