Review of the gaming smartphone REDMAGIC 8S Pro.RedMagic’s new gaming phone has arrived, and players are once more in good hands. The RedMagic 8S Pro doesn’t have many updates, but it’s only a mid-year refresh and not a totally new phone design.It does, however, promise an upgraded cooling system, an upgraded chipset, a slightly updated design, and all the other goodies that the 8 Pro version includes. This RedMagic 8S Pro review will examine this brand-new gaming phone from RedMagic to see if it has surpassed all competition once more.
RedMagic 8S Pro: first impressions and characteristics
It’s only been a few months since the release of the latest Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro gaming machine, and now RedMagic is giving us another gaming beast – the 8S Pro model. But is it worth the money for those who already bought the 8 Pro? Was this phone even needed? Let’s find out.Before we dive into the review, here’s the full specs list of the RedMagic 8S Pro:
- Dimensions: 6.4 x 3.0 x 0.37 inches (163.98 x 76.35 x 9.47 mm) < /li>
- Weight: 8.04 ounces (228 grams)
- Material: Metal middle frame with glass back
- Display: 6.8-inch FHD+ AMOLED, maximum brightness 1300 nits
- Resolution: 1116×2480 pixels
- Refresh rate: up to 120 Hz
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 – latest version
- Software: Android 13 with RedMagic OS 8.0
- Capacity: 12/16 GB LPDDR5X RAM
- Memory: 256/512 GB UFS 4.0
- Rear cameras: 50 MP main, 8 MP ultra-wide, 2 MP macro
- Front camera: 16 MP under display
- Ports and connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 , USB-S 3.1, Type-C, DP, dual nano-SIM slot, 3.5. mm headphone jack
- Battery: Dual cell 6000 mAh battery
- Charging: 65W GaN fast charging
- Special features: Shoulder trigger buttons (touchpad with touch panel 520 Hz) speed), game space switch – turn on and off special gaming mode, haptic feedback and fully customizable RGB lighting effects
- Colors: Platinum Silver, Transparent Black Glow, Midnight Black, Aurora
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- Price: from $649 on the RedMagic website and from $769 on Amazon.
From its stunning high refresh rate AMOLED display to its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, this Android gaming phone is designed to enhance your gaming experience.
Besides adding an S to its predecessor’s name, the RedMagic 8S Pro introduces an improved chipset, fresh look and upgraded cooling system to the flagship line of phones from the respected Chinese gaming giant. While the jump may not be that big, you should understand that the RedMagic 8S Pro is a mid-year refresh and not a completely new smartphone.Don’t underestimate these improvements as the RedMagic 8S Pro has now established itself as the best option for those looking for a top-notch gaming phone. However, if you already have RedMagic 8 Pro, the upgrade may not be worthwhile. But if you’re looking to upgrade from RedMagic 7 or earlier, the 8S Pro is the best option in the RedMagic lineup.As always, the new version of RedMagic does what it does best – combine powerful computing capabilities, gaming hardware and software, while maintaining a pleasantly surprising price. It is now touted as one of the best gaming phones with impressive benefits, but we must also remember that its cool features also come with a few downsides.Poor camera performance continues to persist, as does the lack of ongoing software updates and support. Before we discuss this in more detail, let’s take a look at the design and build of the 8S Pro.
Design and unpacking
The RedMagic 8S Pro boasts a sleek design with a glass back, especially the Aurora finish that I have for review. Although you can’t see all the internal components, it looks pretty cool. This model is also available in Platinum and Midnight color options.
What’s in the box
When you unbox the RedMagic 8S Pro, you’ll find everything you need in the box.
- REDMAGIC 8S Pro smartphone
- Power adapter
- Type C fast charging cable, 54 W
- Protective phone case
< li>SIM tray ejector
- User manual and other documentation
RedMagic has managed to strike a balance between bold design and broad appeal without making the phone too geared towards gamers. The boxy design of the RedMagic 8S Pro looks modern, with colors like Platinum or Midnight avoiding the overly bright gaming look of the RedMagic 7. All versions of the phone feature the iconic RGB cooling fan lighting, visible through the window at the back. 
The 8S Pro features a 6.8-inch Full HD AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The display is simply stunning and almost frameless. There are no obtrusive cutouts on it thanks to the camera located under the display. Although this affects the performance of the front camera, this solution makes it ideal for immersive gaming sessions.Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front ensures durability, although it’s important to note that the phone lacks water and dust resistance due to its unique cooling design.Both the RedMagic 8S Pro and its predecessor have the same build quality. With just a 0.6mm difference in thickness, both models weigh a significant 8 ounces. At first the phone feels heavy in the hand, but this feeling goes away after a few days of use. The device is designed with serious aesthetics in mind and has sharp edges to highlight the design. 
On the sides of the phone you’ll find volume buttons, a power button, and the recognizable red switch that activates the Game Space feature. 
Charging is done via the USB-C port at the bottom of the smartphone. It supports fast charging up to 65W using the included RedMagic charger. And of course, the 8S Pro also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which in my opinion should never have disappeared from modern phones.Turning the phone over reveals a triple camera setup. The cameras are located vertically, as in the previous model. The interior features a round cutout to show off the spinning fan, along with RGB lighting for an eye-catching effect. 
Even though the phone’s design seems solid, all that fancy glass cover will make you worry about dropping it and breaking it. A protective case is included, but the design leaves most of the sides open to accommodate the cooling system and start buttons. I advise you to use your new gaming beast with caution and try not to drop it on hard surfaces.
How fast is it?
Let’s take a look at the Geekbench numbers and compare the results to what we got for the 8 Pro. Using the Geekbench 6 app, I tested the overall performance of the 8S Pro. Here are the test results I received: 
The RedMagic 8S Pro received a single-core score of 2116 and a multi-core score of 5610. While it still doesn’t beat the iPhone 14 Pro Max (with 2,502 and 6,289 points respectively), it does beat the RedMagic 8 Pro in terms of processing power with its 2,007 and 5,491 points respectively. And it is still ahead of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (1869 and 4940) and Xiaomi 13 (1738 and 5138). 
If you’re not impressed by the CPU numbers, wait until you see what the GPU test reveals. RedMagic 8S Pro received a crazy 9802 points in the OpenCL test (versus 64430 for the 8 Pro) and 10188 in the Vulkan test.
Game Experience
When it comes to avid gamers, the RedMagic 8S Pro definitely doesn’t fall short in terms of processing power. Powered by a blazingly fast overclocked 3.36GHz Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the latest and greatest available at launch, the phone gets an extra boost from the dedicated Red Core 2 gaming processor. 
If you’re a fan of intense gaming sessions with games like Genshin Impact, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how well the 8S Pro handles it. You won’t notice any lag or stuttering no matter how intense the action gets, even if you’re using the maximum frame rate.RedMagic has significantly upgraded the 8S Pro’s cooling system with the introduction of the advanced ICE 12.0 system. It includes a spacious dual-layer cooling plate with a 2068 mm3 vapor chamber, innovative air duct structure, cooling gel, graphene layer under the display and a high-speed 20,000 rpm fan.In other words, the new cooling system is extremely efficient and holding the phone for long periods of time while gaming is comfortable as it doesn’t get too hot. The fan is fairly quiet, although if you haven’t used a RedMagic phone before, you’ll definitely notice the presence of a fan since it’s a unique phone to have this cooling method. 
RedMagic 8S Pro takes game control to the next level by allowing you to assign trigger buttons on the top edge (in landscape mode) to perform various in-game actions that would normally require touch screen taps. Add to this the ultra-sensitive 960Hz touch sampling rate, and you get an enjoyable gaming experience with fast and precise response.
Non-gaming application performance
The 8S Pro is a gaming beast, but is it as good as a regular phone? Unfortunately, this again depends on how important photo quality is to you, as the 8S Pro carries over most of the camera performance issues from its predecessor.
Camera performance
While the RedMagic 8S Pro boasts powerful gaming capabilities, its camera system is unchanged from the original 8 Pro. The rear features a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2MP macro camera. On the front, below the display, there is a 16 MP selfie camera. 
Looking at the sample images, you can be sure that the cameras are up to the task of the 8 Pro. Photos are not bright enough, and the camera often reproduces colors incorrectly. 
The ultra-wide angle lens causes a strange loss of brightness and colors become much cooler.And of course, the hidden selfie camera is still the worst. Your selfies will be blurry, and the colors of yourself and the background will be too saturated and unrealistic. 
However, if you ignore the selfie camera completely, you can still take decent photos with the RedMagic 8S Pro. 
A good example are these few photos taken in low light and at night.
Software
RedMagic 8S Pro runs on Android 13 with RedMagic OS 8.0 interface. It offers extensive customization options, allowing you to personalize icons, themes, and even the behavior of your phone. So, if you want a simple Android experience, this phone may not be the right phone for you.Unfortunately, the experience with the software is not entirely flawless. Some bugs need to be addressed to ensure smoother day-to-day use. During testing, various applications closed unexpectedly, seemingly for no reason. This shouldn’t happen with a new Android phone, and you’ll probably be disappointed.
Battery life
The RedMagic 8S Pro packs a hefty 6,000mAh battery, which is actually two 3,000mAh batteries working together. This power supply is carried over from the 8 Pro and still works very well. On a typical day of using social media, making calls, browsing the web, and even playing games, the battery easily lasted until bedtime.Even during intense gaming sessions, you’ll still be able to play for several hours on a single charge.The 65W charger included with the phone is very fast. It charges the battery from full to full in just 30 minutes. A quick 15-minute charge will charge the battery up to 60%. But keep in mind that there is no wireless charging option for this phone.
Is REDMAGIC 8S Pro worth buying?
If you are an avid gamer and are looking for a smartphone that combines powerful hardware and gaming features, the RedMagic 8S Pro could be an attractive choice. Featuring an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and an upgraded cooling system, it delivers impressive gaming performance. The 6.8-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate further enhances the gaming experience.However, keep in mind that the camera’s performance is not its strong point, and the software, although customizable, may contain some bugs that need to be ironed out. A massive 6000 mAh battery and fast charging capabilities help extend your gaming sessions. Ultimately, if you prioritize gaming and are willing to overlook some minor shortcomings, the RedMagic 8S Pro is definitely worth considering.
Review of the gaming smartphone REDMAGIC 8S Pro
Review of the gaming smartphone REDMAGIC 8S Pro