Verdict
The RedMagic 9 Pro is a powerhouse gaming phone with the latest Qualcomm flagship chip , active temperature reduction , a gorgeous display and slick facial expression . It comes at an excellent price , too . If you ’re looking for a high up - performing gaming handset that wo n’t break the bank , this should be on your list .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The RedMagic 9 Pro is the first gaming French telephone to dispatch the market with Qualcomm ’s latest and greatest nomadic chipset , the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 . So , when it comes to execution , it ’s almost guaranteed to be unmatched . Besides the new chip , though , there ’s enough more to get worked up about with this machine .
TheRedMagic 8S Prowas a minor upgrade over theRedMagic 8 Pro , and with the 9 Pro having outwardly similar looks , I ab initio assumed we were in for more of the same . gratefully , that ’s not the sheath ; this mannequin brings display sweetening , a cock-a-hoop stamp battery and faster charging , pinch to the lighting system and software , a new radical - wide television camera and more .
Of naturally , I was excited to find out what it ’s like to game on , but I was also curious about what it ’s like to exist with on a daily basis . premature RedMagic models have come with some inauspicious quirks and package bugs that made them hard to manage with , but the last span of equipment delivered a much bland experience , and I ’m hoping that trend continues .
The RedMagic 9 Pro starts at £ 579 / $ 649 / € 649 , just like its predecessor , although this meter the alkali model has a 256 GB capacity , rather than 128 Great Britain . It ’s available for pre - order from December 27 2023 , and clear sale set out globally on January 3 2024 .
Design
The RedMagic 9 Pro marijuana cigarette with the blockish orthogonal conception that was introduced with its 8 - series phones . I ’m a lover of this , personally , as the sharp edge make the 6.8 - inch display find even bigger than it is , and the deficiency of a notch or camera cutout makes for a ocular banquet – exactly what you want from a play - focused gimmick .
There are three colour options to select between , and I was sent the Snowfall colourway for examination . It feature a transparent glass back , with blanched coarse-textured elements underneath and a matt silver metallic bumper around the edge . It ’s very resonant of theNothing Phone , and that ’s no big matter . In fact , I ’d go as far as saying this might be RedMagic ’s best - looking French telephone to escort .
If you prefer a darker earpiece , the Cyclone color alternative is fundamentally superposable but has a in the first place black ending with golden accents . If both of these are a little meretricious for your gustatory perception , the Sleet option has a solid black back instrument panel that wo n’t tie quite as much care .
From a practical standpoint , one of the swelled changes this time is that the camera array is seamlessly integrated under the rearward glass . This means there ’s no camera bump whatsoever , a true oddity in this Clarence Day and geezerhood . I ’m not too disoblige by camera bumps , myself , but there ’s no deny that this is an betterment to the overall aesthetic .
RedMagic ’s signature RGB cooling lover is present on the newfangled modelling , only this metre it has been disguise as a photographic camera lense , which is a dainty hint . Its lighting capabilities have been ameliorate , too ; you’re able to now choose multiple colors for the fan to fade between , whereas former model had fixed rainbow ignition that could n’t be align . I was delighted to finally see some customisation options here .
Of course , having a sports fan onboard means that the telephone needs air intakes and vents , which mean there ’s noIP ratingon this gadget . So , you ’ll have to be very thrifty if you apply it in the rain . That said , I ’ve been catch out in a few exhibitioner with no inauspicious outcome , but it ’s something to be wary of .
There ’s also RGB lighting found on the mix touch gun trigger , which are in their common locating , as well as on the “ 09 ” text on the rearward panel . Again , there are peck of customisation choice , including pulsing and fading options , but I was discomfited to see that there ’s no music - reactive option this time around . That was one of my favourite mode on former RedMagic earphone , and it has bizarrely vanished here .
Screen
The show specification are very similar to the RedMagic 8S Pro , with one major deviation . It now output up to 1600 nit , whereas the previous framework maxed out at 1300 nit . This means that it ’s up there with some of the promising panel on the market , and it looks fabulous , especially when watching HDR contentedness .
Speaking of HDR , it ’s worth noting that my reassessment sample would n’t permit me to watch Netflix in HDR as it miss the correct Widevine DRM certification . This has n’t been an issue on some of the previous RedMagic devices that I ’ve test , so hopefully this is something that will be rectified in a software update before long .
Aside from that small issue , I have nothing but prescribed things to say about this display . The120Hzrefresh pace makes everything look fluid and responsive , whether you ’re scroll through social medium or playing a fast - paced rhythm of CoD Mobile .
The panel has the deep inky blacks you ’d expect from an OLED and has great colour accuracy , too , covering 100 % of the DCI - P3 spectrum . you’re able to select between three predetermined colour profiles , as well as tweak the temperature of each , so it ’s very prosperous to graduate the display to match your tastes .
It ’s on the large side , and the squared - off edge and 20:9 look proportion make it look and feel larger still . Those with small hands might struggle fairly , but in person , I ’m a self-aggrandising buff of the way this telephone set handles .
Cameras
The camera are often a decrepit item of gambling - focused handsets , and that ’s mostly still the fount with the RedMagic 9 Pro . However , there are a few key improvements that make the overall experience well on the former model .
You get a triple camera raiment on the rear , comprised of a 50MP independent sensing element ( Samsung GN5 ) , a 50MP ultra - full ( Samsung JN1 ) and well disguised , but still present , 2MP macro center , which is the tiny lens site next to the flash unit of measurement .
This macro camera has never been of much use to me , and its novel location hint that RedMagic is n’t too lofty of its fidelity either . On uncommon occasions , it could still be helpful , though I would n’t have any complaints if the sword opt to hit it entirely .
The main detector is the most subject , as common , but the newfangled ultra - wide is a vast betterment over the 8MP sensor found on the last few generations of RedMagic handset .
It ’s still a obtrusive step down in character compare to the main photographic camera , especially when you zoom in a bit and notice the muddied detail , but it ’s much more comparable . The color interpreting is very like , which I ’m always pleased to see , but there ’s a ghost too much contrast and focalize which makes the images look less likable .
Still , the ultra - wide of the mark come in very handy , specially for shooting architecture or groups of masses , and the quality here is good enough for most people ’s needs .
The main photographic camera remains unaltered from the RedMagic 8S Pro , but that ’s not a bad affair . It can produce lovely images in the day , and when help by the Nox modality , can take some somewhat great night shots , too .
The only affair you ’ll need to see out for is motion blur , which is more predominant on this phone than most forward-looking flagship . You ’ll also need to commend to ferment off the RedMagic watermark , which is frustratingly enable by default .
The under - display selfie photographic camera has been meliorate on this model , but do n’t go under your expectations too high . As coolheaded as this tech is , it ’s still a long way behind even the most underwhelming punch - yap selfie cameras .
RedMagic says the newfangled 16MP tv camera can trance up to 30 % more detail than its predecessor , and while there is a visible advance , the same downsides are present , too . The camera has to hold a bunch of digital sharpening to avoid a washed - out image , and that ’s not an particularly flattering spirit , as it brings out all the blemish in your hide .
On the plus side , the camera is very well hidden , and you really have to be seem for it to notice the semi - transparent area of the display .
When it come to video shooting , both the ultra - extensive and main rearward cameras can inject at up to 4K@60fps with decent digital stabilisation . The main can go all the way to 8K@30fps , but that firmness comes at the cost of image stabilization , limiting its usefulness . The front camera can burgeon forth at up to 1080p@30fps , and as you might expect , it looks quite terrible doing so .
It ’s enough to be get wind relatively clearly on a video call , but beyond that , it ’s not something I ’d advise using .
Performance
The RedMagic 9 Pro is power by theSnapdragon 8 Gen 3chipset , in combination with RedMagic ’s own Red Core 2 play central processing unit and either 12 GB or 16 GB of RAM . My exam unit is the 16 GB edition , and with a spec sheet like this , I had high hopes .
Unsurprisingly , It storms to the top of the charts in almost every celluloid benchmark test , with the only exception being GFXBench , which seems to be by artificial means limited to 60fps , for some unknown rationality .
What that signify , in the literal world , is that you may max out the graphic preferences on just about every plot usable and enjoy smooth stutter - free gameplay at high framerates . This earpiece is so herculean that the biggest challenge was finding plot that would even get down to tax the processor .
The cooling root operate excellently , and although the bod does start to heat up during prolonged play academic term , it keeps the chipset cool – and its free burning performance was noted during benchmarking .
alfresco of gaming , the phone sense exceptionally snappish , fluid and responsive , much more so than my Dimensity 9200 - powered everyday driver . It ’s a pleasure to utilize .
The speaker are telling , too , offering veridical stereo interval which is capital for pinpointing footstep in game like PUBG Mobile . There ’s also plenty of weight to the low end , which adds some wallop to gunshots and explosions , and makes medicine sound better than I ’m used to from a phone speaker .
It ’s not all low-toned - end oink either ; there ’s passel of detail in the high and upper mids . For my money , they ’re some of the best speakers usable on a earphone . The audio performance makes watch Netflix around the star sign an right-down pleasure , and mean that you wo n’t always be reaching for a Bluetooth speaker or earbuds when you desire to listen to some tunes .
There ’s also a earpiece socket , a novelty in modern times , and the earpiece does a great job of driving parallel headphones . RedMagic has n’t provide any info about the DAC , but for what it ’s worth , it sounds gravid with both wired IEMs and over - spike can .
Software
If you ’ve used a RedMagic handset before , you wo n’t be in for too many surprises with the RedMagic 9 professional . It runs the RedMagic OS 9.0 skin on top of Android 14 and it at the same time contend to fork up a near - origin Android experience and an improbably in - depth consecrated gaming space with more customisation options than you’re able to enumerate .
There ’s a surprising lack of bloatware , consider the relatively low asking price , with only Booking.com and a couple of RedMagic apps cluttering up the home . It ’s really refreshing , especially since the first - political party apps are functional and useful .
RedMagic has also toned down the use of gismo importantly , and by nonremittal , you ’ll only get the clock / weather / date widget on your home screenland . However , there are slew of RedMagic gizmo that you’re able to add if you favour , include the ability to control the fan , refresh charge per unit , track your play time and more .
RedMagic ’s gambling - specific customisations are as in - depth as ever , and tinkerer will have a great meter tweaking the performance of their machine to match their needs . There are far too many alternative to mention here , but some highlight include the 4D quivering mode , macro functionality , remote control via Windows PC and , of course , RedMagic ’s ever - present capacitive touch shoulder joint triggers .
Thankfully , this framework had far fewer software issues than I have experienced with previous RedMagic phones , and I was very well-heeled using it as my primary equipment for over a week .
The only persistent issue I had was test to access Google smart home controls via the quick mise en scene shadowiness , which just would n’t work . I ’m sure this will be fixed in a future update , though , and I ’ve had similar payoff with Google ’s own Pixel devices .
Battery life
The RedMagic 9 Pro has a massive 6500mAh threefold - cell battery and a quick profligate charging charge per unit of 80W. RedMagic enjoin this will deliver up to 56 hours of exercise on a charge and can be replenished from matte in just 35 minutes using the included charger .
Of naturally , in realism , this will very much reckon on how you ’re using the speech sound , but the battery life of this phone is nothing poor of incredible . I timed 45 minute to shoot to 100 % from completely flat , but I do n’t doubt that 35 minutes is potential in ideal atmospheric condition .
As an instance of the great shelling performance , during my testing , I went into London for the solar day and had forget to lodge the RedMagic 9 Pro overnight . I started the day with around 50 % charge , then I spend all sidereal day using the phone for seafaring with Google Maps , listening to podcasts and watch YouTube on the train – there was lots of covert - on clock time , even by my standards .
I ended the day with about 20 % barrage still continue , I had run a top executive bank with me all day , planning to apply it when the RedMagic begin to conk out , and never even needed it . It ’s brilliant .
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Should you buy it?
Simply put , this is the profligate French telephone we ’ve tested to appointment , and combined with a massive battery face pack , a gorgeous display and arresting speakers , it delivers an uncompromising gaming experience .
The camera system is improve on this tv camera , but it ’s still not flagship level , and the selfie camera is just not very dependable .
Final Thoughts
The RedMagic 9 Pro is an impressive gaming earphone on all front , peculiarly considering its low request Mary Leontyne Price . You simply will not find a good performer for the money . Adding to its charm are the slick looks , the beautiful display , the muscular speakers and the cortege of useful play enhancements .
It ’s not all sunshine and roses , though . There ’s no IP military rank , no radio receiver charge and , at present , some issues with Netflix DRM certification . All of which could evidence to be deal breakers . There ’s also the under - display selfie camera , which is n’t going to impress avid selfie snappers . They should take a flavour at the Vivo V29 , instead .
The RedMagic 9 Pro values gaming performance above all else , and if you do too , you ’ll be absolutely beguiled with this phone .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every mobile phone we review soundly . We practice industry - standard test to compare features by rights and we apply the earpiece as our principal equipment over the review period . We ’ll always tell you what we rule and we never , ever , accept money to review a product .
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FAQs
Yes , RedMagic has its own computer peripheral sold one by one , but it also works splendidly with Bluetooth gamepads and especially frailty - style controllers , which work perfectly with the squared - off shape of the 9 Pro .
No , since the RedMagic 9 Pro has a fan indoors , it necessitate vents to let atmosphere to flow through the machine . This is great for keeping it coolheaded while gaming , but it mean you ’ll demand to be heedful around water .
Yes , you could use wired headphones or a play headset with the 9 Pro ’s 3.5 millimeter phone socket , permit for a low - latency audio experience .
Test Data
Full Specs
