"I want a high-performance gaming smartphone, but the price is a hurdle." Am I the only one who feels this way?
Surprisingly, many people must have wanted an affordable smartphone that removed features unrelated to gaming, such as FeliCa and overly high-spec cameras.
Amidst this, REDMAGIC has released a high-performance yet affordable gaming smartphone!
This time, we'll be reviewing the "RED MAGIC 10 Air," released by the gaming brand "REDMAGIC"!
High Performance Yet Slim! Review of "RED MAGIC 10 Air"!
Boom!
A package in gray-ish white.
The letters reading "AIR" is faintly printed.
Contents Check!
- REDMAGIC 10 Air Main Unit
- Screen Protector (pre-applied)
- Protective Case (white translucent)
- 80W Charger
- Type-C Cable
- SIM Pin
- Stickers
The contents are as listed above.
A white translucent genuine case is included, ready to use right out of the box, so there's no need to purchase one separately.
It's great that an AC adapter supporting 80W fast charging is included.
The stickers with the "REDMAGIC" logo also tickle your inner boy dreaming of being a legendary hero.
First, Observe the Main Unit
The product being reviewed this time is the RED MAGIC 10 Air in Black, "Twilight."
The back design has a sophisticated matte texture that resists fingerprints.
The "REDMAGIC" logo below the subtly accented camera is nice.
With an IP54 dust and water resistance rating, it can be used without issues if it gets lightly wet.
The rear camera is...
- OmniVision OV50E 1/1.55”, 50MP main camera (OIS compatible)
- OmniVision OV50D 1/2.88”, 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera (also macro camera)
...a dual-camera configuration!
The combination of wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle should be sufficient for daily use.
Note that there is no telephoto lens.
The rightmost light can be customized to glow in your favorite color.
There's a slight protrusion in the lens area, but it doesn't wobble much.
Saiga NAK
With the case on, the protrusion disappears, and it becomes flat.
Since there are no side bezels, it's easy to attach.
And the front camera is...
- OmniVision OV16E 1/2.77”, 16MP UDC (under-display camera)
A distinctive feature is that there is no punch-hole on the screen.
This is great because it won't distract you during gaming or video viewing.
Interface
Left Side
Saiga NAKThe left side has a red button called "Magic Key" that launches "REDMAGIC Game Space."
Right Side
Saiga NAKThe right side has the volume buttons and power button.
There are shoulder triggers on both sides, which can be assigned to various actions.
Top Side
Saiga NAKThe top side has a small microphone hole and an infrared port.
Bottom Side
Saiga NAKThe bottom side has the SIM tray and a USB Type-C port.
It's USB 2.0, same as the iPhone 16.
Overall, it has sharp corners, which is a matter of preference.
It's also thin, making it easy to put in your pocket.
Unfortunately, it does not support a 3.5mm headphone jack, SD card, or FeliCa.
Also, it does not have a cooling fan.
However, it uses composite liquid metal, which allows for quick heat dissipation.
It's true that by excluding these features, such slimness has been achieved.
Functionality and compactness are a trade-off.
Power On!
Saiga NAKNow that we've checked the exterior, let's power on the RED MAGIC 10 Air!
There's something irreplaceable about the excitement of turning on a new smartphone.
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Although it's a global version, it supports Japanese.
After setting up the font and date, it goes to the home screen.
It uses an OE Q9+ panel, offering excellent visibility with a high screen-to-body ratio of 93.7% and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits.
Combined with the narrow bezels and the absence of a punch-hole for the front camera, the screen feels larger than its stated size.
The screen size is a large 6.8 inches, but it's lightweight at 205g and doesn't feel bulky.
Furthermore, when held horizontally, it achieves a 1:1 weight balance, providing a comfortable grip that doesn't strain your hands even during long gaming sessions.
The processor used is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Although it's not the latest model, it delivers more than enough high performance.
At around 80,000 yen, this spec can be considered a good value.
A dedicated app for registering RedMagic external devices is pre-installed by default, allowing you to connect keyboards, mice, controllers, and more to enjoy a wider range of games.
Be sure to use it when you play.
Game Space
Pressing the red button on the left side activates Game Space.
The startup animation is irresistible.
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In Game Space, you can set the color of the back light.
In addition, various functions are available, such as...
- Usage time management
- Network speed limit for unrelated apps
- Display settings
- Do Not Disturb settings
- System anti-mistouch
...and more!
Saiga NAK
There's also an original character, "Mora."
For more details about Game Space, please refer to the REDMAGIC official website.
Cool Even When Charging
The charging animation is also cool.
This smartphone, as expected of a gaming smartphone, supports bypass charging, so you don't have to worry about battery depletion during long gaming sessions.
Affordable High-Performance Gaming Smartphone
The appeal of this smartphone is its excellent cost-performance, offering high performance specialized for gaming despite being priced in the 80,000 yen range.
It's a smartphone we highly recommend to anyone looking for a dedicated sub-smartphone for gaming.
It comes in three colors: Twilight (Black), Hailstone (White), and Flare (Orange).
Twilight (Black) and Hailstone (White) are currently on sale, while Flare (Orange) is scheduled to be released from the end of June 2025.
The 12GB+256GB models of Twilight (Black) and Hailstone (White) are priced at 84,800 yen (tax included), and the 16GB+512GB models are priced at 109,800 yen (tax included). Flare (Orange) will only be available in the 16GB+512GB configuration for 109,800 yen (tax included).
For detailed specifications, please visit the REDMAGIC product page.
REDMAGIC 10 Air 本日正式販売を開始しました❗🎉
◆ハイエンド級のSnapdragon 8 Gen 3搭載🐉
◆切り欠けのないフルディスプレイ📱
◆洗練と機能美が融合する薄型軽量ボディ🪄
◆6,000mAh大容量バッテリー🔋
◆最大80Wの高速充電に対応⚡️
◆複合液体金属採用で熱を素早く拡散💨… pic.twitter.com/HhyFHxLTax— REDMAGIC Japan｜レッドマジック【日本公式】 (@REDMAGIC_JP) May 26, 2025
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | REDMAGIC 10 Air |
| Display | 6.8-inch BOE Q9+ AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2,480x1,116 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| OS | REDMAGIC OS 10 (based on Android 15) |
| Memory | 12/16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256/512 GB UFS4.0 |
| Dustproof/Waterproof | IP54 |
| Battery Capacity | 6,000mAh |
| Size | Height 164.3mm × Width 76.6mm × Thickness 7.85mm |
| Weight | 205g |
