nubia, a ZTE subsidiary, has been developing gaming smartphones under the "REDMAGIC" brand. In this issue, we will introduce the REDMAGIC 8S Pro, which will be released in Japan in the summer of 2023, focusing on its external appearance. The REDMAGIC 8S Pro is equipped with an air-cooling system that uses a rotating fan and a "game space switch" that locks the device in game machine mode, allowing users to immerse themselves in a game.
REDMAGIC 8S Pro Gaming Smartphone Review
Square body with full-screen display support
The REDMAGIC 8S Pro is a high-spec smartphone with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. The display size is 6.8 inches with AMOLED with a resolution of 2480 x 1116 pixels. The refresh rate supports 120 Hz. The touch sampling rate of the display is responsive with a maximum of 960 Hz.
The smartphone display has a front camera, but the REDMAGIC 8S Pro has no visible hole for the camera. The REDMAGIC 8S Pro uses the second generation UDC (Under Display Camera), which means that the camera is hidden under the display. More and more smartphones these days, such as the iPhone 15, have a large hidden area on the screen, but it is an obstacle for gameplay. The REDMAGIC 8S Pro has nothing to obstruct your view while gaming.
Rear fan glows with light.
The REDMAGIC 8S Pro is available in two color variations, "Midnight" and "Aurora". The Aurora model was tested this time. The back is finished with a transparent panel, allowing the interior to be seen through. Although not as transparent as the transparent body of a gaming PC, the Aurora model is a product that can be differentiated by its appearance alone.
The camera consists of a 50-megapixel f/1.9 25mm wide-angle, 8-megapixel f/2.2 13mm ultra-wide-angle, and 2-megapixel f/2.4 macro. Although there is no telephoto, not many people will be looking for camera performance in a gaming smartphone. And visible to the left of the camera is a rotating fan, which air-cools the cooling plate inside the unit at a rotational speed of 20,000 rpm. The fan is illuminated by LED lights, so it is sure to stand out when used in a dark place. The "REDMAGIC" logo on the back can also be illuminated in any color according to the notification.
ICE 12.0 cooling system" effectively lowers CPU temperature
Inside the REDMAGIC 8S Pro is the ICE 12.0 cooling system, a multi-layered structure that cools the device. The improved graphene sheet increases thermal capacity by 150%, and the 2068 square millimeter VC cooling plate is twice as thick as the previous one, doubling the heat dissipation effect. The high thermal conductivity gel adheres to each cooling plate to quickly reduce the heat generated by the CPU. The heat dissipation speed is 60% faster than conventional products, and CPU temperature can be lowered by 1.3 degrees Celsius while charging or using the smartphone. This allows the display to maintain a frame rate of 59.9 FPS during 2 hours of game play.
The battery capacity is 6000mAh, which is larger than that of a typical smartphone, and it supports 65W fast charging. Charging time from zero to 100% battery capacity is only 35 minutes. The main body of a smartphone tends to get hot while charging, but ICE 12.0 can lower the temperature of the main body by 2 degrees while charging and using the smartphone. The shape of the main body is square with the corners up. A 3.5mm headphone jack is mounted on the top of the main unit, so commercially available headphones can be used without modification.
520Hz trigger button on the side
The side of the main unit is lively. The right side is lined with various buttons. The sensors on both sides of the right side are touch-type dual shoulder trigger buttons. With a sensitivity of 520 Hz, fingertip movements can be directly reflected in the game. The red slide button is a game space switch that makes the REDMAGIC 8S Pro a dedicated gaming device. And there is also a power button. The slit on the top side is an air intake hole for the rotating fan. The side view also shows that the camera protrusion is at a less conspicuous height.
The volume button is on the left side. The slit on this side is the exhaust port for the rotating fan. The square body has built-in stereo speakers on the left and right sides of the unit when the unit is turned sideways.
Game space makes the REDMAGIC 8S Pro a dedicated gaming device.
Slide the red button on the side to enter the game space. This sliding switch has been used by previous generations of REDMAGIC smartphones and is one of the features of this model. The switch is not so loose that it can be moved by accidental operation, but can be locked in place with a firm click.
The "Game Lobby" portal screen appears when the game space is launched. If no games are installed, nothing will be displayed. In this state, no notifications are displayed by default, so your game play will not be interrupted.
If you have some games installed, they will be displayed on this screen, so you can launch them directly. The size of the device is about this when held in both hands. The shoulder trigger button can be pressed with the index finger.
Detailed settings for game operation are possible.
Tap the right icon at the bottom center of the screen to go to the "Super Power Base" screen. Here, you can make settings for game play. From the left, there are four menus: "Gravity X," "Red Magic Time," "Plug-in Library," and "Mora.
Gravity X allows users to set up connections to game controllers, external displays, and cloud games such as Xbox. Red Magic Time allows users to store and view in-game videos and screenshots.
The plugin library allows for detailed settings for each game.
From Mora, you will be taken to a screen where you can play with Mor a, the official character of REDMAGIC. You can raise Mora, take pictures with Mora, and so on. In the future, an AI assistant using Mora Mora may be available.
You can adjust Mora's pose to any orientation and take a picture with her through the camera.
Camera performance is sufficient
Finally, let's talk about the camera. The 50-megapixel camera is sufficient for everyday use. There is also a pro mode for more elaborate shots.
REDMAGIC is also developed by Nubia, an affiliate of ZTE. Nubia originally developed cameraphones, and the REDMAGIC 8S Pro has a wide variety of optional modes. You will enjoy it as a camera as well.
A good introduction to gaming smartphones
While you can play games on high-spec smartphones such as the iPhone, the REDMAGIC 8S Pro has shoulder trigger buttons, a game space mode, and a powerful built-in cooling system. If you are looking for a new smartphone for gaming, this is definitely one of the best options. If you are choosing a smartphone mainly for gaming, you should definitely keep a gaming smartphone in mind.
▼Photo & Written by Yasuhiro Yamane/Yasuhiro Yamane Blog: http: //www.hkyamane.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/hkyamane/ Note: https://note.com/ hkyamane/
Sorry, this article is only available in Japanese. at the moment.
