HP OmniPad 12 Review: The Android Tablet That Wants to Replace Your Laptop

The ever-increasing RAM prices (please blame AI) have forced laptop makers to abandon budget laptops altogether. A machine that used to cost less than 50K is now a premium device the masses can’t afford. Given the situation, tablets have become much more important. Imagine this: you’re a student prepping for one of the many competitive exams and need a capable device to take notes and watch lessons. A tablet fits that use case perfectly, and it also makes sense for office-goers who need a lightweight machine for video calls and reviewing projects. HP has already jumped on this bandwagon with the new OmniPad 12.

The OmniPad 12 gets you an aluminum-built machine with a 12-inch 90Hz display, 18 hours of battery life, and the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor. Don’t forget: the keyboard and trackpad case are included in the box. So, is it worth spending ₹49,990? Or would you be better off getting an old Windows laptop instead? To find out, I’ve been using the OmniPad 12 as my primary office machine for the last two weeks. Here’s how it held up.

HP OmniPad 12 Design: Built Beautiful

HP’s build quality has always been up to the mark, and I can say the same thing about the OmniPad 12. Instead of taking the plastic route, like many Android tablet makers, the OmniPad 12 is made entirely from aluminum. This provides structural rigidity, so it won’t bend in your backpack like some iPads. I didn’t notice any bends or creaks when putting pressure on it, so rest assured. I also love how the OmniPad 12 looks.

The blue color looks fantastic—far more premium than some of the other Android tablets I’ve tested. There’s also a big and shiny HP logo in the middle. Even the flat sides make the tablet comfortable to hold. I’d recommend keeping a microfiber cloth handy, because the blue color does pick up smudges from oily hands like mine.

The power-on button is located on the top left (in landscape mode), and the volume rockers are on the left side. HP has included the audio jack, which is a nice touch. I think this tablet is meant for landscape use, given its wide aspect ratio, which is fine. As for handling, the OmniPad 12 weighs 600 g. I wouldn’t call it the lightest because it’s not. But carrying it wasn’t a problem.

Keyboard & Trackpad

Below the HP logo, you’ll find three magnetic pins, and that’s where the magic happens. Your purchase includes a keyboard folio case, and it’s excellent. It’s made from a leather-like material that feels so much more sophisticated. The OmniPad fits inside like a case, so it’s not just a magnet holding on to your dear machine.

The keyboard connects via Bluetooth and pairs automatically with your tablet. While most tablet keyboards I’ve tested have been meh, the HP alternative isn’t bad. Of course, it’s smaller than the one on my MacBook, but I got to my usual typing speed after a couple of days because it’s full-size. The keys aren’t mushy; they have some feedback, and the travel is decent.

The trackpad is also small, but I don’t have anything to complain about. It has a physical clicking mechanism and tracks pretty accurately. The only minor inconvenience is the weight. The tablet and keyboard case combined weigh 1.2 kg, which places it firmly in the laptop territory.

HP OmniPad 12 Display & Cameras

There are two ways to look at the OmniPad’s display. If we talk strictly about tablet screens, then OmniPad’s 12-inch 2K LCD touchscreen panel with a 90Hz refresh rate could feel a little underwhelming. But compared to laptops under 50K, it suddenly feels a lot better. And I think the same. The 12-inch screen is big for writing assignments or using two apps at once. I mainly used it to research new topics at work. I also flew with the OmniPad on a work trip to Delhi, and it fit perfectly on the cramped Indigo tray table.

Thanks to the 100% sRGB coverage, even watching content was great. I watched the first episode of Widow’s Bay (great watch btw), and the experience was fantastic. Colors looked vibrant without feeling oversaturated, and the details were plenty sharp. While HP hasn’t stated the exact brightness, I used the OmniPad in a bright café, and visibility was never a problem. There were some reflections, but nothing major to affect my work. Moving to the speakers, of which there are four, they are great. The DTS:X Ultra setup delivers loud and clear audio no matter the content. Even the soundstage was pretty wide, and instrument separation was plenty.

The OmniPad 12 also features a couple of cameras. It has a 13MP shooter on the back and an 8MP selfie camera on the front. Look, I know nobody carries their tablets outside to shoot anymore, but the sensors on the OmniPad 12 are still quite good for scanning documents or taking a video call. The selfie snapper has a wide field of view and captured more detail against my aging MacBook Air M1.

HP OmniPad 12 Performance: Slightly Underpowered

I’ll get straight to the point: using the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in 2026 is like forcing Max Verstappen to drive a Williams car. He will be limited by the machinery. For the record, I’m not blaming HP. It’s AI that’s to blame for all the crazy prices. Coming back to the OmniPad 12, its performance is decent. With the 8GB DDR5 RAM, if your work mainly involves using Chrome, watching lessons on YouTube, or reviewing assignments, you won’t have many problems. The tablet can do all that. That said, multitasking was a different story. When I flicked through different apps, I saw a little stuttering, and the tablet occasionally took an extra second to open apps. It’s not anything major, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Where things turn in the OmniPad 12’s favor is the desktop mode. Connect the keyboard case, and it prompts you to switch to the PC-like mode. And I love it. The notifications and other quick settings move to the bottom right, while your favorite apps sit in a dock like macOS. Apps open in windows, not full screen. The best part? All trackpad gestures work exactly like Windows/macOS, which was a huge relief. The OmniPad 12 runs Android 16 out of the box.

Since this is a review, I also ran benchmarks. In Geekbench, the tablet scored 882 in the single-core test and 2,591 in the multi-core test. For context, those are similar to the newer, yet still old, 6s Gen 4 on the Redmi Note 17 Pro. Continuing the testing, I also played CODM on the OmniPad 12. The game defaulted to high graphics settings, and the experience was actually really good. I got a solid 60 FPS, and the frame rate stayed consistent even during intense battles.

HP OmniPad 12 Battery Life: Endurance for Days

Another advantage of the OmniPad 12 over Windows laptops in its class is the battery. Thanks to a 32 Wh cell, HP claims 18 hours on a single charge. Usually, manufacturers’ battery claims are nowhere near real-world usage, but that’s not the case. I genuinely got roughly 15 hours of screen-on time on a single charge. Truth be told: my workday included researching on Chrome, watching videos, editing some spreadsheets, and listening to songs on YouTube Music. But I also think the workload will be the same for most OmniPad buyers.

When it runs out of charge after a few days, HP also bundles a 33W charger inside the box. It’s not particularly fast, only taking the tablet from zero to 35% in 30 minutes, but given that you won’t be charging frequently, it wasn’t an issue. A full charge takes about 2 hours, so keep that in mind.

Verdict

Starting at ₹49,990, the OmniPad 12, despite its shortcomings, knows who it’s for. If you’re a student taking notes, watching lectures, or an office-goer who spends most of the day inside Chrome and video calls, it’s a compelling package. The aluminum build is super premium, the included keyboard folio saves you a few thousand rupees, and the desktop mode is surprisingly polished. The only compromise is performance, where heavy multitasking and demanding apps expose the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3’s limits. Still, I do like the 15-hour battery life.