Gaming Smartphones Revolution: The Future Awaits!

In recent years, Nubia has positioned RedMagic as a gaming smartphone brand that shouldn’t be overlooked. It serves as a classic flagship disruptor, showcasing premium specifications at a price point closer to the mid-range offerings than the high-end devices, especially when the high-end models are gaming phones. Moreover, it maintains a dedicated focus on meeting gamers’ requirements. With the launch of the RedMagic 10 Pro, the question arises: is Nubia still leading the way?

RedMagic 10 Pro and Nubia’s Product Timeline

The RedMagic series is well-recognized for the regular updates of its devices. Besides the yearly refresh of the numerical series, there is also a six-month revamp featuring an ‘S’ version. This approach guarantees that the newest RedMagic gaming devices consistently rank at the top when comparing specifications with competitors.

For those aiming for competitiveness during gameplay, a new RedMagic device promises cutting-edge hardware. However, that attractive pricing comes with a trade-off… the extent of software and security updates Nubia commits to providing. In my opinion, this represents the most significant drawback of the RedMagic 10 Pro package—it includes just one Android update (upgrading the device to Android 16 but not beyond), two years of interface upgrades, and three years of security patches.

This limited timeframe makes it challenging to endorse the RedMagic 10 Pro without including a disclaimer about its longevity. Does its exceptional performance and gaming-centric hardware compensate for this?

RedMagic 10 Pro Specifications

At the core of the RedMagic 10 Pro is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, a leading-edge chipset. This popular chipset will feature in many devices launched in 2025, yet perhaps not with the added hardware that RedMagic has incorporated to achieve maximum performance.

Configurations offer up to 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, utilizing fast LPDDR5X and UFS 4.1 Pro technologies for rapid data transfer.

Maintaining the 8 Elite at optimal temperatures is crucial for enhanced performance. Nubia employs liquid metal cooling to draw heat away from the chipset quickly. This method, often found in gaming laptops, marks a first in the smartphone industry.

If that isn’t sufficient, remember the RedMagic 10 Pro is equipped with a fan that circulates cooling air throughout the system. Although this means the 10 Pro is not waterproof, it signifies a deliberate design choice to prioritize gaming capabilities over everyday usability.

That said, the RedMagic 10 Pro can still function as a daily smartphone. It fully supports Android, includes the Google Play Store, and the excessive power required for high-performance gaming ensures that routine social media or office applications have ample resources to operate smoothly.

RedMagic 10 Pro Battery Life

The battery is another aspect where the 10 Pro excels. It comes equipped with a massive 7050 mAh battery featuring Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 5 technology, capable of supporting up to 100W wired charging, which is included in the retail package.

While gaming can deplete battery life quickly, Nubia claims 18 hours of video playback, dropping to around 6.5 hours during gameplay in Genshin Impact. Nonetheless, this offers enough battery life to comfortably handle two full days of “smartphone” activity or several gaming sessions throughout a single day without concerns about recharging.

RedMagic 10 Pro Camera Functionality

The design of the RedMagic 10 Pro can be characterized by one word… flat. While rear cameras are present, there is no protruding camera bump or island. The entire device feels as if it has been sculpted from a single piece. This design enhances the balance of the 10 Pro in your hand, ensuring a comfortable experience during extended gaming sessions.

The rear camera can be considered “satisfactory” but is nothing exceptional. This is where most compromises have been made to enable Nubia to allocate resources to other areas of the RedMagic device, and it is a logical area to cut costs. Users seeking exceptional camera quality will know which smartphones to explore and will likely look elsewhere; however, those focusing on gaming will appreciate the ability to capture the occasional photo.

RedMagic 10 Pro Gaming Space Software

However, the Pro 10 is not entirely seamless. On the long edge, you still find the power and volume buttons, speaker, and SIM slot. Additionally, the device features air triggers on the shoulders that can be programmed to mimic button presses or taps in any application via GameSpace software.

GameSpace serves as RedMagic’s dedicated game launcher, activated by selecting the app in the typical manner from Android or by flipping the red switch on the long edge of the device. If gaming is your primary use of the 10 Pro, I can’t see why you wouldn’t want this option always enabled.

The RedMagic 10 Pro Display Quality

More than any other type of smartphone, gaming smartphones must prioritize their display. They require high resolution, rapid refresh rates, and elevated touch-sampling rates. Each of these factors significantly influences the overall gaming experience.

With bezels that measure just 1.25mm, the 10 Pro feels almost entirely comprised of the display, enhanced by the admittedly modest front-facing camera.

cam being an “under-display” instead of a cut-out. It’s a 6.85-inch panel operating at 1.5K (2688×1216 pixels), allowing for a high level of detail. The display boasts a refresh rate of 144 Hz, enabling the newest titles to operate at the highest achievable speed while seamlessly scaling back when necessary. The touch sampling rate has been heightened to 2,500 Hz

All these features result in a fluid gaming experience on the display, both visually and through the controls. The shoulder triggers significantly contribute to the gaming experience as well. When they are directly supported, it’s fantastic, but if not, customizing them yourself (by dragging a crosshair across the screen to indicate where you desire the ‘tap’ of the button to be replicated on the display) allows you to adapt the games to your preferences.

RedMagic 10 Pro Concluding Thoughts

The Nubia RedMagic 10 Pro maintains the established formula of its predecessor gaming phones; specifically, ensuring it is equipped with the most powerful system-on-chip, coupled with adequate memory and storage for optimal utilization, guaranteeing the latest active and passive cooling technologies are incorporated, and dedicating a significant portion of the material costs to the display.

Six months post the RedMagic 9S Pro, the RedMagic 10 Pro represents a minor advancement, but this trend is consistent across all RedMagic devices. You acquire the latest model, ideal for several years of gaming, and transition to the next one.

This leads to my primary criticism being the software rather than the camera. One notable Android version stands out as one of the weakest options available. While three years of security updates are appreciated, these choices give the RedMagic a somewhat disposable impression.

The entire package meets expectations today with impressive battery longevity, an exceptional display, and gaming attributes in both hardware and software to refine the experience. With starting prices at $649, it offers substantial power and performance at a notably competitive rate.

Disclaimer: Nubia provided a RedMagic 10 Pro for evaluation purposes.