RedMagic loves cramming its gaming telephones with insane options, and we noticed that with the RedMagic 9 Professional earlier this yr. The RedMagic 9S Professional isn’t any exception—it’s a powerhouse full of all of the muscle you want for a significantly epic gaming expertise.
The 9S Professional landed only some months after its predecessor. It’d simply be a reputation change with an “S,” however it packs an overclocked chipset, a brand new look, and improved cooling. It’s not a large improve, however that’s anticipated because it’s extra of a mid-year refresh than a full-on new telephone.
If you happen to’re new to the RedMagic model, the 9S Professional received’t allow you to down should you’re after a top-tier gaming telephone. Simply be ready for some ongoing software program points that may nonetheless be a bit annoying.
RedMagic 9S Professional: Worth and availability
The RedMagic 9S Professional is available in 4 variations. The bottom Sleet mannequin, with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, is priced at $649. The Cyclone and Snowfall fashions, each packing 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, go for $799. After which there’s the Frost mannequin, which has 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, additionally priced at $649.
The RedMagic 9S Professional retains the identical pricing because the 9 Professional, with one key change: the addition of the entry-level Frost mannequin.
| Class | RedMagic 9 Professional |
|---|---|
| Working System | Redmagic OS 9.5 (Android 14) |
| Show | 6.8-inch BOE Q9+ FHD+ OLED (2480×1116), 120Hz refresh, 1600 nits max brightness |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Main Model, Purple Core 2 Professional |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 |
| Rear digicam 1 | 50 MP (broad), PDAF, OIS |
| Rear digicam 2 | 50 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2 |
| Rear digicam 3 | 2 MP (depth), f/2.4 |
| Entrance digicam | 16 MP (broad), f/2.0, beneath show |
| Cooling system | ICE 13 10-layered system, 22,000 RPM high-speed Turbofan with RGB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, 5G, GPS |
| Safety | In-screen optical fingerprint sensor, face unlock |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone jack, twin three-dimensional 1115K audio system, DTS:X Extremely, Snapdragon Sound |
| Battery | 6500mAh, 80W wired |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9mm |
RedMagic 9S Professional: What I like
I’m an enormous fan of the RedMagic 9S Professional’s boxy design that’s each eye-catching and sensible, and RedMagic totally owns it with these flush rear cameras. Proper out of the field, you’ll discover its hefty, strong construct—this factor feels substantial. It’s visually putting, one thing you don’t see a lot in telephones as of late. Better of all, it avoids the over-the-top, flashy look that plagues so many gaming telephones. It’s daring, positive, however there’s a clear, industrial vibe that’s arduous to not love.
I’ve no gripes with this design strategy. If you happen to’ve used the RedMagic 9 Professional, the 9S Professional will really feel proper at dwelling. It’s nonetheless a chunky, heavy telephone, however that’s the worth you pay for a large 6.8-inch show and all the center of the ICE 13.5 cooling system.
Certain, the burden may bug some individuals, and people sharp edges aren’t precisely hand-friendly, however it’s a significantly handsome telephone that feels rock-solid prefer it might survive a drop off a cliff.
The cooling fan lights up when it’s spinning however in any other case blends proper in with the vertical digicam stack. As for the shoulder buttons, they’ve obtained their very own lighting, too, doubling as standing or notification indicators. You’ll be able to decide from seven colours and results like flashing, respiration, or a gradual glow.
One of many coolest issues right here is the edge-to-edge show—no digicam notch, no gap, simply pure display screen. The entrance digicam is tucked beneath the show like RedMagic’s performed earlier than, and I find it irresistible as a result of it lets your video games take heart stage. There’s a tiny bezel across the edges, with the underside a bit thicker, however it’s so near even you received’t actually care.
The display screen is available in at 1116×2480 pixels, which isn’t the very best decision on the market, however it’s spot-on for gaming. A decrease decision helps the GPU hold issues working easily, so body charges keep excessive. Plus, it’s sharp sufficient that even small textual content is simple to learn.
The panel’s peak brightness of 1600 nits additionally isn’t the brightest on the market, however it’s greater than sufficient for snug out of doors use. In on a regular basis conditions, the show’s brightness held up simply advantageous, hardly ever needing an additional increase.
The show has subtly rounded corners, and the perimeters are gently curved, making it extra snug to carry. Plus, the pre-applied display screen protector blends proper in, so that you don’t have to fret about placing one on your self.
The seamless show is ideal for watching motion pictures or TV exhibits and gaming.
RedMagic has fine-tuned the 9S Professional with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Main Model. This overclocked model of the already highly effective Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 boosts efficiency whereas conserving energy utilization in verify. Plus, AI optimizations make the gaming expertise even smoother and extra responsive.
Whereas the advertising hype across the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Main Model sounds spectacular, the real-world efficiency distinction in comparison with the usual model is probably going minimal. The overclocked chip does provide a slight increase, however in on a regular basis use, you most likely received’t discover a lot of a distinction, particularly with much less demanding duties. To actually see what the chip can do, you’d must put it by its paces with some heavy-duty Android video games.
Whenever you dive into video games like Genshin Impression or different graphically demanding titles, the 9S Professional simply powers by, due to the 1GHz Purple Core 2 Professional gaming chip. In its highest efficiency mode, the 9S Professional persistently hit 60fps with zero crashes, stuttering, or loading hiccups. Animations had been clean, and each motion felt on the spot. Even in intense gaming moments, there’s no slowdown, and the big show makes it simple to see and management every little thing.
The RedMagic 9S Professional shines in gaming efficiency, however heavy periods, particularly with high-performance modes on, could make it warmth up quick. To keep away from discomfort, it’s a good suggestion to make use of a case or controller. With out them, the aluminum body can get fairly heat after some time.
Many flagship telephones with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 can battle with warmth and efficiency dips. Nevertheless, the RedMagic 9S Professional’s superior cooling system, together with the lively fan, permits it to keep up peak efficiency for longer. This implies you get a clean, responsive gaming expertise, even throughout essentially the most demanding periods.
The RedMagic 9S Professional’s efficiency isn’t nearly gaming—it shines in on a regular basis use, too. Whether or not you’re scrolling by apps, switching between duties, or dealing with extra demanding apps, it does every little thing easily and effortlessly, exhibiting off simply how succesful this system actually is.
The RedMagic 9S Professional’s inner fan runs surprisingly quietly, which is an enormous win for a high-performance gaming system. Contemplating how essential it’s for conserving temperatures in verify, it’s spectacular. The quiet fan makes the entire gaming expertise higher by chopping down on distractions and making a extra immersive atmosphere.
The system comes loaded with a strong set of gaming options, constructing on what earlier fashions already nailed. Whereas a variety of these options will really feel acquainted to RedMagic followers, the model retains including cool new stuff with every launch. It’s positively one of the crucial packed gaming toolkits on any telephone.
One characteristic I actually dig is the touch-sensitive triggers with built-in LEDs. They gentle up, making it manner simpler to search out them throughout gameplay. And it’s not only for present—the LEDs additionally double as notification lights, which is a pleasant contact.
RedMagic 9S Professional: What I do not like
The rear cameras on the RedMagic 9S Professional aren’t on par with different Android digicam telephones, however they do a strong job in good lighting. They’re greater than sufficient for snapping on a regular basis moments and social media content material, masking the essential images wants of a gaming telephone.
The RedMagic 9S Professional sticks with the identical digicam setup as its predecessor, focusing extra on gaming efficiency than images. Whereas the digicam has improved over time, it nonetheless lags behind devoted digicam telephones, particularly in picture high quality and flexibility. That mentioned, given the worth, the digicam does an honest job for many customers.
You’re getting the identical 50MP Samsung GN5 sensor that’s been in the previous few fashions. It’s a strong digicam, however it’s not precisely groundbreaking or new.
The first digicam takes pictures with barely muted colours, and whereas it handles element nicely in good lighting, shadows, and darker areas can look a bit blurry. The ultrawide digicam struggles in low gentle, with much less element within the pictures. RedMagic applies distortion correction, however the outcomes can nonetheless present some unnatural artifacts.
If there’s one main draw back to Nubia’s all-screen design, it’s the 9S Professional’s 16MP under-display selfie digicam. The selfies are fairly terrible—element, publicity, and dynamic vary are all missing, making it worse than even some finances telephones with a daily front-facing digicam.
RedMagic 9S Professional digicam samples
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One other factor that’s a bit annoying is how the entrance digicam provides hazy pictures due to the display screen above it. It’s respectable for fast calls or streaming with buddies whereas gaming, however should you’re into taking selfies for Instagram or need one thing extra polished, you’ll be let down.
On the software program entrance, RedMagic’s software program was once a little bit of a large number, however the firm has come a good distance previously couple of years. Lately, utilizing a RedMagic system day-to-day is glitch-free and fairly satisfying.
The RedMagic 9S Professional runs on Android 14 with RedMagic OS 9.5 on high. Whereas the interface generally is a bit quirky at instances, it provides you loads of customization choices to tweak issues like themes, wallpapers, and menu colours to match your fashion.
Nubia claims that every one fashions get “greater than two years of software program help” and guarantees at the very least one main Android replace per yr. Nevertheless, it is unclear how lengthy it will really final. In comparison with corporations like Google and Samsung, which supply as much as seven years of help, this feels a bit missing.
On the finish of the day, you’ve obtained to make some trade-offs to maintain a $649 price ticket on a telephone with the newest Snapdragon. However relating to gaming, the RedMagic 9S Professional completely delivers, and that’s what actually issues.
RedMagic 9S Professional: Competitors
Nubia and ASUS are normally on the high of our gaming telephone rankings, so the brand new ROG Telephone 9 collection may catch your eye. However should you’re not trying to break the financial institution, the ROG Telephone 8 from final yr remains to be a beast and a manner higher deal.
The ASUS ROG Telephone 8 won’t be the latest mannequin, however it’s nonetheless a strong decide. Whereas it won’t have the identical bang-for-your-buck enchantment because the RedMagic 9S Professional, its higher software program help, improved digicam, and extra snug design make it an incredible all-around gaming telephone. You may also go for the beefier ROG Telephone 8 Professional if you would like a bit of extra energy.
Moreover, the iQOO 12 is a strong competitor within the finances gaming telephone class, providing spectacular worth for its worth. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers efficiency on par with the RedMagic 9S Professional and even beats it with 120W quick charging. Nevertheless, it falls quick within the gaming division with out options like devoted cooling and shoulder triggers, that are a should for hardcore cellular avid gamers.
RedMagic 9S Professional: Must you purchase it?
You can purchase it if…
- You are after a strong worth telephone with nice efficiency and an unlimited battery.
- You favor a telephone that stays cool even throughout these marathon gaming periods.
- You desire a telephone that lasts all day and prices up very quickly.
You shouldn’t purchase it if…
- You are after top-notch digicam efficiency, for the reason that RedMagic 9S Professional won’t be your finest wager.
- You are not a fan of generic-looking interfaces.
- Restricted software program help is a dealbreaker for you.
The RedMagic 9S Professional is a powerhouse relating to gaming, with {hardware} that may deal with even essentially the most demanding duties with out breaking a sweat. Its superior cooling system retains issues cool, whereas the overclocked chipset ensures clean, lag-free efficiency in even essentially the most intense gaming periods. It is simply one of the crucial highly effective smartphones on the market proper now. Nevertheless it’s not nearly gaming. The 9S Professional additionally delivers a strong all-around bundle, that includes a traditional headphone jack, a surprising OLED show, and an enormous battery with quick charging to maintain you within the sport longer.
Whereas the RedMagic 9S Professional is a beast relating to gaming, it doesn’t fairly shine as an all-around smartphone. The shortage of an IP ranking and its underwhelming digicam efficiency is likely to be dealbreakers for these in search of a telephone that excels in each gaming and on a regular basis duties. Certain, it provides strong worth in comparison with premium flagships and gaming telephones just like the ROG Telephone 9, however its sturdiness and images shortcomings may maintain it again from claiming a high spot within the broader smartphone market.
If you happen to’re not too fussed in regards to the digicam or software program quirks, and also you’re simply after a beastly gaming telephone with cool stuff like built-in cooling and air triggers, the RedMagic 9S Professional is a strong decide. It is a bit of overkill, however it’s rather a lot cheaper than the newer ROG telephones and nonetheless delivers critical efficiency. If gaming is your high precedence, you possibly can’t go flawed right here.
Nonetheless reigning supreme
The RedMagic 9S Professional is unquestionably one of many high gaming smartphones of 2024. With its spectacular show, highly effective internals, and funky further options, it’s a dream for avid gamers. That mentioned, it does carry over a few of the flaws from the earlier mannequin, so it is not good.
