The 12.2-inch, 2.8K OLED display (2800 x 1840 pixels) with a 144Hz refresh rate offers excellent visibility even under harsh sunlight

2026 is the new 2016. Remember the phrase with the hashtag #BringBack 2016 that broke the internet at the beginning of this year and sparked a wave of posts across social media? Asus seems to have caught up with this trend slightly later in the year with the launch of its first Android tablet since 2016. The world has changed considerably since Asus launched a mainstream tablet range – the ZenPad series, about a decade ago when Dubsmash and Vine were at their peak.

The tablet segment has seen demand taper with India’s tablet market registering a steep 21.7 per cent fall in 2025 compared to 2024, according to IDC. The 2026 numbers don’t look any better, with Omdia reporting a 10 per cent decline in global tablet shipments for Q2 2026. Consumers are holding on to their tablets much longer and research from across the world has confirmed what we already knew: media and entertainment is the primary reason why we buy tablets. This is why Asus’s comeback tablet – the Asus Pad T3201 (we wish Asus used the hiatus to come up with a name that’s easier to recall) – might be on to something with its headline feature.

Display

We’ll say this straight off the bat: the Asus Pad T3201 is one of the best tablet displays out there. It’s a showcase for Tandem OLED screens. In simple terms this advanced display technology stacks multiple organic light-emitting layers each other instead of leaning on a single layer. This allows Tandem OLED displays to achieve higher brightness with improved power efficiency. The 12.2-inch, 2.8K OLED display (2800 x 1840 pixels) with a 144Hz refresh rate offers excellent visibility even under harsh sunlight. However, you’re more likely to watch your favourite show in a dimly lit environment though.

The punchy colours create the same immersive effect as a larger screen. I experienced this while watching The Bombing of Pan Am 103 on Netflix, where this display captured the mood of the show and the diverse landscapes from Scotland to New York City to Malta. This display hits an HDR peak brightness of 2000 nits, a figure not normally associate even with premium tablets. The dual-layer OLED display with Widevine L1 certification allows you to stream HDR content on apps like Netflix. My fellow passenger on the flight might have been drawn by the bright colours of the display and tuned in to watch an entire episode of the show (thanks to the subtitles). Flight etiquette prevented me from switching from headphone mode to speaker mode. The quad-speaker tuned for Dolby Atmos 360-degree sound complements this display. I could hear dialogues very clearly even on lower volume levels.

Design

This is a tablet that feels really good in your hand. Asus has crafted the Pad T3201 with a magnesium alloy and a fiberglass back panel. The metallic silver sides and white panel add to its chic design aesthetic. Asus keeps the heft to 523 g and the 12.2-inch screen size ensures that this tablet doesn’t feel unwieldy. The ergonomics ensure it’s comfortable to hold during gaming marathons or reading sessions where you’re flipping through graphic novels. Asus has bundled a carrying case in the retail box. The foldable, origami-style is a cool design touch but takes a little getting used to. You can use different folds to create multiple viewing angles.

Performance

At the heart of the Asus Pad is a MediaTek MT8792Z (D8300) processor that teams up with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The tablet comes in a choice of 128GB and 256GB internal storage versions. More and more brands are adding external storage support at a time when RAM costs are peaking. You can extend the storage on this tablet up to 1TB if you like to store movies or music on your tab. Performance is quite solid and the device is up to most gaming tasks. The Pad T3201 clocked above 4400 in our Geekbench (multi-core) benchmark test. While it’s certainly not in the top tier, it’s by no means a slouch.

The 13MP rear cam and 5MP front cam are good enough for the primary tasks you’re likely to use them. I tried scanning documents with it and also made a couple of video calls and it worked well. You’re certainly not likely to use your tablet as your primary camera. The device supports the Asus Pen 2.0 (around ₹5,000), but it’s not part of the standard retail package. Tablets like the Moto Pad 70 come bundled with a stylus pen.

Battery

Asus packs a robust 9000 mAh battery under the hood despite the slim form of the tablet. The battery life is quite impressive, but it might boil down to the screen brightness settings you choose and your usage patterns. It’s a one-day battery for most users unless you’re in binge watch mode on a long flight. The in-box 45W charger powers this device quickly – 50 per cent in about 30 minutes.

Verdict

If Asus designed its comeback tablet for content consumption, then we would put this down as a stellar return. The Pad T3201 doesn’t pitch for productivity on the go, there’s no compatible keyboard and no stylus pen in the box. However, it works well with third-party keyboards. The UI experience borders on plain vanilla with no enhancements for multi-tasking productivity. If you’re looking at a content consumption device primarily for videos, e-books and gaming, the Pad T3201’s Tandem OLED display aces it. It’s almost a pragmatic approach to a tablet, instead of trying to build a case for a work + play device. If you’re one of those who’re clear that it’s your laptop that’s going to get stuff done, then the Asus Pad T3201 makes the perfect second device that’s ready when you switch to play mode.

Price: ₹45,999 onwards

Pros: Display, lightweight form factor, sound, external storage support

Cons: No stylus in the box, no 5G or LTE variant, basic software

Published on August 26, 2026