OPPO Pad 5 Review: A Premium Android Tablet with Flagship Performance

In the competitive world of Android tablets, OPPO has consistently pushed boundaries with innovative designs and powerful specifications. The OPPO Pad 5, launched in China in October 2025 and now eyeing the Indian market following BIS certification, represents the company’s most ambitious tablet yet. This premium device combines cutting-edge performance with thoughtful features aimed at professionals, students, and entertainment enthusiasts alike.

What makes the OPPO Pad 5 stand out in a market dominated by Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series? It’s not just about raw specifications-though those are impressive-but about creating a cohesive experience that leverages Android 16 optimizations, premium build quality, and versatile accessories. From its paper-like matte display finish to its powerful MediaTek chipset, every element has been carefully considered.

As we await official India launch details, let’s dive deep into what makes the OPPO Pad 5 a compelling choice for anyone seeking a premium Android tablet experience.

Design and Build: Premium and Portable

The OPPO Pad 5 immediately impresses with its sleek, premium design. At just 6mm thick and weighing 577g, it strikes an excellent balance between substantial feel and portability. The slim profile makes it easy to hold for extended periods, whether you’re reading, watching videos, or taking notes with the included OPPO Pencil 2.

Build quality feels premium throughout, with attention to detail that matches OPPO’s smartphone offerings. The tablet’s construction suggests durability, though specific IP ratings haven’t been confirmed. The matte finish not only looks sophisticated but also provides better grip and resists fingerprints-a practical consideration for daily use.

Port placement is logical and functional, with USB-C for charging and data transfer, along with quad speakers positioned for optimal stereo sound regardless of orientation. The overall design language is clean and modern, avoiding unnecessary embellishments in favor of functional elegance.

Display Excellence: Visuals That Impress

The centerpiece of the OPPO Pad 5 experience is its 12.1-inch 3K display, which delivers stunning visuals across all types of content. With a 144Hz refresh rate, scrolling feels incredibly smooth, animations appear fluid, and gaming experiences become more immersive. This high refresh rate is particularly beneficial for productivity tasks, making document navigation and multitasking feel more responsive.

At 900 nits peak brightness, the display remains clearly visible even in bright outdoor conditions-a significant advantage over tablets with lower brightness levels. Whether you’re working in a sunny café or watching videos in various lighting conditions, the screen adapts beautifully.

OPPO has gone beyond just specifications with thoughtful additions:

• TÜV Certification: The display meets rigorous eye comfort standards, reducing blue light emission and minimizing eye strain during extended use.
• Paper-like Matte Finish: This unique coating reduces glare and provides a writing surface that feels remarkably similar to paper when using the OPPO Pencil 2.
• Auto Refresh Rate Adjustment: Powered by Android 16 optimizations, the tablet intelligently switches between refresh rates based on content, balancing smoothness with battery efficiency.

Performance Powerhouse: MediaTek Dimensity 9400+

At the heart of the OPPO Pad 5 lies the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset, a 3nm processor that represents the cutting edge of mobile computing technology. This powerful SoC enables the tablet to handle demanding tasks with ease, from intensive gaming sessions to professional-grade video editing.

The performance configuration options are impressive:

This combination ensures that the OPPO Pad 5 can handle multiple applications simultaneously without slowdowns or lag. The UFS 4.1 storage provides lightning-fast read and write speeds, significantly reducing app loading times and file transfer durations.

Real-World Performance Scenarios

How does this translate to actual use cases?

1. Gaming Performance: The Dimensity 9400+ handles even the most demanding mobile games at maximum settings. The 144Hz display refresh rate synchronizes beautifully with the GPU’s output, providing smooth, tear-free gaming experiences.
2. Productivity Tasks: Multitasking between productivity apps, video conferencing, and web browsing feels seamless. The generous RAM configurations ensure that apps remain in memory, allowing for quick switching without reloading.
3. Creative Work: 4K video editing, photo manipulation, and digital art creation benefit from both the powerful processor and the responsive OPPO Pencil 2 integration.

Thermal management appears effective, with the tablet maintaining consistent performance during extended use without excessive heating-a common issue with less optimized tablets.

Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power

One of the most practical considerations for any tablet is battery life, and the OPPO Pad 5 delivers impressively in this department. The 10,420mAh battery capacity provides substantial power reserves for extended use across various scenarios.

Based on typical usage patterns, users can expect:

• Video Playback: Up to 12-14 hours of continuous video streaming at moderate brightness
• Productivity Use: 8-10 hours of mixed usage including document editing, web browsing, and video calls
• Gaming: 5-6 hours of intensive gaming sessions

When it’s time to recharge, the 67W SuperVOOC fast charging technology comes to the rescue. This system can charge the massive battery from 0 to 50% in approximately 35 minutes, and to full in around 80 minutes-impressive numbers for a device of this size.

The combination of large battery capacity and rapid charging means users spend less time tethered to outlets and more time being productive or entertained.

Power efficiency is further enhanced by the 3nm manufacturing process of the Dimensity 9400+ chipset and Android 16’s optimization features, which intelligently manage background processes and display settings to extend battery life.

Camera and Multimedia Experience

While tablets aren’t typically primary photography devices, the OPPO Pad 5 offers capable cameras for their intended purposes. The setup includes an 8MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera-modest specifications that serve practical functions well.

The rear camera supports 4K video recording and performs adequately for:

• Document scanning and text recognition
• Quick reference photos
• Basic photography in good lighting conditions

The front camera is optimized for video calls and selfies, with features that enhance video conferencing experiences. While it won’t replace a dedicated webcam for professional streaming, it’s more than sufficient for Zoom meetings, family video calls, and online classes.

Audio and Connectivity

Where the OPPO Pad 5 truly shines as an entertainment device is in its audio capabilities. The quad Hi-Res stereo speakers deliver rich, immersive sound with good separation and clarity. Whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, the audio experience is significantly better than most tablet offerings.

Connectivity features are thoroughly modern:

• Wi-Fi 7: Provides faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks compared to previous Wi-Fi standards
• Bluetooth 5.4: Offers improved range, speed, and stability for connecting accessories like the OPPO Pencil 2, keyboards, and audio devices
• USB-C: Supports fast data transfer and charging, continuing the industry standard transition

OPPO Pencil 2 and Productivity Features

The OPPO Pencil 2 represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor, with improvements that make it a genuine productivity tool rather than just a stylus accessory. Its integration with the OPPO Pad 5 is seamless, offering features that rival Apple’s Pencil experience.

Key improvements include:

• Reduced Latency: Writing and drawing feel natural, with minimal delay between pen movement and on-screen response
• Pressure Sensitivity: 4096 levels of pressure detection allow for expressive drawing and natural handwriting variation
• Tilt Support: The pencil recognizes angle variations, enabling shading techniques similar to traditional art tools
• Magnetic Attachment and Charging: Conveniently attaches to the tablet’s side for storage and wireless charging

Android 16 brings specific optimizations for stylus use, including palm rejection, quick note-taking from any screen, and improved handwriting recognition. For students, professionals, and creatives, these features transform the OPPO Pad 5 from a consumption device into a genuine creation tool.

India Launch Expectations and Pricing

The OPPO Pad 5’s appearance on the BIS certification website strongly suggests an imminent India launch, though OPPO hasn’t announced official dates or pricing for the Indian market. Based on the Chinese pricing and typical market adjustments, we can make educated predictions.

In China, the 8GB/128GB variant is priced at approximately CNY 2,800, which converts to around INR 32,000. Indian pricing typically includes additional taxes and import duties, so we might see:

• 8GB/128GB: INR 34,000-36,000
• 12GB/256GB: INR 39,000-42,000
• 16GB/512GB: INR 46,000-49,000

These price points would position the OPPO Pad 5 competitively against Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 series and Apple’s base iPad models, offering superior specifications in several areas at similar or lower price points.

Potential buyers should watch for official announcements regarding launch events, pre-order bonuses, and bundle offers that might include the OPPO Pencil 2 or keyboard accessories at discounted rates.

Who Should Consider the OPPO Pad 5?

The OPPO Pad 5 isn’t for everyone, but it excels in specific use cases:

1. Android Enthusiasts: Users committed to the Android ecosystem who want a premium tablet experience without switching to iPadOS
2. Mobile Gamers: The combination of Dimensity 9400+ and 144Hz display creates an exceptional mobile gaming platform
3. Students and Professionals: The OPPO Pencil 2 integration and multitasking capabilities make it ideal for note-taking, document editing, and creative work
4. Entertainment Consumers: With its excellent display and audio system, it’s perfect for streaming, reading, and media consumption

However, those deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem or requiring specific professional applications only available on iPadOS might still prefer Apple’s offerings. Similarly, users with basic tablet needs might find more budget-friendly options sufficient.

Final Verdict

The OPPO Pad 5 represents a significant step forward for Android tablets, combining flagship-level performance with thoughtful features that enhance both productivity and entertainment. Its strengths are numerous: the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset, the stunning 12.1-inch 3K display with 144Hz refresh rate, the versatile OPPO Pencil 2 integration, and the robust battery life with fast charging.

While the camera system is modest and the India launch details remain unconfirmed, these are minor considerations against the tablet’s overall excellence. For Android users seeking a premium tablet experience that can handle everything from intensive gaming to professional creative work, the OPPO Pad 5 is certainly worth the wait.

As the Indian market continues to embrace premium Android tablets, the OPPO Pad 5 has the potential to become a strong contender against established players. Its combination of specifications, features, and expected pricing creates a compelling package that deserves serious consideration from anyone in the market for a high-performance tablet.