REDMAGIC 10 Pro Review

With a new Snapdragon processor comes a new REDMAGIC 10 Pro phone incorporating it. For those gamers or power users looking to remain on the bleeding edge with the latest tech, the specs of this phone certainly seem promising. But how does it perform in the real world during my testing? Here’s my review.

A combination of powers

Complementing the Snapdragon 8 Elite is the RedCore 3, a combination that promises god-tier power for gamers and multitaskers. Those worrying about these powerful components sucking up battery life shouldn’t fear, as the REDMAGIC Pro 10 comes equipped with a 7050 mAh battery, pushing the capacity even further. What’s more, the 100W fast-charging means topping up that big battery is a speedy process.

Other internal highlights include up to 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, though the base level 12 GB RAM and 256 GB is still impressive.

Cool it

Of course, the REDMAGIC 10 Pro has a dedicated cooling system, with the “ICE X Cooling” featuring liquid metal, 11 layers of “advanced materials,” and a 23,000 RPM fan. This all helps to reduce the buildup of heat, which can cause throttling and subpar performance in games and other apps.

Externally, the main highlight is the display. The 6.85-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display looks incredible, with very, very thin bezels. This screen is capable of 144 Hz (2,500 Hz touch sampling rate) and has a 2,000-nit peak brightness. Of course, what makes this display truly special is that it is uninterrupted, as there is no cut-out for the camera. Instead, the camera is beneath the screen.

Beneath the surface

The under-display camera was a weak point for previous REDMAGIC phones. With the 10 Pro, I’m happy to report that there’s a clear improvement found when taking photos with the front-facing camera. I don’t know if it’s software tuning, but something leads to better-quality photos. Video, however, remains quite blurry.

Rear camera performance is much better, however. While, it might not be flagship tier when compared to the likes of Apple or Google, the 10 Pro is capable of capturing incredible photos and video. Buyers shouldn’t be disappointed here.

Software improvements

Software is also worth of a shout-out. The REDMAGIC 10 Pro is powered by REDMAGIC OS 10.0 which incorporates Google Gemini for new AI features. It’s a step-up in one of the weaker areas. However, the OS is still very complex when it comes to the various settings, which is both a blessing and a curse. Gamers looking to fine-tune their experience down to the finest detail will no doubt love the vast number of options, especially those found in the GameSpace hub. On the other hand, for those who value simplicity, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

It should go without saying that the REDMAGIC 10 Pro’s gaming performance is top-tier. The latest Snapdragon processor is a beast and, thanks to this phone’s enormous battery, it can game at the highest frame rates for a long, long time. Whether it’s Genshin Impact, Call of Duty, or PUBG, you don’t have to worry about frame drops.

The weak points

As touched on in the feature rundown above, the REDMAGIC 10 Pro’s weakest areas are where improvements have been made, but they could still be better. The front-facing camera is sharper for photos, but videos still come out blurry. The software is impressively rich with features, but it could be overwhelming to those who aren’t hardcore gamers.

My only other nitpick is the shape of the device. While I love the flush design with zero camera bumps, the sharp edges can become uncomfortable after playing games for an hour or so.

Disclosure: Review sample provided by REDMAGIC.