Tablets have long-occupied a strange middle-ground in the gaming world. Despite having larger screens than smartphones, they typically don’t offer much increase in processing power necessary to play better games. There are plenty of good reasons for this, including that tablets are often cheaper than phones and the fact that many people buy tablets as computer replacements and streaming devices, not so much for gaming. One thing dragging down their performance is heat, and when tablets or phones work hard, they can get hot, leading to sluggish performance and unexpected shutdowns.
RedMagic says it’s found an answer with its Astra 2, a new liquid-cooled gaming tablet that the company says is the first of its kind, built to break this trend. It boasts 12GB of RAM, a 4.6GHz processor, and a 9.06-inch screen. The Astra 2’s display is an OLED, which has the perk of deeper colors, too. Those are impressive specs but with prices beginning at $699, it’s a significant purchase, on par with games consoles and even mid-range laptops. As such, RedMagic could face an uphill battle to convince buyers its products are worth the money, especially as hardware costs continue to increase due to memory chip shortages across the industry.
To complicate things further, people looking to game on-the-go have never before had so many options. The Astra 2 is powered by a customized version of Google’s Android mobile device software, not Microsoft’s Windows or Valve’s SteamOS. Handheld computer consoles, like Valve’s Steam Deck, can costs just $90 than the Astra 2, and are compatible with over 30,000 Steam titles.
An interesting concept but lacking in mass appeal
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Whether liquid-cooled tablets are worth the investment really depends on the individual user. If you’re heavily-invested in mobile games and want the best-possible experience (or to play for longer than your phone’s battery can handle), they may be a decent choice. However, if all you want is to game on a larger screen, a basic USB-C to HDMI cable can often connect your Android device to a TV. There are also a variety of free Android emulators that run directly on your PC, potentially giving you the best of both worlds, rather than stranding you with one choice.
Then there’s the exclusivity aspect. Plenty of the biggest mobile games are also available on gaming consoles, including Roblox, EA Sports FC, PUBG, and Hole.io. Console versions allow developers to take full advantage of higher-performance hardware, leading to smoother visuals and perhaps even additional features that aren’t present in the mobile app.
Finally, let’s talk about maintenance. The Astra 2 comes with a one-year warranty, and afterward, if something breaks, you’re on your own. As the Astra 2 isn’t as popular a seller as game consoles, PCs or even Apple’s iPad tablets, technicians who are comfortable repairing RedMagic devices may be hard to find. Additionally, some of the replacement parts for elements like the mainboard cost nearly as much as the tablet itself. You’re not just paying more upfront, but potentially down the line as well.
There’s no doubt that the Astra 2 represents an important advancement in tablet technology. Liquid cooling unlocks many possibilities for better performance and reliability. That said, only time will tell if liquid cooling becomes the industry standard or fizzles out. As mobile devices become more powerful and games more resource-intensive, it may even become a requirement for anyone planning lengthy gaming sessions.
