RedMagic 7 Pro improves on predecessor in every conceivable way
As mobile gaming has begun to be taken more seriously in recent years, boasting numerous full-fledged AAA titles like Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, and Genshin Impact, brands have been trying to maximize the gaming experience on the smartphone. There is something very convenient about the flexibility of being able to play your favourite video games anywhere on your personal device and as a result, has made gaming more accessible than ever.
Companies like Nubia understand the potential in these devices and have dedicated their R&D to create products like the RedMagic 7 Pro, which makes you feel like something is wrong when calling it a smartphone. In fact, with the kind of performance this latest instalment in the RedMagic series promises, it would be more appropriate to call it a video game console. For mobile gamers, this could very well be the new king.
RedMagic 7 PRO SPECS
Specifications
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Display | 6.8-inch AMOLED, 2400×1080 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate |
| RAM/Storage | 16GB/256GB (Obsidian) or 16GB/512GB (Supernova) |
| Cameras | 64MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP depth sensor, and 16MP front under-display camera |
| Battery | 5,000mAh with 65W fast charging |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 802.11ac |
| Colours | Obsidian and Supernova |
| Operating System | RedMagic OS 5.0 based on Android 12 |
Gamers in mind
Even before unboxing, it was clear where RedMagic 7 Pro’s priorities lay. This was a phone that was made with gamers in mind.
The box contains a fast-charging brick, a novelty for premium phones in this era. You don’t have to spend anything extra on a charger. There’s even a shell case provided, along with a screen that is already applied to the phone.
Upon first inspection, I showed a preference for the more subtle design of the Obsidian model. There’s also the Supernova model, which is for those who are less shy about wielding a gaming phone. With that said, obsidian is still very “gamer-y” and the phone’s RGB lighting helps sell the “Gamer Aesthetic”.
Ready to begin
Getting the phone to 100% charge didn’t take long at all with the provided charger, even though the RedMagic 7 Pro has a 5,000 mAh battery. 0% to 100% took less than 30 minutes.
The phone’s internal fan kicked in during the charging process with the included fast charger, but it’s not loud enough to be annoying. Once charged, that 5,000 mAh battery makes for a reliable two days of use, though heavy gaming can bring that time down considerably.
Seamless screen
RedMagic 7 Pro’s main attraction is its new under-display camera. This means the front-facing camera is located underneath the display. This means that when the camera isn’t in use, the display is completely flawless, with no notch or hole-punch in sight. It will be especially refreshing for someone that doesn’t take many selfies.
It’s not just games that benefit from the uninterrupted display, video also looks excellent. It’s also nice to just have an unbroken notification bar at the top. It is the future of phone displays.
Some compromises
Unfortunately, the under-display camera does come with a compromise in overall quality. Selfie photos are noticeably less sharp than non-UDC cameras. The selfie camera is also visible when holding the phone at an angle in daylight. However, the seamless display and minimal bezel are worth the reduction in selfie quality in my opinion, but others may disagree.
Another potential deal-breaker is the phone’s massive 6.8″ screen, which is the same as the non-Pro model. Gaming phones tend to be massive, even for people with big hands. Although that’s beneficial when gaming, it can feel a little too big. It’s great for those who want it, but I do wish there was a smaller variant.
Lastly, there is a poor explanation of features and/or poor translations. This device offers an incredible amount of personalization with many features that most people haven’t heard of and although its presence is appreciated, is hidden behind cryptic phrasing that is difficult to understand. The UI could use some tidying up.
So many gaming features
Despite a handful of negatives, the positives of the phone shine through uninterrupted. The RedMagic 7 Pro has been an absolute blast to use for both work and play.
The physical toggle on the side of the phone makes separating normal use from dedicated gaming even easier, as a flick of the switch puts the phone into gaming mode with the many enhancements (and optional notification blocks) that the phone has to offer.
During gaming, RedMagic 7 Pro kicks into overdrive with the latest CPU and GPU combination, along with 16 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of storage (with support for MicroSD to expand storage further). This Pro variant also uses the Red Core 1 chip to alleviate some of the tasks that are usually put on the CPU. I could play every single game I tried at maximum detail and, thanks to the capacitive shoulder buttons built into the side of the device, I didn’t have to turn to additional controllers for trigger functions.
While the passive cooling system does a good job of moving heat, the addition of a fan is certainly welcome for longer gaming sessions, especially when playing more graphically intensive titles. Even at maximum speed, the fan is quiet enough to be easily drowned out by game audio.
Speaking of game audio, the dual speakers of the RedMagic 7 Pro are fantastic and aren’t easily covered when holding the device in landscape mode when gaming. Of course, the headphone jack is still here for those rocking wired buds or cans for low-latency sound.
Even after two weeks of use, I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible for gamers. There are a variety of plug-ins to enable, as well as other enhancements that can be fine-tuned on a per-player basis.
Worth the buy?
Starting at $799 for the Obsidian model (256 GB storage) and $899 for the Supernova model (512 GB storage), the RedMagic 7 Pro is clearly a premium-priced phone. For that price, users are getting zero compromises in performance, fantastic gaming-focused features that enhance the experience in tangible ways, and a flawless display with minimal bezels thanks to the under-display camera. These features are missing from the non-pro version.
If you can pay to play with a RedMagic 7 Pro, you’ll have the best gaming phone on the battlefield, which is also awesome for consuming other media and getting work done when playtime is over. This is the one gaming phone to rule them all for 2022.
Rating: 8.9/10
The RedMagic 7 Pro is available at the following prices:
RedMagic 7 Pro Supernova
(16GB RAM, 256GB storage) – £679/$799
(16GB RAM, 512GB storage) – £759/$899
RedMagic 7 Pro Obsidian
(16GB RAM, 256GB storage) – £679/$799
(16GB RAM, 512GB storage) – £759/$899
Get the RedMagic 7 Pro here.
