We previewed the RedMagic 11 Pro last year, 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 machine for 13 years, it was about time I attempted once more – provided that Apple continues to supply just a little 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. Nevertheless it’s 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 possibly can demand of it.
New Atlas
In fact, this smartphone prioritizes gaming, and it presents a severely nice expertise even on the tail finish of a day-long session (do not decide 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 machine – 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 is snappy, and it stays quick.
That stated, 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 in the event you’re actually pushing it, the telephone is audible in quiet rooms. However the trade-off is, after all, efficiency – and the fan might be manually deactivated if wanted.
Hand-on Expertise | REDMAGIC 11 Professional
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 price. So even earlier than you open a recreation, you may discover that it is speedy as you scroll by apps or watch movies.
Once you do load a recreation, this telephone actually does stands out. Any title requiring responsiveness – first-person shooters, racing, to call simply two – is dealt with very well, and the big display screen at instances makes you overlook you are on a smartphone and never, say, a Swap. Along with 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 just a little extra civil in public).
This mannequin just isn’t precisely light-weight, however at 8.1 oz (230 g) – coupled with its modern, sharp body – it is simple 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 screen protector that hasn’t succumbed to a single mark up to now, and it feels extremely sturdy general. Anticipate the again show to get some fingerprints, however a case removes that subject. It additionally makes use of 3D ultrasonic under-display fingerprint recognition, which presents quicker and extra correct unlocking – even with moist fingers – and contact shoulder buttons which might be helpful for gaming. There’s additionally a pink toggle to activate its particular gaming platform, and the amount buttons are straightforward to seek out and function.
New Atlas
One of many different spectacular options of this machine is its battery. If it isn’t getting used for gaming, anticipate to see it nonetheless kicking for days. The mighty 7,500-mAh battery delivers a full day of combined use – and much more in the event you’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 telephone’s digital camera is about nearly as good as an iPhone 8 and one among its weakest factors, however in contrast to Apple, the lenses are flush to the handset and guarded by the slim clear again cowl. The rear 50-MP digital camera array does a good job of capturing daytime snaps however struggles extra in difficult mild, and the 16-MP under-display entrance digital camera just isn’t precisely made for detailed selfies.
New Atlas
When it comes to software program, the 11 Professional is loaded with Android 16, and RedMagic is providing two years of OS updates (to Android 18) and a interval of safety patches. There is not any doubt the {hardware} outperforms the software program, however there are some new AI options to each the system and the famed Recreation House platform, with RedMagic’s mascot Mora providing extra taking part in help too. Nonetheless, general the software program feels rather less refined than some extra mainstream Android fashions and it isn’t at all times intuitive – nevertheless, this might additionally come all the way down to switching over from Apple.
New Atlas
RedMagic’s OS has promotional prompts and app ideas (bloatware) in its default software program, however they are often disabled or uninstalled. It may well really feel just a little overwhelming at first, simply be warned. However there is a stunning quantity of customization that may be achieved within the Recreation House to actually make this telephone your personal.
At present at US$699 for the essential mannequin – with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage – it is a first rate funding and it is onerous to not be pleased with how effectively the 11 Professional leans into its strengths and does not faux to be something it is not. There are three totally different appearances provided – Cryo (12 GB/256 GB), Clear Silver Subzero (16 GB/512 GB and 24GB/1 TB) and Clear Black Nightfreeze (16 GB/512 GB and 24 GB/1 TB).
Product web page: RedMagic
