The video discusses the growing capability of gaming tablets to compete with Android handhelds, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of tablet gaming. It focuses on the Aldo Cube I Play 70 Mini Ultra tablet as a prime example, covering its specifications, media consumption capabilities, controller options, and gaming performance across various platforms including retro emulation, current Android games, and even PC streaming. The presenter ultimately concludes that while dedicated handhelds still hold a special appeal, tablet gaming offers a versatile and high-performance alternative that can satisfy a wide range of gaming needs.
Introduction to Tablet Gaming #
- Channel focuses on handheld gaming with Nintendos and Gameboys for retro systems.
- Common comments: "Why not use a controller on your phone?" - A valid and often cheaper alternative for handheld gaming.
- Another common comment: "Why not use a smaller tablet like an iPad Mini with a controller?" - This video explores this idea.
- Presenter spent weeks testing tablet gaming to evaluate its pros and cons compared to dedicated handhelds.
- The video is a discussion, not a review, but focuses on one specific tablet.
- Presenter is torn; some tablet gaming moments are superior, others raise concerns.
Tablet Options #
- iPad:
- Four models, price range $350 - $1000+.
- Can play games, has many App Store games.
- Officially supports emulators (e.g., RetroArch).
- More emulation options available on Android than iOS.
- Android Tablets (Lower-End):
- Ultra tablets (e.g., 8-inch Fire HD) for kids/media consumption, around $65.
- Often sluggish with low RAM (e.g., 3GB), software locked down, requiring workarounds to install apps. Not recommended for gaming.
- Android Tablets (Mid-Range):
- Around $150 (e.g., Alldocube iPlay 60 Mini Pro).
- Helio G99 processor, capable of retro classics, some PS2/GameCube.
- Overall experience not deemed worth it compared to dedicated handhelds.
- Android Tablets (High-End/China-Focused):
- Lenovo Y700 (favorite among users).
- Complicated due to different regional product lines (Chinese market focus).
- Requires buying from Chinese market and potentially flashing a global ROM for English compatibility (risk for general users).
- 2023 Y700 model: $300-$400, requires global ROM or flashing.
- Android Tablets (High-End/US Availability):
- Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3: Available in US, 8.8-inch 1600p 165Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
- Competes with high-end Android handhelds. Price: ~$450 (sometimes $420).
- Red Magic Astra gaming tablet: Snapdragon 8 Elite (more powerful than any current handheld). Price: ~$700 (Amazon), ~$550 (direct from Red Magic).
- Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3: Available in US, 8.8-inch 1600p 165Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
- Chosen Tablet: Alldocube iPlay 70 Mini Ultra:
- Globally available on Amazon US (~$350, sometimes lower with coupons).
- AliExpress price: ~$285 (sometimes $260 on sale), but may involve tariffs.
- Review unit provided by Alldocube (presenter states opinions are his own, no money exchanged, not pre-screened).
Alldocube iPlay 70 Mini Ultra Specifications #
- Chipset: Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 (near Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance).
- Adreno 732 GPU, supports custom Turnip drivers (beneficial for high-end emulation like Odin 2).
- Storage/Memory:
- Coveted Micro SD card slot (unlike Lenovo/Red Magic high-end tablets).
- 12GB RAM, 256GB internal storage.
- Allows Android games on internal storage, ROMs/emulation on Micro SD.
- Display:
- 8.8-inch size.
- 2560x1600 resolution (16:10 aspect ratio), similar to original Lenovo Legion Go.
- 144Hz high refresh rate.
- Battery:
- 7,300 mAh.
- ~6-6.5 hours of high-end Android/PS2 gaming.
- Weight:
- 335g (lighter than Lenovo and Red Magic).
- Connectivity:
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6.
- Bluetooth 5.4.
- Operating System: Android 14.
- Cameras: 5MP front, 13MP back.
Tablet Functionality Beyond Gaming #
- Media Consumption:
- Excellent for watching movies, similar to an iPad.
- Thin, lightweight, thin bezels.
- 8.8-inch display is impressive.
- Widevine Level 1 support for 4K streaming on popular apps.
- Dual stereo speakers (good, but no headphone jack - requires USB-C adapter or Bluetooth headphones).
- Screen gets bright, usable outdoors in direct sunlight.
- Work/Productivity:
- Video chatting (front camera bit grainy, but functional for Zoom).
- Can use Bluetooth keyboards with built-in stands for email/work on the go.
Controller Options for Tablet Gaming #
- Bluetooth Controllers:
- Standard Xbox, PlayStation, or third-party controllers work via Bluetooth.
- Can prop up tablet and use off-screen.
- Telescopic Controllers (focus of discussion):
- Controllers that DO NOT fit (under 130mm tablet length):
- Gamesir G8 Galileo (barely too tight, could break if forced).
- New Backbone Pro (not wide enough).
- Ayn Odin Mobile Controller (not wide enough).
- Recommended Controllers that DO fit:
- Razer Kishi Ultra: USBC connection (no battery), large sticks/grips for FPS games.
- Expensive at $150 (half the tablet price).
- Razer Kishi V3 is $100 and also wide enough.
- Gamesir X5 Lite: $35 retail.
- Hall sensor sticks (small but good), membrane buttons/D-pad (retro feel).
- USB connection (no internal battery, lightweight).
- Total setup weight (tablet + controller): 475g (half the weight of a Lenovo Legion Go).
- Digital triggers (not analog) - not ideal for driving games, good for shooters (e.g., Destiny Rising).
- Gamesir G8 Galileo (Plus): $80 retail.
- Wireless Bluetooth (internal battery), works with Nintendo Switch (changeable ABXY layout).
- Analog triggers, Xbox-like design.
- Opens to connect directly, automatically pairs.
- Can be used for vertical gaming.
- Heavier setup (tablet + controller): 653g (similar to a Steam Deck).
- Gamesir X5S (Newer, not yet owned by presenter): $50 retail.
- Similar to X5 Lite but wireless (can use vertically, with Switch).
- Analog triggers.
- Very lightweight despite battery.
- Presenter implies this would be a main recommendation.
- Razer Kishi Ultra: USBC connection (no battery), large sticks/grips for FPS games.
- Controllers that DO NOT fit (under 130mm tablet length):
- BYOC (Bring Your Own Controller): Advantage of tablet gaming, allowing choice and refresh of controllers.
Screen Benefits for Gaming #
- Massive Screen Size (8.8 inches):
- More visual space (e.g., Stardew Valley).
- 1600p resolution for crisp visuals.
- Destiny Rising on the tablet (with lightweight X5 Lite) was a "wish fulfilled".
- Retro Emulation:
- Game Boy/Game Boy Color: 11.1x resolution upscale, 7-inch display for 10:9 content (overkill, but impressive).
- Game Boy Advance: Perfect 10x integer scale, 8.4-inch native content. "Better way to play GBA."
- 4:3 Content (NES, SNES, N64, Dreamcast, Arcade):
- Impressively large at 7.8 inches despite black bars.
- Can use CRT shaders for a "CRT television" feel.
- High refresh rate allows black frame insertion or shader subframes for better motion clarity.
- Touchscreen Gaming:
- Large screen makes dedicated tablet mode viable.
- Examples: Balatro (card game), Civilization 6 (Netflix game, free with subscription).
- Streaming/Cloud Gaming:
- Local PC Streaming (e.g., via Apollo/Artemis): 4-5ms decoding time, feels native. Good for playing PC games from couch.
- Remote Play (Xbox, PlayStation): Stream console games to tablet.
- Cloud Streaming (e.g., Nvidia GeForce Now):
- Premium tier allows high refresh rate streaming (120fps).
- Presenter's experience in Hawaii: ~60ms ping, playable but sluggish.
- Depends on local network/internet speed.
- Vertical Gaming:
- Especially good with Gamesir G8 Plus controller.
- Benefits of CRT shaders/motion clarity apply to vertical arcade games.
- More comfortable hand separation for vertical play.
- DS/3DS Emulation:
- Emulators account for portrait display.
- 3DS: Screens stack vertically, 4x resolution upscale possible (looks awesome).
- Top screen (wider) and bottom screen (4:3) size mismatch, but both are large.
- Original DS: Both screens 4:3, massively upscaled when width matched to display.
- MelonDS emulator: Up to 4x upscale (presenter found 2x/3x better due to optimization, not power).
- Can adjust gap between screens (e.g., Mario Kart vs. Sonic Rush).
- Squishing screens together for games like Tetris DS creates one large vertical display.
- Touch-centric DS games (e.g., Zookeeper) work well, feel like tablet games.
- Sideways DS games (e.g., Rhythm Heaven) also work well, with left/right-handed options.
- Versatility of screen rotation for different game types.
Processing Power and Emulation Performance #
- 3D-Based Systems (PS1, N64, Dreamcast):
- PS1: 5x resolution upscale, 4:3 aspect ratio (widescreen hacks possible but 4:3 preferred).
- N64/Dreamcast: Upscaled, 4:3 (widescreen hacks optional).
- Sega Saturn (Beetle Saturn core in RetroArch): Accurate, authentic feel. Can use lightweight shaders.
- PSP:
- 16:9 system, minimal black bars top/bottom.
- 6x resolution (higher than screen can handle), 8.6-inch display. Very impressive.
- Higher-End Systems:
- Nintendo GameCube: 3x resolution upscale, amazing visuals.
- Dolphin emulator: Widescreen hacks adapt to 16:10 display (e.g., Mario Kart Double Dash fills entire 8.8-inch screen).
- PS2: 3x resolution upscale. Widescreen hacks target 16:9 (not 16:10 adaptive like Dolphin). Still very impressive.
- Wii U: Early development, but Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess run at 1080p. Heavyweight games like Breath of the Wild will struggle.
- Nintendo Switch: Works well, but with limitations.
- Lightweight/mediumweight games run fine.
- Supports Turnip drivers (easy installation via Eden emulator's GPU driver manager).
- Not recommended to buy solely for Switch emulation due to compatibility issues and ongoing development.
- Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze (edge of medium-heavy) plays at full speed in docked mode (1080p).
- Mario Odyssey:
- Handheld mode (~720p) at 60fps (playable but "muddy" on large screen).
- Docked mode (1080p): Averages 45-55fps (playable, but "not authentically enjoyable").
- Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 has a cap for Switch emulation.
- Portal 2 (PC game via Windows on Android): Runs at 60fps, even in complex scenes.
- Nintendo GameCube: 3x resolution upscale, amazing visuals.
- Android Games:
- Lightweight games (e.g., Minecraft) run perfectly.
- Diablo Immortal: High settings, 60fps, smooth.
- High-end games (e.g., Withering Waves): High settings (not ultra) at ~60fps.
- Device heats up, but telescopic controller prevents feeling it.
- Likely not stable 60fps but smooth enough.
- PC Gaming on Android (High-End Tablets):
- Apps like Game Native (fork of Pluia) allow playing Steam games direct on Android (Winlator wrapper).
- Simplifies process, brings in Steam cloud saves.
- Not perfect: Only lightweight games work well, some DRM issues.
- Example: Iron Meat (launched, controls didn't register). Parking Garage Rally Circuit (didn't get past menu).
- Video Out: Most tablets support 4K video out for mirrored play on external screens.
Battery Life #
- Alldocube iPlay 70 Mini Ultra has a 7,300 mAh battery.
- Game Boy Advance (lightweight): Final Fantasy 6 Advanced = 16 hours, 40 minutes.
- PS2 (medium-heavy): God of War (3x upscale) = 6 hours, 50 minutes. (Aligns with 8,000 mAh handhelds getting ~8 hours for PS2).
- High-End Android Games: Destiny Rising = ~6.5 hours (estimated based on initial drain).
- Fast Charging: 20W fast charge, 0-100% in ~1-1.5 hours.
Downsides of Tablet Gaming #
- Size:
- Large setup (good for screen, bad for portability).
- Much larger than dedicated small handhelds (e.g., Retroid Pocket Mini 2).
- Not easily pocketable or as portable for travel.
- Weight:
- Tablet alone: 335g.
- Lightest controller setup (X5 Lite): 475g.
- Heavier controller setup (G8 Plus): 653g (similar to a Steam Deck).
- Still lighter than some high-end handhelds like Odin 2 Portal with grip (528g).
- Heat:
- Tablet lacks active cooling (no fan), gets warm under heavy load.
- Compensated by not touching the tablet when using telescopic controllers.
- Cohesion:
- Feels like a controller "slapped onto" a tablet, not a seamless, dedicated handheld experience.
- This "breaks the magic" for some users who prefer the integrated feel of handhelds.
- Dedicated handhelds (e.g., TrimUI Brick) offer a tailor-made, portable experience for retro games.
Conclusion #
- Presenter has enjoyed the tablet experience and plans to continue using it.
- Versatile for "tablety stuff" and horizontal/vertical gaming.
- Console-like experience with frontends like Emulation Station.
- Concluded that tablet gaming is a worthwhile investment and satisfies needs for those without dedicated handhelds.
- Will still use dedicated handhelds for the channel's focus.
- Recommends trying tablet gaming if you already own a tablet with a good chipset; consider adding a controller.
- Invites comments on whether viewers use tablets for gaming and what they play.
last updated: