I’m a Hardcore Lenovo Y700 User. Can the REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet Replace It?
The Lenovo Legion Y700 is my go-to gaming tablet. It's the best mini tablet, thanks to its compact size, power, and features that gamers love: microSD support and dual USB-C ports. So when the REDMAGIC Astra (also called the Gaming Tablet 3 Pro) arrived at my desk with a flashy OLED screen and flagship specs, I had one question for my review:
Is it finally time to move on from the Y700?
I've spent time gaming, testing, and tweaking the Astra. Here's what I found.
Display: REDMAGIC ups the game for tablet screens
After years of LCD panels dominating the small tablet space, REDMAGIC finally brings OLED to the 9-inch class. The 9.06-inch 2.4K OLED display is a standout feature, delivering:
- 165Hz refresh rate (even higher than the REDMAGIC Nova)
- 1,600 nits peak brightness
- Sharp contrast, deep blacks, and vivid colors
- A 90.1% screen-to-body ratio with ultra-slim bezels
It's easily the best display in its size category, outshining LCD panels like those on earlier Legion tablets. While there's a slight rainbowing effect at extreme angles, that's only a minor drawback on an otherwise excellent screen. Meanwhile, the Synaptics S3930 touch chip ensures a snappy response, even during sweaty or intense sessions.
I love the ultra-slim bezels on this device. That said, I have some design quibbles on the rounded display corners, which seem like wasted screen space in full-screen games or media. It's an odd design choice from a brand known for its hardcore gaming aesthetics.
Power & performance: Can it handle real-world gaming?
With a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, RedCore R3 Pro AI processor, LPDDR5T RAM, and UFS 4.1 Pro storage, the Astra promises desktop-level speed in a tablet body. In real-world gaming, it outperforms the Y700 2025 in Wuthering Waves and could hold its own in Zenless Zone Zero, though it stuttered on occasion in high-load moments.
Despite an impressive 20,000 RPM internal fan, thermal management is not the device's strength. The fan operates in a sealed loop with no external venting, meaning it operates more like a vapor chamber than active cooling. Turning the fan on or off didn't have a noticeable difference in the temperature during longer gaming sessions.
Design: Premium build with a few caveats
The metal chassis with RGB accents, transparent fan window, and flush rear camera all speak to REDMAGIC’s attention to gamer-friendly design. At just 370g and 6.9mm thin, it's light, flat, and easy to hold for extended sessions.
I especially love that REDMAGIC avoided a camera bump, making this device usable on flat surfaces.
Sore more nice touches here:
- Centered speakers avoid accidental blockage during gameplay
- The offset USB-C charging port keeps cables out of your way when gaming in landscape mode
But that offset port might be a dealbreaker for some. It makes it incompatible with some third-party controllers, like clamp-style USB-C gamepads. Since there's only one USB-C port and no headphone jack, options for wired accessories are limited. If controller gaming matters to you, Bluetooth is your only option with slightly higher latency.
Neither is there a microSD card slot. This is a downside for power users or content hoarders, especially when Lenovo's Y700 series still offers microSD support. REDMAGIC's solution is to offer a premium version of the Astra with up to 1TB of internal storage.
Battery & charging: Best-in-class endurance
The 8,200mAh battery is the largest in the 9-inch tablet segment, and it delivers excellent endurance, even with heavy gaming, streaming, and multitasking. Charging is top-tier, too, with 80W fast charging (full charge in just over an hour), and it peaks at 48W even with third-party PD chargers.
Feature-rich software with a gamer focus
Just like with its line of gaming phones, the Astra runs REDMAGIC OS 10.5, and comes with a suite of gaming utilities:
- Game Space: tweak performance, record gameplay, block notifications
- Diablo Mode: maxes out CPU and GPU power for uncompromised gaming
- Magic Key: a customizable shortcut button
- PC Mode and external display support for console-like setups
One particularly exciting feature is the built-in PC emulator, but that's coming in a future OTA update.
REDMAGIC Astra Review: Will I switch out my Y700 in 2025?
Honestly... I might.
The REDMAGIC Astra isn't perfect. It runs hot at times. The lack of microSD hurts. And controller support is frustrating.
But the OLED screen, raw performance, bigger battery, and extra features like PC mode and RGB make it a serious upgrade and likely the best the best compact Android tablet for gaming for 2025.
Pros
- Industry-best OLED display with 165Hz refresh rate
- Premium design, RGB accents, and flush rear camera
- Snapdragon 8 Elite + RedCore R3 Pro = excellent performance
- Massive 8,200mAh battery with 80W charging
- Feature-rich gaming tools in REDMAGIC OS
- Portable, lightweight, and flat (great for rhythm games)
Cons
- Gets very hot under load
- No microSD card slot
- No headphone jack
- Single USB-C port can conflict with wired game controllers
- Rounded screen corners may not appeal to everyone
TL;DR: If you want an ultra-portable, ultra-powerful tablet with an OLED display and top-shelf internals, the REDMAGIC Astra leads the pack. Just be sure its quirks don't interfere with your gaming setup, especially if you rely on wired accessories or need expandable storage.
REDMAGIC Astra vs. Lenovo Y700
| Feature | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Astra | OLED, 165Hz, brighter and smoother |
| Performance | Astra | Newer chip, better multitasking |
| Cooling | Tie | Neither is cooler than the other |
| Controller Support | Y700 | Dual USB-C, better accessory compatibility |
| Battery | Astra | Bigger, faster-charging |
| Storage | Y700 | Y700 has a storage slot |
| Gaming Features | Astra | Game Space, PC mode, Magic Key, Diablo Mode |
