Asus’s latest tablet in India emphasises a premium 12.2-inch tandem OLED panel, offering impressive visuals at a mid-range price, though software limitations hinder its appeal as a versatile device.
Asus’s return to India’s tablet market is built around a simple proposition: put a rare tandem OLED panel into a mid-priced Android slate and let the screen do the heavy lifting. The Asus Pad, launched in India at Rs.35,990, carries a 12.2-inch 2.8K display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 9,000mAh battery, while the company positions it as a more premium alternative in a segment still crowded with LCD-based devices. Leaks and launch reporting from this year had already pointed to a device aimed at the same territory as Samsung’s Galaxy Tab range, with the display as its defining feature.
In use, the tablet’s physical design is more practical than luxurious. Asus has favoured a lighter, more affordable construction rather than the metal-heavy finish described on its product page, and the large 12.2-inch chassis inevitably makes the device feel broader and less convenient to hold for long reading sessions. That matters because this is not a small portable tablet but a media-first slab, and the bundled transparent folio cover does little to improve confidence, feeling more like a stopgap than a proper protective accessory. The hardware layout is sensible enough, with the usual controls, microphones and USB-C connectivity grouped in familiar positions, but the overall experience is functional rather than refined.
The screen remains the strongest argument for buying it. Asus’s 12.2-inch tandem OLED panel delivers a sharp 2.8K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate and claimed peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits, and that specification sheet translates into a display that looks genuinely better than the typical tablet in this price band. Colours are rich, blacks are deep and outdoor legibility is better than expected, although the reflective finish can still be a nuisance. The 3:2 aspect ratio is also well judged for reading and split-screen work, even if it leaves wider black bars when the tablet is used for films and television. The audio system is similarly well judged, with quad speakers and Dolby Atmos support giving the device a fuller and louder sound than many rivals in the same class.
Performance is solid within its intended remit. The Dimensity 8300, paired with 8GB of RAM, is more than adequate for streaming, browsing, reading and light multitasking, but it is still a mid-range processor and starts to show its limits once heavier workloads enter the picture. That is important context for buyers who may be tempted by the display into expecting laptop-like productivity. Asus appears to have aimed this tablet squarely at everyday media use rather than demanding creative work, and the rest of the package reflects that choice. The 9,000mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day under typical use, while the bundled 45W charger can refill it quickly enough to stand out even in a crowded segment.
Software is where the Asus Pad feels least complete. It runs a near-stock version of Android with little bloat, which keeps the interface clean, and Asus’s GlideX app is useful for owners already using the company’s laptops or PCs. But the tablet also lacks several features that matter for serious productivity, including proper floating-window support and a more capable multitasking layout. The absence of manual refresh-rate control is another odd omission on a device built around a 144Hz screen, and the company’s limited update commitment is unlikely to reassure buyers looking for long-term value. That leaves the Asus Pad in an awkward middle ground: impressive as a display-led entertainment device, but not fully convincing as a do-everything tablet.
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