Flagship telephones need your cash; the RedMagic 10S Professional simply desires to recreation. Right here’s why this powerhouse is likely to be the most effective worth play of 2025.

Most individuals wouldn’t guess it, however I’m a mother by day and a gamer by evening. Sure, as soon as the youngsters head to mattress, you’ll discover me curled up on the couch, deep in Cyberpunk 2077 on my Change 2. I get pleasure from my after-hours gaming classes, however currently I’ve been craving one thing extra intense, which is why I jumped on the probability to do that RedMagic 10S Professional evaluate.

This 6.85-inch gaming beast is a slight improve from its predecessor, the RedMagic 10 Professional. That includes Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Main Version chip, the newest flagship provides a few of the greatest efficiency and battery life in 2025.

However specs on paper don’t at all times translate to high-quality gaming IRL, am I proper? So does the RedMagic 10S Professional really ship? And the way does it evaluate to a different flagship, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional? Let’s discover out.

RedMagic 10S Professional Assessment: Design & Construct

After opening the transport field, I discovered not simply the RedMagic 10S Professional, but additionally the Cooler 06 Professional and bracket. Thanks, RedMagic, for the bonus gadgets!

At first look (and maintain), the RedMagic 10S Professional has a boxy silhouette with corners which can be barely rounded. You instantly comprehend it’s a gaming telephone (Nubia’s not messing round). The combo of glass and metallic offers it a sturdy, premium really feel, and at 229g (roughly half a pound), it’s hefty. Undoubtedly not a telephone to make use of one-handedly, however in panorama mode, that weight really offers it a strong, balanced really feel throughout gaming classes.

Different opinions have dismissed the again design as boring, however I favored it. My mannequin got here within the Clear Black Nightfall colorway, and the marginally see-through again is a chic distinction with the extra mechanical form. The flat again feels comfy within the hand, and the RGB lighting accents deliver the buttons and vents to life.

Whereas the scale makes carrying it a problem, it’s undoubtedly a telephone made for gaming first.

RedMagic 10S Professional Assessment: Show and OS

Show is essential, particularly in the case of gaming telephones. I would like the pictures to virtually soar out at me. The RedMagic 10S Professional is a pleasing shock, boasting a 6.85-inch AMOLED show and a refresh fee of as much as 144 Hz; specs I’d look forward to finding in a costlier telephone. The multi-touch sampling fee is as much as 960 Hz, and the decision is excessive.

I discover the colours vibrant and lifelike; it’s as if I’m carrying mini variations of my favourite characters in my fingers whereas I play. In the meantime, the response instances have been very quick. The telephone labored nicely with heavier video games like Name of Obligation and Guidelines of Survival…I skilled no lag and performed as if I have been on a console. Whole win for this gaming mother!

RedMagic 10S Professional Assessment: Software program and UI

The RedMagic 10s Professional runs RedMagic OS10.5 layered over Android 15. So I get the acquainted look of Android plus loads of gamer tweaks. Now, there’s so much I like right here, together with a gaming dashboard, and software program that runs easily. Customization choices are many; I can choose themes, icon packs, efficiency modes and visible prefrences.

Different opinions have referred to as the UI “clunky” and I feel I do know why. There are some extraneous, pre-installed apps when first utilizing the system. Some are helpful, others should not. You’ll seemingly spend the primary hour uninstalling or disabling varied issues. However as soon as that’s performed, you’ll have a pleasant, clear interface to play on. Components of the interface nonetheless endure from wonky English phrasing and inconsistent wording. This may make navigation complicated.

RedMagic 10S Professional Assessment: Efficiency

Gaming telephones earn their rep by their efficiency, and the RedMagic 10S Professional flexes critical muscle in that space. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Main Version, paired with LPDDR5T RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, makes this factor really feel prefer it’s operating on rocket gasoline. Benchmarks again it up; Notebookcheck discovered that it scored among the many quickest Android telephones they’ve ever examined, and TechRadar famous that even in sustained stress exams, it held onto about 85% of its efficiency over time. That’s spectacular contemplating how exhausting it’s working.

In follow, it exhibits. I ran Genshin Affect and Name of Obligation Cell at max graphics, and the RedMagic 10S Professional locked at 60/120 fps with out stutter. Even after an hour, body pacing stayed easy; no jarring dips. Sure, it will get heat, however the inside cooling system (plus the elective clip-on Cooler 06 Professional fan) stored it from turning into uncomfortable to carry. Notice that the thermals can get heat in lengthy marathons, however truthfully, I used to be extra impressed by how lengthy it sustained efficiency for the value level.

In comparison with the pricier ASUS ROG Cellphone 9 Professional, the hole isn’t as huge as you’d count on. Positive, ASUS wins in optimization, however RedMagic is delivering flagship-level gameplay for a whole bunch much less. For me, that’s an enormous promoting level.

RedMagic 10S Professional Assessment: Shoulder Triggers

Now let’s discuss one among my favourite components: the shoulder triggers. They’re not precise buttons (which shocked me) however digital ones; touchpads with capacitive contact sensors inbuilt that act as controls. I discover the reactions to be close to prompt, and so they actually gave me a bonus in video games like Wuthering Waves.

That stated, ergonomics are a blended bag. With smaller fingers, I discovered the boxy edges can dig into the palms throughout lengthy classes, one thing different reviewers have talked about. Nonetheless, I’d take that tradeoff over smudging up the display with my thumbs any day.

The ROG Cellphone 9 Professional, for its half, makes use of mechanical AirTriggers that supply extra tactile suggestions. Personally, I didn’t miss the clicking on the RedMagic 10S Professional, however some players might favor the ROG’s really feel.

RedMagic 10S Professional Assessment: Battery Life and Charging

If there’s something a gamer mother hates, it’s gear that runs out of battery rapidly. RedMagic 10S Professional has gained me over on this space, too. It boasts a 7,050mAh battery (gi-normous for a telephone), which interprets to about two full days of reasonable use. Sure, I can use the 10S Professional as my common telephone and a gaming system for 2 complete days with out having to cost it. That’s a phenomenal factor.

The included wall charger delivers quick 80W charging, which brings the telephone to 100% in roughly 40 minutes. Moreover, the “cost separation” function lets me energy the telephone straight whereas I recreation. This reduces warmth/battery put on.

On the draw back, the RedMagic 10S Professional doesn’t assist wi-fi charging. As a gaming-first system, nonetheless, this isn’t an enormous deal. Probably, RedMagic skipped it to enhance thermal administration, pace, and value.

General, battery life is a robust level for the RedMagic 10S Professional. The 7,050 mAh pack outlasts the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional, although ASUS counters with extras, together with wi-fi charging.

RedMagic 10S Professional Assessment: Cameras

Cameras are a weak level for RedMagic 10S Professional, as many reviewers have famous. However I don’t assume that’s essentially a dealbreaker. The spec sheet says you get a dual-rear setup with two 50 MP sensors (fundamental huge with OIS at f/1.9, and an ultra-wide at f/2.0), plus an under-display selfie digital camera for a clear, notch-free display. Sounds spectacular, proper? Let’s look a little bit nearer.

In good lighting, the principle digital camera does tremendous. Pictures look sharp and detailed, with balanced publicity and first rate dynamic vary. Even evening mode shocked me; photos got here out clear sufficient for informal snaps. The ultra-wide is the place issues disintegrate: colours look flat, edges get mushy, and the general picture seems like a downgrade from the principle digital camera.

Video is extra strong. At 4K/60 fps, footage appears to be like easy and stabilized, and it’s completely usable for recording household moments or gameplay clips. Sure, there’s 8K/30 fps assist, however until you get pleasure from burning by means of storage and battery, I wouldn’t use it usually.

The actual Achilles’ heel is the selfie digital camera. As a result of it’s hidden below the show, photos come out smooth and hazy. I even observed a watermark sneaking into pictures till I toggled it off in settings.

Backside line: the 10S Professional’s cameras are ok for the occasional snap or social publish, but when pictures is a giant a part of your life, look elsewhere. This telephone was constructed to frag enemies, not seize sunsets. In the meantime, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional has a barely stronger digital camera setup…however neither is successful any pictures awards right here.

RedMagic 10S Professional Assessment: The Verdict

The RedMagic 10S Professional isn’t making an attempt to be the proper on a regular basis flagship, and that’s precisely why I prefer it. It is aware of its lane and sticks to it. You’re getting blistering efficiency, a large battery, a stunning show, and people helpful shoulder triggers that genuinely offer you an edge in aggressive video games. Sure, the UI wants tidying, the cameras lag behind the competitors.

However! For a whole bunch lower than a ROG Cellphone 9 Professional or a Galaxy Extremely, this system nails what issues most to players. It’s a telephone that doesn’t apologize for being a gaming-first machine. For me, a mother who sneaks in classes as soon as in a blue moon, it seems like a well-deserved deal with.

In case your priorities are frames per second, battery stamina, and a display constructed for immersion, the RedMagic 10S Professional delivers. In case your priorities are trip images or TikTok-ready selfies… perhaps maintain wanting.

RedMagic 10S Professional Value & Availability

The Nubia RedMagic 10S Professional is on the market for $699 on the producer’s web site, the place it’s additionally accessible in several colours. On the publish date, the system was now not accessible on Amazon (US). Compared, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional prices $1,200 on Amazon.