ASUS Pad returns with a Tandem OLED screen and a free origami stand
ASUS is back in the tablet business after a nine-year gap, and the ASUS Pad (2026) is its opening move. The device goes on sale in India on August 6, marking the brand's first tablet launch since the ZenPad era. Analysts estimate global pricing at $400–600 — far below the iPad Pro's $1,600+ entry point — though ASUS has not yet confirmed US or UK availability.
The screen
The headline spec is a 12.2-inch Tandem OLED display running at 2.8K resolution and 144Hz, with peak brightness up to 2,000 nits. Tandem OLED stacks two emissive layers to boost brightness and longevity — the same technology Apple uses in the iPad Pro. Getting it at this price point is a genuine differentiator.
ASUS Pad (2026) — front and back view
The body is 6.5mm thin, built from an aluminium-magnesium alloy frame with a fibreglass back panel. Total weight comes in at 523g. There's a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front camera for video calls.
The specs
Under the hood, the ASUS Pad runs a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chip — an entry-level flagship processor, not a top-tier performer like Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite. It pairs with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, expandable via microSD up to 1TB. A 9,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging handles endurance, and four Dolby Atmos speakers handle audio. Connectivity covers Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C 3.2 Gen 1. The tablet ships with Android 16 out of the box.
The value case
The origami case is included in the box — not sold separately. Apple charges $129–349 for iPad covers; Samsung's pricing varies. That bundling decision signals where ASUS is positioning this: squarely against mid-range Android competitors like the Galaxy Tab S9 FE ($349–449) while also taking a shot at the iPad Air ($600–749) on price. A Bluetooth keyboard and ASUS Pen 2.0 stylus are sold separately.
The origami case bundled with the ASUS Pad (2026)
At $400–600, the ASUS Pad sits in a crowded bracket. Lenovo and Samsung both have strong mid-range options there, and the Dimensity 8300 won't impress anyone running demanding workloads. But for media consumption — video streaming, casual gaming, and video calls — the Tandem OLED screen alone makes a compelling argument.
India sales start August 6 via Flipkart and the ASUS eShop, per Republic World. A wider global rollout is expected in Q3–Q4 2026, though ASUS has not announced dates or pricing for the US or UK. If the India launch goes smoothly, an international announcement likely follows within weeks.