The RedMagic 11 Pro has finally landed, swooping in a full five months after its older sibling, the 10S Pro. And yes, the newcomer makes the previous model feel ancient enough to start muttering inappropriate comments at family dinners. So, if you’ve been holding onto that old thing, maybe it’s time to toss it aside and welcome this shiny, limber gaming brick into your life.
This new model proudly flexes the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, the sort of powerhouse that laughs in the face of demanding titles. After spending several days putting it through absolute hell with endless firefights, magical mayhem, and being virtually beaten senseless by digital wildlife, it’s clear this phone is built for people who take mobile gaming far too seriously. And as always, Mora’s there to keep you company, even though her voice seems to have wandered off and been replaced by something a bit… robotic.
Unboxing
Pop open the box and you’ll find the essentials, depending on your region. My review unit included a charging brick rear for Europe these days thanks to regulations but if you’re elsewhere, you might get lucky. A bright red USB cable sits neatly inside, along with a clear protective case. It’s thin and ribbed, perfect for gripping the device without ruining the design flair.
And that’s about it. No flashy extras, no random gimmicks, just the basics to get you going.
Design
At first glance, the phone looks like a cousin of the previous generation. But up close, the RedMagic 11 Pro does sport some fresh twists. It’s big, flat, and unapologetically chunky at nearly 9 mm thick with a 230 g weight. That’s right up there with some foldable phones, but considering the heavy-duty internals, it all makes sense.
The aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass front and back keep it feeling solid, though Nubia didn’t mention which Gorilla Glass version they used. You do get a pre-applied screen protector, which is always appreciated.
The phone comes in three flavours:
- Cryo (matte black)
- Night Freeze (transparent black)
- Subzero Effort (transparent silver)
Flip it over and you’re treated to a busy-looking transparent rear with RGB lights shining through the fan, RedMagic branding, and a massive circular ring in the middle. That ring doesn’t light up like the rest, but it does house the new liquid cooling system, which we’ll dive into later. It’s eye-catching enough to turn heads if you whip it out in a bar. Just be mindful that the back is very slippery, so greasy hands and kebab nights might not end well.
Surprisingly, the RedMagic 11 Pro now carries an IPX8 rating. It can survive water dips but still has no official dust protection. Nubia insists it is safe from grit and sand, though I wouldn’t go burying it on the beach.
Software and Features
Unlocking is handled by an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. It’s quick, accurate, and works even if your hands are slightly damp.
The software package includes RedMagic OS layered over Android 16. European users will be getting five full years of updates, while some regions may only see three. The interface is familiar: a combined control center, a quirky alternative to Google Discover, and a small handful of pre-installed apps that can be easily removed if they annoy you.
Customization options are plentiful. You can tweak RGB patterns, fan lighting, and even the animation inside that liquid cooling ring. Everything from colours to effects can be changed to suit your mood.
Game Space and the Return of Mora
Flick the switch on the side and you’re transported into Game Space, RedMagic’s dedicated gaming hub. It launches with a dramatic soundtrack and groups all your games neatly in one place.
This is where you can tune performance settings, activate plugins, and chat with Mora. Sadly, poor Mora now sounds more like an AI newsreader than the companion from older models.
Game Space also includes AI performance tips, strategies for specific games, and system stats. You can adjust fan behaviour, block notifications, and even enable a feature called Mora Mouth, which can reply to in-game chat on your behalf with either cute or sarcastic messages.
The shoulder triggers return as well, with a lightning-fast 520 Hz response rate. You can drag their icons onto on-screen buttons and get instant feedback with subtle haptics. It’s precise, fun, and gives you an edge in competitive games.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 inside this phone is a monster. Paired with up to 24 GB of RAM (my unit has 16 GB), the device breezes through every heavy game thrown at it. Weather and Waves, a brutally demanding title, ran at maximum graphics settings with no sweatholding steady around 60 fps with only the occasional dip by one or two frames.
Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG, and similar shooters run flawlessly, even during long sessions. Everything stays smooth, fast, and shockingly stable.
There’s also a Red Core R4 chip on board which manages gaming enhancements, cooling, and onscreen features.
Cooling
This is where the RedMagic 11 Pro really gets wild. The new AquaCore cooling setup uses a fluorinated liquid similar to that used in AI server systems. It can handle extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to 70°C. So technically, this phone could keep gaming long after you’ve given up.
An enlarged vapor chamber covers a huge area, and the fan hits 24,000 RPM while somehow staying whisper quiet. Even at maximum speed, it only makes a faint whirring noise that won’t disturb anyone nearby.
After hours of gaming on the highest settings, the phone becomes only slightly warm. That’s it. The cooling system is phenomenal, and easily one of the standout features of this device.
Display and Audio
The front is dominated by a massive 6.85-inch AMOLED panel with a 2688×1216 resolution. It’s sharp, vibrant, and supports up to 144 Hz refresh rate. There’s no punch-hole or notchthe selfie camera is hidden beneath the screen, and almost impossible to detect unless you’re looking for it.
Stereo speakersone on the top and one bottom-firingprovide loud, punchy sound. Explosions, gunfire, music, and voice lines all carry weight and clarity. You also still get a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which is rare these days.
Battery Life
Despite all the high-end hardware, the RedMagic 11 Pro packs a huge 7,500 mAh battery. It outperforms many other gaming phones easily. On max settings:
- Weather and Waves: around 5 hours
- Call of Duty Mobile: 8–9 hours
For normal phone use, you can stretch it across an entire weekend. And if you want to game nonstop, you can plug it in and bypass battery charging entirely.
Charging supports 80W wired speeds. Wireless charging is also available.
Cameras
On the back, you get a 50 MP main camera using the Omnivision OV50 E40 sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide. There’s also a depth sensor, but no telephoto lens.
Photos are decent, though nothing groundbreaking. Video can go up to 8K, but most will stick to 4K 60 fps. Stabilization is okay but still a bit jittery.
The under-display 16 MP selfie camera is the weak point. The footage looks soft and slightly washed out fine for video calls, not great for TikTok glamour shots.
Final Verdict
The RedMagic 11 Pro is a ridiculous, brilliant, unapologetic gaming phone. It crushes every game in sight, stays cool under pressure, and packs insane battery life. The design is wild, the screen is gorgeous, and the performance is unmatched.
It’s not for camera lovers, and Mora’s glitchy new voice might disappoint long-time fans, but as a gaming machine, it’s one of the most impressive releases this year.
A proper gaming beast, through and through.
Read Also RedMagic 10 Air Review: A Lightweight Beast Built for Gamers
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