ZTE Nubia Pad 3D II specifications and in-depth review

ZTE Nubia Pad 3D II

Manufacturer: ZTE

The ZTE Nubia Pad 3D II is a tablet running Android 14, built around a 12.1″ IPS LCD touchscreen with a 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution at 249 ppi and a 144Hz refresh rate. One of its more distinctive features is its ability to capture 3D photos and videos, supported by a dual 13MP rear camera system with a dedicated 16MP 3D imaging sensor. The tablet weighs 780 g and carries no water resistance rating, with no stylus or detachable keyboard included in the box.

Performance is handled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on a 4 nm process, paired with 8GB of DDR5 RAM running at 4200 MHz and 512GB of internal storage, with expandable memory support up to 1024GB via an external slot. The 10000 mAh battery supports fast charging, though wireless charging is not available. Connectivity is limited to Wi-Fi 5 and USB 3.1 Type-C, with no cellular module, no 5G, no NFC, and no GPS. The tablet supports split screen, Picture-in-Picture, offline voice recognition, on-device machine learning, multi-user accounts, and a range of privacy controls including app tracking blocking, location privacy options, and camera and microphone access management.

Pros
  • The 144Hz refresh rate on a 12.1″ IPS display makes scrolling and on-screen motion noticeably smoother for a tablet
  • 3D photo and video recording with a dedicated 16MP 3D sensor is a distinctive capability not commonly found in tablets
  • The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with DDR5 RAM and a Geekbench 6 single-core score of 2027 points to strong processing capability for demanding tasks
  • A 10000 mAh battery provides a substantial power reserve for extended use sessions
  • 512GB of internal storage combined with expandable memory support up to 1024GB gives users significant flexibility for local content
  • The USB 3.1 Type-C port supports high-speed data transfer, which is useful for moving large files to and from external storage
Cons
  • There is no cellular module or 5G support, meaning the tablet is limited to Wi-Fi connectivity with no mobile data option
  • GPS, gyroscope, compass, and accelerometer are all absent, significantly limiting the tablet's usefulness for navigation and motion-sensitive applications
  • No fingerprint scanner or biometric authentication is available, which reduces security and unlock convenience
  • Wireless charging is not supported, and the battery cannot be removed
  • Wi-Fi tops out at Wi-Fi 5 with no Wi-Fi 6 support, which limits wireless throughput on compatible networks
  • The absence of a 3.5mm headset jack removes the option for wired headphone use without an adapter
Who is this for?

The ZTE Nubia Pad 3D II is well-suited to users who want a large-screen tablet for media consumption and creative use, with its 12.1″ 144Hz IPS display providing smooth visuals for video playback, gaming, and general browsing. The 3D photo and video recording capability makes it a practical fit for users with a specific interest in 3D imaging, which is rarely available on tablets. Those who need substantial local storage capacity will benefit from the 512GB internal storage paired with expandable memory up to 1024GB, and the 10000 mAh battery suits users who need extended usage between charges. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset also makes the device capable of handling demanding applications and multitasking without issue.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need mobile connectivity on the go will find this tablet unsuitable, as it lacks a cellular module, 5G support, and GPS, making it entirely dependent on Wi-Fi for internet access and unusable for navigation. Those who rely on physical sensors for fitness, gaming, or motion-based apps will be limited by the absence of a gyroscope, accelerometer, and compass. The lack of a fingerprint scanner or any biometric authentication is a drawback for users who prioritize secure and convenient unlocking. The tablet is also not a good fit for users who want wired headphone connectivity, as there is no 3.5mm audio jack, and those who prefer wireless charging will find that option unavailable.

Design:

weight 780 g
Stylus included
Has a detachable keyboard
Has a backlit keyboard
water resistance None
Has tilt sensitivity

The tablet weighs 780 g and carries no water resistance rating. It does not come with a stylus, a detachable keyboard, or a backlit keyboard, and pen tilt sensitivity is not supported.

Display:

screen size 12.1"
resolution 2560 x 1600 px
pixel density 249 ppi
Display type LCD, IPS
refresh rate 144Hz
has branded damage-resistant glass
has anti-reflection coating
supports HDR10
has a touch screen
Has sapphire glass display
supports HDR10+
Has an e-paper display

The display is a 12.1″ IPS LCD touchscreen with a 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution at 249 ppi and a 144Hz refresh rate. An anti-reflection coating is present, but the panel does not use branded damage-resistant glass or sapphire glass. HDR10 and HDR10+ are not supported, and the display is not an e-paper type.

Performance:

internal storage 512GB
RAM 8GB
Chipset (SoC) name Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
GPU name Adreno 740
CPU speed 1 x 3.2 & 4 x 2.8 & 3 x 2 GHz
Geekbench 6 result (single) 2027
has an external memory slot
semiconductor size 4 nm
Supports 64-bit
maximum amount of external memory supported 1024GB
Has integrated LTE
Uses big.LITTLE technology
OpenGL version 3.3
DirectX version DirectX 12
Has integrated graphics
GPU clock speed 970 MHz
L2 cache 1 MB
CPU threads 8 threads
RAM speed 4200 MHz
Has TrustZone
maximum memory amount 16GB
supported displays 1
OpenVG version 1.2
turbo clock speed 3.36GHz
Android version Android 14
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 6.3W
GPU execution units 3
L3 cache 8 MB
maximum memory bandwidth 64 GB/s
OpenGL ES version 3.2
shading units 768
eMMC version 5.1
OpenCL version 2

The tablet is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, built on a 4 nm process with an octa-core CPU configuration reaching a turbo clock speed of 3.36GHz across 8 threads using big.LITTLE technology, alongside a TDP of 6.3W. It comes with 8GB of DDR5 RAM at 4200 MHz and 512GB of internal storage, with external memory expandable up to 1024GB and a maximum supported memory amount of 16GB. Graphics are handled by the integrated Adreno 740 GPU clocked at 970 MHz with 768 shading units, supporting DirectX 12, OpenGL 3.3, OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2, and OpenVG 1.2. The chipset includes integrated LTE, ARM TrustZone security, 64-bit support, multithreading, an L2 cache of 1MB and an L3 cache of 8MB, a maximum memory bandwidth of 64 GB/s, and a Geekbench 6 single-core score of 2027. The device runs Android 14.

Cameras:

megapixels (main camera) 13 & 13 MP
video recording (main camera) 1080 x 30 fps
has a flash
has a front camera
has a built-in HDR mode
can create panoramas in-camera
supports slow-motion video recording
has touch autofocus
has manual white balance
has continuous autofocus when recording movies
Has a front-facing LED flash
number of flash LEDs 1
has manual ISO
megapixels for 3D photos 16MP
has a video light
Shoots 360° panorama
has a serial shot mode
has built-in optical image stabilization
has 3D photo/video recording capabilities
Has a dual-tone LED flash
has manual focus
Has a RGB LED flash
has manual exposure

The rear camera system uses a dual 13MP setup capable of recording video at up to 1080p at 30fps, with a front camera also present for selfies and video calls. A standout feature is 3D photo and video recording, supported by a dedicated 16MP 3D imaging sensor. Manual controls cover ISO, focus, exposure, and white balance, and autofocus options include touch autofocus and continuous autofocus during video. Shooting modes include HDR, panorama, burst, and slow-motion, while 360-degree panorama and optical image stabilization are not supported. Flash options include a single LED and an RGB LED flash, though a dual-tone flash is not available and the front camera has no flash.

Audio:

has stereo speakers
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
Has a radio

The tablet includes stereo speakers but does not have a 3.5mm headset jack or an FM radio.

Battery:

battery power 10000 mAh
Supports fast charging
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery
has a removable battery

The tablet is equipped with a non-removable 10000 mAh rechargeable battery with a battery level indicator. Wired fast charging is supported, while wireless charging is not available.

Connectivity & Features:

Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
has Mail Privacy Protection
has on-device machine learning
has clipboard warnings
has location privacy options
has camera/microphone privacy options
can block app tracking
blocks cross-site tracking
supports split screen
has Live Text
has notification permissions
has full-page screenshots
has Quick Start
has theme customization
has Wi-Fi password sharing
has PiP
Can play games while they download
has an extra dim mode
can offload apps
has focus modes
has media picker
has dynamic theming
has dark mode
has battery health check
Has USB Type-C
has a cellular module
has 5G support
is a multi-user system
gets direct OS updates
has GPS
has a child lock
has an HDMI output
has NFC
Has a fingerprint scanner
USB version 3.1
Supports widgets
download speed 10000 MBits/s
has a gyroscope
Is free and open source
Has offline voice recognition
has a compass
upload speed 3000 MBits/s
supports Wi-Fi
Has sharing intents
Has customizable notifications
Uses 3D facial recognition
has an accelerometer
has voice commands
Has an iris scanner
Has a built-in projector
supports Ethernet
Has an infrared sensor
Tracks the current position of a mobile device

The tablet connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi 5 and uses a USB 3.1 Type-C port with a listed download speed of 10000 Mbits/s and upload speed of 3000 Mbits/s. It does not include a cellular module, 5G support, GPS, NFC, Ethernet, HDMI output, or a fingerprint scanner, and biometric options such as 3D facial recognition and an iris scanner are also absent. Sensors including a gyroscope, compass, and accelerometer are not present. On the software side, the tablet supports split screen, Picture-in-Picture, dark mode, dynamic theming, theme customization, extra dim mode, battery health check, media picker, widgets, full-page screenshots, Live Text, sharing intents, customizable notifications, offline voice recognition, voice commands, on-device machine learning, multi-user accounts, child lock, and phone tracking. Privacy controls cover clipboard warnings, location privacy, camera and microphone access management, and app tracking blocking, though cross-site tracking blocking, Mail Privacy Protection, and Wi-Fi password sharing are not supported. Features such as focus modes, app offloading, Quick Start, and direct OS vendor updates are not available.

Miscellaneous:

DDR memory version 5
uses multithreading

The device uses DDR5 memory and supports multithreading for concurrent processing tasks.

Final Verdict

The ZTE Nubia Pad 3D II occupies a specific niche within the tablet category, distinguished primarily by its 3D photo and video recording capabilities alongside a 144Hz IPS display and the processing muscle of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The combination of generous internal storage, expandable memory support up to 1024GB, and a 10000 mAh battery gives it solid practical credentials for media-heavy and content-focused use cases. However, the absence of cellular connectivity, GPS, and key motion sensors places meaningful limits on its versatility, making it a device best suited to users who will primarily use it in Wi-Fi environments. For those whose needs align with its strengths — particularly around large-screen media consumption and 3D imaging — the Nubia Pad 3D II offers a coherent and capable package, but users requiring full mobility and sensor coverage should weigh those gaps carefully.

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