The Android gaming tablet space is heating up, with both ZTE’s RedMagic Tablet and Lenovo’s Legion Y700 (2023) vying for dominance. Both devices center around the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but diverge significantly in charging speed and overall design philosophy. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which tablet delivers the best experience for demanding mobile gamers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer prioritizing sustained performance and rapid refueling, the ZTE nubia RedMagic Tablet emerges as the winner. Its 80W charging significantly outperforms the Legion Y700’s 45W, minimizing downtime between intense gaming sessions. While both share the same core chipset, the RedMagic’s charging advantage is a decisive factor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | LTE | N/A |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 05 | 2023, July 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 11 | Available. Released 2023, July 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 279.7 x 181.9 x 6.5 mm (11.01 x 7.16 x 0.26 in) | 208.9 x 129.5 x 7.6 mm (8.22 x 5.10 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 613 g (1.35 lb) | 350 g (12.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~343 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.8 inches, 224.5 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 144Hz, 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 144Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475P Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, Redmagic OS 8 | Android 13, ZUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, (wide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | Yes |
| NFC | Unspecified | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | No |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, magnetic connector | 2x USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort 1.4 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, 50% in 24 min, 100% in 55 min | 45W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 10000 mAh | Li-Po 6550 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Gray |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 600 EUR |
ZTE nubia RedMagic Tablet
- Significantly faster 80W charging
- Potentially larger display due to tablet form factor
- Designed specifically for gaming with potential thermal optimizations
- Slightly lower CPU clock speed compared to Legion Y700
- Camera performance likely not a priority
Lenovo Legion Y700 (2023)
- Higher CPU clock speed (3.19 GHz vs 3.0 GHz)
- Lenovo’s software experience may be more refined
- Potentially better build quality (based on Lenovo’s brand reputation)
- Slower 45W charging
- May prioritize portability over sustained gaming performance
- Limited information on thermal management
Display Comparison
Both tablets utilize the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) chipset, meaning display performance will be largely dictated by panel quality and refresh rate (specs not provided). However, the RedMagic Tablet’s larger form factor suggests a potentially larger display area. Without specific display specs, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the RedMagic’s focus on immersive gaming suggests a higher emphasis on screen real estate and potentially higher peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are absent from the provided data. Given the gaming focus of both devices, camera quality is likely a secondary consideration. It’s reasonable to assume both tablets will feature adequate cameras for casual use, but neither is likely to compete with dedicated camera-centric smartphones. Without further information, a comparison is impossible.
Performance
Both the ZTE nubia RedMagic Tablet and Lenovo Legion Y700 (2023) are powered by the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) chipset. However, the Legion Y700 boasts a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed of 3.19 GHz compared to the RedMagic Tablet’s 3.0 GHz. While this 0.19 GHz difference is measurable, the practical impact on gaming performance will be minimal, as both CPUs share the same core architecture (Octa-core with 1x Cortex-X2, 3x Cortex-A710, and 4x Cortex-A510). The thermal design of each tablet will ultimately determine sustained performance, a factor not detailed in the provided specs.
Battery Life
The most significant difference lies in charging speed. The ZTE nubia RedMagic Tablet supports 80W wired charging, claiming 50% charge in 24 minutes and 100% in 55 minutes. The Lenovo Legion Y700 (2023) is limited to 45W wired charging. This disparity is substantial; the RedMagic Tablet will significantly reduce downtime for gamers who prioritize quick top-ups. While battery capacity (mAh) isn’t specified, the faster charging of the RedMagic Tablet effectively mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic Tablet if you need a tablet that can quickly get back into the action after long gaming sessions, and value a faster charging experience. Buy the Lenovo Legion Y700 (2023) if you prioritize a potentially more refined software experience (based on Lenovo’s track record) and a slightly higher CPU clock speed, though the real-world impact of this difference is minimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much does the charging speed difference *really* matter for gaming?
For serious gamers, the 35W difference in charging speed is substantial. The RedMagic Tablet’s 80W charging allows for significantly faster top-ups during breaks, minimizing downtime and maximizing gaming time. A full charge in 55 minutes versus a longer duration with 45W is a clear advantage.
❓ Will the slightly higher CPU clock speed on the Legion Y700 noticeably improve gaming performance?
The 0.19 GHz difference in CPU clock speed is unlikely to result in a noticeable performance difference in most games. Both tablets utilize the same Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset with the same core architecture. Thermal management and software optimization will have a far greater impact on sustained gaming performance.
❓ Are there any known thermal throttling issues with either tablet?
Unfortunately, the provided specifications do not detail the thermal design of either tablet. However, given both devices are targeted towards gamers, it’s reasonable to expect both manufacturers have implemented cooling solutions to mitigate thermal throttling. Independent reviews will be crucial to assess real-world thermal performance.
