Top Gaming Tablet Alert: 9-Inch OLED Android Outshines iPad Mini

Ever since parting ways with my old iPad mini, I’ve felt a void. To me, Apple’s compact tablet was among the top of its class, yet the introduction of the RedMagic Astra this month has made me reconsider. The RedMagic Astra presents a straightforward proposition: a small Android tablet equipped with a top-tier chipset, catering specifically to gamers looking for an exceptional experience.

Though I’m not heavily into mobile gaming, I’ve always valued the fact that the iPad mini 7 maintained its performance despite its smaller size. The RedMagic Astra follows suit, packing a powerful punch with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, an impressive OLED display, active cooling technology, quick charging, and a stylish design.

Given the limited space in my daily gear, and my reluctance to invest in the latest slim foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, I find myself searching for the perfect middle-ground device. I need something more substantial than a phone yet smaller than a laptop, without compromising on performance, and with some distinctive features. After a few weeks with the RedMagic Astra, I’m convinced it checks all these boxes. Here’s why…

The Redmagic Astra is available in three configurations, each with a different price point. The base model in both Eclipse (black) and Starfrost (silver) colors starts with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for $699 / £529.

Choosing the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage option will set you back $799 / £699.

And for those wanting to maximize their device’s capabilities, the 24GB RAM and 1TB storage option costs $949 / £879. Note, however, that this configuration is only available in the Eclipse color.

These prices may seem steep, and indeed, they position this device beyond an impulse buy. For instance, the entry-level model of the iPad mini 7 starts at $499, offering half the storage but at a lower price. Here, Apple might have a slight edge for those on a budget.

However, Apple’s prices rise to $799 for a model with 512GB of storage, so when comparing higher-spec models, the RedMagic offers better value.

A fairer comparison might be Lenovo’s Legion Tab, another 8-inch gaming-focused tablet that starts at $549, though it comes with an older chipset and an LCD screen instead of an OLED.

Another recent contender is the OnePlus Pad 3, which also features the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and is priced at £599 / $699 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage option. However, it boasts a larger 13.2-inch screen.

The design of gaming devices often splits opinion, but the RedMagic Astra should meet most expectations. It features minimal bezels due to a 90.1% screen-to-body ratio, and a rather subdued back panel.

Remarkably, it’s been a while since I’ve used a tablet or phone that didn’t have a protruding camera bump. The Astra’s smooth, flush back allows for easy sliding into a backpack, setting up on a stand, or attaching to a telescopic controller without any snagging.

The tablet’s aluminum frame is rounded perfectly at the edges and measures exactly 7.3mm in thickness, providing a comfortable grip without feeling bulky. The power button is conveniently placed on the left edge—where your index finger naturally rests in landscape mode—and doubles as a fingerprint scanner. The Astra’s USB-C port is located on the opposite right edge. Positioned at the top is the volume rocker and RedMagic’s distinctive metallic red slider, which activates the Game Space launcher. More on that later.

I’m not entirely sure why RedMagic chose to place the USB-C port on the side. It’s too high for use with a telescopic controller, and its side placement makes it awkward to connect to a dock or charging station.

Regardless of whether you choose the Starfrost or Eclipse color, the back sports a soft matte finish that effectively reduces reflections and looks sleek, though it’s still prone to fingerprints.

Apart from a solitary RedMagic logo in the center, there’s a rectangular glass window along the top showcasing a PCB-styled graphic with golden stamps for the Snapdragon 8 Elite logo, highlighting the vapor chamber and “composite liquid metal” construction.

The RedMagic logo is also displayed in a specific font, with an option in the tablet’s settings to make it pulse with light. You can also light up the ring around the camera lens.

These discreet RGB lighting elements subtly indicate its gaming pedigree and offer additional functionalities such as syncing with an alarm or showing the charging status.

The RedMagic Astra boasts an IP54 rating, making it resistant to splashes, so you can take your gaming outdoors or into moist environments without worry—just don’t submerge it.

One minor complaint about the design is the placement of the speaker vents. Located below the power button and USB-C port on the left and right sides, they can be muffled by your palms when holding the tablet in landscape mode, which can dampen the audio quality. Given the size of the device, it’s tricky to see where else the speakers could go, but perhaps if the power button and USB-C port were relocated to the top and bottom, the speakers could have been moved up to avoid this issue.

Overall, I’m quite impressed with the RedMagic Astra’s design. It strikes just the right balance between a high-end, sci-fi gaming aesthetic and a premium tablet look without being too flashy. Meanwhile, its weight (370g) and dimensions—comparable to a Moleskine notebook at 134.2mm (H) x 207mm (W) x 6.9mm (D)—make it ideal for slipping into a backpack without being obtrusive.

If the design is cool, then the display of the RedMagic Astra is downright chilly—and likely one of the best reasons to recommend this device. Not just to gamers, but to anyone in the market for a small, potent tablet.

The device flaunts an OLED screen with a 165Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1,600 nits. Its vibrancy and contrast are stunning in games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Genshin Impact. The display is truly remarkable.

With a resolution of 2,400 x 1,504 pixels on its 9.06-inch screen (16:10 aspect ratio), the Astra offers a superb viewing experience, whether you’re gaming or streaming one of the top shows. While it doesn’t support HDR on platforms like Netflix, the contrast in the deep blacks is still impressive to the eye.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is a familiar sight in some of the best Android phones but remains a rare find in tablets. The RedMagic Astra hosts the standard version of this chip, sans an overclocked CPU. I managed to run games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty, FC Mobile, Command & Conquer: Rivals, and Horizon Chase at 165Hz on the Astra, and it provided the best gaming experience I’ve ever had on a tablet.

Everything from booting up and navigating menus to actual gameplay was smooth and responsive, with no signs of stuttering or lag. While I’m generally not a fan of touchscreen gaming, the touch response was exceptionally precise—even to my untrained fingers.

The tablet includes an active cooling system with a vapor chamber. The fan kicks in under heavy use to help keep the device cool. You can hear it if you place your ear close to the back, but

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Tobias Nguyen

Tobias Nguyen covers mobile technology and social media trends. He combines a background in digital marketing with a passion for emerging tech to provide readers with data-driven insights and practical tech usage tips.