Amir ZulkarnainIf you’re into gaming and need a smartphone that can handle any game, take a peek at the REDMAGIC 9 Pro. It’s ZTE’s latest gaming flagship, packed with cool features that set it apart.
In this review, we’ll dive into its specs, performance, camera, battery life, durability, pricing, and our final thoughts on the REDMAGIC 9 Pro.
Specification table
| Specs | Detail |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 |
| RAM | 12 GB or 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal Storage | 256 GB or 512 GB UFS 3.1 |
| Battery | 6500 mAh, supports 80W fast charging |
| Display | 6.8 inches AMOLED, FHD+, 165 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, True Full Screen |
| Camera | Rear: 64 MP main + 8 MP ultra-wide + 2 MP macro + 2 MP depth |
| Front: 16 MP selfie | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB-C, dual SIM |
| Security Features | In-display fingerprint scanner, face unlock |
| Operating System and Updates | Android 12, REDMAGIC OS 9.0 |
| Additional Features | RGB shoulder triggers, ICE 13.0 cooling system, stereo speakers |
Source: REDMAGIC (Global)
Performance: A New Standard of Gaming
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, making it the first gaming smartphone with this processor. Built on a 5 nm process, it boasts a Kryo 780 CPU with eight cores (four Cortex-X2 at 2.8 GHz and four Cortex-A76 at 2.4 GHz) and an Adreno 730 GPU. Qualcomm claims it offers 30% faster performance and 25% lower power consumption than the previous generation.
With either 12 GB or 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256 GB or 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, the REDMAGIC 9 Pro provides ample memory and storage for multitasking and storing games and media. Plus, it supports microSD cards up to 1 TB for extra space.
For intense gaming sessions, the REDMAGIC 9 Pro features the ICE 13.0 cooling system, including a large vapor chamber, graphene sheet, copper foil, and high-performance fan, reducing the CPU core temperature by up to 25°C and preventing thermal throttling.
Gaming-specific features include RGB shoulder triggers with a 90% larger touch area and 20% increased touch sensitivity, customizable with RGB lighting and mapped to various functions. The phone boasts a rapid touch sampling rate of up to 2000 Hz for faster and more accurate touch registration.
Running on REDMAGIC OS 9.0, based on Android 12, it includes a gaming mode called REDMAGIC Studio, offering settings for performance optimization, fan speed control, network priority, screen recording, game space, and more.
Camera: Capture Every Moment
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro sports a quad-camera setup at the back and a single front-facing camera. The main camera packs a punch with its 64 MP sensor, boasting an f/1.8 aperture, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), and electronic image stabilization (EIS). It captures sharp, detailed photos in good lighting and decent ones in low light. Video-wise, it can go up to 8K resolution at 30 fps or 4K at 60 fps.
The ultra-wide camera offers an 8 MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a wide 120-degree field of view. While it captures more scenery, there might be some distortion and noise at the edges. It tops out at 1080p resolution at 30 fps.
For close-ups, the macro camera, with its 2 MP sensor and f/2.4 aperture, steps in with a 4 cm focal length. It’s handy for small objects, though quality may not be stellar, reaching up to 720p resolution at 30 fps.
The depth camera, another 2 MP sensor with an f/2.4 aperture, is primarily for creating the bokeh effect in portrait mode, but it may not always nail foreground-background separation and lacks video recording capability.
Selfies are handled by a 16 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and EIS. It does well in good lighting but struggles in low light, supporting video recording up to 1080p resolution at 30 fps.
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro packs additional camera features like night mode, HDR, panorama, pro mode, time-lapse, slow motion, beauty mode, and more, enhancing your photography and videography experience.
Battery: Top-tier Endurance
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro boasts a whopping 6500 mAh battery, delivering up to 56 hours of standby time, 18 hours of video playback, 11 hours of gaming, or 9 hours of web browsing. It easily lasts a full day of heavy use or even stretches to two days with moderate usage.
For swift refueling, it supports 80W fast charging, juicing up from 0% to 100% in under 35 minutes, among the fastest in the market. With just a few minutes of charging, you get ample gaming time.
Another standout feature is charge separation, safeguarding your battery health. When plugged in, it draws power directly from the charger instead of the battery, preventing overheating and overcharging during intense gaming sessions.
Durability: Built to Last
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro boasts a robust and stylish design built to handle everyday use. With a metal frame and gradient-colored glass back featuring an eye-catching RGB logo, it exudes durability and flair. Plus, its IP68 rating ensures dust and water resistance, capable of enduring depths of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Featuring a 6.8-inch AMOLED display shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, the toughest glass from Corning, it withstands scratches and drops from heights of up to 2 meters on hard surfaces.
Enjoy an uninterrupted viewing experience with its True Full Screen design, eliminating notches and hole-punches. Utilizing under-display camera (UDC) technology, the selfie camera remains hidden under the screen until needed, delivering a staggering 93.7% screen-to-body ratio for a truly immersive display.
Pricelist: Affordable Gaming Beast
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro comes in three options: 12 GB + 256 GB, 16 GB + 512 GB, and 16 GB + 512 GB Plus. The Plus version offers additional perks like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and an under-display fingerprint scanner.
It made its debut in Malaysia on January 1st, 2024, exclusively available at the brand’s official store on Shopee. Here are the prices:
| Storage / Promo | Price (RM) |
|---|---|
| 12 GB + 256 GB | RM3,499.00 |
| 16 GB + 512 GB | RM4,399.00 |
Source: REDMAGIC (Malaysia)
Conclusion: A Gaming Smartphone Worth Buying
REDMAGIC 9 Pro stands out as a formidable contender in the gaming smartphone arena. With its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, ample RAM and storage options, and innovative cooling system, it delivers top-notch performance for even the most demanding games.
The phone’s impressive camera setup, long-lasting battery with fast charging capabilities, and durable design further enhance its appeal. Additionally, features like the True Full Screen display and under-display camera technology offer an immersive gaming and viewing experience.
While the availability of different variants provides flexibility to users, the Plus model adds extra convenience with wireless charging and an under-display fingerprint scanner.
Overall, the REDMAGIC 9 Pro excels in catering to the needs of gamers, offering a combination of performance, durability, and innovative features at a competitive price point.