Motorola might have been essentially the most improved smartphone model of 2023, however RedMagic was very near profitable that title. We’ve seen the Chinese telephone maker go from zero to hero through the years, with its gaming telephones progressively reaching the next degree of finesse.The RedMagic 9 Pro made its debut on the tail finish of 2023, within the ultimate days of December. This pretty slab of steel and glass goes very far in proving that RedMagic has lastly shed the ghosts of its previous and should even be able to tackle the greats like Samsung, Google, and ASUS.While this is not an ideal telephone, we’re lastly on the level the place this gadget can be utilized by your common Joe as a every day driver, and that makes me tremendous excited. In truth, for lots of people, this simply is perhaps the correct match for numerous causes. Okay, I’ll cease teasing and dive proper into the evaluate!Today’s greatest RedMagic 9 Pro offersRedMagic 9 Pro: Price, availability, and specs(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)The RedMagic 9 Pro was unveiled on December 18, 2023. Pre-orders went reside on December 27 and the gadget was obtainable in international markets from January 3, 2024, onwards.You can purchase the RedMagic 9 Pro in considered one of three colours, two of which sport clear backs. This consists of Snowfall which has a white clear design, Cyclone which is a black see-through possibility, and Sleet which is the one opaque colorway with a strong black coat of paint.As for the value, the 12/256GB variant in Sleet prices $749. You also can get the 16/512GB variant in each Cyclone and Snowfall variants for a similar worth, $899.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryRedMagic 9 ProOSREDMAGIC OS 9.0 based mostly on Android 14Display6.8-inch BOE Q9+ FHD+ AMOLED (2480×1116), 120Hz refresh, 1600 nits max brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, 2000Hz immediate & 960Hz total contact sampling ratesChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 3, Red Core 2 ProRAM12GB/16GB LPDDR5Storage256GB/512GB UFS 4.0Rear digital camera 1Samsung GN5 50MP fundamental, OIS, 7P lens, APL-coated anti-glareRear digital camera 2Samsung JN1 50MP ultra-wide-angleFront digital camera16MPCooling systemICE 13 10-layered system, 22,000 RPM high-speed Turbofan with RGBConnectivityWi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, 5G, GPSSecurityIn-screen optical fingerprint sensor, face unlockAudio3.5mm headphone jack, twin three-dimensional 1115Okay audio system, DTS:X Ultra, Snapdragon SoundBattery6,500mAh, 80W chargingIngress safety🚫Dimensions163.98mm x 76.35mm x 8.9mm, 229gExtras520Hz RGB shoulder triggers, colourful RGB fan with customized lights, gaming buttonRedMagic 9 Pro: Design and show(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)RedMagic began out wild, however the model has lastly tamed its design language. The RedMagic 9 Pro is sleeker, slimmer, and extra well-balanced than ever earlier than, to the purpose you could make it stand on any aspect unassisted.The sharp edges look neat and do not harm anymore. This was an issue with final 12 months’s RedMagic 8 Pro and 8S Pro. Another downside that is been addressed is the protruding digital camera lenses used to gather mud. Amazingly, the lenses are sealed off contained in the clear glass again, preserving grime particles away. Clearly, the Chinese smartphone maker put a number of thought into the telephone.The headphone jack, pink gaming button, shoulder triggers, and under-display digital camera are all nonetheless there. However, there is a new rounded energy button this time round. It takes some getting used to, however it really improves the texture of the gadget. I did not need to fumble across the sides, urgent the amount rocker unintentionally whereas making an attempt to press the facility button.Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)The entrance has Gorilla Glass 5 for defense, and the again is glass as effectively. You get a beautiful aluminum body and RGB lights included into the shoulder triggers, in addition to a tiny little portion of the rear. The speaker grills are positioned on the highest and backside of the telephone.Gone are the times of 165Hz AMOLED panels, however I can not say I miss it a lot. The RedMagic 9 Pro’s 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED display is extraordinarily crispy, brilliant, and punchy. The lack of a notch makes it an absolute pleasure to behold. According to my colleague Nick Sutrich’s check outcomes, there is no PWM flicker both. If you are delicate to that, you may be joyful as a lamb.At 1600 nits of peak brightness ranges, the 9 Pro will get fairly brilliant out in obvious daylight. Overall, the dimensions and show are very strongly paying homage to the S23 Ultra.RedMagic 9 Pro: Performance(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)Slowly however steadily, REDMAGIC OS has improved considerably. The RedMagic 9 Pro runs REDMAGIC OS 9.0 based mostly on Android 14, and it’s the smoothest telephone I’ve ever used. It feels even snappier when you swap out the preset icons for much less gamer-esque ones.The mixture of uncooked energy from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM is unmatched. Want to listen to the craziest half? You may give the RedMagic 9 Pro somewhat little bit of a lift by utilizing a part of the UFS 4.0 storage so as to add 3GB of additional RAM.This gadget powers via something and all the pieces, day in and day trip, delivering easy efficiency like a champion. You’ll overlook what delays really feel like, to be trustworthy. Even with 1,000,000 apps open, multitasking like a monster, and leaving loads of different issues operating within the background, the RedMagic 9 Pro does not stutter or glitch out on me. There’s a really fluid really feel to the gadget.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryRedMagic 9 ProASUS ROG Phone 8 ProiQOO 12iPhone 15 Pro Max Geekbench 6 (single-core)2241224422522950Geekbench 6 (multi-core)69536995695273813DMark Wild Life Extreme (rating)52035207432936483DMark Wild Life Extreme (FPS)31.1631.1825.9221.93DMark Solar Bay (rating)86858657804250243DMark Solar Bay (FPS)3332.9232.3319.1One have a look at the benchmarks, and you may see simply why the RedMagic 9 Pro operates so effectively. The RedMagic 9 Pro and ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro’s scores are neck and neck. The ICE 13 cooling system retains issues cool below the hood whilst you push the telephone to its limits. The solely time I ever noticed the 9 Pro in hassle was once I ran the 3DMark Solar Bay, and the telephone shut down afterward due to overheating. To be truthful, even the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro ran extraordinarily scorching when operating the identical check, as per my colleague Harish Jonnalagadda’s testing, and that gadget has much more muscle.There’s no process that does not really feel like a pleasure on this gadget. It is likely one of the greatest gaming telephones of 2024, and I’m sure it is going to compete admirably towards the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.RedMagic 9 Pro: Software(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)Usually, that is the half the place I categorical my frustration, disappointment, and anger at RedMagic’s badly organized UI, poor translations, and chunky icons. Ladies and gents, I’m past ecstatic to announce that that is now not the case. The firm really went forward and stuck all the pieces we hated so passionately about REDMAGIC OS.I can not even start to specific my pleasure at this landmark enchancment. The RedMagic 9 Pro has one of the best software program on any RedMagic telephone up to now. REDMAGIC OS 9.0 is fluid, effectively organized, written in correct English, simple to look via and navigate, and simply seems so darn good. Don’t consider me? See for your self!Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)From icons and themes to paint schemes and RGB lights, all the pieces is definitely accessible and customizable. All the additional options are neatly categorized below the Features settings. The OS does not really feel heavy in any respect, and transitions are ultra-snappy.This goes to indicate how a lot one thing seemingly small can change the consumer expertise and perspective of a smartphone. REDMAGIC OS is nearly corresponding to inventory Android at this level, and that is one of the best praise I may give it.The fantastic thing about the 9 Pro is that it’s not only a gaming telephone anymore. You can use it as your every day driver and get extra out of it than what fundamental Android 14 delivers. There’s a brand new tray that pulls out of the edges, providing you with entry to apps and different shortcuts. It’s similar to the aspect panels present in One UI. You nonetheless get the customizable Z-POP button in order for you much more shortcuts and fast entry on the fly.Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)As for the gaming aspect of issues, that is simply nearly as good as ever, albeit with correct phrases as an alternative of wonky translations. You’ll discover thousands and thousands of gaming choices, settings, shortcuts, screencasting, add-ons, plugins, and different significant options that take your gaming to a complete new degree, all baked proper into the OS.If you are coming from a RedMagic telephone, the brand new gaming overlay will really feel acquainted. There’s a small studying curve there, however it’s nothing insanely tough to comply with. All you have to do is mess around with the choices and settings to familiarize your self.RedMagic now ensures “at least two years” of main OS updates in addition to safety updates. This is nice information as a result of you don’t need a $750 to $900 gadget to grow to be outdated after a mere 12 months. And with the processing energy this factor packs, it will probably positively deal with future updates with out flinching.RedMagic 9 Pro: Battery and charging(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)RedMagic at all times kills it within the battery and charging section, and this 12 months is not any totally different. The RedMagic 9 Pro jacks up final 12 months’s 5,000mAh cell, ditching it in favor of a fair bigger 6,500mAh battery. That’s an insane quantity of energy, which simply lasts for 2 days on common.Once your 9 Pro runs out of juice, recharging it takes about 20 minutes or so. Since the gadget options 80W Power Delivery 3.0 USB-C charging, such a feat is definitely completed by the RedMagic 9 Pro.There’s nonetheless no wi-fi charging right here, however truthfully, you do not even want it. It’s handy, however Qi wi-fi charging could be very inefficient in follow. With 80W wired charging in your palms, there is no want to think about various charging strategies.RedMagic 9 Pro: Cameras(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)Cameras aren’t often an space of a lot focus on the subject of gaming telephones. However, the RedMagic 9 Pro is not restricted to hardcore avid gamers. Anyone who prizes efficiency over all else can think about getting one for themselves, so cameras are positively value trying into.With the 9 Pro, gone are the nonsensical 5MP macro and 8MP ultrawide sensors. Instead, RedMagic very rigorously opted for less than two fundamental cameras, each of that are 50MP lenses. The fundamental digital camera is a wide-angle Samsung GN5 50MP lens with optical picture stabilization, 7P lens, and APL-coated anti-glare. Meanwhile, the secondary ultrawide-angle digital camera is a Samsung JN1 50MP lens with an optimized distortion correction algorithm.Together, you possibly can seize movies in 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps or 30fps, and 1080p at as much as 240fps on the RedMagic 9 Pro.Below are some major digital camera samples in various lighting circumstances. Naturally, the intense daylight shot got here out trying nice. The cameras had been in a position to retain fairly a little bit of element in each pure mushy and synthetic indoor lighting situations. Some photos lack punchiness, however the outcomes are first rate sufficient total.Image 1 of 6(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)Digital zoom is not half unhealthy both, providing you with pictures like these when taken benefit of in the correct lighting circumstances and on the proper angle.Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)I used to be significantly happy with the improved low gentle and night time pictures. These pictures had been taken in a really darkish curler skating rink and the colours are very correct to actual life. There’s loads of texture and distinction there as effectively.Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)The fifth era of RedMagic’s UDC know-how does a wonderful job of pretending it isn’t there when the entrance digital camera is not in use. You cannot inform whether or not there is a digital camera lens buried beneath the layer of pixels in any way.The selfie digital camera on final 12 months’s RedMagic 8 Pro was rubbish, giving overly saturated outcomes that had been approach off when it comes to colours, tones, distinction, and element. The fifth-gen UDC featured within the RedMagic 9 Pro improves on these issues, however the finish outcome nonetheless seems fuzzy, and the colours prove a bit washed out.Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)Just have a look at the identical selfie I captured with the RedMagic 9 Pro and the Google Pixel 6. The distinction in hues and textural particulars is astonishing.So, whereas we will all agree that the 9 Pro’s entrance digital camera is markedly higher than the earlier iterations, it is nonetheless not able to compete with one of the best Android telephones on the market.RedMagic 9 Pro: CompetitorsThe ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro, iQOO 12, and the unreleased Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra come to thoughts when contemplating potential opponents for the RedMagic 9 Pro.In phrases of worth and worth for cash, the iQOO 12 offers RedMagic a superb struggle. This funds gaming telephone prices lower than the 9 Pro, but it nonetheless delivers efficiency that is on par and sooner 120W charging. You get Android 14 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, however there is no devoted cooling system or shoulder triggers for gaming.If funds isn’t a difficulty, you possibly can’t go fallacious with the mighty ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro. This beefed-up gadget additionally makes use of the identical chipset and has a devoted cooling system in addition to gaming triggers. However, it one-ups the RedMagic 9 Pro with 15W wi-fi charging, 4 OS updates (two greater than RedMagic), a 32MP telephoto lens, a USB-C DisplayPort 1.4, and IP68 water and mud resistance.Before you throw within the towel, do keep in mind that the maxed-out variant of the RedMagic 9 Pro prices $900, whereas the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro begins at a whopping $1,200 for the fundamental 12GB/256GB model. The top-of-the-line 24GB/1TB mannequin will set you again round $1,500.RedMagic 9 Pro: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)You ought to get it if…You are an influence consumer who wants blazing efficiencyYou need a devoted cooling systemYou hate entrance digital camera notchesYou have to get essentially the most worth on your cashYou cannot do with out shoulder triggersYou crave super-fast charging speedsYou should not get it if…You use CDMA carriersYou prioritize cameras above all elseYou depend upon water resistanceHonestly talking, I didn’t anticipate to like the RedMagic 9 Pro as a lot as I did. And I actually didn’t anticipate that I’d be capable of examine it to the likes of the S23 Ultra or hope to pit it towards the unreleased S24 Ultra.RedMagic took me without warning this time round. I used to be absolutely anticipating extra of the identical — a beastly gaming telephone held again by its flawed software program. But I’m joyful to report that this isn’t the case this time round. REDMAGIC OS 9.0 is reasonably pleasant and feels amazingly light-weight. The 9 Pro is immensely highly effective, helped alongside by its secondary Red Core 2 Pro chipset that is devoted to gaming.Hand on my coronary heart, I can lastly say that the RedMagic 9 Pro is prepared for the mainstream consumer now. The entrance digital camera is not nice, however all the pieces else weighs a lot too closely in favor of the smartphone. If you need a implausible telephone with flagship elements and efficiency however for half the value, you should purchase the RedMagic 9 Pro.
It actually is magic
The RedMagic 9 Pro debuts the cleaner, lighter, and snappier REDMAGIC OS 9.0 which pairs fabulously with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. You get unbridled processing energy, highly effective internals, and a beautiful 6.8-inch AMOLED panel free from any blemish. Guaranteed to obtain no less than two years of updates, it is a nice smartphone for heavy multitaskers and energy customers.
RedMagic 9 Pro: Price Comparison