The right tablet can be a game-changer for your productivity. The bigger screen makes multitasking easier, and with accessories like pens and keyboards being commonplace, you can get a lot more done on a tablet than you can on a smartphone. However, the major benefit of a phone is how portable they are, and most powerful tablets are huge.
There are plenty of compact tablets out there, but a lot of them don't deliver the kind of performance that power users want. Well, there's good news. Early reports seem to point to OnePlus planning a mini tablet for next year, and if things pan out, that small tablet could pack a chip with a shocking amount of power in its silicon.
The OnePlus Pad Mini Could Potentially Launch With the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
Tablets are meant to be bigger than phones, but they don't always have to double the screen size. A lot of people want tablets that are compact because they still come with a productivity boost over phones, while staying portable. There are plenty of compact options available, but if you want something that's small and packs power, you're going to find yourself limited. Here are the only tablets currently packing the Snapdragon 8 Elite:
- OnePlus Pad 3, 13.2″
- OnePlus Pad 2 Pro/Oppo Pad 4 Pro, 13.2″
- Lenovo Legion Y700 (Gen 4), 8.8″
- ZTE Redmagic Astra, 9.06″
When Samsung releases its tablets for 2025, the list will tilt even further in favor of big tablets. It also doesn't help that the small tablets are gaming-focused, instead of aiming to be all-around tablets. Thankfully, it looks like next year, OnePlus might arrive to save the day for those who want powerful, mini tablet options.
Digital Chat Station, one of the most reliable tipsters on the scene, has stated that OnePlus is planning a Pad Mini model, and that device is currently being tested with the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. The tab is expected to launch in H1 2026 and will be a killer option for anyone who wants a tablet that's small but mighty.
OnePlus Is an Underrated Tablet OEM, and the Pad Mini Could Continue That Streak
OnePlus, I wasn't always familiar with your game. However, once I started to really pay attention, I realized how solid the manufacturer was at making tablets (and smartphones, too, I guess). The OnePlus Pad 3 is one of the absolute best options for anyone right now, especially with the way it balances the spec sheet with its pricing.
| OnePlus Pad 3 | |
| Display | 13.2 inches, IPS LCD, 144Hz, 2400 x 3392, Dolby Vision |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Storage Variants | 12/256GB. 16/512GB; UFS 4.0 |
| Cameras | 13MP rear + 8MP front |
| Battery | 12,140mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired |
| Launch Price | $699.99 |
Obviously, we know that the OnePlus Pad Mini will be smaller than the OnePlus Pad 3, and if you ask me, it should likely be under the 10-inch mark to really drive home the “Mini”. The device is expected to launch in the same window as the OnePlus 15T and the Oppo Find X9s, so there'll be a lot to anticipate at that time.
