effective but without risk – TechInkers

With its first tablet for the world market, Oppo signs a discreet but decisive arrival in the old continent.

Oppo continues its presence in Europe with its first touchscreen tablet. Now established in the smartphone market, the brand has opted for the mid-range for its first Western model. Lightweight and versatile, the Pad Air is characterized by I arrive attentive but determined in the tablet sector.

Discover the Oppo Pad Air in the 128 GB version

Table of Contents

Design and ergonomics

From a design point of view, the Oppo Pad Air manages to be good students despite its technical concessions. With its 6.9mm aluminum frame and a weight of 440g, the brand’s first European tablet is slim and compact. The edges of the screen are relatively inconspicuous and the 10.36 in it covers 81% of the total facade. For a mid-range model, we have to admit that the result is nice to see. The composite polymer structured tape that adorns its back remains a matter of taste, but gives the tablet a discreet originality, a point in a market already saturated with competition.

On the flat edges of the device we find: a microSD port, but no 3.5 mini jack. Even in the mid-range, it’s time for Bluetooth 5.1 terminals and Oppo seems to have decided to ignore wired accessories. Note that conventional headphones can still be connected via the device’s USB-C charging port, which is undoubtedly not the most practical option.

Data sheet: timid comeback

Let’s face it, the Oppo Pad Air data sheet will not make the most ambitious dream come true. With its screen 10.38 inch LCD screen and its 4 GB of RAM, the tablet is intended for family and occasional use. The brand is not wrong and focuses on multimedia entertainment on both sides of the tablet, there are four speakers for correct sound reproduction even without headphones. A 7100 mAh battery, a Snapdragon 680 processor and an 8 Mpx camera (5 Mpx on the front) complete the picture.

	Oppo Pad Air
Screen	– 10.38 inch LCD screen – 81% occupation of the facade – 60 Hz – TÜV Rheinland certification
SoC	– Snapdragon 680
Memory	– 4 GB of RAM – 64 or 128GB expandable memory
Colors	– Carbon with textured polymer composite band
Camera	– Front: 5 MP – Rear: 8 MP (f / 2)
Audio	– 4 Dolby Atmos speakers
Battery	– 7100 mAh – 2h30 charge (18W)
connectivity	– microSD port – no jacket -Bluetooth 5.1 – Wireless
Software	– 12.1 color operating system with Android 12
Length and weight	– 6.9 mm thick – 440 g
Starting price	– € 299 for 64GB – € 349 for 128 GB
Availability Date	July 2022

Without dazzling by its originality, the Oppo Pad Air stands out as a well-finished tablet, especially for a mid-range model. The textured strap makes the device particularly pleasant to hold every day, and hers 60 Hz screen ensures a very correct fluidity for a classic multimedia use. Of course, for its price, it ignores the fingerprint reader and settles for simple facial recognition. We also regret the awkward placement of the buttons, which are difficult to reach under the fingers and are definitely unsightly for a screenshot. We will also have to forget the 4G and 5G versions, the Oppo Pad Air relies on Wi-Fi connectivity with a Snapdragon 680 processor, which is more than enough for the uses it offers.

Screen and multimedia: perfect for a first tablet

We repeat, Oppo is not original with this first European tablet and relies on certain values to offer a compact, versatile and efficient terminal. The LCD panel sometimes lacks brightness and contrast, but it’s more than enough for everyday use, especially when taking notes. The dimensions are generous enough for you to enjoy the device without having to squint. With its certification TÜV Rheinland against blue lightit also limits eye strain, a good point for students who would read on a tablet for several hours at a time.

On the audio side, the tablet’s four Dolby Atmos speakers confirm its ambitions to impose itself on multimedia. The tablet is primarily made for reading, browsing social networks and enjoying a series on Netflix. In terms of photography, the device is fine, but it doesn’t disappoint. This type of product is clearly not designed to satisfy photography enthusiasts. On the back of the device is a single 8 Mpx module that opens to f / 2. At the front, you’ll have to make do with 5 Mpx, making it the best for video conferencing in a properly lit office.

The tablet does not have the ambitions of a photophone, and will only serve to solve problems. Even in good lighting conditions, the shots lack contrast and finesse. Inside or in the dark, the grain appears very quickly. So nothing surprising for a tablet of this category, even if we notice the presence of a very practical (albeit inaccurate) scanning tool on a daily basis.

Performance: right

With its Snapdragon 680, the Oppo Pad Air still remains on the marked path. Launched just under a year ago, the mid-range processor is primarily aimed at entry-level and mid-range smartphones. It is therefore logical that the manufacturer has chosen this chipset for its tablet. Flanked by 4GB of RAM, the Pad Air will benefit from an increase in power thanks to its virtual RAM expansion. In practice, this isn’t really significant in terms of performance gain. But don’t panic, on a mid-range model, the latter remain quite satisfying, as long as you are satisfied with the basic tasks: answering emails, taking notes or browsing the web.

The Oppo Pad Air is quite effective in multitasking and even benefits from some interesting features like some gesture controls dedicated to the simultaneous display of different applications. Obviously we are very far from the gaming terminal. As soon as the device is a little too busy, the frame rate is in free fall. When you launch a 3D game, the screen latency is palpable. Logically, since it was not really designed for this use: on more classic multimedia content such as watching a series or an infinite scroll on TikTok, the 60 Hz refresh is more than enough.

Designed for a hybrid use between study and fun, the tablet wants to be light, but above all nomadic. Comes with an optional stylish smart cover. equipped with ColorOS 12.1 on Android 12, the Pad Air therefore benefits from the latest version of the manufacturer’s operating system. The overlay is discreet and effective. It also offers some cool features, like Oppo Share to interact with a PC, or the ability to record videos and enjoy a nice split screen. Daily, the tablet is pleasant, smooth and responsive. A real treat for everyday tasks, even if you need to pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard to take really effective notes.

Cover for Oppo Pad Air standing up — © Journal du Geek

With its 7100 mAh battery, the Oppo tablet offers more than enough autonomy: it counts a good full day of use, two for occasional use. The device therefore offers an average battery life of its peers, with a charging time at 2h30inevitably limited by its 18W charger.

Price and availability

He proposed to € 299 without the 64GB version, and € 349 for its 128GB version, the Oppo Pad Air is part of the same pricing logic as its competitors. It is available at most official retailers and on the brand’s website. Add another € 50 to offer you the matching smart cover.