The Nubia RedMagic 9 Pro is one of the premium gaming smartphones available, offering an excellent experience for hardcore gamers.
But how does the RedMagic 9 Pro perform in real life? Does it experience common issues of gaming phones, such as overheating?
Here, we will delve into the RedMagic 9 Pro specs and features, and assess its pros and cons to help you determine whether this phone meets your needs.
RedMagic 9 Pro Specs
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8 inch, 1116 x 2480, AMOLED, 120Hz, 1600 Nits (Peak), 400 ppi, Gorilla Glass 5, 2000 Touch Sampling Rate, 2160 Hz PWM Dimming, △E＜1 Color Accuracy |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm), 1x 3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x 3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x 3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x 2.3 GHz Cortex-A520 |
| Cores | 8 |
| GPU | Adreno 750 |
| RAM | 12/16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Internal Storage | 256/512 GB UFS4.0 |
| Operating System | Android 14, Redmagic OS 9.0 |
| OS Updates | 1 Major, 2 Years Security |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP, 1/1.57″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS (Main) + 50 MP, f/2.2, (Ultrawide), 1/2.76″, 0.64µm + 2 MP, f/2.4, (Macro) |
| Camera Features | Samsung GN 5 ISOCELL sensor 1/1.57, 7P lens, APL-coated anti-glare, 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Front Camera | 16MP, 2nd generation under-display-camera (UDC), 1.12μm, f/2.0 |
| Battery | 6500mAh Dual Cell, Supports 80W Charging |
| Wireless Charging | No |
| Estimated Usage | 8 hours SOT on normal use, 5 hours on heavy gaming |
| Cooling System | ICE 13 Multi-Dimensional Cooling System, 22000 RPM high-speed turbofan, Cooling Air Duct, Hnder-screen copper foil, Under-screen graphene, 3D Ice Step Dual Pump VC, High thermal conductivity gel, Motherboard copper foil, High thermal conductivity copper foil |
| Dimensions & Weight | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm, 229 Grams |
| Connectivity | Dual Nano SIM, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 7, NFC |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, G-sensor, Electronic Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Ambient Light Sensor, Sensor hub |
| Others | USB 3.2, Type-C Port, 3.5mm Audio Jack, Shoulder Trigger Buttons, Game Space Switch, RGB Lights |
| Colors | Sleet (Black), Snowfall (Silver), Cyclone (Transparent Black) |
| Box Content | REDMAGIC 9 Pro phone, Clear phone case, 80W Power adapter, Type-C data cable, SIM tray ejector, Warranty Card, Documentation |
RedMagic 9 Pro Pricing and Availability
The Nubia RedMagic 9 Pro is priced at $649 / £579 for the 12GB RAM 256GB variant and $799 / £709 for the 16GB RAM 512GB variant.
Regarding availability, the RedMagic 9 Pro can be purchased on Amazon and the official RedMagic website.
RedMagic 9 Pro Features: What Makes the RedMagic 9 Pro Stand Out?
Display:
While the display on the Nubia RedMagic 9 Pro lacks high peak brightness and HDR video support, it excels in gaming performance. The color reproduction is accurate, offering a pleasing visual experience.
What sets it apart is the absence of a selfie camera hole, thanks to the under-display camera. Additionally, the thin and even bezels around the display enhance the overall viewing experience. The RedMagic 9 Pro’s display is sure to impress.
Gaming Capabilities:
As a gaming phone, the RedMagic 9 Pro includes several gaming-oriented features that are more than just gimmicks and significantly enhance the gaming experience.
Features like pressure-sensitive shoulder triggers and a built-in physical fan contribute to a superior gaming experience.
Design:
The flat design of the RedMagic 9 Pro feels both unique and premium. It has a modern aesthetic, and when held, it exudes a premium feel.
The small touches, like RGB lights around the fans, are thoughtfully implemented. Although the sharp edges might not always be comfortable, the overall design is commendable.
Battery:
The RedMagic 9 Pro boasts one of the largest batteries available in any smartphone, with a 6500 mAh capacity. Despite this, the phone does not appear too thick or heavy.
During gaming sessions, the phone can last up to 5 hours continuously, which is excellent. With moderate use, it can last about 8 hours, and with very light use, it can exceed 10 hours.
Additionally, the phone supports 80W fast charging, which, while not the fastest available, is sufficiently quick overall.
Speakers:
The dual stereo speakers deliver impressive sound quality. The loudness, richness, and detail of the audio enhance the media experience, making it comparable to any flagship device on the market.
OS Features:
While we are not particularly fond of RedMagic OS due to its lack of polish, it is close to stock Android and free from unnecessary bloatware, providing a nearly clean experience.
RedMagic OS offers a variety of customizations, such as LED effects, fingerprint unlock animations, a physical red switch for gaming mode, and numerous software tweaks that enhance the user experience.
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RedMagic 9 Pro Limitations and Drawbacks
Cameras:
The primary and ultrawide cameras on the RedMagic 9 Pro perform well, capturing decent images in daylight. However, the images lack the sharpness expected from a 50MP sensor, and the dynamic range is average. Low-light performance is just adequate, with noticeable noise in darker environments.
The selfie camera is notably subpar. While it has seen improvements over the previous generation, it still falls short, with significant issues in detail and color accuracy. The under-display camera suffers from the display’s pixels obscuring the lens, resulting in images that resemble those from 10-year-old smartphones.
Heating Issues:
Despite featuring a larger cooling chamber and an internal physical fan, the RedMagic 9 Pro experiences heating issues after prolonged use. This is surprising given that previous models did not encounter such problems.
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerful processor and generates more heat under heavy load, the RedMagic 9 Pro’s advanced cooling solutions should ideally manage this better. It’s worth noting that many other smartphones with less sophisticated cooling systems manage heat more effectively while using the same processor.
OS Update:
The OS update policy for the RedMagic 9 Pro is a significant drawback. You can expect only one year of major OS updates, receiving just Android 15, and two years of security patches.
This is less competitive compared to mid-range phones that typically offer two years of OS updates and three years of security patches. The update cycle for RedMagic devices, in general, does not match the standards set by other manufacturers.
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RedMagic 9 Pro Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good display quality
- Unique and premium design
- Excellent gaming performance
- Pressure-sensitive shoulder triggers
- Excellent battery life
- Great dual stereo speakers
Cons:
- Poor low-light and selfie camera quality
- Heating issues after prolonged use
- Limited OS update support
- Not all high FPS games are well optimized
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Conclusion: Is the RedMagic 9 Pro Worth Buying?
If you are a dedicated gamer, the RedMagic 9 Pro is a strong choice. It offers impressive power and a range of gaming features that will appeal to enthusiasts.
However, it does come with some drawbacks. The heating issue can be significant, potentially affecting frame rates and overall gaming experience.
If you seek a well-rounded phone with good cameras, a high-quality display, and a clean UI, you might consider exploring other options. While the RedMagic 9 Pro is competent for everyday use beyond gaming, it does not match the optimization of regular smartphones in terms of software and camera performance.
Ultimately, your decision to purchase should align with your specific needs. We have provided an honest assessment, but whether this phone is right for you depends on your priorities.
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FAQs
1. How much RAM is in the RedMagic 9 Pro?
The RedMagic 9 Pro is available in two RAM configurations: 12GB and 16GB. The 12GB RAM variant includes 256GB of internal storage, while the 16GB RAM variant offers 512GB of internal storage.
2. How does the RedMagic 9 Pro perform in terms of gaming?
The RedMagic 9 Pro excels in gaming performance, thanks to its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, high-refresh-rate display, and gaming-specific features such as pressure-sensitive triggers. However, despite its advanced cooling system, the phone can become hot after prolonged gaming sessions.
3. What is the build quality and durability of the RedMagic 9 Pro?
The RedMagic 9 Pro features a robust build with a premium feel. Its design includes carefully crafted details on the back panel, although the sharp edges might occasionally be uncomfortable.
4. What is the user interface like on the RedMagic 9 Pro?
The RedMagic 9 Pro runs on RedMagic OS, which is somewhat close to stock Android but may feel less polished. It offers various customizations, including LED effects and gaming mode toggles, but lacks the refinement of some other interfaces.
5. Can the RedMagic 9 Pro handle multitasking efficiently?
Yes, the RedMagic 9 Pro handles multitasking efficiently, thanks to its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and ample RAM options (12GB or 16GB), which allow for smooth performance across multiple applications.
6. What types of games are best suited for the RedMagic 9 Pro?
The RedMagic 9 Pro is best suited for high-performance games that require significant processing power and high-refresh-rate displays, such as first-person shooters, action RPGs, and competitive multiplayer games.
7. Does the RedMagic 9 Pro support expandable storage?
No, the RedMagic 9 Pro does not support expandable storage. It comes with fixed internal storage options of 256GB or 512GB, depending on the variant.
8. How does the RedMagic 9 Pro perform with non-gaming applications and tasks?
The RedMagic 9 Pro performs well with non-gaming applications and tasks. Its powerful processor and ample RAM ensure smooth operation for everyday activities, though it is primarily optimized for gaming.
That concludes our overview of the RedMagic 9 Pro specs, features, pros, and cons. If you still have any questions, please feel free to ask us in the comment section.
We also welcome your feedback. Let us know if you agree or disagree with the points mentioned here.
