It’s all about size – or is it? Why huge tablets often don’t deliver good speaker sound

Anyone who buys a massive tablet like the OnePlus Pad 4 —which, after all, costs around US$ 700—surely expects a certain level of multimedia quality: For instance, a case that big should have room for really good speakers, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not the case with the OnePlus Pad 4 —the sound comes across as rather thin and lacking in bass. And some other large tablets have also disappointed us in this area in the past.

It’s sufficient for everyday use, but falls short for media consumption

The OnePlus Pad 4’s speakers are sufficient for video calls via Zoom or Teams. Voices are reproduced clearly, and distortion only occurs at maximum volume.

However, when watching movies without headphones, weaknesses in the bass range become apparent: action sequences sound flat, and explosions lack that proper “oomph.” Users who use the tablet for streaming in the evenings will quickly turn to external speakers.

Apparently not a major factor in the purchase decision

We can’t attend the manufacturers’ decision-making meetings. But what we’ve picked up in informal conversations is that, in an era of constantly worn TWS earbuds, speakers are hardly a purchasing criterion for customers anymore.

While cell phone manufacturers like HTC used to boast about having the best phone speakers, those days seem long gone. Even the big names in audio—like Harman Kardon, Sennheiser, JBL, etc.—rarely appear in product spec sheets anymore.

Today, speakers are expected to deliver decent sound quality just in case you happen to forget your headphones. Otherwise, speakers and good sound design in smartphones and tablets are no longer that important, despite the widespread use of the Dolby logo.

Bluetooth as a workaround

Anyone who wants to enjoy music or movies without headphones in the foreseeable future will have to rely on external solutions. Bluetooth connectivity works flawlessly on the OnePlus Pad 4, and wireless speakers pair without any issues.

However, this is an extra step that shouldn’t be necessary for a 700-euro tablet in this size class. Users on a tighter budget who are looking for an all-in-one solution will find this particularly frustrating.

The speakers are among the weakest aspects of the OnePlus Pad 4. Given the device’s size and price, much more could have been expected.

Otherwise, though, we have plenty of good things to say about the tablet, as our in-depth review shows.