Although smartphones are still the most used devices every day, tablets are finding their place as key tools for productivity, entertainment, and creativity. They are no longer just about large screens for watching series: today they can replace laptops, become drawing stations, or be the perfect ally for university. But in this increasingly competitive landscape, which is the best tablet if you're looking for performance, portability, and a good screen?

At the high-end, the iPad Pro with Apple's M4 chip and the OnePlus Pad 3 are two of the most notable options. Each with a different, but equally ambitious, proposition. Apple relies on raw power, ultra-thin design, and a next-level OLED display, while OnePlus surprises with a massive 13.2-inch panel, large battery, and a next-generation Snapdragon chip that aims to prove that Android can also compete in the major leagues.

If you're looking for a premium tablet and are hesitating between these two options, here's an in-depth comparison that reviews the strengths and weaknesses of each device, paying special attention to performance, design, ecosystem, battery life, and price. Everything is designed to help you choose based on the type of use you plan to give it.

Design and screen: portability vs. visual spectacle

The iPad Pro with M4 chip, available in an 11-inch edition starting at $999 USD, boasts an ultra-thin design, just 5.1 mm thick and weighing 444 g (Wi-Fi) in the compact version. Its construction is impeccable and offers a perfect balance between strength and lightness. The 13-inch edition weighs just 579 g. The screen is another of its strong points: it is an Ultra Retina XDR OLED panel with Pro Motion (10–120 Hz), 1,000 nits of brightness (1,600 in HDR) and an impressive contrast of 2,000,000: 1. It's ideal for those who work with images and video, or simply want a flawless visual experience.

The OnePlus Pad 3 comes with a very thin metal design (5.97 mm) and a weight of 675 g, more than the iPad but reasonable for its size. Its 13.2-inch display with 3K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate is perfect for gaming, smooth browsing, and multitasking. While it doesn't match the depth of blacks or contrast of Apple's OLED display, it does offer vibrant colors and an immersive experience that shines when consuming multimedia content.

If you're interested in the highest image quality, especially for HDR content and professional editing, the iPad has the advantage. But if you prefer a large, bright, fluid panel that's more geared toward entertainment and multitasking, the Pad 3 doesn't disappoint.

Power and battery: two giants with different philosophies

The heart of the iPad Pro is Apple's M4 chip, a beast designed with 3nm architecture, with a 10-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, and up to 16GB of RAM in 1TB or larger models. The performance is brutal: 4K video editing, heavy multitasking, 3D rendering, and even ray-traced video games are handled fluidly. In addition, thanks to iPad OS 18 and Apple Intelligence, this tablet becomes a professional tool with intelligent functions that amplify productivity.

For its part, the OnePlus Pad 3 relies on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, accompanied by up to 16 GB of LPDDR5T RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. Its performance is outstanding within the Android ecosystem. The multitasking experience has improved with Oxygen OS 15, and gaming and browsing performance is excellent. Added to this is a 12,140 m Ah battery that easily exceeds 12 hours of intensive use, with 67 W fast charging that recharges it in just over an hour.

The iPad Pro offers a balance between power and efficiency, but its battery stays around 10 hours. The Pad 3 clearly wins in autonomy, being ideal for those looking for long sessions without depending on the charger.

Ecosystem and price: what you get for what you pay

Both devices are in the premium range, but with different approaches. The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $999, and if you add the Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard, the investment easily exceeds $1,300. In return, you get access to a robust ecosystem, with professional applications optimized for tablets, extended support, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.

The OnePlus Pad 3 costs $699.99 for its version with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. It's an aggressive price considering the screen size, the performance of the Snapdragon chip, and the inclusion of accessories such as a keyboard and stylus in some promotional packages. However, the Android ecosystem for tablets is not yet as optimized as Apple's, which may limit its use in very demanding professional scenarios.

If your priority is a creative environment, advanced tools, and long-term support, The iPad Pro justifies it. If you want a premium experience for a more affordable price, the Pad 3 is very attractive.

Who is each tablet best for?

The iPad Pro with the M4 chip is perfect for creative professionals, designers, video editors, musicians, and students looking for a powerful and versatile tool. It's also the ideal choice if you already use other Apple products and want to take advantage of the ecosystem. Its performance, display, and accessories make it a serious work device.

On the other hand, the OnePlus Pad 3 is designed for users who value entertainment, portability, and excellent battery life. It's ideal for gamers, students, avid readers, or casual users who want a large, fluid, and powerful tablet without paying Apple's price. It's also an excellent option if you're already part of the OnePlus or Android ecosystem.

In short, both tablets offer a lot, but they are designed for different audiences. The key is knowing what you expect from a tablet: whether it's extreme productivity or unlimited entertainment.