ZTE nubia Red Magic 9s Pro

Design

The RedMagic 9S Pro’s boxy design stands out with its bold and industrial look. It includes flush rear cameras, which ensure a seamless back when holding the phone. A solid build and the use of premium materials give it a ‘tanky’ feel.

Reviews note that the phone’s design may feel heavy and chunky, a trade-off for its gaming features and large display. ‘It’s a damn good looking phone that feels solid and built like a tank,’ expressed Martyn Casserly.

Display(s)

The display is a significant highlight. The 6.8-inch AMOLED screen provides vivid colors and deep contrasts. This makes watching movies and playing games a delight.

Reviewers noted that the screen boasts an edge-to-edge design, making it especially immersive for gaming. No camera notch distractions elevate the visual experience even further.

“You get an uninterrupted panel that’s excellent for watching video or, of course, playing games,” said a Tech Advisor expert, showing how this design choice enhances user interaction.

Performance

The RedMagic 9S Pro features a unique overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, aptly named the Leading Version, which offers a noticeable boost in performance for seamless gaming experiences. Reviewers highlighted that this special chip outpaces other Android phones, maintaining high frame rates for games like Genshin Impact with no noticeable lag or stutter.

The phone’s advanced cooling system, complete with an integrated fan and innovative cooling technologies, plays a critical role in sustaining this powerful performance by preventing overheating during extended sessions. Reviewers stated, “The internal fan runs quietly, creating an immersive experience for intense gaming moments.”

The combination of the high-speed chipset and superior cooling not only excels in gaming but also ensures a fluid day-to-day experience, with responsive app launches and multitasking capabilities. These features make the RedMagic 9S Pro a powerhouse for those who want peak performance without paying top dollar.

Software & Storage

The RedMagic 9S Pro features Android 14 with RedMagic OS 9.5, designed for gamers. It offers a dedicated Game Space, where you can tweak performance settings, button mappings, and more to optimize your gaming experience.

While the phone’s software can seem quirky at times, it’s highly customizable, allowing you to adjust themes and display settings to suit your tastes. You can even enjoy interactive Super Wallpapers, such as retro-style games like Tetris, directly from the home screen.

Experts note that Nubia promises over two years of software support, though this might not compare to longer lifecycles offered by industry giants.

Cameras

The RedMagic 9S Pro features a 50MP main and 50MP ultrawide camera, delivering clear images in bright conditions. However, many reviewers note that low-light performance and color fidelity suffer compared to higher-end competitors. Tom’s Guide pointed out, “It’s evident that the RedMagic 9S Pro just doesn’t make the most of its camera hardware.”

The 16MP under-display selfie camera is discreetly hidden but results in fuzzy selfies, making it less ideal for sharp self-portraits. Despite these weaknesses, the cameras handle basic photo tasks effectively.

Battery

The phone is equipped with a 6,500mAh battery ensuring longevity. You won’t need to worry about daily charging as it easily lasts up to two days with average use. Reviewers appreciate the long battery life, highlighting it as a standout feature for gaming and daily usage alike.

Charging is seamless with the included 80W fast charger. A short 15-minute charge brings the phone to over 50%, and a complete charge takes less than 40 minutes. This efficiency ensures minimal downtime, allowing you to return to gaming or tasks in no time. As experts point out, wireless charging is absent, but the swift charge times make this a minor setback for most users.

Audio

The phone’s dual speakers deliver decent sound quality with high volume, but they aren’t perfectly balanced for immersive audio when gaming or watching movies. They tend to get covered easily during gameplay, which might dampen your experience.

Reviewers mentioned that the sound isn’t aimed toward you, resulting in a loss of full audio immersion when enjoying media. If audio quality is a priority, consider using headphones, which can provide a better sound with zero latency through the 3.5mm jack.

The Bottom Line

This phone excels for gaming with its special cooling and powerful chip, providing a smooth experience even with demanding games. Reviewers appreciate how it runs “incredibly fast” and stays cool. But, you’ll find the cameras less impressive, with mixed results and average quality. The phone isn’t waterproof, which could be a concern for everyday use. If gaming is your main focus, this device offers strong performance without breaking the bank.