The best tablet in its class is inexplicably held back | Oppo Pad Mini
The Oppo Pad Mini demonstrates in our review exactly what a modern, compact tablet should look like in 2026, which makes one of the manufacturer’s key decisions all the more baffling. Oppo has decided not to offer a 5G version of the Pad Mini, even though it runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. Otherwise the compact tablet has everything to need to be a perfect smartphone replacement.
Considering the tablet’s compact form factor and focus on mobility, the absence of a cellular model is difficult to justify. The Pad Mini is practically begging to be used on the go, but without a dedicated data connection and the ability to determine its location via satellite, the Oppo tablet is always reliant on Wi-Fi networks or tethering. As a result, the Pad Mini loses the very advantage that would make it a true smartphone replacement.
Compact Android tablet with battery life on par with a flagship smartphone
The lack of a 5G option is particularly disappointing because the Pad Mini demonstrates, in nearly every other area, just how much potential this form factor holds. While Apple’s iPad Mini continues to rely on a rather dim 60-Hz IPS panel, the Oppo tablet features a bright OLED display with a high pixel density. It also outperforms the competition and lasts longer than many smartphones with flagship hardware.
Combined with its high-quality metal unibody design and full set of features, such as Wi-Fi 7, USB 3.2 DisplayPort output, and stylus support, Oppo’s mini tablet would otherwise have been an exciting on-the-go companion capable of handling all the tasks of a smartphone. After all, even the rear camera on the Pad Mini performs well in our review. In comparison, iits photos are not significantly inferior to those of an iPhone 17.
In terms of price, the compact OLED tablet from Oppo starts at around $730 from our loan partner, Trading Shenzhen.
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Review: Oppo Pad Mini
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