Nubia’s RedMagic series gets the inevitable S refresh with the launch of the RedMagic 9S Pro and RedMagic 9S Pro Plus in China. These gaming phones pack a familiar design, but boast the world’s first overclocked Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, promising unparalleled sustained performance in the Android landscape.

(Update, September 4: The RedMagic 9S Pro is now available in the Philippines!)

The Pro and Pro Plus models differ only in battery backup, fast charging, and memory configuration.

China first, global markets soon

The RedMagic 9S Pro starts at ¥4,799 (around $660 or P38,720 converted) for the 12GB RAM/256GB option, while the top-end RedMagic 9S Pro Plus with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is priced from ¥5,799 ($798 or P46,788). Both devices will be available in China on July 9, with the standard RedMagic 9S Pro hitting global markets on July 16.

The Philippines will likely be one of the international markets where the gaming smartphone is headed, based on previous releases. The RedMagic 9 Pro, which debuted as the first Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphone in the world at the end of last year, was priced from P46,999 ($801) at local retail.

#REDMAGIC9SPro: Unleash the Warrior Within

Official Launch: July 16https://t.co/RVk7MLRHOC

— REDMAGIC (@redmagicgaming) July 3, 2024

Coming to global markets July 16

Same look, more power

Visually, the RedMagic 9S Pro series takes after its predecessor with a flat back, full-screen display — no under-display camera cutout here — and a scratch-resistant rear camera module that seamlessly integrates into the rear panel. The big news lies under the hood: The phones sport the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with higher clock speeds for faster performance. The CPU core clock reaches 3.4GHz, and the GPU ramps up to 1GHz. Support for LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage round out the performance package.

The upgraded flagship processor, combined with RedMagic’s own multi-layer ICE 13.5 cooling system, allows for consistently high performance under extreme load for extended periods. RedMagic claims the 9S Pro series can handle Genshin Impact at max settings for a solid 60 frames per second for an hour, while Honkai Impact 3rd maintains the same frame rate for two hours.

Moving on to the display, the lineup’s 6.8-inch AMOLED screen boasts a 2,480 x 1,116 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a whopping 1,600 nits of peak brightness. DC Dimming and 10-bit color depth ensure a smooth and vibrant viewing experience. The under-display selfie camera gets a 16-megapixel sensor upgrade along with an improved portrait algorithm boosted by AI.

Battery life varies between models. The regular Pro version packs a 6,500mAh battery with support for 80-watt fast charging, reaching 100% in 35 minutes. The Pro Plus, on the other hand, opts for a smaller 5,500mAh battery but boasts a faster 165-watt charging system, filling the tank in just 16 minutes. It also supports charging separation for extended gaming sessions.

On paper, the RedMagic 9S Pro series looks to be a solid upgrade for mobile gamers seeking the absolute best performance. The overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and speedy charging are clear highlights, but the familiar design might leave some yearning for a more substantial refresh.

RedMagic 9S Pro specs

• 6.8-inch AMOLED display with 2,480 x 1,116 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,600 nits peak brightness
• 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 5G processor (overclocked)
• Adreno 750 GPU
• 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
• 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 storage
• 50-megapixel main, 50-megapixel ultrawide, and 2-megapixel macro cameras
• 16-megapixel under-display front camera
• Under-display fingerprint reader
• 6,500mAh battery with 80-watt wired charging
• ICE 13.5 cooling system with built-in RGB cooling fan
• Two shoulder triggers
• RedMagic OS based on Android 14
• Colors: black, white, transparent black, and transparent silver

RedMagic 9S Pro Plus specs

• 6.8-inch AMOLED display with 2,480 x 1,116 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,600 nits peak brightness
• 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 5G processor (overclocked)
• Adreno 750 GPU
• 16GB/24GB LPDDR5X RAM
• 512GB/1TB UFS 4.0 storage
• 50-megapixel main, 50-megapixel ultrawide, and 2-megapixel macro cameras
• 16-megapixel under-display front camera
• Under-display fingerprint reader
• 5,500mAh battery with 165-watt wired charging
• ICE 13.5 cooling system with built-in RGB cooling fan
• Two shoulder triggers
• RedMagic OS based on Android 14
• Colors: black, white, transparent black, and transparent silver

---