OnePlus Pad 3 vs OnePlus Pad 2 (China): Which one’s better?

OnePlus’ tablet line is a bit confusing at the moment. Globally, the company released the OnePlus Pad 3 this year, as a sequel to last year’s Snapdragon-powered OnePlus Pad 2. But in China, we just recently got the Pad 2, except this one has a Dimensity 9400+.

So technically, the China version of the “Pad 2” is newer than the global Pad 2 — yet branding-wise, the international model already moved on to the Pad 3. Confused? You’re not alone.

Let’s break it down: the China-only OnePlus Pad 2 is essentially a fresh 2025 tablet sitting between the global Pad 2 and Pad 3 in both specs and positioning. It’s not a downgrade, but it’s also not quite the same successor path as the global lineup.

While the Pad 2 is an older model, let’s go through how the Chinese Pad 2 stacks up against the global Pad 3. And is the naming difference hiding a better-than-expected device?

1. Performance

This is the main story. The OnePlus Pad 3 uses Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s top chip when it launched back in June. The China-only Pad 2 uses MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400+, which is a counterpart of the 8 Elite on Pad 2.

Both chips perform very similarly; it would be hard to tell a real-world difference while using them, but the numbers can be all over and down between the models.

Model	Chipset
Pad 3 (Global)	Snapdragon 8 Elite
Pad 2 (China)	Dimensity 9400+

The Chinese Pad 2 also has a giant vapor chamber cooling system (46,000mm²). In comparison, the Pad 3 comes with a 34,857mm² vapor chamber system. Regardless, both should be enough to dissipate heat and stabilize the performance.

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2. Display

Both tablets use high-end 144Hz LCD panels with Dolby Vision. The main difference is size and purpose.

Model	Size	Resolution
Pad 3 (Global)	13.2″	3392 × 2400
Pad 2 (China)	12.1″	3000 × 2120

The Pad 3’s bigger display gives you more room for writing, editing, multitasking, and desktop-style apps. The China Pad 2 keeps the compact 12-inch footprint, which many users actually prefer for reading, watching content, and traveling.

3. Software

Model	OS
Pad 3 Global	ColorOS 15 (Android 15)
Pad 2 China	ColorOS 16

Yes — the China Pad 2 launches with a newer OS.

ColorOS 16 on the China Pad 2 brings practical additions:

Handwriting polish and smart note tools
Replay capture for gameplay
multi-window UI with 3 apps side by side + floating windows

OnePlus has been blending OxygenOS and ColorOS for years, but China always gets newer features first. If anything, this shows where global builds are likely heading.

4. Battery & Charging

Model	Battery	Charging
Pad 3 (Global)	12,140mAh	80W
Pad 2 (China)	10,420mAh	67W

The Pad 3 is clearly designed for longer workdays and desktop-style usage. Bigger tablet, bigger battery, faster charging. China’s Pad 2 still has a respectable battery, and its slimmer body explains the smaller cell.

5. Audio and hardware

Model	Speakers	Weight	Thickness
Pad 3	8 speakers	675g	6mm
Pad 2 China	Likely 6-speaker setup	579g	5.99mm

The global Pad 3 gives you more speaker channels, better for movies or work calls with spatial sound. But the China Pad 2 is noticeably lighter and a hair thinner. And for handheld use, that could be an aspect you might want to consider.

6. So which one is better?

It all depends on where you live. The Dimensity Pad 2 is currently exclusive to the Chinese market. So if import is a possibility, the OnePlus Pad 2 (China) could be a better deal if you want something thinner and lighter. But if you’re looking for a productivity-first flagship tablet, the OnePlus Pad 3 is still the top pick.

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