Oppo Pad 5 Pro: One-minute review
If you’re after a big-screen tablet with a premium design, a huge battery, and a price tag that won’t bankrupt you, the Oppo Pad 5 Pro makes a compelling case as one of the best tablets on the market.
It also arrives with an initially puzzling spec configuration. The Pad 5 Pro is the successor to the Oppo Pad 3 Pro, which landed with a smaller screen (12 inches) and 12GB of RAM. This time around, however, Oppo has increased the tablet's screen size but slashed its RAM capacity to 8GB.
That means the Pad 5 Pro has a lower power ceiling than its predecessor for multitasking and resource-intensive productivity tasks, but Oppo has almost certainly made this decision as a result of the ongoing global RAM shortage, which is pushing up memory prices. Had the Pad 5 Pro been equipped with 12GB of RAM, it would almost certainly be significantly more expensive.
And it’s not all bad news for the Pad 5 Pro's power credentials, as its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset can handle pretty much everything thrown at it. The Pad 3 Pro, by contrast, uses an older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leading Version chipset, so what users lose in RAM, they gain in CPU power.
The tablet's 7:5 aspect ratio display also makes the Pad 5 Pro a great productivity companion. The ColorOS 16 interface features multitasking tools, and the source reviewer noted the ability to use the tablet as a secondary screen for a laptop.
Holding the tablet vertically for reading articles is comfortable, with its 144Hz refresh rate allowing for smooth scrolling, and the screen's bezel providing an accommodating space for thumbs to rest.
With the Pad 5 Pro in landscape mode, the expansive screen proved great for gaming sessions and streaming videos. Plus, with eight speakers built into the slender frame, the tablet delivers strong audio output.
Then there’s the whopping 13,380mAh battery that delivers multiple days of use from a single charge with moderate use, and a solid two days with more intensive activity.
As big-screen tablets go, the Oppo Pad 5 Pro offers plenty of features that make it easy to recommend.
Oppo Pad 5 Pro review: Price and availability
The Oppo Pad 5 Pro costs £699, less than the 13-inch iPad Air (M4).
It is available in the UK and Europe with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The Oppo Pad 5 Pro costs £699, making it slightly more expensive than Apple’s entry-level iPad 11-inch (£429), but comfortably cheaper than the firm’s iPad Air 13-inch (£949) and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 Plus (£1,399). Its closest competitor, price-wise, is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus (£689).
At £699, the Pad 5 Pro also costs £200 more than its predecessor. Sure, it has a bigger screen, a larger battery, and an updated chipset — but it also features less RAM.
Promotional discounts have occasionally brought the asking price down, improving its value proposition significantly.
The Oppo Pad 5 Pro is currently available in the UK and Europe, though it is not sold in North America or Australia.
The Oppo Pad 5 Pro is available in a single configuration: 8GB RAM with 256GB of storage, and Wi-Fi only. There is no cellular option offered.
Optional accessories include the Oppo Pad 5 Pro Smart Keyboard case (£299), which provides a full QWERTY keyboard and stand similar to Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
The Smart Case (£29.90) provides front and back protection with an origami-style folding stand.
Meanwhile, the Oppo Pencil 3 Pro (£79.90) features 16,000 levels of pressure sensitivity and a felt tip for a realistic writing-on-paper feel.
Oppo Pad 5 Pro: Specs
The Oppo Pad 5 Pro boasts key spec upgrades over its predecessor, alongside a notable RAM reduction.
Oppo increased the screen size to 13.2 inches, featuring an LCD screen with a 3392 x 2400 (3.4K) pixel resolution, 315 ppi, and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits.
Battery capacity sits at 13,380mAh with 80W fast charging support, while Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset drives the device alongside 256GB of storage, eight speakers, and two microphones within a 5.94mm body.
The downgrade arrives in the RAM department, dropping from the previous generation's 12GB down to 8GB.
Oppo Pad 5 Pro review: Design
Slim, premium design that looks great
Available in a single color option, Mocha Brown, which offers a professional aesthetic.
It weighs 672g, making it heavier than some competing flagship tablets.
In the category of big-screen tablets, the Oppo Pad 5 Pro stands out as a premium device with flat edges mimicking modern tablet trends.
At 5.94mm thick, the slate slips easily into bags despite its large footprint.
While slender, it is slightly thicker and heavier than elite competitors like the iPad Pro 13-inch.
At 672g, the device has considerable heft, meaning it is not a lightweight, ultra-compact tablet.
Oppo designed the all-metal unibody to be comfortable to hold, featuring smooth edges that minimize hand fatigue during extended reading sessions.
Portrait orientation works exceptionally well for reading, with screen bezels offering comfortable thumb rests.
The single Mocha Brown color choice provides a smart appearance while simplifying consumer choice.
A front-facing camera sits along the landscape bezel, while a rear island houses the 13MP main camera and flash.
Physical controls include a power button, volume keys, and a USB-C port.
Rear pogo pins facilitate keyboard attachment, and a magnetic strip on top secures the optional stylus.
An eight-speaker array (four on each short side) and dual microphones round out the hardware layout.
Biometric security relies on face unlock, as there is no fingerprint scanner.
Oppo Pad 5 Pro review: Display
Huge 13.2-inch, 3.4K display
Great for multitasking, gaming, and video streaming
Supports HDR for video streaming platforms alongside Dolby Vision
The 13.2-inch screen provides expansive space for productivity workflows and multimedia.
While it uses an LCD panel rather than OLED, helping manage overall costs, contrast and black levels remain respectable.
The 3.4K resolution delivers a high pixel density of 315ppi, surpassing several pricier flagship rivals.
The 7:5 aspect ratio optimizes document reading, web browsing, and presentations.
An adaptive refresh rate scaling up to 144Hz ensures smooth scrolling throughout the interface.
Widescreen video playback shows letterboxing, but HDR compatibility and Dolby Vision support elevate visual fidelity.
Split-screen app usage feels unconstrained, and software integration allows the tablet to serve as a secondary laptop display.
Gaming benefits greatly from the screen size, offering an expansive field of view.
Peak brightness reaches 1,000 nits, ensuring usable outdoor visibility in shaded areas.
Oppo Pad 5 Pro review: Software
ColorOS 16 provides robust customization and multitasking options
On-board AI tools offer varied utility depending on user workflows
Running ColorOS 16 over Android, the tablet offers a clean interface close to stock Android with valuable additions.
The software suite enhances out-of-the-box usability without requiring deep menu configuration.
Deep system customization options remain available for users who want to tweak their setup.
Pre-installed third-party applications are kept to a minimum and can be easily uninstalled.
Split-view multitasking handles multi-window workflows effectively, suiting productivity needs.
O+ Connect software syncs Windows or Mac devices smoothly for file transfers and display mirroring.
The slim profile allows it to slide into bags alongside a standard laptop effortlessly.
AI integrations include Circle to Search and AI Smart Circle via stylus input for highlighting, annotating, and sharing content.
Additional tools like AI Painter provide creative enhancement features for images.
Oppo Pad 5 Pro review: Performance
Mixed specification balance, but ample power for general users
Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and 8GB of RAM
Handles multiple simultaneous app windows without performance stutter
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor provides substantial raw compute power.
The chip easily runs large language models and intensive AI workflows.
The drop in RAM capacity down to 8GB compared to the previous model represents a regression.
Market conditions surrounding component costs explain the configuration compromise.
In testing, the hardware managed multitasking and daily workloads effectively.
High-graphics mobile gaming and 4K video streaming ran smoothly across major platforms.
Extended typing sessions, gaming marathons, and media binges posed no thermal or stability issues.
Extremely heavy graphical rendering or intensive pro workflows may encounter limits due to the RAM constraint.
Game Assistant software lets users boost frame rates and tune performance profiles.
The built-in speaker system delivers rich audio performance considering the slim chassis dimensions.
Oppo Pad 5 Pro review: Battery
Massive 13,380mAh battery capacity
Multi-day endurance is easily achievable under normal usage
Supports 80W fast charging, though a compatible adapter is required separately
Battery performance is a major strength for the tablet.
The large power pack translates directly into extended operational longevity.
Gaming drains the battery minimally per hour of continuous play.
Video streaming tests demonstrate efficient power draw during prolonged media playback.
Real-world streaming yields around 10 hours of video playback.
Idle drain overnight remains minimal.
Standard workflow multitasking routinely delivers two full days of use.
Lighter usage profiles extend standby duration across multiple days.
80W SuperVOOC charging restores power swiftly, though users must supply a high-wattage charging block.
Rapid top-ups provide substantial operational hours from brief charging intervals.
Short charging sessions yield significant battery recovery given the total capacity.
Buy it if…
You want a portable streaming and gaming device
The high-resolution display, multi-speaker audio, and gaming enhancements make multimedia consumption effortless.
You don’t want to overspend on a big screen
Apple’s large-format tablets command significantly higher prices while offering comparable core utility.
You want a productivity device
Multitasking tools and accessory support allow it to function effectively as a laptop companion.
Don’t buy it if…
You want the best tablet apps
Android app optimization trails behind Apple's ecosystem for large screen formats.
You’re a power user
The reduced 8GB RAM ceiling may restrict intensive professional workloads.
Also consider
Apple iPad Air 13-inch
Offers robust hardware and an expansive software ecosystem, though pricing scales up quickly.
An alternative high-end option for iOS users.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus
Features water resistance and a large display battery profile within the Android ecosystem.
A capable alternative in the Android tablet market.
