Ashhar Alam/New Delhi

The tablet market can be confusing, smartphones and laptops cover most of our daily work, leaving tablets mainly for content consumption or light productivity. Yet, devices like the OnePlus Pad Go 2 are bridging the gap, offering a capable, large-screen experience without breaking the bank. After spending over a month with the Pad Go 2, it’s clear that this is more than a minor upgrade.

Design and Build
OnePlus has refined the design, moving from the large circular camera module of the original Pad Go to a single, sleek lens. This change eliminates wobbling when the tablet rests on a desk. The unibody metal construction, especially in the Lavender Drift variant, feels premium. Despite its budget positioning, the tablet proved durable, surviving over a month of daily use without scratches or dents. At 6.9mm thin and weighing 597g, it balances portability with a substantial feel.

Display
The 12.1-inch 2.8K IPS LCD panel (2800 x 1980) shines, particularly for productivity and reading, thanks to its 7:5 aspect ratio. Outdoor visibility is strong with 900 nits of peak brightness, and the 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth scrolling. Dolby Vision support makes HDR content vibrant and immersive.

Performance
The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra chipset paired with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM handles multitasking effortlessly. While not designed for hardcore gaming, titles like BGMI and Call of Duty ran smoothly at medium-to-high settings. Daily tasks such as split-screen multitasking, streaming, and managing multiple browser tabs were seamless, aided by fast UFS 3.1 storage.

Audio and Multimedia
The quad-speaker setup automatically adjusts audio based on orientation, delivering clear and loud sound. There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, but Bluetooth 5.4 ensures stable wireless audio. The dual 8MP cameras perform adequately for tablet standards.

Battery Life
The 10,050mAh battery easily lasts two days of mixed usage. With the 45W charger, a full charge takes about two hours, and 6.5W reverse wired charging allows the tablet to act as a power bank.

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Accessories and Productivity
The Pad Go 2 Stylo (free with current purchases, Rs 3,999 otherwise) offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, making it ideal for notes and casual drawing. While there’s no official keyboard case yet, third-party Bluetooth keyboards work well for light productivity.

Verdict
Starting at Rs 25,999, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 combines solid build, vibrant display, long battery life, and a premium feel at a mid-range price. For anyone seeking a reliable tablet for entertainment and light work, it’s hard to go wrong with this companion slate.