RedMagic Astra 2 delivered an early surprise in Red Dead Redemption 2 testing by outperforming the ROG Xbox Ally X while drawing about 20W. The advantage did not last through the longer session, as heat buildup led to thermal throttling and a performance decline.
The reported temperature is the central concern for the Android gaming tablet. It was said to exceed 100°C under sustained load, highlighting the challenge of maintaining high emulated PC gaming performance over time.
An Early Lead at Lower Power
YouTuber Dame Tech compared the Astra 2 with the ROG Xbox Ally X, which uses AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme. The two devices ran PC games through different methods, with the RedMagic tablet relying on its built-in PC emulator on Android.
In Red Dead Redemption 2 at 720p with High settings, the Astra 2 initially posted the stronger result at around 20W. The Ally X operated at roughly 40W before it moved ahead after the tablet began throttling.
| Game and Settings | RedMagic Astra 2 | ROG Xbox Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| GTA V, 720p Very High | Usually above 70 FPS | Comparable performance |
| Red Dead Redemption 2, 720p High | Initially faster at about 20W | About 40W, then ahead after throttling |
The comparison also placed the two devices on similar ground in GTA V. At 720p and Very High settings, the Astra 2 generally held above 70 FPS for most of the session.
These results point to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 when it runs PC games through Android emulation. They also show that sustained cooling, rather than short-term output, is likely to determine how consistently that performance can be maintained.
Cooling System Faces a Demanding Workload
RedMagic equipped the Astra 2 with active liquid cooling that uses a micro pump. Its transparent rear panel exposes the cooling liquid pathways, reinforcing the tablet’s gaming-focused design.
According to Gizmochina, users seeking peak performance during longer sessions may use a thermoelectric cooler attached to the tablet’s back. Such an accessory could be particularly relevant when the emulator and demanding games place continuous pressure on the chipset.
The need for added cooling changes the practical picture of the Astra 2’s lower power draw. Its 20W result is notable, but the later throttling means the ROG Xbox Ally X can retain an advantage when the session extends.
Large OLED Display and Gaming Hardware
The tablet has a 9.06-inch OLED display with 2.4K resolution and a 185Hz refresh rate. RedMagic pairs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with its RedCore R4 gaming chip.
It also includes an 8,300mAh battery and supports charging at up to 80W on certain models. Other hardware includes two USB-C ports, RGB lighting, and a high touch sampling rate.
The top configuration reaches 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Steam support and the built-in PC emulator are key parts of its appeal, offering access to a broader game library in a tablet form factor.
RedMagic Astra 2 is priced from about $549 to $780, depending on region and configuration. The device offers a compelling mix of display size and initial power efficiency, although its heat behavior remains an important limitation for extended PC game sessions.