Fan, 144 Hz, RGB, overclocking… we took control of a gaming tablet

Why would we need a tablet when Android consoles exist? Redmagic Nova is entering the tablet market with the ambition of establishing itself as the absolute reference for mobile gaming. And the least we can say is that its technical characteristics are muscular.

At the heart of this supercharged tablet, we find Qualcomm’s latest high-end SoC, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, dans sa version « Leading » overclockée. The main CPU thus climbs to 3.4 GHz, while the Adreno GPU reaches the frequency of 1 GHz. Enough to shatter some performance records on Android.

To fully exploit this firepower, Redmagic has equipped its Nova witha 10.9-inch IPS LCD screen with 2K+ definition (2880 x 1800 pixels). But above all it is its refresh rate of 144 Hz which impresses, it is supposed to guarantee optimal fluidity in compatible games.

On the memory side, the tablet is generously equipped with 12 or 16 GB LPDDR5X RAMcombined with 256 or 512 GB of ultra-fast UFS 4.0 storage. Enough to install a well-stocked game library without worrying about the available space.

Autonomy is not to be outdone with an imposing 10,100 mAh battery, compatible with 80W fast charging. Redmagic thus announces up to 18.7 hours of use, a figure that will of course have to be verified in real conditions.

To effectively cool its components, the Nova integrates a fairly special heat dissipation system. We thus find an active fan of 20,000 rpma 3D heat pipe and no less than 9 layers of dissipative materials. Enough to maintain maximum performance even in intensive use.

Finally, audio has not been neglected with 4 balanced DTS:X Ultra compatible speakerspromising immersive in-game sound. We also note the presence of a USB-C port, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.

Here is a summary of the main technical characteristics of the Redmagic Nova:

Handling and ergonomics

From the first handling, we notice that the Redmagic Nova has a neat finish. The tablet maintains contained dimensions with only 7.3 mm thick for a weight of 530 grams. It feels pleasant in the hand.

The design is more sober than the brand’s gaming smartphones, with an elegant “Midnight” color. Only the backlit Redmagic logo and an LED surround around the fan provide a discreet gaming touch. The transparent rear panel reveals certain internal components, an aesthetic choice that I like. Here, it’s more decoration than real integrated circuits.

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The 10.9-inch screen takes up the majority of the front, with relatively thin bezels for a tablet. Its brightness announced at 550 nits ensures good readability, even outdoors. The 144Hz refresh rate is its strong point, but you need compatible games to take advantage of it.

Handling is made easier by the flat edges of the tablet, providing a good grip. The volume buttons and power button are easily accessible on the right edge. However, we regret the absence of a 3.5 mm jack, a surprising choice for a gaming-oriented tablet.

The active cooling system is one of the Nova’s special features. In intensive use, the fan starts gradually. Although it remains discreet most of the time, it can be perceived in a quiet environment. I still have a hard time telling myself that my tablet is making noise, we’re not used to that on a tablet.

Heat dissipation nevertheless proves effective, with the tablet only heating up moderately even after long gaming sessions.

And the performances?

Even if this is just a hands-on experience, to assess the raw performance of the Redmagic Nova, we subjected it to a battery of synthetic benchmarks. The results obtained are simply impressive, placing the tablet at the top of the hierarchy of Android devices.

On AnTuTu v10, the Nova sets a new record with a total score of 2,135,147 points. That’s almost 10% more than the best smartphones with the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The GPU score of 887,312 points notably testifies to the exceptional graphics capabilities of the tablet.

3DMark tests confirm this domination, with a score of 5382 points on the Wild Life Extreme benchmark. That’s about 15% better than the average for high-end Android devices. The Solar Bay test, which simulates complex 3D renderings, displays 9132 points.

Finally, on Geekbench 6, the Nova obtains 1056 points in single-core and 7047 points in multi-core. Results that place it at the level of the best iPhones in terms of raw power.

Why a gaming tablet? What makes it different?

Faced with Apple’s domination of the tablet market, we can legitimately wonder what the point of an Android tablet specialized in gaming is. Especially since there are Android game consoles, with dedicated controllers. For example, I have a Razer Edge at home. The Redmagic Nova provides several convincing answers to this question.

First of all, its raw power far exceeds that of Android tablets. This results in incomparable fluidity in the most demanding games, without any slowdown even with the graphics pushed to the maximum.

Another benefit for gamers is the 144Hz refresh rate. Although I haven’t found a game that actually benefits from such a high refresh rate. We can nevertheless regret the choice of an LCD screen rather than OLED.

The Nova’s active cooling system allows it to maintain its maximum performance over long periods, where a traditional tablet would quickly be limited by heat. This is really a solution found by Red Magic to overclock the processor and obtain good scores on benchmarks.

RedMagic’s gaming ecosystem could also be an argument. Game Space mode optimizes resources for games, while Red Magic has worked on compatibility with various accessories (controllers, keyboards, etc.). In theory, the Nova can thus be transformed into a real portable console, but accessories must be added. Note, however, that the RedMagic OS 9.5 interface, although rich in gaming features, sometimes lacks finesse and optimization.

Despite its impressive performance, we can question the ergonomics of the RedMagic Nova for intensive gaming without a dedicated controller. Indeed, if the tablet shines with its power, it does not offer a native solution to improve the handling for gaming.

The absence of dedicated physical buttons or customizable touch zones on the edges of the screen could slow down some players accustomed to portable consoles.

Redmagic does offer compatible accessories, such as a Bluetooth controller, but this involves an additional purchase and does not entirely solve the integration problem. We could have imagined removable grips or a more ergonomic design for gaming in landscape mode, like some competing gaming tablets.

Price and availability

The Redmagic Nova will be available for pre-order from October 7, 2024, for effective marketing on October 16.

Two configurations will be offered:

• Version 12 Go RAM / 256 Go stockage : 499 €
• Version 16 Go RAM / 512 Go stockage : 649 €