The definition of a “flagship phone” is often debated. Some prioritize top-tier processors, while others focus on a combination of features like a fast display and high-resolution cameras. Red Magic, known for its gaming phones, challenges these conventions with the Red Magic 10 Pro, offering impressive specs and features for a remarkably low price of $650. This begs the question: is the Red Magic 10 Pro the best smartphone deal of 2024?
Up close shot of Red Magic 10 Pro.Notice the circular fan with a red dot? That’s a 23,000 RPM cooling solution.
This phone is easily recommendable, even for non-gamers. While it boasts an array of impressive features, there are a few quirks, particularly concerning software updates, that will be addressed later.
Striking Design and Premium Build
Red Magic has consistently delivered unique designs, and the 10 Pro is no exception. This phone boasts a premium build with aviation-grade aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass, despite its affordable price point. Remarkably, it achieves a completely flat back, housing three cameras (including two 50MP sensors) and a 23,000 RPM fan, without any protruding camera bumps. It’s slightly taller than an iPhone but narrower and about the same thickness.
View behind the glass back shell of Red Magic 10 Pro.A look at the internal components through the transparent back panel.
The see-through aesthetic, accented by RGB lighting on the fan, X chip, and logo, is tastefully implemented, distinguishing it from other devices. Surprisingly, Red Magic includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and an 80W GaN charger in the box. Two air vents on each side facilitate internal cooling, though this compromises dust and water resistance. A protective case is included to mitigate this.
Side profile of the Red Magic 10 Pro.Side vents allow for airflow to cool the internal components.
The front display is equally impressive, featuring uniform 1.25mm bezels that outperform even top-tier competitors. The under-display selfie camera is seamlessly integrated, thanks to a sophisticated dual-layer display construction, resulting in a truly uninterrupted full-screen experience.
Frontal view of the Red Magic 10 Pro.The sleek front display is virtually bezel-less.
Performance and Gaming Prowess
The Red Magic 10 Pro boasts a stunning 6.85-inch OLED display with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 2,500Hz touch sampling rate. This, combined with 520Hz capacitive shoulder triggers, creates an incredibly responsive gaming experience. These triggers can be remapped for various in-game actions, offering a console-like advantage.
Capacitive shoulder button on the Red Magic 10 Pro.Capacitive shoulder triggers enhance the gaming experience.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite with custom Oryon cores, the Red Magic 10 Pro delivers exceptional performance and efficiency. Red Magic’s innovative cooling system, featuring a liquid metal Indium alloy composite and a vapor chamber, effectively manages heat dissipation.
Person holding a Red Magic 10 Pro in their hands.The Red Magic 10 Pro offers a comfortable grip for extended gaming sessions.
Throttling test on Red Magic 10 Pro.Performance throttling is minimal, even under stress.
The 7,080mAh battery provides exceptional longevity, even with heavy gaming. 100W fast wired charging replenishes the battery quickly, reaching a half charge in about 15 minutes and a full charge in just over 35 minutes. A battery cutoff system and a fan-assisted cooling option during charging further enhance battery management.
Running benchmark test on Red Magic 10 Pro.Benchmark tests highlight the phone’s impressive performance capabilities.
Camera Performance
The Red Magic 10 Pro’s cameras are surprisingly capable, producing sharp images and impressive low-light results.
Night portrait camera sample clicked on Red Magic 10 Pro.Night Portrait mode delivers surprisingly good results.
Macro camera sample clicked on Red Magic 10 Pro.Macro shots capture fine details effectively.
Indoor camera sample clicked on Red Magic 10 Pro.Indoor shots maintain good color accuracy and detail.
Low light wide camera sample clicked on Red Magic 10 Pro.Wide-angle shots in low light perform admirably.
Night shot camera sample clicked on Red Magic 10 Pro.Night shots demonstrate good low-light performance.
Software and Support: A Caveat
While the hardware is exceptional, the software support is a significant drawback. Red Magic only guarantees one year of OS upgrades (to Android 16) and three years of security updates. This limited support raises concerns about long-term usability and compatibility with future apps and services. The current landscape of custom ROMs and the Play Integrity API further complicates the issue, potentially limiting access to certain apps on modified software.
Software details on Red Magic 10 Pro.Software details showing the Android version.
Conclusion: An Unprecedented Value Proposition
The Red Magic 10 Pro offers an incredible combination of high-end hardware and gaming-focused features for a remarkably low price. Its performance, display, battery life, and unique design make it a compelling option for gamers and tech enthusiasts. However, the limited software support is a significant factor to consider. If long-term software updates are a priority, this might not be the ideal choice. But for those seeking maximum value and performance in the present, the Red Magic 10 Pro is undeniably a strong contender.
RGB light enabled on Red Magic 10 Pro.The RGB lighting adds a touch of personalization.
The Red Magic 10 Pro is available starting December 12th.
