Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro review

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Dedicated gaming telephones have skilled a exceptional upward thrust in recent times, with one corporate main the way in which.  

Nubia doesn’t essentially make the most productive gaming handsets, but it surely does take advantage of. In simply over 4 years, a staggering 16 Red Magic branded telephones have come to marketplace. Most of those were launched globally, which means there’s at all times a brand new type simply across the nook. 

But Nubia’s 2022 replace cycle is competitive even by way of its requirements. The Red Magic 7S Pro introduced globally simply 3 months after its predecessor, making really extensive upgrades extremely not likely. 

Despite that includes Qualcomm’s newest and largest chipset below the hood it seems, feels, and plays virtually identically to the 7 Pro.

Design and construct

• More muted design than earlier Red Magic telephones
• Heavy and ponderous
• Underwhelming fingerprint sensor

Nubia offered a fairly other design with the Red Magic 7 Pro, so it’s no wonder to peer it keep the similar right here. It makes use of a mix of glass and aluminium, fabrics we’ve come to go together with flagship telephones. 

The maximum attention-grabbing distinction in comparison to common handsets is a huge steel plate which extends down the center of the again of the phone. Nubia says that is to beef up warmth dissipation, despite the fact that it provides considerably to the 7S Pro’s overall weight. 

It’s similar to the 7 Pro at 235g, however nonetheless one of the crucial heaviest telephones you’ll be able to purchase. This isn’t an issue for lengthy gaming periods however does develop into uncomfortable if the usage of one passed for a longer length. 

Within that warmth dissipation plate, you’ll discover a oblong rear digicam module, consisting of 3 lenses and a flash. The 7S Pro is moderately thick at 10mm, which means it sits virtually flush with the again of the phone.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

It’s obtrusive from the rear design that this can be a gaming phone, however the Obsidian (black) type I examined is extra muted than previous Red Magic handsets. There’s additionally a silver model, however the clear type doesn’t make it onto the worldwide model. If you’re searching for a wacky design or colourful colors, the 7S Pro isn’t the phone for you. 

On each variations, Nubia has performed a just right task of concealing the integrated fan. Aside from a few grilles and the audible whirring when it’s in motion, you wouldn’t realize it used to be there. 

The Red Magic 7S Pro keeps a big 6.8in demonstrate, but it surely’s extra compact than it’s possible you’ll be expecting. That’s since the phone makes use of an under-display selfie digicam, which means there’s little need for a notch. The lens remains to be with reference to visual, however an 87.1% screen-to-body ration is mightily spectacular. Hopefully, all telephones will appear to be this ahead of too lengthy. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Fortunately, you don’t wish to depend at the front-facing digicam for face free up. The in-display fingerprint sensor will take care of that for you, however I used to be upset with the way it carried out. Setup is understated, but it surely incessantly took a number of tries for the phone to recognise me. It additionally calls for an extended press to free up the 7S Pro than you may well be used to. 

Nothing has modified at the facets of the phone, but it surely’s nonetheless very other to common handsets. Power and quantity controls are joined by way of one of the crucial fan grilles and twin shoulder triggers, making it very transparent which manner to make use of the phone in panorama mode. On the other aspect, you’ll simplest to find the bodily slider for turning on Game Space, Nubia’s software-based gaming mode. 

It’s nice to peer the headphone jack retained on the height, along one among two audio system. You’ll to find the opposite on the backside, along a twin SIM card tray and USB-C charging port. The latter’s positioning would possibly end up problematic whilst gaming, as charging whilst you play can get awkward. Asus’s ROG Phones get round this the usage of a 2d side-mounted port, however Nubia has determined in opposition to it. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Display and audio

• 6.8in Full HD+ AMOLED demonstrate
• 120Hz refresh fee, 960Hz contact sampling
• Above reasonable twin audio system

The demonstrate adjustments Nubia made with the Red Magic 7S Pro have been arguable, however not anything has modified on its successor. That approach it stays a transparent step down from the most productive phone monitors in 2022, one thing you wouldn’t be expecting from a tool at this worth. 

You nonetheless get a 6.8in, 1080×2400 AMOLED panel, giving it the more and more not unusual 20:9 facet ratio. It’d be great to have the next solution, however different demonstrate traits are extra related for gaming. 

They come with a excessive refresh fee, one thing the 7S Pro possesses. But you’re restricted to 120Hz right here, whilst many gaming telephones go for 144Hz or 165Hz as a substitute. Nubia’s legitimate counterargument may well be that many video games don’t improve the ones refresh charges, however the inexpensive Red Magic 7S nonetheless has a class-leading 165Hz demonstrate. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

You can manually drop this all the way down to 60Hz or 90Hz to preserve battery lifestyles, however the refresh fee nonetheless can’t alter mechanically relying on what you’re doing.  

To assist offset this, the 7S Pro has the easiest contact sampling fee of any smartphone. It’s 960Hz, which means it could check in as much as 960 occasions each 2d. It makes the demonstrate ultra-fluid and responsive, which might make the entire distinction in FPS video games – particularly when paired with the 520Hz shoulder triggers. I no doubt felt extra assured whilst taking part in struggle video games reminiscent of Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG: Mobile. 

But even probably the most avid gamer received’t be taking part in at all times. I’m happy to mention the demonstrate is superb for on a regular basis utilization, turning in colourful colors and a variety of element. It additionally has an excellent vary of viewing angles, in spite of being extremely reflective.  

However, I used to be upset with the brightness, or lack thereof. I recorded simply 252 nits on the most, a ways under maximum different smartphones. Using the phone outdoor could be very tricky in consequence – I used to be incessantly squinting to make out the rest when the solar used to be out. 

As alluded to previous, the 7S Pro has twin audio system. The stereo sound they produce is much better than the common smartphone – punchy audio with a pleasing hit of bass. They additionally get impressively loud, however many main points are misplaced at excessive volumes. 

These assist to ship an immersive gaming enjoy, despite the fact that many players will favor to glue headphones as a substitute. 

Specs and function

• Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and 12/18GB of RAM
• Stellar efficiency around the board
• Fan can get loud

There are a handful of small upgrades at the Red Magic 7S Pro, however the processor is indisputably probably the most important. It’s powered by way of the brand new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, Qualcomm’s newest flagship chip. Gains in comparison to the common 8 Gen 1 are minor, but it surely maintains the Red Magic logo’s popularity for top-tier efficiency.  

The type I examined combines it with 12GB of RAM, however there’s the choice for 18GB if you wish to have to any extent further energy. I doubt it, taking into account the stellar efficiency the 7S Pro already delivers. 

Gaming in this phone is a pleasure, with immediate, clean visuals and very good responsiveness. I examined one of the most maximum not easy titles at the Play Store, together with Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Asphalt 9, and not using a slowdown in anyway. With the 120Hz refresh fee and 960Hz contact sampling, it felt like I had a the most important benefit over gamers the usage of a standard smartphone. 

The one caveat is the fan, which kicks in once you load a sport and will get moderately loud. It approach the phone simplest ever will get fairly heat to touch, however it may be distracting except you drown it out with audio. I attempted turning off the fan utterly, however the phone quickly were given very popular – I wouldn’t suggest this. 

As same old, nice gaming efficiency interprets into real-world utilization. Common apps reminiscent of Chrome, Gmail, Maps and YouTube all run impeccably, even if split-screen multitasking. In truth, it provides way more efficiency than you’ll ever want for any fundamental duties. 

But the 7S Pro can rival any smartphone in the case of efficiency, which the benchmarks mirror:

In China you’ll to find the choice for 1TB of garage, however that’s no longer to be had at the international model. But 256GB or 512GB must be masses for most of the people, even though there’s no microSD enlargement. 

Cameras and video

• Triple rear cameras
• Main lens is first rate, ultrawide and macro much less spectacular
• Poor under-display selfie digicam

Like many earlier Red Magic telephones, the 7S Pro has a collection of triple rear cameras. However, the 64Mp primary sensor is doing lots of the heavy lifting right here.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

It’s the phone’s perfect lens by way of a ways, turning in pictures you wouldn’t generally go together with a gaming handset. The lens is especially suited to obviously outlined topics, whether or not it’s structures, other folks or pets. 

I used to be additionally in reality inspired with the standard of portrait-style pictures it produced. The edge detection isn’t absolute best, however the delicate background blur it delivers is spectacular. 

Night mode additionally is determined by utility, and it improves low-light pictures with out making them glance artificially vibrant. However, many key main points are nonetheless misplaced. 

The latter additionally impacts panorama pictures, with overexposure every other not unusual factor. You may well be tempted to change to the 8Mp ultrawide sensor in the ones eventualities, however the drop-off in high quality approach it’s no longer price it. That’s an actual disgrace, as the versatility of a 120° box of view is a smart method to have. 

Things are even worse relating to the 2Mp macro lens, which provides not anything to the digicam enjoy. For close-up pictures, I controlled to get well colors and extra element the usage of the principle lens as a substitute.  

However, the selfie digicam stays the only maximum disappointing factor in regards to the 7S Pro. Not simplest is it embedded below the demonstrate, Nubia has additionally downgraded it to an 8Mp sensor at the international model. 

Predictably, the consequences are considerably worse than a standard front-facing lens. Selfies generally tend to appear grainy and washed out, with virtually all main points within the background misplaced. It’s wonderful for the occasional video name, however even for pictures with buddies you’ll need one thing higher. 

The gallery under showcases a few of these inconsistencies, but in addition the 7s Pro’s skill to take some great pictures. It simply can’t be depended on as your primary digicam for the rest greater than informal use.

On the video aspect, the Red Magic 7S Pro is able to photos as much as 4K at 30fps, however the default 1080p at 30fps is extra life like for on a regular basis use. It does an excellent task of conserving key main points, however with out OIS (optical symbol stabilization), video could be very juddery when transferring round. 

Battery and charging

• 5000mAh battery
• Comfortably all-day battery lifestyles
• Decent 65W immediate charging

The Red Magic 7S Pro is provided with a 5000mAh battery. That’s a tight capability, despite the fact that it does must deal with a big, high-refresh fee demonstrate and a variety of not easy apps.  

Battery lifestyles is forged in consequence, albeit one step down from the most productive you’ll to find on any smartphone. With the brightness set to 200 nits, I recorded 10 hours and 37 mins in PCMark’s battery take a look at. This targets to mirror real-world utilization by way of simulating quite a lot of duties, however not easy video games depletes the battery a lot more briefly. 

Nonetheless, it’s conceivable to get the instrument to closing a long time. With the refresh fee set to 60Hz, I spent round 12 hours clear of the charger and nonetheless had round 70% battery left. That used to be in spite of often the usage of cell knowledge and GPS, plus preserving brightness on the subject of the utmost. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

However, it’s price noting that some digicam options are restricted when the battery could be very low. At below 5%, each portrait and evening modes received’t paintings, however common pictures and video are unaffected. 

When you do in spite of everything run out of price, a 65W charger is integrated in a field. Again, this can be a large step down from 135W adapter to be had with the Chinese model of the phone, but it surely’s no longer gradual whatsoever. In below half-hour, the battery is absolutely charged, despite the fact that there’s nonetheless no wi-fi charging. 

Software and updates

• Red Magic OS 5.5 over Android 12
• Game Space and different helpful utility tweaks
• Only one new Android model assured

As anticipated, the 7S Pro runs Red Magic OS over Android 12. This is model 5.5 of Nubia’s customized pores and skin, despite the fact that no longer a lot has modified. Notable additions come with a house display screen wallpaper rotation (whole hyperlinks to widespread articles) and the branding of gaming improvements as ‘Red Magic Force’. 

The latter works in tandem with Game Space, Nubia’s devoted mode for taking part in video games. This remains to be to be had by the use of a bodily slider at the aspect of the phone, despite the fact that the principle web page has been redesigned. Core capability is unchanged although, which means it could nonetheless be used to tweak efficiency and regulate notifications. 

While video games may also be introduced from the principle house display screen, it’s great to have this mode that’s become independent from the remainder of the instrument. Using it as a standard smartphone is pleasing, in spite of the addition of a number of widgets and more than a few redesigned inventory apps.  

Plenty of acquainted Google options are nonetheless right here, together with the Messages app, Digital Wellbeing equipment and the Discover feed to the left of the house display screen. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

However, it’s possible you’ll realize that many pre-installed apps can’t be uninstalled. There’s additionally no method to exchange the default launcher, one thing maximum Android telephones assist you to do. 

Nubia doesn’t make any explicit replace commitments for the Red Magic logo, however father or mother corporate ZTE’s coverage is disappointing. It promises only one primary model replace for Android, which means Android 13 may well be the one one the Red Magic 7S Pro will get.  

The corporate doesn’t say the rest about how lengthy you’ll be able to be expecting safety updates. Considering the speed at which new Red Magic telephones are launched, this can be a genuine fear. 

Price and availability

This may well be a ‘Pro’ phone, however its pricing doesn’t essentially mirror that. The Red Magic 7S Pro begins at $729/£669 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of garage – that is the type I examined.

There’s additionally the method to step as much as 18GB of RAM and 512GB of garage for $899/£809, however the ones are your simplest two choices out of doors China.

The phone isn’t moderately to be had but, however shall be quickly – pre-orders get started on 2 August, and the phone is formally on sale from 9 August.

It isn’t moderately flagship phone pricing, but it surely isn’t a ways off. The 7S Pro is possibly to head head-to-head with the Asus ROG Phone 6, with the 6 Pro considerably costlier. But there are many nice choices in our gaming phone chart, together with the Red Magic 7 Pro. 

There’s little or no room for error at this worth level, and 7S Pro nonetheless makes sacrifices in some key spaces. As a consequence, you’ll to find higher price for cash in other places. 

Verdict

The Red Magic 7S Pro is a smart gaming phone, however there are many causes to hesitate ahead of purchasing one. 

Gaming efficiency from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is excellent, particularly when blended with class-leading 960Hz contact sampling and a 120Hz OLED display screen. But the inexpensive common 7S has the next 165Hz refresh fee and avoids the headache of an under-display fingerprint sensor.  

Battery lifestyles is spectacular, however you fail to see the ultra-fast 135W charging in China and there’s nonetheless no wi-fi charging. The cameras also are unreliable, whilst the muted aesthetic and ponderous design received’t please everybody. 

Even should you’re set on purchasing a gaming handset, the Red Magic 7S Pro is simplest the correct possibility should you use your phone in an excessively explicit manner. For everybody else, there are higher choices. 

Specs

• Android 12 with Red Magic OS 5.5
• 6.8in FHD+ (1080×2400) AMOLED demonstrate, 120Hz refresh fee, 720Hz contact sampling 
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 
• 12/18GB RAM 
• 256/512GB inside garage (non-expandable) 
• 64Mp primary lens
• 8Mp ultrawide lens with 120° box of view
• 2Mp macro lens 
• 8Mp selfie lens (under-display)
• Fingerprint scanner (in-screen) 
• Bluetooth 5.2 
• GPS 
• NFC 
• 5G 
• Dual-SIM 
• 5,000mAh non-removable battery
• 65W stressed out charging 
• 166.3 x 77.1 x 10 mm
• 235g