ZDNET Adds $400 OnePlus Pad Go 2 to 2026 Large-Tablet List

Q: With a rumored OLED iPad Mini arriving by October, should buyers skip ZDNET’s current top pick to wait for the upgrade?

If you need a small tablet now, the current iPad Mini is still a safe buy; if you can comfortably wait six to eight weeks, waiting makes sense. ZDNET’s top pick remains strong on the facts available today. The 7th-gen iPad Mini has an 8.3-inch display, A17 Pro chip, USB-C, Apple Intelligence support, Pencil Pro compatibility and a highly portable design. ZDNET’s recommendation is based on hands-on testing of performance, battery life, display quality, thermals and real-world usability, not just specs. The case for waiting is that the rumored next model could be a meaningful upgrade, not a minor refresh. Reports point to OLED, a newer A19 Pro or possibly A20 Pro chip, slightly larger screen options around 8.4 to 8.7 inches, and improved water resistance. For buyers who read a lot, watch video, game, or care about contrast and black levels, OLED could be the most noticeable change. The catch is uncertainty. Apple has not announced the device, the October timing is still unofficial, and some rumored features remain unclear, especially refresh rate. An OLED panel does not guarantee 120Hz, and current reporting suggests it may still be 60Hz. Price is also a factor: the current Mini now starts at $599, and the OLED model could cost more. So the practical answer is simple: buy now if your tablet is broken, needed for school, work or travel, or if you find a good discount. Wait if display quality matters most and you are willing to pay more for a likely major upgrade.

2 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Aug 21

OnePlus Pad Go 2 joined ZDNET’s August 2026 large-tablet picks as the new budget option, replacing Amazon’s Fire Max 11 and starting at $400.
ZDNET said the 12.1-inch Android tablet stood out for multitasking, streaming, battery life and a responsive stylus, though it is not aimed at heavier work such as video editing.
Apple’s 13-inch iPad Pro remained the top overall large tablet, with ZDNET citing its M5 chip, bright display and laptop-replacement potential despite a $1,299 starting price.
The refreshed list spans 6 main picks from Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, KTC and OnePlus, covering screens from 12.1 inches to 25 inches and prices from $400 to $1,499.