• 2 min read
RedMagic Astra 2 beats Ally X while using half the power
RedMagic’s Astra 2 tablet nearly matches the ROG Xbox Ally X in demanding games while using about half the power in one test.
Image: gizmochina
The RedMagic Astra 2 tablet beat the ROG Xbox Ally X in part of a GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 comparison while using substantially less power. The result suggests that flagship Android hardware is beginning to challenge compact Windows gaming PCs on efficiency, not just in benchmarks or presentations.
In testing by the blogger Dame Tech, the Astra 2 ran GTA V at 720p with the Very High preset, staying above 70 frames per second for most of the session and remaining close to the Ally X. In Red Dead Redemption 2 at 720p and High, the RedMagic tablet initially pulled ahead while consuming about 20 W, compared with roughly 40 W for the Ally X.
The advantage did not last unchanged. Throttling eventually reduced performance slightly, highlighting the main limitation of the design: heat.
RedMagic Astra 2 specifications
- 9.06-inch OLED display with 2.4K resolution and a 185Hz refresh rate
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and RedCore R4 gaming chip
- Active liquid cooling with a micro-pump and transparent rear cover
- 8,300mAh battery, charging at up to 80W, and two USB-C ports
- Up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage
The tablet’s body and internal components exceeded 100°C during testing. RedMagic recommends an external thermoelectric cooler for users who want to sustain higher clock speeds for longer. The hardware therefore has considerable performance headroom, but without an accessory it quickly runs into thermal limits.
Image source: gizmochina
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The Astra 2 includes a built-in PC emulator and supports Steam. Its starting price is approximately $549–$780, depending on the region and configuration. Against the more expensive Windows-based ROG Xbox Ally X, RedMagic’s tablet offers a larger OLED display and the possibility of extended gaming away from a power outlet—provided its cooling system can keep up.
Image source: gizmochina
Sergey Kuznetsov is editor-in-chief of itzine.ru and a technical journalist with 15 years of experience. He specializes in in-depth testing of audio equipment, cameras, and consumer electronics. He has written more than 5,000 articles covering topics from gaming chairs and networking equipment to smartphone and wearable-device market analysis. At itzine.ru, he oversees expert sections and shapes the publication’s editorial policy.
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via ITzine
