Redmagic is clearly intent on constructing out its portfolio this yr; the 10S Professional proved to be a terrific gaming cellphone, and the model is now venturing into Android tablets. The Astra is a mid-range pill with a classy design that is consistent with the model’s telephones, and it runs the most recent Qualcomm silicon alongside an 8,200mAh battery.
However what I like probably the most is that the Astra comes with an OLED panel. Most Android tablets proceed to make use of an LCD panel, and also you simply do not get the wealthy distinction ranges and vibrancy that an OLED delivers, so the truth that Redmagic went with OLED is sufficient to distinguish the Astra from its rivals.
Then there’s the worth; the Astra begins at simply $499 on Redmagic’s web site, and that is ridiculous when you think about the {hardware} it is packing. The identical pill is listed on Amazon for $699, so it is clear that Redmagic is incentivizing the launch with a good low cost on its web site. The bottom mannequin comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and there is additionally a 16GB/512GB version that prices $649, and a 24GB/1TB mannequin that retails at $849.
A design that is meant to face out
There is no mistaking the truth that the Astra is a gaming pill; it has a daring design that is just like Redmagic’s gaming telephones, and it appears fairly distinctive. There’s RGB lighting on the again (clearly) across the Redmagic brand and the built-in fan subsequent to the digital camera housing, and it’s customizable.
Picture 1 of 3
The again of the pill is made out of aluminum, however there is a glass insert that breaks up the design fairly properly, whereas giving it a little bit of aptitude. The Astra has glorious in-hand really feel; the sizing is good, and it is not uncomfortable within the least. It is not too heavy at 370g both, and I did not have any points utilizing the pill for hours on finish.
What’s significantly nice is that the pill has a flat again with no digital camera protrusion in anyway — similar to the 10S Professional — and that alone makes it a lot better to make use of. There is no wobble when utilizing the Astra on a desk, and the 6.9mm width alongside the perimeters together with rounded edges make it simple to carry and use.
The construct high quality is superb; the mid-frame is made out of aluminum as properly, and I did not see any issues in anyway within the month I used the pill. It will get IP54 ingress safety as properly, and there are an identical stereo channels, delivering nice onboard sound.
The bezels are thinner than most Android tablets I utilized in current months, they usually’re symmetrical on all sides, which is an achievement in and of itself. I like that Redmagic went with a 9.06-inch OLED panel as an alternative of the standard 11 or 12-inch tablets which can be normal; the smaller measurement makes the Astra that rather more transportable, however you continue to get satisfactory display screen actual property.
It is a gaming powerhouse
The panel itself is implausible; it has a decision of 2400 x 1504, and it goes as much as 165Hz refresh in choose video games. The OLED panel has excellent shade vibrancy and distinction, and it is a particular level of differentiation. You additionally get LTPO tech and 5,280Hz PWM dimming, and it will get shiny sufficient that I did not discover any points even underneath daylight. It is not a tandem OLED panel like my iPad Professional M4, however it’s higher than some other Android pill I used.
Gaming on the Astra is an actual delight, and the pill handles demanding titles with out breaking a sweat. It makes use of an lively cooling resolution (a small fan that is situated on the again) alongside an revolutionary thermal administration system, and the result’s that it does not throttle even underneath load. It tends to overheat at instances, however it is not anyplace as uncomfortable as a gaming cellphone because of the bigger floor space, and this was solely a difficulty whereas operating 3DMark’s stress exams.
Mainly, that is probably the most reasonably priced approach to get your arms on the Snapdragon 8 Elite within the U.S., and the gaming pill lives as much as its potential. I acquired the 16GB/512GB mannequin, and I consider that is the candy spot; all fashions include LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage.
Identical to Redmagic’s gaming telephones, the Astra delivers excessive refresh fee gaming in choose titles, and that makes it extremely pleasant. The onboard sound will get loud and detailed, and there is a Magic Key on the aspect that is customizable. The pill will get a fingerprint reader together with face unlock, and it is quick to authenticate. The vibration motor is fairly good too, and it has first rate suggestions.
Due to an 8,200mAh battery, the Astra simply lasts a couple of days with common use, and it delivers practically eight hours of gaming. It takes simply over 80 minutes to cost the system because of 80W charging, however there is not a charger included within the package deal.
Software program that you simply really need to use
The pill runs Redmagic OS 10.5 based mostly on Android 15 out of the field, and the software program has good fluidity and never a lot in the way in which of overt styling. There’s sufficient customizability must you want it, and I like that Redmagic cleaned up its interface within the final 18 months. There is no pointless AI bloat both, with Redmagic as an alternative teaming up with Google to ship Gemini and real-time translation and modifying utilities.
The one problem is that the Astra will get simply two software program updates, and that limits its long-term usability. The {hardware} ought to simply final a half-decade at the very least with none noticeable slowdowns, and Redmagic actually must do higher. Apart from that, the one different omission is 5G connectivity — the Astra does not get any mobile modem.
General, the Astra is the finest Android gaming pill obtainable right this moment. The OLED panel mixed with the most recent Qualcomm silicon makes it a real gaming powerhouse, and the transportable measurement together with enormous battery means you possibly can recreation nearly anyplace.
Redmagic Astra Gaming Pill
Due to a shocking OLED panel and high-end {hardware}, the Astra is a beast of a gaming pill. The 9.06-inch pill makes it inherently transportable, and the large battery means you possibly can recreation all day with none points.
