The RedMagic 9S Pro, the latest flagship from Nubia's gaming-focused RedMagic line, is designed to deliver exceptional performance and immersive gaming experiences. With a blend of cutting-edge technology and robust features, this device aims to cater to the needs of both casual users and serious gamers. Here’s a comprehensive review of the RedMagic 9S Pro, covering its specifications, features, and overall performance.

RedMagic 9S Pro: Design and Build Quality

    The RedMagic 9S Pro sports a striking design that emphasizes its gaming pedigree. It features a sleek, angular chassis with a distinctive RGB light strip along the back, which adds a futuristic touch. The device measures 168.6 x 77.6 x 9.8 mm and weighs 220 grams, making it a bit heftier than standard smartphones but fitting for a gaming device. The build quality is premium, with a combination of metal and glass that feels solid and durable.

    On the top edge of the RedMagic 9S Pro, you'll find a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a crucial feature for any dedicated gaming phone. In contrast, the bottom edge includes a USB-C port, but it lacks a secondary charging port on the longer side—a feature that was present in earlier ROG models but is missing in the ROG Phone 8.

    The standout feature of the RedMagic 9S Pro's design is its front display, which boasts minimal bezels and no notch, achieving an impressive 93.7% screen-to-body ratio. While this sleek design may not be ideal for gaming since front-firing speakers and tactile areas for gripping are beneficial the visual appeal is certainly striking and adds to the phone’s overall aesthetic allure.

RedMagic 9S Pro: Display

    The RedMagic 9S Pro is equipped with a 6.8-inch AMOLED display boasting a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 510 PPI, ensuring sharp and vibrant visuals. The display supports a 165Hz refresh rate, offering incredibly smooth scrolling and gaming experiences. Additionally, it has a peak brightness of 800 nits, making it easily readable in bright sunlight. The screen also supports HDR10, enhancing the color accuracy and contrast for an immersive viewing experience.

    The RedMagic 9S Pro features a 120Hz refresh rate, which is quite impressive and on par with other top gaming phones like the Asus ROG Phone 8. However, it doesn’t offer the option to exceed this refresh rate. In reality, this limitation is not a significant drawback, as very few games require a refresh rate higher than 120Hz. For those rare instances where such high refresh rates are needed, a smartphone may not be the ideal platform for playing those games.

    The display resolution on the RedMagic 9S Pro is stunning, and the dedicated gaming mode ensures the phone maximizes its screen potential. With minimal bezels, the viewing experience is quite immersive. However, as with most smartphones, the need to touch the screen to control games remains a challenge. Thankfully, the capacitive shoulder triggers help alleviate this issue, offering a more responsive gaming experience.

RedMagic 9S Pro: Performance

    Under the hood, the RedMagic 9S Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 internal storage. This high-end hardware ensures top-tier performance, whether you're multitasking, gaming, or handling demanding applications. The device features advanced cooling technology, including an internal fan and a vapor chamber, to maintain peak performance during extended gaming sessions.

    In the Geekbench 6 CPU test, the RedMagic 9S Pro delivered solid performance, achieving an average single-core score of 2,288 and a multi-core score of 7,076. When compared to other smartphones, these results are quite impressive, which is to be expected from a device designed specifically for gaming.

    A notable drawback of the RedMagic 9S Pro is its storage options. Although 256GB and 512GB are reasonable capacities for most smartphones, they fall short of meeting the high demands of a gaming-centric device. For comparison, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers up to 1TB of storage, allowing for a significantly larger library of games and apps.

RedMagic 9S Pro: Camera System

    The RedMagic 9S Pro features a versatile camera setup:

🔸64 MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, delivering high-resolution images with good low-light performance.

🔸8 MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view, ideal for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots.

🔸2 MP macro lens for close-up photography.

🔸2 MP depth sensor for improved portrait shots.

    On the front, the phone sports a 32 MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture, ensuring clear and detailed self-portraits. The camera system supports 8K video recording and various shooting modes to enhance your photography experience.

    The rear cameras on the RedMagic 9S Pro can capture video up to 8K at 30 frames per second. While the detail is impressive, the colors in the footage often appear oversaturated. Additionally, camera movement can cause videos to look wobbly. At 4K60, color accuracy improves, though the footage still exhibits slight oversaturation. The front-facing camera, on the other hand, produces video with a hazy quality and muddy colors, making it best to avoid using it for video recording.

RedMagic 9S Pro: Battery Life

    The RedMagic 9S Pro is equipped with a robust 5,000 mAh battery that supports 120W fast wired charging. This allows for a rapid recharge, with the phone capable of going from 0 to 100% in approximately 20 minutes. The device also supports 65W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, adding versatility to its power management options.

    When it’s time to charge the RedMagic 9S Pro, the 80W charger included with the phone ensures a swift recharge. In just 30 minutes, I was able to charge the device to around 70%, and it reached a full charge in just over 45 minutes. This quick charging capability is ideal for gamers who need minimal downtime. However, it’s worth noting that the phone lacks wireless charging, which might be a drawback for those expecting this feature in a modern smartphone.

RedMagic 9S Pro: Software & Gaming

    The RedMagic 9S Pro runs on RedMagic OS 9, based on Android 14. This custom software is optimized for gaming, featuring a dedicated Game Space that allows users to manage game settings, monitor performance, and customize controls. The software also includes various enhancements to improve gaming performance and overall usability.

    As a gaming phone, the RedMagic 9S Pro offers a wealth of customization options. By sliding the red textured switch at the top of the device, you open the Game Lobby. This feature automatically includes your installed games, but you can also manually add apps if needed. The Game Lobby also serves as a central hub for your gaming screenshots and videos. Tapping the Energy Cube icon provides detailed controls for touch sampling, performance adjustments, GPU settings, and more.

RedMagic 9S Pro: Additional Features

✅5G Connectivity: Supports the latest 5G networks for faster internet speeds and improved connectivity.

✅Dual-SIM Support: Allows for the use of two SIM cards simultaneously.

✅Advanced Cooling System: Includes an internal fan and vapor chamber to manage heat during intensive use.

✅Stereo Speakers: Provides immersive audio for gaming and media consumption.

✅In-Display Fingerprint Sensor: Offers secure and convenient unlocking of the device.

✅Gaming Triggers: Physical shoulder triggers for a more responsive gaming experience.

Is RedMagic 9S Pro Worth Buying in 2024 ?

    The RedMagic 9S Pro stands out as a high-performance gaming smartphone with its impressive specs and unique features. Its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, high-refresh-rate display, and advanced cooling system make it a top choice for gamers seeking peak performance. The device’s design, extensive feature set, and fast charging capabilities further enhance its appeal. Whether you’re a casual user or a dedicated gamer, the RedMagic 9S Pro offers a compelling package that balances power and functionality.

    For those seeking a cutting-edge gaming smartphone that delivers on both performance and aesthetics, the RedMagic 9S Pro is certainly worth considering.