RedMagic 11 Pro assessment: a robust gaming cellphone

We previewed the RedMagic 11 Pro final yr, however with any know-how it feels higher to have a real-world, lived expertise with it. And as somebody who hasn’t used an Android gadget for 13 years, it was about time I attempted once more – on condition that Apple continues to supply somewhat extra bang for lots extra buck.

The very first thing you may discover out of the field is that the design of the 11 Pro is totally distinctive, with its clear flat-back design, that permits you to watch its signature blue cooling liquid flow into when powered up. But it is not only a fairly face – it is designed to push Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset to its limits, dealing with just about all the things you’ll be able to demand of it.

New Atlas

Of course, this smartphone prioritizes gaming, and it affords a severely nice expertise even on the tail finish of a day-long session (do not choose me). And a big a part of this endurance is because of that lava-lamp-esque liquid system that pumps device-chilling coolant across the gadget – a world first when it comes to mass-produced telephones – together with a turbo fan to maintain the processor and graphics chips doing their jobs with out the anticipated lag. It’s snappy, and it stays quick.

That mentioned, it may be unashamedly loud. The WindRide 4.0 turbo fan spins at 24,000 RPM and an air duct immediately disperses warmth generated, so for those who’re actually pushing it, the cellphone is audible in quiet rooms. But the trade-off is, in fact, efficiency – and the fan might be manually deactivated if wanted.

Its satisfying hand-feel is matched by its stats: A 6.85-inch (17-cm) 2,688 x 1,216-pixel high-resolution BOE X10 AMOLED show with a 144-Hz refresh charge. So even earlier than you open a recreation, you may discover that it is speedy as you scroll by means of apps or watch movies.

When you do load a recreation, this cellphone actually does stands out. Any title requiring responsiveness – first-person shooters, racing, to call simply two – is dealt with rather well, and the big display at occasions makes you overlook you are on a smartphone and never, say, a Switch. In addition to this, the tactile vibration provides to the expertise, as do the highly effective stereo audio system (the handset include a 3.5-mm headphone jack, too, to maintain issues somewhat extra civil in public).

This mannequin just isn’t precisely light-weight, however at 8.1 oz (230 g) – coupled with its glossy, sharp body – it is easy to see it is constructed to be held like a controller and does that job very effectively certainly. It additionally has a pre-applied display protector that hasn’t succumbed to a single mark to date, and it feels extremely sturdy general. Expect the again show to get some fingerprints, however a case removes that situation. It additionally makes use of 3D ultrasonic under-display fingerprint recognition, which affords sooner and extra correct unlocking – even with moist fingers – and contact shoulder buttons which can be helpful for gaming. There’s additionally a pink toggle to activate its particular gaming platform, and the quantity buttons are straightforward to seek out and function.

New Atlas

One of the opposite spectacular options of this gadget is its battery. If it is not getting used for gaming, count on to see it nonetheless kicking for days. The mighty 7,500-mAh battery delivers a full day of blended use – and much more for those who’re not leaning closely on what it is constructed for. Wired charging (as much as 80 W) is met with 80 W wi-fi quick charging, and the capability is among the many largest of any well-known smartphone, gaming-oriented or not.

The cellphone’s digicam is about nearly as good as an iPhone 8 and considered one of its weakest factors, however not like Apple, the lenses are flush to the handset and guarded by the slim clear again cowl. The rear 50-MP digicam array does a good job of capturing daytime snaps however struggles extra in difficult gentle, and the 16-MP under-display entrance digicam just isn’t precisely made for detailed selfies.

New Atlas

In phrases of software program, the 11 Pro is loaded with Android 16, and RedMagic is providing two years of OS updates (to Android 18) and a interval of safety patches. There’s little question the {hardware} outperforms the software program, however there are some new AI options to each the system and the famed Game Space platform, with RedMagic’s mascot Mora providing extra enjoying help too. Still, general the software program feels rather less refined than some extra mainstream Android fashions and it is not all the time intuitive – nonetheless, this might additionally come all the way down to switching over from Apple.

New Atlas

RedMagic’s OS has promotional prompts and app solutions (bloatware) in its default software program, however they are often disabled or uninstalled. It can really feel somewhat overwhelming at first, simply be warned. But there is a shocking quantity of customization that may be completed within the Game Space to actually make this cellphone your individual.

Currently at US$699 for the fundamental mannequin – with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage – it is a respectable funding and it is laborious to not be proud of how effectively the 11 Pro leans into its strengths and would not faux to be something it is not. There are three totally different appearances provided – Cryo (12 GB/256 GB), Transparent Silver Subzero (16 GB/512 GB and 24GB/1 TB) and Transparent Black Nightfreeze (16 GB/512 GB and 24 GB/1 TB).

Product web page: RedMagic