RedMagic loves cramming its gaming telephones with insane options, and we noticed that with the RedMagic 9 Professional earlier this 12 months. The RedMagic 9S Professional is not any exception—it’s a powerhouse filled with all of the muscle you want for a critically epic gaming expertise.
The 9S Professional landed only some months after its predecessor. It would simply be a reputation change with an “S,” nevertheless it packs an overclocked chipset, a brand new look, and improved cooling. It’s not an enormous improve, however that’s anticipated because it’s extra of a mid-year refresh than a full-on new cellphone.
In case you’re new to the RedMagic model, the 9S Professional received’t allow you to down for those who’re after a top-tier gaming cellphone. Simply be ready for some ongoing software program points that may nonetheless be a bit annoying.
RedMagic 9S Professional: Value 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, Pink Core 2 Professional |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 |
| Rear digicam 1 | 50 MP (large), PDAF, OIS |
| Rear digicam 2 | 50 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2 |
| Rear digicam 3 | 2 MP (depth), f/2.4 |
| Entrance digicam | 16 MP (large), f/2.0, underneath 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 hanging, one thing you don’t see a lot in telephones nowadays. Better of all, it avoids the over-the-top, flashy look that plagues so many gaming telephones. It’s daring, certain, however there’s a clear, industrial vibe that’s onerous to not love.
I’ve no gripes with this design method. In case you’ve used the RedMagic 9 Professional, the 9S Professional will really feel proper at dwelling. It’s nonetheless a chunky, heavy cellphone, however that’s the value you pay for an enormous 6.8-inch show and all the center of the ICE 13.5 cooling system.
Certain, the burden would possibly bug some folks, and people sharp edges aren’t precisely hand-friendly, nevertheless it’s a critically handsome cellphone that feels rock-solid prefer it may 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 bought their very own lighting, too, doubling as standing or notification indicators. You possibly can choose from seven colours and results like flashing, respiratory, or a gentle 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 underneath the show like RedMagic’s performed earlier than, and I like it as a result of it lets your video games take middle stage. There’s a tiny bezel across the edges, with the underside a bit thicker, nevertheless it’s so near even you received’t actually care.
The display screen is available in at 1116×2480 pixels, which isn’t the best decision on the market, nevertheless it’s spot-on for gaming. A decrease decision helps the GPU maintain issues operating easily, so body charges keep excessive. Plus, it’s sharp sufficient that even small textual content is straightforward to learn.
The panel’s peak brightness of 1600 nits additionally isn’t the brightest on the market, nevertheless it’s greater than sufficient for snug out of doors use. In on a regular basis conditions, the show’s brightness held up simply superb, hardly ever needing an additional increase.
The show has subtly rounded corners, and the sides 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 films 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 protecting 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 in all probability received’t discover a lot of a distinction, particularly with much less demanding duties. To essentially see what the chip can do, you’d have to put it by way of its paces with some heavy-duty Android video games.
Once you dive into video games like Genshin Impression or different graphically demanding titles, the 9S Professional simply powers by way of, because of the 1GHz Pink 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 easy, and each motion felt instantaneous. Even in intense gaming moments, there’s no slowdown, and the massive show makes it simple to see and management every thing.
The RedMagic 9S Professional shines in gaming efficiency, however heavy classes, 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. Nonetheless, the RedMagic 9S Professional’s superior cooling system, together with the lively fan, permits it to take care of peak efficiency for longer. This implies you get a easy, responsive gaming expertise, even throughout essentially the most demanding classes.
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 way of apps, switching between duties, or dealing with extra demanding apps, it does every thing easily and effortlessly, exhibiting off simply how succesful this machine actually is.
The RedMagic 9S Professional’s inside fan runs surprisingly quietly, which is an enormous win for a high-performance gaming machine. Contemplating how vital it’s for protecting temperatures in verify, it’s spectacular. The quiet fan makes the entire gaming expertise higher by slicing down on distractions and making a extra immersive setting.
The machine comes loaded with a strong set of gaming options, constructing on what earlier fashions already nailed. Whereas loads of these options will really feel acquainted to RedMagic followers, the model retains including cool new stuff with every launch. It’s undoubtedly one of the vital packed gaming toolkits on any cellphone.
One function I actually dig is the touch-sensitive triggers with built-in LEDs. They gentle up, making it method simpler to seek 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, overlaying the essential pictures wants of a gaming cellphone.
The RedMagic 9S Professional sticks with the identical digicam setup as its predecessor, focusing extra on gaming efficiency than pictures. 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 value, the digicam does a good job for many customers.
You’re getting the identical 50MP Samsung GN5 sensor that’s been in the previous couple of fashions. It’s a strong digicam, nevertheless 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 photos. 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 funds 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 first rate for fast calls or streaming with pals whereas gaming, however for those who’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 prior to now couple of years. As of late, utilizing a RedMagic machine day-to-day is glitch-free and fairly gratifying.
The RedMagic 9S Professional runs on Android 14 with RedMagic OS 9.5 on high. Whereas the interface is usually a bit quirky at instances, it provides you loads of customization choices to tweak issues like themes, wallpapers, and menu colours to match your type.
Nubia claims that every one fashions get “greater than two years of software program assist” and guarantees a minimum of one main Android replace per 12 months. Nonetheless, it is unclear how lengthy this can truly final. In comparison with corporations like Google and Samsung, which supply as much as seven years of assist, this feels a bit missing.
On the finish of the day, you’ve bought to make some trade-offs to maintain a $649 price ticket on a cellphone with the most recent Snapdragon. However with regards to gaming, the RedMagic 9S Professional completely delivers, and that’s what actually issues.
RedMagic 9S Professional: Competitors
Nubia and ASUS are often on the high of our gaming cellphone rankings, so the brand new ROG Telephone 9 collection would possibly catch your eye. However for those who’re not trying to break the financial institution, the ROG Telephone 8 from final 12 months remains to be a beast and a method higher deal.
The ASUS ROG Telephone 8 won’t be the latest mannequin, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a strong choose. Whereas it won’t have the identical bang-for-your-buck attraction because the RedMagic 9S Professional, its higher software program assist, improved digicam, and extra snug design make it an excellent all-around gaming cellphone. You may also go for the beefier ROG Telephone 8 Professional in order for you somewhat extra energy.
Moreover, the iQOO 12 is a strong competitor within the funds gaming cellphone 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. Nonetheless, it falls quick within the gaming division with out options like devoted cooling and shoulder triggers, that are a should for hardcore cell players.
RedMagic 9S Professional: Do you have to purchase it?
You should purchase it if…
- You are after a strong worth cellphone with nice efficiency and an infinite battery.
- You favor a cellphone that stays cool even throughout these marathon gaming classes.
- You need a cellphone that lasts all day and fees up very quickly.
You shouldn’t purchase it if…
- You are after top-notch digicam efficiency, because the RedMagic 9S Professional won’t be your finest wager.
- You are not a fan of generic-looking interfaces.
- Restricted software program assist is a dealbreaker for you.
The RedMagic 9S Professional is a powerhouse with regards 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 easy, lag-free efficiency in even essentially the most intense gaming classes. It is simply one of the vital highly effective smartphones on the market proper now. Nevertheless it’s not nearly gaming. The 9S Professional additionally delivers a strong all-around package deal, that includes a traditional headphone jack, a surprising OLED show, and an enormous battery with quick charging to maintain you within the recreation longer.
Whereas the RedMagic 9S Professional is a beast with regards to gaming, it doesn’t fairly shine as an all-around smartphone. The dearth of an IP score and its underwhelming digicam efficiency is likely to be dealbreakers for these searching for a cellphone that excels in each gaming and on a regular basis duties. Certain, it gives strong worth in comparison with premium flagships and gaming telephones just like the ROG Telephone 9, however its sturdiness and pictures shortcomings would possibly maintain it again from claiming a high spot within the broader smartphone market.
In case you’re not too fussed in regards to the digicam or software program quirks, and also you’re simply after a beastly gaming cellphone with cool stuff like built-in cooling and air triggers, the RedMagic 9S Professional is a strong choose. It’s kind of of overkill, nevertheless it’s lots cheaper than the newer ROG telephones and nonetheless delivers severe efficiency. If gaming is your high precedence, you may’t go unsuitable 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 additional options, it’s a dream for players. That mentioned, it does carry over among the flaws from the earlier mannequin, so it isn’t good.
