Nubia Red Magic 7 Review: Mid-Range Gaming Powerhouse

Smartphones designed particularly for gaming nonetheless really feel like a quite new idea, however Nubia has been extraordinarily prolific right through that point. In the 4 years because the first Red Magic handset, the Chinese corporate has unveiled no fewer than 13 gaming telephones.

Not all of those were launched outdoor China, however that doesn’t observe to the Red Magic 7 Series. Both the common and Pro fashions are getting an international release, even if the Pro received’t arrive till later within the 12 months.

As a end result, it’s the usual Red Magic 7 that’s my focal point right here. On paper, there are simplest minor upgrades in comparison to 2021’s 6S Pro.

But nearly no-one can be upgrading each six months, so the larger query is the way it stacks as much as the most efficient gaming telephones you’ll purchase. After spending a few weeks with the Red Magic 7, right here’s my complete overview.

Design & Build

• Same 6.8in demonstrate without a notch
• Premium design and constructed
• Still cumbersome and heavy

Despite all of the adjustments between generations, Red Magic telephones have maintained a quite constant design all through. It stays the case right here because the Red Magic 7 is a big, cumbersome instrument with a daring aesthetic that’s certain to show heads – however in the suitable method?

That’s very true at the Cyborg type I examined, the place clear glass at the again permits you to see some inside screws and the integrated fan. This kicks into lifestyles when charging and working hard apps, doing a excellent task of forestalling any overheating.

It’s helped by way of a brand new 3rd fan grille, which matches along current vents on both sides of the phone. I used to be fascinated about by chance blocking off this whilst gaming but it surely was once by no means a subject matter.

Despite now not being visual, Nubia has used this end as a possibility to focus on the Red Magic 7’s key specifications – by way of actually printing them in every single place the again. It leaves you in surely that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 64Mp digital camera, 165Hz display screen and 720Hz contact sampling charge are all on board.

Gaming lovers would possibly like this design, but it surely’s now not one thing I’m keen on. Alternatives are to be had within the type of Obsidian, Pulsar and Supernova finishes, even if simplest the previous has anything else like an understated design.

Whichever you select, a protracted shiny strip extends down the again of the of the phone. This is the place you’ll in finding Red Magic branding, RGB lighting fixtures and a triple rear digital camera machine – extra on the ones later.

Impressively, Nubia has controlled to get the cameras to sit down nearly flush with the again of the demonstrate. That method nearly no motion when sitting flat on a desk, even if the phone is 9.5mm thick to make it imaginable.

Flipping the phone over unearths the similar dimension demonstrate as its predecessor at 6.8in. Bezels listed below are a marginally greater than at the 6S Pro, however they continue to be symmetrical. When continuously gaming in panorama mode, it makes a distinction. Also, I doubt somebody is complaining about an 83.6% screen-to-body ratio.

There’s nonetheless quite a few room above the display screen for an 8Mp selfie digital camera, which additionally helps face liberate. But I consider the general public will use the in-display fingerprint scanner, which Nubia says is best than ever. I didn’t understand any genuine distinction in comparison to the 6S Pro, but it surely’s quick and dependable on each telephones.

Not so much has modified at the facet of the Red Magic 7, however that’s a excellent factor. It method the three.5mm headphone jack continues to be right here, one thing which is able to’t be mentioned for most current telephones.

You additionally nonetheless get the bodily slider for the Game Space mode and shoulder triggers to scale back the desire for on-screen controls in some video games. As anticipated, USB-C is used for charging.

However, the combo of an all-glass design, integrated fan and massive demonstrate method the Red Magic 7 is heavier than maximum telephones. It weighs in at 215g, even if that’s just like the 6S Pro and China-exclusive 6S.

Screen & Speakers

• 6.8in Full HD+ AMOLED demonstrate
• 165Hz refresh charge, 720Hz contact sampling
• Impressive effects, in spite of no upgrades

The demonstrate is arguably essentially the most a very powerful side of any phone and Red Magic telephones have persistently produced spectacular effects. That explains why there are nearly no upgrades to the Red Magic 7’s demonstrate – it stays a 6.8in, 1080×2400 AMOLED panel. I’d like to look the answer greater to 1440p, but it surely’s now not a concern – maximum Play Store video games run at 1080p anyway.

A category-leading 165Hz refresh charge continues to be right here, however the earlier two generations of Red Magic handsets even have this selection. However, not like another telephones, it’s now not adaptive.

You’re restricted to 60-, 90-, 120-, 144- or 165Hz, without a option to mechanically transfer between them. This additionally method the phone can’t drop underneath 60Hz to assist maintain battery lifestyles the place suitable.

However, you do now get 720Hz contact sampling, some of the absolute best you’ll in finding on any phone. That makes it extremely responsive – mixed with silky-smooth 165Hz visuals, this would come up with a a very powerful higher hand right through on-line multiplayer gaming.

Indeed, it’s essential to not be too harsh on Nubia right here. The Red Magic 7’s demonstrate continues to be mightily spectacular, providing nice element and an outstanding vary of shiny colors. Nubia says it might probably hit 708 nits at max brightness, however even the 508 I recorded makes it quite simple to make use of outdoor.

The display screen is excellent however I used to be underwhelmed with the standard of the stereo audio system, which have been missing intimately in spite of quite a few bass. This continues to be an growth on the standard high quality of integrated phone audio system even though, and you’ll at all times attach stressed out or wi-fi headphones as a substitute.

Specs & Performance

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and a minimum of 12GB RAM
• Excellent efficiency around the board
• Limited to 128GB or 256GB garage

Despite beginning at a mid-range value, Nubia at all times comprises the most recent and largest Qualcomm chip in Red Magic handsets. In the case of the Red Magic 7, that’s the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.

Qualcomm claims the transfer to 4nm procedure yields large efficiency enhancements, but it surely’s marginal beneficial properties on flagship telephones. It additionally, as you can be expecting, comes with enhance for 5G networks.

I will be able to’t in truth say I realized a distinction in comparison to the 6S Pro, even with a mind-blowing 18GB of RAM on board. You’ll fight to seek out anything else that may purpose even a second’s hesitation, however those high-end specifications must assist with futureproofing, too.

Provided your web connection is robust, it additionally method gaming at the Red Magic 7 is a satisfaction. Whether you’re in the course of struggle on Call of Duty: Mobile, taking to the tracks on Real Racing 3 or controlling the arena’s highest footballers on FIFA Mobile, the revel in is continually top-notch.

What’s extra, having a formidable integrated fan method the instrument by no means will get greater than relatively heat. The sound it makes is noticeable, but it surely’s most often drowned out by way of the audio from the sport.

It most likely is going with out pronouncing, however stellar efficiency extends to on a regular basis utilization. The 165Hz refresh charge method the usage of unending scrolling apps comparable to Twitter is a spotlight, however you received’t be dissatisfied whilst internet surfing, checking e-mail or multitasking both.

That’s mirrored within the benchmarks underneath, which display the Red Magic 7 can compete with any phone you’ll purchase on the subject of uncooked efficiency:

However, garage could also be an issue for some folks, with simplest 128GB and 256GB fashions to be had globally. It’s now not transparent why the 512GB model is a China-exclusive, particularly without a choice for expandable garage.

Software & Apps

• Red Magic OS 5.0 over Android 12
• No promises on instrument updates
• Various gaming-specific options

As anticipated, the Red Magic 7 runs Nubia’s customized Red Magic OS over Android 12. Parent corporate ZTE doesn’t make any particular commitments on instrument enhance, however the phone must be up to date to Android 13 on the very least.

This is the 5th main model of Red Magic OS, even if it’s very a lot in step with earlier iterations. From trying out earlier Red Magic telephones, this was once right away acquainted, however it is going to take some being used to for somebody new to it. That’s your best choice right here, because the default launcher nonetheless can’t be swapped out for one thing else from the Play Store.

The phone keeps complete Google enhance, together with the Discover feed subsequent to the house display screen. All the options you’d need are right here – it simply doesn’t really feel as intuitive because the model on Google or Samsung telephones.

But gaming is the concern, with Nubia’s devoted ‘Game Space’ mode returning. It’s nonetheless activated by way of a bodily slider at the facet of the phone and provides a identical suite of gaming-focused options. These come with the facility to spice up CPU/GPU efficiency, alter fan process and block distractions.

This could also be the place you’ll configure the shoulder triggers, which give a compelling selection to on-screen controls in video games comparable to PUBG Mobile.

Cameras

• Same triple rear cameras as ultimate 12 months
• Better effects, possibly because of instrument
• Noticeable growth to selfies, too

On paper, the Red Magic 7 has an an identical digital camera machine to its predecessor. That’s a triple rear setup, consisting of 64Mp vast, 8Mp ultrawide and 2Mp macros.

However, it looks as if Nubia has made some enhancements at the instrument facet. In excellent lighting fixtures prerequisites, the Red Magic 7 delivers colourful pictures brimming with element. Dynamic vary could also be lovely excellent, however publicity stays a problem – the sky is regularly wildly overexposed.

The phone is best fitted to pictures the place there’s a transparent topic in body. That is helping give an explanation for some spectacular portrait footage, in spite of suffering for edge detection from time to time. I accomplished some excellent effects with folks, cats and indicators.

There’s a noticeable drop in high quality when shifting to the ultrawide lens, but it surely’s nonetheless great to have that versatility. But without a telephoto, the zoom is all virtual – even pictures a 5x lose a large number of element.

As is regularly the case, the macro digital camera has no genuine worth. Even in excellent lighting fixtures, close-up pictures lack element and aren’t even excellent sufficient to proportion on social media.

It’s higher information the place the 8Mp front-facing digital camera is worried. Despite attractiveness mode being enabled by way of default, selfies be offering first rate publicity and color accuracy. They additionally steer clear of the average tendency to sacrifice all main points within the background.

Here’s a number of footage I took whilst trying out:

Video is to be had as much as 8K at 30fps, even if I doubt the general public will exceed 1080p. The inclusion of optical symbol stabilisation (OIS) method photos is strong even with motion. It’s positive for house movies and sharing on-line.

Battery Life & Charging

• 4500mAh battery
• Underwhelming battery lifestyles, even on non-gaming duties
• 65W quick charging will get complete price in half-hour

Disappointingly, the Red Magic 7 has a smaller battery than each the 6S and 6S Pro – 4500mAh in comparison to 5050mAh. It feels like a minor trade, but it surely’s sufficient for battery lifestyles to change into some of the phone’s primary weaknesses.

Assuming you’re taking part in video games on a daily basis, a unmarried price is probably not sufficient to make it via a complete day. At 165Hz, I recorded 7 hours and 55 mins in Geekbench 4’s battery check (our standard PCMark check would now not run). However, that is just a easy measure of screen-on time at a quite low 120 nits of brightness.

In fact, you received’t get just about as a lot real-world utilization sooner than wanting to achieve for the charger. One option to mitigate that is opting for a decrease refresh charge, however you’re now not purchasing a 165Hz phone to run it at 60- or 90Hz.

This battery capability can be enough for a typical handset, however taking part in video games is without doubt one of the maximum hard issues you’ll do on a phone. Considering how cumbersome the Red Magic 7 is, I anticipated extra.

However, one house I will be able to don’t have any lawsuits about is charging speeds. The same old Red Magic 7 would possibly now not get the super-fast 135W from the Pro, however the 65W to be had right here continues to be excellent.

From utterly lifeless, I reached 65% in simply quarter-hour the usage of the adapter incorporated within the field. At half-hour, the instrument was once totally charged. There’s nonetheless no wi-fi charging right here, however this can be a profitable exchange.

Price & Availability

Despite being the usual type, the Red Magic 7 has the next value than ultimate 12 months’s 6S Pro. You’ll pay a minimum of £529/$629 at release, even if you do get a beneficiant 12GB RAM in trade.

A mid-spec configuration prices £619/$729, whilst the high-end type I examined will set you again £679/$799. All 3 at the moment are to be had from the Red Magic web page in the United Kingdom and US. 

That’s coming near flagship phone territory, however the Red Magic 7 is essentially competing with the most efficient gaming telephones you’ll purchase.

It’s now considerably dearer than the Black Shark 4 Pro, going head-to-head with the Asus ROG Phone 5. But even with value will increase, the Red Magic 7 nonetheless gives nice worth for cash – for the suitable particular person.

Verdict

Nubia has reserved lots of the thrilling upgrades for the Red Magic 7 Pro, making its common sibling really feel a little bit dull by way of comparability.

However, we shouldn’t take stellar efficiency without any consideration, along options that many cellular players will love. Nubia’s paintings on instrument processing delivers noticeable digital camera enhancements, whilst the implementing design nonetheless feels forward of its time.

But the 165Hz refresh charge nonetheless isn’t adaptive – mixed with a smaller battery capability, battery lifestyles is noticeably worse than ultimate 12 months. While the instrument is excellent for gaming, it’s relatively missing for on a regular basis use.

The Red Magic 7 continues to be a very good phone for cellular gaming, particularly at its mid-range beginning value. But the simpler selfie digital camera, greater battery and far quicker charging at the 7 Pro might be value looking ahead to.

Specs

Nubia Red Magic 7: Specs

• Android 12 with Red Magic OS 5.0
• 6.8in Full HD+ (1080×2400) OLED demonstrate, 20:9, 165Hz
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
• 12/16/18 GB RAM
• 128/256GB inside garage (non-expandable)
• 64Mp primary, 8Mp ultrawide, 2Mp macro cameras
• 8Mp selfie digital camera
• Fingerprint scanner (in-screen)
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• GPS
• NFC
• 5G (mmWave, sub-6)
• USB-C
• 4,500mAh non-removable battery
• 65W stressed out charging
• 170.6 x 78.3x 9.5 mm
• 215g