Technologies

Lenovo Legion Tab vs. RedMagic Astra: Which Small Tablet Is the Gaming Champion?

They’re both compelling gaming tablets, but only one can claim the crown.

The world of handheld gaming continues to grow, and apparently, our phones are no longer large enough for us to game on. For the past few years, if you wanted a larger screen for gaming but didn’t feel like strapping a Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL to a giant 13-inch tablet just to play Call of Duty: Mobile (or dropping $1,500 bucks for the privilege), you would grab the iPad Mini for a solid, slightly larger gaming experience.

Fortunately, two companies known for producing high-quality gaming hardware have entered the market, aiming to capture some of Apple’s market share and cater to the substantial Android gaming market.

The Legion Tab Gen 3 from Lenovo and the RedMagic Astra Tablet both offer compelling gaming experiences for similar prices. But which one is truly the champion of tiny tablets? I put them head-to-head for a few weeks to help figure that out.

Design

Aside from being generic black slabs of metal and glass, the most noticeable design difference between them is the semi-transparent strip on the back of the Astra Tablet, which shows off some cool design elements. The only downside is that my fingers stick to it whenever I’m using the tablet, but that’s a small price to pay for something that looks so much better than just a black piece of metal.

This glass strip also houses the physical cooling fan surrounded by a small RGB ring. The Legion Tab has no RGB or really any standout design characteristics; it doesn’t even come in a different color, unlike the Astra which you can get in white.

The Astra also has more rounded, iPhone-esque corners, while the Legion Tab retains the squared-off, rectangular, asymmetrical edges that were popular a few years ago, and it appears somewhat outdated.

The Astra tablet has some extra features over the Legion Tab like a fingerprint sensor in the power button, which I would argue is table-stakes for any nonbudget device in 2025. It has a Magic Key which, thankfully, does not activate AI, but lets you choose from a few different actions. By default, it launches the company’s gaming software (more on that later), but you can also set it to things like Do Not Disturb, and a few others.

However, the Legion Tab does have one thing that might be a game-changer for some: two USB-C ports. The one on the right side of the front camera is a USB 2.0 port, used for charging, OTG and audio. The second USB-C port, located at the bottom, is positioned opposite the front camera and supports USB 3.2 Gen 2, offering data transfers of up to 10Gbps and display output as well.

I know most people don’t want to hook up their tablets to an external monitor, but I did, and the Legion Tab is absolutely the better device for it. I could never get audio to work properly on the Astra tablet while using a second display, but it worked fine on the Legion Tab. If you do plan to use a monitor, the Legion Tab is the way to go, especially since it has a much better desktop mode.

Display & Specs

Again, the displays on both tablets are fairly similar, with a few key differences. The Legion Tab has an 8.8-inch screen while the Astra is slightly larger at 9.06 inches. Both have high-resolution 2K-plus displays (2,560×1,600 and 2,400×1,504, respectively) with 165Hz refresh rates. The Astra’s display is an OLED panel, which does look a bit better and is technically better, but the LCD screen on the Legion Tab still looks fantastic. I have no issues with either one.

On the spec front, these tablets start to get a bit farther apart. For starters, the Legion Tab launched in early 2025 at CES with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. It’s a solid processor, but the much more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite was announced more than two months before the Legion Tab launched. Whether the Legion Tab is a victim of bad timing or Lenovo made a cost-cutting decision, it doesn’t have the newer, better processor that powers the Astra.

There’s also only one configuration of the Legion Tab with 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. 256GB is pretty small for a gaming device, and the top-end Astra has 24GB of RAM with 1TB of storage. Granted, you’ll have to pay a lot more to get those things, but it’s a huge difference and certainly something to consider if you’re a hardcore gamer.

Another big difference is battery life. The Legion Tab sports a 6,550 mAh battery with 65-watt charging, while the Astra’s battery is 8,200 mAh and supports up to 80-watt fast charging. To be fair, the battery life on the Legion Tab is still quite good — mileage will certainly vary depending on usage — and I never felt like I had to constantly charge it. Lenovo also includes a fast charger in the box, which is a nice addition. On the other hand, a bigger battery with faster charging always wins.

Audio is very similar on both tablets, with each housing stereo speakers. The Legion Tab supports Dolby Atmos, and the Astra uses DTX tuning. Both sound great, with loud, full sound that’s fine for gaming or streaming.

Performance

As you might expect from the specifications, both devices performed exceptionally well in my testing. I never experienced any slowdowns or stutters while playing anything. From Genshin Impact to CoD Mobile, everything ran wonderfully.

	Legion	Astra
Wild Life Unlimited	17,320	23,187
Geekbench 6 CPU — single core	2228	2641
Geekbench 6 CPU — multi core	6600	7990
Geekbench 6 GPU	16624	19223
Octane 2.0	75924	158865

I did notice a slightly faster response time from the Astra, which I also expected due to the better specs. For shorter, more typical gaming sessions though, you won’t be able to tell a difference between the two. Longer gaming sessions, however, might be a bit different.

One of RedMagic’s biggest differentiators is its proprietary cooling system, which it designed a few years ago and has been continually improving. It’s pretty impressive what it’s been able to cram into a device so small. The main component is a dual-layer vapor chamber that sits above and below the CPU, ensuring the chip stays running at peak speeds for longer.

Essentially, this means the Astra should be able to maintain peak performance for longer, without heating up very much. In my testing, I never managed more than about an hour at a time, but it never slowed down or got hot.

Software

Both software experiences are good overall; however, they both come preloaded with a fair amount of ads, thinly designed as games. Aside from that, the software is fast and clean with no major issues. There are a few quirks here and there, like the auto brightness not really working on the Legion Tab and some translation issues on the RedMagic, but I was perfectly fine using both.

Lenovo and RedMagic offer different versions of a dedicated gaming overlay (Legion Space and Game Space, respectively) that function much like the multiplexer software on gaming PCs — the bundled software that lets you tweak the GPU and other settings to maximize performance.

When you’re playing a game, you can open a slide-out menu that gives you a bunch of options for tweaking the CPU, GPU and a few other things. Aside from turning off notifications while in game, most people won’t ever need to mess with it, but it’s there if you want to try it out.

Neither company is great about software updates, however. The Legion Tab launched with Android 14 and is currently running Android 15. But Lenovo only committed to three Android version updates, and Android 16 is already rolling out. So that means you’re basically only getting one year of support.

The Astra is even worse off I’m afraid because while it launched with Android 15, RedMagic makes no commitments to software updates, and from past experience, you’ll be lucky to get one or two, eventually.

However, as these devices are meant to be primarily gaming devices anyway, not having the most up-to-date software isn’t too big a deal. Not to mention, these are really your only options in the Android world anyway.

If I had to pick one, I’d probably go with Lenovo since they are a much bigger company, and I have a bit more faith in them than I do in RedMagic. But they both need to do better on updates.

Final Thoughts

As cliché as it sounds, the ultimate winner here is us. We finally have really solid small gaming tablets that aren’t the iPad Mini. Apart from the fantastic Nexus 7 tablet, which seems like a distant memory (if you don’t know, ask your parents), the small Android tablet market has been dominated by either cheap, borderline unusable tablets or devices designed specifically as digital babysitters.

Both the Legion Tab Gen 3 and the RedMagic Astra tablet are fantastic devices for either gaming or streaming. And they’re powerful enough that you could get some work done in a pinch if you really needed to, particularly with a portable monitor and keyboard.

And the prices aren’t terrible either. Both start at $549 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, although I’ve seen the Legion Tab drop as low as $380 on Lenovo’s website. The 16/512GB Astra is $699, and the top-end 24GB/1TB model is $899.

At $380, the Legion Tab is absolutely the better deal, especially since you get a charger, case, folio cover and a tempered glass screen protector with an easy-install kit all included in the box. The Astra might not be worth the extra money, unless you really want the higher performance. And all you get in the box is a cable.

But if the Lenovo isn’t discounted and they’re both priced at $549, I have to go with the Astra tablet. It’s just better at almost everything. And it’s a bit more future-proof.

Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 vs. RedMagic Astra Tablet

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	Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3	RedMagic Astra Tablet
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Elite
Display	8.8-inch LCD, 2560×1600, 165Hz, 900 nits max brightness	9.06-inch OLED, 2,400×1,504, 165Hz, 1,600 nits max brightness
Storage	12GB RAM, 256GB Storage	12, 16, 24GB RAM, 256, 512GB, 1TB Storage
Dimensions	8.21 x 5.10 x 0.32 inches (208.54 x 129.46 x 7.79mm)	8.14 x 5.28 x 0.27 inches (207 x 134.2 x 6.9mm)
Weight	350g	370g
Ports	1 x USB-C 2.0 (charging, OTG, audio)	USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps data, display out)
	1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps data, display out)
Audio	2 x stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos	2 x stereo speakers with DTS:X Ultra
Front Camera	8MP	9MP
Rear Camera	13MP, 2MP Macro	13MP
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Battery & Charging	6,550mAh, 65W charging	8,200mAh, 80W fast charging

Special Features	2nd USB-C port, case, screen protector, screen cover, charger included in box	Dedicated hardware key, hardware cooling fan, RGB

Android Version	Android 15 (2 OS upgrades, 4 years of security updates)	Android 15 (no promised updates)

Technologies

Artemis II Astronauts Are Using iPhones to Capture Stunning Space Images

After smartphones were cleared by NASA for space missions, the crew members of the Integrity spacecraft are beaming back lots of iPhone photos.

The four astronauts aboard the Integrity spacecraft now headed home from their historic arc around the moon really are like the rest of us: Sometimes they reach for their smartphones to snap photos.

For the Artemis II mission, iPhone 17 Pro Max phones have been used to capture photos inside the capsule of the astronauts pondering the views of Earth and working on mission objectives. (Technically, NASA refers to them as PCDs – personal computing devices.)

Smartphones were cleared for use in space for the first time in February. In a post on X, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman wrote, «We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world.»

Early in the mission, Commander Reid Wiseman snapped a pair of photos looking out the window with Earth behind him. Mission specialist Christina Koch and her dynamic curls in zero-gravity also captured a pensive view looking out over the planet. All three were made using the front camera — because wouldn’t you want to grab a selfie if you were in space?

The iPhone 17 Pro’s rear cameras are pulling their own weight during the mission, too. During the live broadcast as the crew approached the moon, Wiseman took a photo of the moon’s surface using the iPhone’s telephoto camera at 8x zoom. He turned the screen toward one of the video cameras mounted inside the spacecraft, creating an image of the moon’s surface alone against the darkness of the unlit cabin, with the iPhone’s signature rounded edges and Dynamic Island cutout at the top.

The main photo workhorses on this trip are a Nikon D5 DSLR and a Nikon Z9. The D5 is a model that has been used on several space excursions, and the Z9 is onboard as an experimental camera.

For NASA missions, every piece of equipment must be tested and certified, which is why the previously-approved D5 has a secure spot. Cameras must be resistent to space environmental factors like radiation, and safe if they’re floating around the capsule. However, the iPhones in space now are off-the-shelf models, according to a report by Jackie Watties of CNN.

The moon flyby was especially photo-intensive, with astronauts switching places several times so that two were always at windows with cameras and relating what they could see with their eyes. This photo of mission specialist and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen taking images using one of the Nikon cameras shows how some windows have camera shrouds attached. The shroud ensures that light from the interior isn’t reflected in the glass.

In a particularly relatable photo, Hansen is also using the front-facing camera of a white iPhone 17 Pro — as a portable mirror while he shaves. As the (modified) saying goes, the best selfie screen is the one you have with you.

The iPhone 17 Pro isn’t the first Apple product to go into space. Crew members have taken iPods, iPads and AirPods on missions since the Space Shuttle era. The Mac Portable even went up on a shuttle (and revealed that its trackball in zero-G isn’t the best option).

An Apple representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Technologies

Hades 2, the Award-Winning Sequel, Joins Xbox Game Pass in April

Game Pass Premium subscribers are getting a handful of games, including the remastered Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion.

Hades 2 was selected as one of CNET’s best games of 2025, but don’t take our word for it. The game won Best Action Game at the 2025 Game of the Year awards, Best Game on Steam Deck at the Steam Awards and a bevy of other accolades after its release. If you haven’t had the chance to play this stellar sequel yet, you can on Xbox Game Pass starting on April 14.

Xbox Game Pass, a CNET Editors’ Choice award pick, offers a wide selection of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC or mobile device for as little as $10 a month. And with a subscription to the higher-tiered Game Pass Ultimate ($30 a month), you can access hundreds of games, including Day One releases, each month.

Here are the games Microsoft plans to bring to Game Pass in April. You can also check out other games the company added to the service in March, including Cyberpunk 2077.

DayZ

Coming to PC on April 8, joining Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Essential and PC Game Pass.

This online multiplayer survival game is coming to PC. An unknown virus has turned the population of the post-Soviet country of Chernarus into zombies, and you’re one of the last few survivors. You’ll have to scavenge for supplies among the ruins while fighting off zombies and other survivors alike. But how far will you go to save yourself?

Endless Legend 2 (Game preview)

New to Game Pass Premium on April 8. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Lead your faction to build a great empire that can crush your enemies in this fantasy strategy game. You can play as warriors descended from the stars, cursed knights or hive-minded beasts, but each faction has its strengths, weaknesses and unique philosophies that can influence the rest of the game. And fending off enemies is just one challenge in this game. You’ll have to adapt to the changing environment as well. Will you expand as the tides reveal new treasures, or focus on improving your defenses?

FBC: Firebreak

New to Game Pass Premium on April 8. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

The Federal Bureau of Control is under attack from otherworldly forces, and it’s up to you and your versatile unit to restore order. You’ll fight chaotic entities, leeches and a monster made of sticky notes using guns, grenades and other supernatural weapons. You can play this first-person shooter game on your own or take on the chaos of the FBC with friends in three-player co-op.

Planet Coaster 2

Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 9.

This might not be the classic RollerCoaster Tycoon, but it’s close enough. You’ll build your own roller coasters and water slides, manage your amusement park and create unforgettable experiences for your guests. It’s unclear if you can launch your coasters off the rails into waiting crowds. Will report back later.

Tiny Bookshop

Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 10.

I have long dreamed of opening my own bookshop, and until I come into a lot of money, this game will have to do. You can stock your bookshop with different genres and items for sale, set up shop in scenic locations — like near a lighthouse — and get to know the locals in this cozy management game.

Football Manager 26 (PC and console)

New to Game Pass Premium on April 13. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Get ready for a more immersive matchday experience in the latest installment of the Football Manager franchise. You can build a star-studded squad with new transfer tools, and this entry features official Premier League licenses and women’s football for the first time in the series’ history.

Hades 2

Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 14.

Following the events of the original game, the Titan of Time Chronos has returned and laid waste to the Underworld and Earth. As the immortal princess Melinoe, you’re tasked with stopping the titan and restoring the mythic world. Each time you venture out, you’ll learn more about the world around you and discover the true cause of all the destruction and pain.

Replaced

Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on Day One on April 14.

Can AI ever be human? I’m not talking about ChatGPT or Gemini, but REACH, an AI trapped in a human’s body, in this narrative platformer game. You’ll explore an alternate 1980s America that’s scarred from nuclear catastrophe as you try to uncover the secrets of the Phoenix Corps, the same group that created you. It’s a cyberpunk Frankenstein with plenty of exploration and fluid action sequences.

The Thaumaturge

Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 14.

By definition, a thaumaturge is a miracle worker or magician, and in this roleplaying game, you’re a master of mystical arts that allow you to peer into the hearts and minds of others. After the death of your father, you returned to an alternate 1900s Warsaw to investigate his death, fight supernatural forces and uncover the truth.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

New to Game Pass Premium on April 16. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

A fanatical cult is trying to open gates to the demonic realm of Oblivion, and it’s up to you to stop them and seal the gates forever in the remastered version of this open-world RPG. You can rediscover the world of Cyrodiil (or experience it for the first time in updated glory), encounter unique characters and save the land.

EA Sports NHL 26

Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on April 16.

As the NHL regular season winds down, the playoffs and the fight for the Stanley Cup are heating up. And with the latest installment in this EA Sports franchise, you can ensure your favorite team brings home the cup. This entry in the series introduces new gameplay mechanics, such as Ice Q 2.0 and a goalie crease control system, to add additional challenges. So if you want to see the Florida Panthers win the cup back-to-back, or you want to make absolutely sure that never happens, this game is for you.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Coming to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass on April 17.

Modern Warfare redefined the Call of Duty series when it was released almost 20 years ago, and the rebooted version of the classic game drops you right back to where it started. You’ll control CIA and SAS special forces as they attempt to stop rebels from the fictional Republic of Urzikstan. And if the campaign’s not enough, you can hone your skills in the immersive, fast-paced multiplayer.

Little Rocket Lab

New to Game Pass Premium on April 21. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Your family’s dream project has been to build a rocket, and you’re going to fulfill their dream in this cozy, machine-building RPG. But first, you have to build clever contraptions, convert local resources and become the heart of your community before you can complete your ultimate rocket-building task.

Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato

New to Game Pass Premium on April 21. Previously on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Miho goes to the pantry to grab a potato for his grandmother’s soup when he lands in a fantastical land. Now he has to find his way back home by following in the footsteps of a mysterious traveler from long ago. You’ll meet quirky characters, gather exotic ingredients and take in vibrant environments in this world of magical realism inspired by Latin America.

Vampire Crawlers

Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on Day One on April 21.

From the creators of the indie darling Vampire Survivors comes this turn-based, deck-building, roguelite game. You’ll explore dungeons that might look familiar to Vampire Survivors veterans, fight monsters and build chaotic, broken decks along the way. So be tactical in your choices or blast away every chance you get!

Kiln

Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on Day One on April 23.

Kiln is about creating beautiful pottery filled with artistry and wonder… and smashing it all to pieces in the arena. This online, multiplayer party brawler pits you against others to see which pottery design can withstand the heat and which can dish out a beating.

Two games come to Game Pass Essential subscribers on April 8

Game Pass Essential costs $10 a month and offers access to a relatively small library of games compared to Game Pass Premium and Ultimate. While Microsoft doesn’t regularly add many games to Essential’s library, it’s adding these two on April 8.

Games leaving the service on April 15

While Microsoft is adding the above games to Game Pass, it is also removing five games from the service on April 15, including GTA 5. That means you still have a little time left to complete your main campaign and any sidequests before you’ll have to buy these games separately.

For more on Xbox, discover other games available on Game Pass now, read our hands-on review of the gaming service and learn which Game Pass plan is right for you.

Technologies

Nintendo Is Offering the Switch 2 for $20 Less When You Buy Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2

This out-of-this-world deal goes live on April 12 and continues until May 9, giving you plenty of time to secure your bundle.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has been out for just over a week, and it has already become a must-see film for fans of the Mario Bros. video games. Nintendo also announced an upcoming deal that makes it easier to take the Super Mario Galaxy home.

Starting on April 12, Mario Bros. fans can get the Nintendo Switch 2 for $20 off with the purchase of a digital or physical Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 bundle. Once live, this deal lasts until May 9 and brings the Nintendo Switch 2 to $430, down from its usual price of $450.

The deal will be available at select retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, GameStop, Target and Best Buy. Not only does this deal coincide with the film’s release, but it’s also a small way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.

Additionally, Best Buy is currently giving away a free collectible 40th anniversary game case with select Mario game purchases if you’d rather not wait until April 12.

Super Mario Galaxy has been around since 2007, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 has been available since 2010 on Wii. These games are still crowd-pleasers, and this offer makes it possible to enjoy both games on the Nintendo Switch 2 for less.

To better enjoy this deal once it’s available, check out our article on everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch 2 games.

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Why this deal matters

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been praised by fans and gaming experts. Like its handheld gaming counterpart, Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 have also remained popular since their releases. If you’ve been looking to buy these games along with the handheld gaming console, then this is one deal to plan for. Keep in mind that it’ll run from April 12 until May 9, so be ready to secure the savings.