After reviewing several of REDMAGIC’s gaming phones over the years, the Astra marks my first experience with one of their gaming tablets. REDMAGIC has focused heavily on mobile gaming hardware, often pushing its devices with powerful chipsets, large cooling systems, and software controls aimed at squeezing more performance out of every component. The Astra follows that same direction but brings it to a compact 9-inch form factor, making it an appealing option for players who want a capable device that’s easier to carry than most full-size tablets.
From the moment I started testing the REDMAGIC Astra, it was clear that REDMAGIC approached this product with the same priorities seen in its gaming phones. The tablet’s hardware centers around the Snapdragon 8 Elite, paired with the RedCore R3 Pro co-processor. This setup is supported by LPDDR5T RAM and UFS 4.1 Pro storage, placing the Astra among the more capable mobile devices available right now. It promises fast load times, smooth gameplay, and enough power to handle demanding titles without hesitation.
For this hands-on review, I’m using the 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage variant in the Eclipse (Black) finish. This is one of several models REDMAGIC is offering. The Eclipse line includes 12 GB + 256 GB, 16 GB + 512 GB, and 24 GB + 1 TB options. The Starfrost colorway is available with the same memory configurations. These choices give buyers a clear path depending on how much storage and multitasking performance they need.
The Astra aims to serve mobile gaming fans who want a compact device with strong performance and a quality display. With its size, hardware, and feature set, it positions itself as a tablet built specifically for long gaming sessions while remaining portable enough for daily use. The next sections will take a closer look at its build quality, display performance, software features, and real-world gaming behavior.
RedMagic ASTRA Tablet – Specifications
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back; aviation-grade aluminum frame; IP54 dust protected and water-resistant (splash resistant) |
| Cooling System | Built-in illuminated cooling fan; Enhanced ICE-X Cooling System; Under-Screen Cooling Alloy; Under-Screen High-Conductivity Graphene; Under-Screen High-Conductivity Copper Foil; Under-Screen Vapor Chamber; Motherboard Copper Foil; Motherboard Cooling System; High-Thermal-Conductivity Gel; Liquid Metal 2.0; Turbo Fan (20,000 RPM); High-Strength Aluminum Alloy Mid-Frame; Graphene Layer; High-Conductivity Copper Foil; Motherboard Vapor Chamber |
| Display | 9.06″ LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, 5280Hz PWM, HDR; 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak); 1504 × 2400 resolution; 14.36:9 aspect ratio; 313 ppi |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| CPU | Oryon™ CPU up to 4.32 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno™, RedCore R3 Pro |
| Memory Options | 12GB RAM + 256GB, 16GB RAM + 512GB, 24GB RAM + 1TB; UFS 4.1 Pro |
| OS / Software | Android 15, RedMagic OS 10.5 |
| Rear Camera | 13 MP (wide) |
| Front Camera | 9 MP, f/2.2 (wide), 0.7 μm |
| Video Recording | Rear: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; Front: 1080p@30fps |
| Battery | 8200 mAh; 80W wired charging (50% in 22 minutes) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Misc | No SIM; side-mounted fingerprint reader; stereo speakers; RGB light on the back |
| Dimensions | 207 × 134.2 × 6.9 mm |
| Weight | 370 g |
Unboxing
The REDMAGIC Astra tablet arrives in a slim grey box with a clean layout that reflects the brand’s gaming focus. The front carries the RedMagic logo along with the “REDMAGIC” name, while “GAMING PAD” appears near the bottom in a matching font. Inside, the box includes the Astra tablet, a Type-C cable, a warranty card, a user manual, and a logo sticker. One thing to keep in mind is that a charger is not part of the package, so users will need to rely on an existing adapter or purchase one separately.
Design
Out of the box, the Astra gaming tablet feels notably compact compared to standard 10–11-inch tablets. Its 9-inch display makes it easy to hold, and the 370g weight keeps it comfortable for extended use. The RedMagic Astra has a premium feel with an aluminum unibody and glass front. Flat sides and a flat back give it a modern, clean look, while the aviation-grade aluminum with a matte finish offers a secure grip and resists fingerprints. The tablet comes in Starfrost Silver and Eclipse Black, with the Eclipse Black unit providing a sleek, understated appearance.
The Astra gaming tablet isn’t fully waterproof, but its IP54 rating provides dust and splash resistance, which is unusual for a compact tablet. This makes it more practical for everyday use, whether you’re gaming on the move, commuting, or using it in environments where spills or dust are possible. The added protection helps the tablet handle daily wear without adding extra weight or bulk.
The back panel features a piece of glass that houses the RGB-lit fan and the 13MP camera with an LED flash. The panel is completely flat, which keeps the design clean and free of any protrusions.
The RGB lighting system offers multiple modes, including static, breathing, flashing, and flow effects. Users can select up to three colours and set them to respond to calls, notifications, or gaming activity. The lights can stay on to create ambient effects or be turned off entirely to conserve battery, giving users complete control over how the device looks and reacts.
The 9.06-inch LTPO OLED display features even bezels on all sides, helping reduce accidental touches during use. It comes with Corning protection, though the exact Gorilla Glass version isn’t specified. The screen delivers clear visuals and smooth touch response, making it practical for browsing, media playback, and everyday tasks. A 9MP front camera is integrated into the bezel, keeping the display uninterrupted. The panel performs well for both work and entertainment, and we’ll take a closer look at its quality on the next page.
The Astra comes with two large stereo speakers placed on the shorter sides, offering balanced audio for games and media. The same sides include the Power/Lock button with an integrated fingerprint scanner and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. On one of the longer edges, the volume controls, a microphone, and the Magic Key switch are located. By default, the Magic Key turns on Gaming Space, but it can also be customized to control the flashlight, camera, voice recorder, or switch sound modes, adding flexibility for both daily use and gaming.
Display: Crisp, Vibrant, and Ultra-Responsive
The REDMAGIC Astra features a 9.06-inch LTPO OLED panel that brings sharp, detailed visuals to the forefront. With a 2.4K resolution (2,400 x 1,504 pixels) and 313ppi pixel density, the screen delivers clear images and smooth text, making both games and daily tasks feel precise.
Brightness is impressive, with 1,000 nits typical and up to 1,600 nits peak for HDR content or direct sunlight. The display covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with high color accuracy, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks without losing detail in shadows or darker scenes. HDR10 support enhances videos and games, ensuring contrast and textures remain well-defined.
The panel supports up to 165Hz refresh rate with multiple modes: Auto (120Hz for general use, 165Hz for gaming), fixed 165Hz, and 60Hz for static content. Combined with a touch sampling rate of 2,000Hz (Multi-Finger 240Hz), interactions feel fast and responsive. Scrolling, gestures, and taps register instantly, which is especially noticeable in fast-paced games.
In real-world use, the Astra’s display provides both clarity and smoothness. Dark areas retain texture and depth, bright scenes remain clear, and fast refresh rates make gameplay fluid. The combination of high brightness, accurate colors, and precise touch response makes this display a key part of the device’s overall performance and enjoyment.
Performance & Benchmarks
The RedMagic Astra focuses heavily on performance, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset sets the pace. It features two Prime Oryon cores clocked at 4.32 GHz and six Performance cores designed to handle intensive workloads. Since these are custom Qualcomm Oryon cores rather than standard Cortex designs, the tablet offers strong processing efficiency and consistent results in daily use.
Graphics performance comes from the Adreno 830 GPU, built on a new sliced architecture with dedicated memory for each slice. While the GPU can reach up to 1.2 GHz, the Astra runs it at 1100 MHz. Paired with LPDDR5T RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, the device maintains quick load times, stable multitasking, and fast app handling. Our 16GB/512GB review unit handled heavy tasks, large games, and emulation without hesitation.
Thermal control is another key element. The active cooling fan, spinning at 20,000 RPM, works with the ICE-X 13-layer cooling system to manage heat effectively. The setup includes Liquid Metal 2.0, dual-layer vapor chambers, and enhanced airflow channels. During gaming tests, surface temperatures stayed moderate, and the tablet maintained stable performance even during extended sessions.
Synthetic Benchmarks
Across benchmark tools, the Astra showed competitive numbers for its class:
- AnTuTu: 30,44,186
- Geekbench 6: 2949 (single-core), 7659 (multi-core)
- AITUTU: 19,88,418
Storage results reinforced the benefits of UFS 4.1:
- Read: 4342.9 MB/s
- Write: 3886.0 MB/s
These speeds help with faster app loading and reduced wait times in larger titles.
Gaming Performance
The RedMagic Astra delivers reliable performance across a wide range of games, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and Adreno 830 GPU. The two high-clocked Prime cores at 4.32 GHz, along with six Performance cores, allow the tablet to handle demanding graphics while keeping background tasks smooth. Combined with LPDDR5T RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, the device loads games quickly and maintains consistent performance during extended sessions.
The tablet’s 165Hz display ensures smooth scrolling and animations in daily use, while in gaming, frame rates vary depending on the title and its optimization.
PUBG Mobile ran at 60 FPS on Ultra HDR and reached 120 FPS on Super Smooth settings, demonstrating that the tablet can support high frame rates in compatible games.
Genshin Impact, which is capped at 60 FPS, ran at 30 FPS on the highest graphics setting, 40 FPS on high, and reached the 60 FPS limit on medium settings, providing a stable experience even under heavy load.
Destiny Rising achieved 50 FPS on Max settings and 60 FPS on Ultra, while Delta Force ran at 50 FPS on Max graphics and 100 FPS on HD mode, showing that the tablet can scale performance effectively based on the game’s requirements.
Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar Version) ran smoothly at 60 FPS, offering fluid gameplay and responsive controls. WWE 2K25, limited to 30 FPS on mobile, maintained consistent performance without noticeable stutters.
Where Winds Meet also performed well at Ultra settings, holding 60 FPS even during demanding scenes.
Emulation performance was also strong. Using the Gamehub Windows emulator and a Nintendo Switch emulator, the tablet handled both platforms well, with smooth gameplay and responsive controls. The active cooling system, including the high-speed turbofan and dual-layer vapor chambers, helped keep temperatures in check and prevented thermal throttling during longer sessions, ensuring consistent performance.
Overall, the RedMagic Astra provides a balanced gaming experience with reliable frame rates and responsive controls. While some games are limited by software caps, titles that allow higher FPS benefit from the tablet’s powerful hardware, making it suitable for both high-end mobile games and emulated platforms.
The combination of Qualcomm’s Oryon architecture, the updated Adreno GPU, fast storage, and an effective cooling system results in reliable performance across demanding apps and games.
REDMAGIC 10.5 OS Based on Android 15
The RedMagic Astra Tablet runs on REDMAGIC OS 10.5, built on Android 15, providing a smooth and responsive interface. Navigation is simple and fluid, keeping the familiar Android layout while adding features aimed at gamers. Users can easily customize themes, icons, and wallpapers, making the system feel personal without extra clutter.
REDMAGIC OS comes with a minimal set of pre-installed apps, including Game Space, performance optimization, and a screen recorder. This approach keeps the tablet running efficiently and avoids unnecessary software. The company offers two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches, which helps maintain the device’s performance over time.
Game Space
The Game Space Center is a key feature for gaming. It is activated by sliding the red switch on the tablet’s frame and allows users to launch games and adjust various settings. It supports pre-set plugins to enhance gameplay and offers options for screen casting to an external monitor or PC via USB. Users can also modify control layouts and connect a keyboard or mouse for more flexibility.
During gameplay, the Energy Cube overlay provides quick access to most functions from menus on either side of the screen. You can adjust plugins, notifications, fan speed, screen recording, charging, and refresh rate with a single tap. Advanced settings are available in a sub-menu, letting users modify CPU and GPU performance profiles, screen sensitivity, sampling rate, and display visual profiles. The overlay also displays CPU and GPU frequency, in-game FPS, and clicks per second. Shortcuts for supported messaging apps make chatting easier without interrupting the game.
Overall, REDMAGIC OS 10.0 offers a customizable and efficient interface with a focus on gaming, combining Android’s usability with tools designed to improve performance and control during play.
Camera Performance
Tablet cameras are rarely the main attraction, but the RedMagic Astra’s compact design makes them more practical than usual. The 13MP rear camera captures decent photos in good lighting, while the 9MP front camera handles selfies and video calls with enough detail for everyday use.
Rear Camera:
- 13MP resolution with enhanced AI processing
- 5P lens, up to 4K@30fps video
The rear camera delivers usable images with accurate colors and acceptable detail in well-lit conditions. Low-light performance is limited, and digital zoom at 2x or 5x reduces image quality noticeably. There is no portrait mode, so background blur isn’t available.
Front Camera:
- 9MP resolution with enhanced AI processing
- φ1.9mm lens, 4P optics
- ƒ/2.2 aperture, 0.7μm 4-in-1 pixels, 1080P@30fps video
Selfies are clear enough for social media or video calls, and the dynamic range is reasonable for a tablet. Fixed focus is sufficient for most situations, though it doesn’t match smartphone camera performance.
Overall, the Astra’s cameras are functional for casual use and video calls, but they aren’t meant for serious photography. Their strength lies in convenience and portability rather than advanced features.
Battery and Charging
The tablet features an 8200mAh battery, offering solid endurance for both gaming and daily use. With the screen set to 50% brightness, RGB lighting off, and refresh rate on automatic, playing Genshin Impact for one hour reduced the battery by about 8%. Depending on the game, brightness, and refresh rate settings, continuous gaming for 6–8 hours is realistic. For lighter tasks such as web browsing, office work, or video streaming, battery life extends even further. In our tests, two hours of YouTube playback at 50% brightness consumed around 11% of the battery.
Charging is handled via the USB-C port, and the tablet supports fast charging with an 80W adapter. In practice, the battery reached 60% in 30 minutes and 81% in 45 minutes. After an hour, it was nearly full at 95%. The placement of the charging port is also practical, positioned higher rather than at the center, which helps avoid cable interference during long gaming sessions. This small design detail improves usability and shows attention to real-world use scenarios.
