This tablet rivals the top of the line, but hardly anyone knows about it

If you’re looking for a high-quality tablet and don’t want to pay too much for it, there are a few devices to consider. However, hardly anyone in Western countries would likely name the Oppo Pad 6 as their first choice—why is that? 

Strategic mistakes and brand recognition

First of all, Oppo faces a strategic challenge in Western countries: For years, the company built up its own brand, OnePlus, here. Then it sought to integrate OnePlus more closely with Oppo; devices and software became increasingly similar, and eventually, the decision was made to phase out OnePlus and establish Oppo instead. 

Of course, it will take time for Oppo to achieve the same level of recognition that OnePlus had. So, quite simply, fewer people are familiar with Oppo or have had experience with it.

Only as an imported device

Additionally, the Oppo Pad 6 isn’t (yet) officially available in Europe. Through import shops—such as our partner TradingShenzhen, where the tablet is currently available starting at US$ 685—it can be ordered relatively easily and risk-free: Many importers now cover the risk of customs duties and fees.

It’s not entirely unlikely that the Oppo Pad 6 will be released in Europe; after all, its predecessor is also available here. However, the Pad 5 saw significant downgrades when it was released in Europe.

It can’t be because of the specs

From a specs perspective, though, there’s nothing to complain about: It features the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s, a very powerful SoC, housed in a metal case that’s simple yet very well-built, and the large 12.1-inch screen even manages without PWM flicker.

Another issue, however, is certainly the lack of a commitment regarding software support. Our research did reveal that Oppo UK, for example, promises at least three years of software support for all Oppo tablets, so one can reasonably assume that the manufacturer provides this support worldwide. But there’s no concrete commitment for the Oppo Pad 6, and three years isn’t exactly a generous period.

If you’re interested in the Oppo Pad 6, we recommend reading our in-depth review of the tablet.