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OnePlus & Oppo Planning Small Flagship Tablets: Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, 8.8" Screens (Rumor)
OnePlus & Oppo Planning Small Flagship Tablets: Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, 8.8" Screens (Rumor)
Imagine a tablet that slips effortlessly into a small bag yet roars with the raw power of a flagship smartphone. That’s the tantalizing vision emerging from the BBK Electronics ecosystem. According to prolific Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, OnePlus and Oppo are jointly developing premium 8.8-inch tablets, both rumored to be powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset. Targeting a launch window alongside the OnePlus 15T in H1 2025, these "pocket rockets" aim to redefine portability without sacrificing performance. While details remain unconfirmed, the strategic move leverages the sister brands’ shared R&D to fill a glaring gap in the Android tablet market: truly compact, no-compromise devices. If true, this could be the productivity and entertainment game-changer users crave.
The Future of Compact Tablets: Bridging Performance and Portability
The current tablet landscape leaves a gap in the ultra-portable, high-performance category. With many compact tablets underperforming in terms of power or usability, the introduction of OnePlus and Oppo’s 8.8-inch tablets could be the solution. Let’s break down what sets these devices apart:
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2: Why It’s a Game-Changer
Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship SoC isn’t just another incremental update. Leaks point to a 3nm manufacturing process, significantly boosting efficiency for longer battery life in a compact form. The integration of custom Oryon CPU cores (inherited from the Snapdragon X Elite) promises desktop-class single-thread performance – crucial for heavy multitasking on a smaller screen. Expect also a massive generational leap in AI processing, enabling real-time translation, advanced image editing, and predictive text that could revolutionize tablet workflows. For OnePlus and Oppo, leveraging this chip immediately positions their tablets as performance leaders in the small-form-factor segment.
The 8.8-Inch Sweet Spot: Design & Usability
An 8.8-inch display isn’t arbitrary. It represents a deliberate strategy to bridge the gap between oversized smartphones and bulky tablets. Here’s why it matters:
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True Portability: Fits in coat pockets and small bags where 11-inch tablets cannot.
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One-Handed Viability: Enables comfortable reading or note-taking while holding the device.
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Enhanced Productivity: More screen real estate than foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold5 (7.6" when unfolded), without the crease.
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Media Consumption Nirvana: Larger than an iPad mini (8.3"), offering a more immersive video experience.
Design challenges remain critical: Can Oppo and OnePlus deliver:
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Slim bezels without palm-rejection headaches?
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Premium materials (metal? glass?) while keeping weight under 350g?
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Optimized software for split-screen multitasking on the compact canvas?
OnePlus 15T & Tablet Ecosystem Synergy
Digital Chat Station links the tablet launch to the OnePlus 15T (expected 6.3" display). This hints at a powerful ecosystem play:
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Seamless Connectivity: Expect Phone Link 2.0 integration for instant hotspotting, call/text relay, and app continuity.
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Shared Accessories: Potential cross-compatibility with OnePlus/Oppo styluses, keyboards, or cases.
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Bundled Promotions: Aggressive launch bundles pairing the 15T with its "compact companion" tablet.
Brand Differentiation: Oppo vs. OnePlus
OnePlus and Oppo sharing core hardware isn’t new . However, launching simultaneous premium small tablets tests their differentiation:
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Oppo’s Likely Edge: Focus on camera prowess, stylus integration (building on Oppo Pen success), and ColorOS features like Flexion for multitasking.
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OnePlus’s Play: "Raw" performance tuning, gamer-centric features (HyperBoost), and OxygenOS’s cleaner, faster interface.
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Shared Foundation: Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, 8.8" high-refresh-rate LCD/OLED panel, battery capacity (~6000mAh), fast charging (67W+).
Market Impact: Who Should Be Worried?
This move directly challenges:
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Apple iPad mini (7th gen): Long overdue for an upgrade, potentially outgunned by Elite 2 performance.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5: Rugged but underpowered; can’t match flagship specs.
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Premium Foldables (Fold7/Flip7): Offers similar portability with a larger, crease-free screen and lower price.
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Legacy "Mini" Tablets: Devices like the Lenovo Tab M9 look decidedly budget next to this proposition.
Projected Android Mini-Tablet Landscape (H1 2025)
Feature |
OnePlus Tablet |
Oppo Tablet |
iPad mini 7 |
Galaxy Tab A9+ |
Chipset |
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 |
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 |
A16 Bionic |
Snapdragon 695 |
Display |
8.8" 144Hz? |
8.8" 120Hz? |
8.3" 60Hz |
8.7" 60Hz |
OS |
OxygenOS (Android) |
ColorOS (Android) |
iPadOS |
One UI Core |
Key Strength |
Performance |
Creativity |
App Ecosystem |
Price |
Est. Price |
$549-$649 |
$529-$599 |
$499+ |
$229 |
Conclusion: The Compact Flagship Tablet Wars Begin
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The rumored OnePlus and Oppo 8.8-inch Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 tablets represent more than just new products; they signal a strategic shift.
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By injecting true flagship power into a genuinely portable form factor, BBK Electronics is poised to create a new category standard. While we await official confirmation (likely closer to Qualcomm’s September launch), the potential is electrifying.
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For professionals seeking a powerhouse that fits anywhere, creatives wanting a digital sketchbook, or media lovers craving immersive portability, H1 2025 can’t come soon enough.
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The era of compromise-free compact tablets is dawning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When will the OnePlus and Oppo small tablets launch?
A: Based on rumors, expect launch in the first half of 2025 (H1 2025), likely alongside the OnePlus 15T smartphone.
Q2: What screen size are these tablets expected to have?
A: Both tablets are rumored to feature 8.8-inch displays, striking a balance between portability and usability.
Q3: What makes the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 special for tablets?
A: It’s Qualcomm’s next-gen flagship chip, expected to use a 3nm process and custom Oryon CPU cores for massive performance and efficiency gains, plus advanced AI capabilities – perfect for demanding tablet use.
Q4: Will the OnePlus and Oppo tablets be the same?
A: Core hardware (chipset, screen size) may be shared, but software (OxygenOS vs. ColorOS), accessory support, and potential camera/stylus tuning could differ, aligning with each brand’s identity.