Oppo has officially launched the Pad Air 5 in China, continuing its mid-range tablet lineup with an impressive upgrade over its predecessor. Arriving as the successor to the 2023 Pad Air 2, this new tablet brings a larger display, higher resolution, enhanced brightness, and stronger performance. The Pad Air 5 is a rebranded version of the popular OnePlus Pad Go 2, featuring a balance of performance and affordability that appeals to everyday users and content consumers.
Display and Design
One of the most notable improvements in the Pad Air 5 is its display. The tablet features a 12.1-inch LCD screen with a 2800×1980 pixel resolution (2.8K), representing a significant jump from the Pad Air 2’s 11.35-inch 2.4K display. The screen delivers up to 120Hz refresh rate, 98% DCI-P3 color gamut, and 100% sRGB coverage, making it excellent for streaming, gaming, and creative work.
The display brightness reaches up to 900 nits at peak, a substantial improvement over the previous generation’s 400 nits. A new “Soft Light” version employs high-precision nanoelectrochemical etching, improving clarity by 22% and eliminating 97% of ambient light interference. The tablet also features low-blue-light technology and flicker-free viewing for extended use comfort. With a maximum touch sampling rate of 540Hz, the Pad Air 5 offers responsive input for productivity tasks and gaming.
The device weighs approximately 597 grams in Wi-Fi mode and 599 grams in 5G mode, making it reasonably portable for a 12-inch tablet. It maintains a 7:5 aspect ratio, providing a taller viewing experience than standard tablet proportions.
Performance and Specifications
The Pad Air 5 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra processor, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. This combination ensures smooth multitasking, efficient app switching, and solid gaming performance without excessive heat or battery drain. The processor handles everyday tasks, productivity apps, and light gaming without breaking a sweat.
The tablet offers multiple memory configurations to suit different budgets and needs: 8GB RAM with 128GB storage, 8GB RAM with 256GB storage, and 12GB RAM with 256GB storage. All variants use UFS 3.1 for fast file transfers and app loading.
Battery and Charging
Battery performance is a strong suit for the Pad Air 5. It houses a massive 10,050mAh battery that Oppo claims delivers impressive endurance across various usage scenarios. The battery supports 33W SuperVOOC fast charging, enabling users to top up their devices quickly.
Camera and Audio
The Pad Air 5 features modest but functional camera hardware. Both the rear and front cameras feature 8-megapixel sensors and can capture 1080p video. While not impressive by flagship standards, these cameras are adequate for video calls, document scanning, and casual content creation.
For audio, the tablet features a quad-speaker setup with Dolby Vision support, delivering immersive sound whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or listening to music.
Software and Features
The Pad Air 5 ships with ColorOS 16.0 out of the box, Oppo’s custom Android interface. The software includes several practical features specifically designed for tablet users, such as exclusive learning spaces, 5G network sharing, application relay, notes material flow in one shot, and lightning-fast file transfer with iPhone.
The tablet supports face unlock for biometric authentication and includes TÜV Rheinland Smart Eye Protection certification, underscoring Oppo’s commitment to user well-being during extended screen time.
Connectivity and Accessories
The Pad Air 5 comes in two variants: Wi-Fi-only and 5G-enabled versions. Both feature Wi-Fi 6 connectivity for blazing-fast wireless speeds, USB Type-C for charging and data transfer, and Bluetooth for wireless accessories.
Oppo has positioned the Pad Air 5 as a device compatible with accessories. Notably, it supports optional keyboard and stylus attachments, expanding its utility for productivity tasks like note-taking, drawing, and document editing. Pre-order customers receive complimentary accessories, including a protective case, star stickers, and an official stylus.
Color Options and Availability
The Pad Air 5 is available in three color options: Starlight Powder, Starlight Pink, and Space Grey. Some configurations also include a special Soft Light variant with the enhanced display technology.
Pre-orders have already begun in China, with official sales set to commence on December 31, 2025. Early pre-order customers receive promotional items, including a protective case worth CNY 99 ($14) and a smart stylus worth CNY 299 ($42).
Pricing
The Pad Air 5 features competitive pricing across its configurations:
8GB + 128GB: 1,899 Yuan (~$270)
8GB + 256GB: 2,199 Yuan (~$312)
8GB + 256GB Soft Light: 2,399 Yuan (~$340)
12GB + 256GB: 2,499 Yuan (~$355)
12GB + 256GB Soft Light: 2,699 Yuan (~$383)
Verdict
The Oppo Pad Air 5 represents a solid mid-range tablet offering that doesn’t push boundaries but delivers reliable performance and a pleasant user experience. Its larger, brighter 2.8K display with 120Hz refresh rate, combined with capable processing power and stylus support, makes it an attractive option for content consumption and light productivity work. The substantial battery capacity ensures all-day usage without constant charging.
While it may not compete with Apple or Samsung’s flagship tablets in raw performance or camera capabilities, the Pad Air 5 strikes a good balance between features and price. For users in China or those seeking a capable tablet for streaming, browsing, reading, and light work tasks, the Pad Air 5 is worth considering—especially at its accessible price point.
