RedMagic Astra 2 is a Tablet That Games Hard and Stays Cool Doing It with Liquid Cooling

Compact tablets often struggle when games demand steady power over long sessions. Heat builds up fast, forcing the processor to slow down just when players need consistent frame rates. RedMagic tackled that problem head on with the Astra 2.

A 9.06-inch OLED display sits in the center of this gadget, with a crystal-clear 2400 x 1504 resolution and a scorching 185Hz refresh rate that you’d be hard-pressed to detect in action. While the peak brightness of 1600 nits can be eye-watering, regular use in indoor settings will provide you with plenty of brightness, which is about enough. Plus, the OLED panel features a clever function called variable refresh rates, which can be turned down to 60Hz when doing something more relaxed to save battery life. A sophisticated touch controller makes the screen’s response times quick, which is especially visible in fast-paced titles where even the smallest delay may make a significant impact.

It’s powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor combined with RedMagic’s own RedCore R4 gaming chip. The latter accomplishes the crucial things like making sure your games run smoothly, adding some fancy graphics, and ensuring that the main chip is free to complete its job of playing the game. To put it into perspective, the base model comes with 12 gigabytes of RAM and 256 gigabytes of storage, with higher-end variants offering 16 gigabytes of RAM and 512 gigabytes of storage. Top models increase that storage even further.


RedMagic also attempted to combat heat with the AquaCore Cooling System 2.0, which employs actual liquid to circulate through the device’s interior channels, aided by a pump, a large vapor chamber, and some liquid metal compounds to keep things nice and cool. The good news is that the entire device is tightly sealed and adds very little bulk. This was especially important because they were able to keep the whole thing down to a svelte 6.9 millimeters and weighing only 363 grams, all thanks to a metal frame and a glass rear panel with some nice detail work in the form of accent elements and possibly some RGB lighting here and there under the right conditions. Even better, it all has an IP54 rating, so it won’t be troubled by the occasional spray of water.

The tablet’s battery life is respectable at 8300mAh, and the USB-C connector on the side allows you to charge it up to 75 watts. This should get you back up and running in about an hour, give or take a few minutes. You also get another USB-C port on the long side, which is ideal for landscape play but also allows you to charge the device while exporting 4K video at high frame rates through the main connection to a larger screen if desired.


The cameras are quite basic, with a 13 megapixel rear sensor and a 9 megapixel front-facing camera. They’re adequate for the occasional snapshot or video call, but keep in mind that gaming is the primary focus here. The audio, on the other hand, is quite excellent and clear, thanks to the dual stereo speakers that have been DTS certified. Finally, the two x-axis linear motors provide excellent 4D haptic feedback, allowing you to truly feel what’s going on in the game.


Finally, the operating system is Android 16 with the extremely fancy RedMagic custom interface on top, and as if that wasn’t enough, there is a little button on the side called the Magic Key that allows you to rapidly bring up the game dashboard and fiddle with the settings to your heart’s delight. Around the rear, there’s a fingerprint sensor and facial recognition that works even when your hands are sweaty. The base model costs $749 and comes with 12 gigabytes of RAM and 256 gigabytes of storage. You can upgrade to the 16-gigabyte and 512-gigabyte versions for $849, and if you order early, you’ll also receive an 80-watt charger and a small gift to sweeten the bargain. The Astra 2 will be released globally in late August, after debuting in China under a different name.


Meanwhile, all the rumors about the upcoming iPad Mini, which may simply bring OLED to a smaller size, are just that, speculation, but the Astra 2 delivers a screen that’s on par with those reports, only in a package that’s genuinely intended to withstand hours of heavy gaming action. Furthermore, it includes active liquid cooling, something the great majority of conventional tablets lack.
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