Redmagic 9 Pro Review: The Power-Packed Smartphone

Nubia’s Redmagic 8 Pro and Redmagic 8S Pro were two of the most capable smartphones powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 now available, Nubia has introduced the REDMAGIC 9 Pro. Featuring top-end hardware, this smartphone packs a lot for its base price tag of less than $700.

I’ve been using the Redmagic 9 Pro for two weeks, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best Android flagships in 2024. Yes, there are a few drawbacks, but the Redmagic 9 Pro performs exceptionally well when handling demanding Android games and tasks without compromising on performance or battery life. To find out more about this smartphone, read my detailed Redmagic 9 Pro review below.

REDMAGIC 9 Pro

Already the Best Battery Smartphone of 2024

REDMAGIC 9 Pro is the latest gaming smartphone from the brand, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. It features a slightly tweaked design, a big 6,500 mAh battery with 80W fast charging, up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, and a full-screen front with an under-display selfie camera.

Pros

• Stunning full-screen display with an under-display camera
• Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
• Stylish design
• Impressive battery life and fast charging
• Comes with Android 14 out of the box

Cons

• Ergonomics could be improved
• Lacks official IP rating
• No support for wireless charging

Price and Availability

The Redmagic 9 Pro starts at $649 for the base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage and goes up to $799 for the 16GB and 512GB variant. While most smartphones in 2024 are expected to see an increase in price, Nubia has kept the pricing the same as the predecessor series. The Redmagic 9 Pro will be available for pre-order starting December 27, 2023, and open sales will begin on January 3, 2024, on the company’s official website.

Design

Source: Pocketnow / Sanuj Bhatia

If you’ve used a Nubia Redmagic 8 series phone before, the Redmagic 9 Pro won’t seem very different. It keeps the familiar straight-edged design from its predecessor, and for the Cyclone version, there’s the transparent design that shows off the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, along with the phone’s cooling fan and ICE cooling system. If you’re not a fan of the exposed design, the Redmagic 9 Pro is also available in Sleet (Black) and Snowfall (Silver) colors.

While the shape and overall dimensions haven’t changed much, Nubia has made some design tweaks that give the Redmagic 9 Pro a new feel. One noticeable change is that there’s no camera bump this time around. Nubia has gone for a flat back with the camera sensors behind the rear glass, and it feels amazing. It may be prone to scratches over time, especially without a case, but it ensures the phone sits flat on a table with no wobbling. It does, however, attract fingerprints, but Nubia includes a transparent case in the box for basic protection.