At a look
Professional’s Ranking
Execs
- Nice efficiency
- Strong cameras
- Glorious battery life
- Devoted gaming options
Cons
- Large and heavy
- Some software program glitches
- Bloatware
Our Verdict
The Redmagic 9 Professional is a good gaming telephone that may additionally maintain its personal in on a regular basis use. It’s an enormous, heavy telephone, however that’s justified by the succesful {hardware} inside.
Value When Reviewed
$649
Greatest Costs Right now: Redmagic 9 Professional
Nubia has up to date its smartphone gaming line once more with the brand new Redmagic 9 Professional. It seems like we’re simply getting one mannequin globally, with no signal of the Redmagic 9 Professional+ being launched exterior China.
So, are there enhancements when it comes to velocity and cooling that make it value upgrading from predecessors? And is that this the brand new greatest gaming telephone you should purchase? I load up some video games and see the way it handles the chaos.
Design & Construct
- Strong, however huge and heavy
- No waterproofing
- Cool lights
In the event you’re accustomed to the Redmagic smartphones, the 9 Professional will look immediately recognisable. It shares a lot of the design aesthetic used on the earlier Redmagic 8S Professional and Redmagic 8 Professional. This implies you get a smartphone that can fill your hand after which some. Right here’s how the previous few Redmagic units evaluate of their dimensions:
- Redmagic 9 Professional: 164 x 76.4 x 8.9mm / 6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 inches; 229g
- Redmagic 8S Professional: 164 x 76.4 x 9.5mm / 6.46 x 3.01 x 0.37 inches; 228g
- Redmagic 8 Professional: 164 x 76.4 x 8.9mm / 6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 inches; 228g
The 9 Professional is kind of an angular system, with sq. edges on the aluminium body that surrounds the 6.8-inch show. The best flank has loads occurring, because it’s residence to the 2 520Hz touch-sensitive set off controls you should utilize for gaming.
You’ll additionally discover a quantity button, energy button and crimson sliding change (used to allow the devoted gaming mode). If that’s not sufficient, there’s additionally a vent for the built-in cooling system, with an an identical one on the other aspect.
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As a result of latter, you continue to don’t get any waterproof score on the Redmagic 9 Professional (similar to earlier generations). The necessity to expel air by way of the fan and vents means you may’t safe the unit from water getting in. In the event you’re going to be enjoying out within the rain, then possibly put money into an umbrella.
On the highest and backside edges there are the audio system that make up the stereo system, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack if you would like a extra immersive (and neighbour-friendly) audio expertise. A USB-C charging port is customary lately, so it doesn’t look misplaced on the Redmagic 9 Professional, and it’s similar story for the twin (Nano) SIM card slot.
The 9 Professional has the cool, futuristic design we’ve come to affiliate with Redmagic units
The 9 Professional has the cool, futuristic design we’ve come to affiliate with Redmagic units. My evaluation pattern bears the Snowfall livery, which is a combination of white and silver and appears like a panel from some sci-fi spaceship. The Redmagic 9 Professional can also be obtainable in Modern (black and silver) or Cyclone (black and gold), all of which look nice.
On all fashions, there are numerous LEDs underneath the casing which emit colored lights by way of the set off buttons and an ’09’ printed on the again of the telephone. These may be customised in a number of colors and patterns, making it simple to personalise them after they come on as you’re enjoying video games. Additionally they double as notification lights, so that you’ll simply be capable to see whenever you get any messages.
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Accompanying these is the clear fan with multi-colour lights beneath, which is one other staple of the Redmagic vary. Once you’re enjoying video games, the fan will mild up because the telephone cools itself, giving a sort of mild present on the rear panel. It’s a type of issues the place a possible annoyance (a fan spinning up) is became a characteristic as a substitute. Personally, I believe it’s a whole lot of enjoyable, even when the participant themself doesn’t get to see the lights.
One design departure from the Redmagic 8 Professional is that the cameras now not line up in the midst of the rear panel, however as a substitute type a vertical column within the higher left part, with the fan on the backside. That is higher, because the earlier digital camera bump fell proper the place your fingers could be when enjoying a sport. That’s not a problem any extra because of the redesign.
These with eagle eyes will realise that this implies one of many cameras has been dropped from the crew, which is appropriate. The 2MP macro lens is not any extra, which is not any nice loss as they’re just about ineffective on most telephones.
As with most gaming telephones, the Redmagic feels extra snug within the fingers when held in a panorama orientation. In any other case, the heavy and tall format generally is a little bit of a beast in case you’re utilizing the telephone for some time. You get a slimline protecting case with the telephone, however it’s fairly flimsy and I undoubtedly fearful about dropping the 9 Professional – there isn’t a whole lot of grip obtainable.
Display screen & Audio system
- 6.8-inch FHD+ AMOLED show with 120Hz refresh fee
- Beneath-display selfie digital camera
- Stereo audio system and three.5mm headphone jack
Sticking with the system from the last few Redmagic telephones, the 9 Professional comes with a 6.8-inch, FHD+ (2480×1116) AMOLED panel.
As with these fashions, there’s additionally an under-display fingerprint sensor within the decrease third, plus an under-display selfie digital camera on the high, which means all the panel is uninterrupted by buttons or notches. Meaning it’s an ideal display for gaming or having fun with streamed video content material, as there’s nothing to distract your view.
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It’s additionally a pleasant show to have a look at, with good colors, easy transitions because of the 120Hz refresh fee, sharp particulars and strong off-angle views. So that you’ll be capable to watch movies with pals whereas making certain everybody can see what’s on the display.
Brightness shouldn’t be a problem both, as Redmagic claims that the utmost illumination ranges go up to an enormous 1600 nits. In my very own take a look at, I measured the total brightness on the traditional mode at 1242 nits, which was nearly blinding.
The encompassing bezels are slim, giving the Redmagic 9 Professional a formidable screen-to-body ratio of 93.7%, and it’s all protected by Gorilla Glass 5. A SGS Low Blue Mild Eye Safety certificates has additionally been awarded to it (from Swiss testing firm SGS), so that you shouldn’t get strained eyes from staring on the display for hours. Useful in case you’re stepping into an enormous sport.
It’s an ideal display for gaming or having fun with streamed video content material, as there’s nothing to distract your view
Controlling your character is correct and quick too, because the panel incorporates a 960Hz multi-finger contact sampling fee. That quantity refers back to the quantity of occasions the show can refresh itself to register contact enter per second.
Whereas the visuals are spectacular, audio doesn’t fairly hit the identical heights. Sure, the dual audio system do kick out an honest stage of quantity, and the corporate stories that it’s Dolby DTS: X Extremely licensed, however it all sounds just a little hole. Bass is on the sunshine aspect, which is stunning in a tool this heavy and strong.
Fortunately, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, which means you may plug in set of wired headphones and expertise the immersive audio that the show deserves. You can too avail your self of the Bluetooth 5.3 capabilities that ought to guarantee a robust connection to your favorite wi-fi headphones.
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Specs & Efficiency
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
- Pink Core 2 Professional devoted gaming chip
- ICE 13 upgraded cooling system
As you’d count on from a Redmagic telephone, efficiency (particularly whereas gaming) is top-notch.
On the coronary heart of the ability is the brand new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, making the Redmagic 9 Professional one of many first to make use of Qualcomm’s flagship 2023 chip. It’s a strong step ahead over the 8S Professional too, with the corporate stating that the brand new {hardware} delivers a 32% enhance in CPU efficiency and 34% in GPU efficiency, all whereas lowering energy consumption by between 30-40%.
In day-to-day use, the 9 Professional is definitely snappy and responsive, with apps opening shortly and working with out situation. Clearly, the principle goal of a telephone like that is gaming, and in that area it shines.
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Utilizing the same old barrage of titles to try it out, together with Genshin Influence, Asphalt 9 and PUBG Cell, the 9 Professional runs all the pieces with none noticeable stuttering or slow-downs. Even when there’s loads of on-screen motion occurring, the telephone retains issues ticking over properly.
Controls are additionally very responsive, thanks in no small measure to the 960Hz touch-sampling fee on the show and 520Hz set off buttons, all of which execute instructions quick and effectively.
There’s not an excessive amount of further warmth both, because of the ICE 13 cooling system that utilises a sophisticated double-layer vapour chamber plate underneath the show and improved airflow by way of the ducts. It’s all a step up from its predecessor, which was already excellent to start with.
The speeds are assisted by the newest LPDDR5X reminiscence (RAM) and quick UFS 4.0 storage, with configurations matched to the totally different colour-schemes. This implies you get both 16GB/512GB (Snowfall, Cyclone) or 12GB/256GB (Sleet).
Right here’s how the Redmagic 9 Professional compares to its rivals in our customary benchmark checks:
Cameras
- Samsung GN5 50MP 24mm essential digital camera with OIS
- Samsung JN1 50MP 13mm ultra-wide
- Improved 16MP under-display selfie digital camera
Cameras is perhaps one thing of an afterthought behind gaming efficiency on this sort of system, however they continue to be an important a part of each trendy smartphone. So it’s excellent news that the dual rear cameras on the Redmagic 9 Professional ship some very respectable outcomes.
The primary 24mm 50MP module sports activities the identical Samsung GN5 sensor because the Redmagic 8S Professional, which itself was a strong performer. Pictures on this confirmed stage of element, with exposures normally being dealt with nicely. Often, you’ll get a washed out picture the place the metering will get just a little confused, however many of the images I captured on the 9 Professional had been very usable.
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Low-light efficiency is strong, with publicity once more remaining comparatively constant. I did see some noise seem in burst photographs, the place the sensor or software program was looking for particulars in the dead of night areas, however so long as you’ve gotten a gentle hand then you ought to be happy by the outcomes you may get out of this digital camera.
Switching to the 13mm ultra-wide lens continued this positivie, with the 9 Professional largely avoiding the same old drop in high quality and color definition that usually goes with ultra-wide choices on mid-range telephones.
The dual rear cameras on the Redmagic 9 Professional ship some very respectable end result
There’s additionally a load of modes you may experiment with, together with star trails, mild drawing, time lapse and others.
Video advantages from the optical picture stabilisation on the principle digital camera, which does a nice job of protecting footage balanced, even whereas I used to be strolling alongside. Publicity works nicely too, with the telephone coping with some sharp modifications of distinction whereas taking pictures on a very tough day for mild.
The under-display selfie digital camera does present enhancements over the past era’s effort, which was terrible. However my recommendation right here stays the identical: if selfies are necessary to you, this isn’t the telephone you need.
Right here’s a collection of photographs I captured with the Redmagic 9 Professional:
Battery Life & Charging
- 6,500mAh battery
- 80W quick charging
- No wi-fi charging
In the event you’re going to be doing a whole lot of gaming, you’ll need nice battery life, one thing the Redmagic 9 Professional delivers. It comes outfitted with a 6,500mAh dual-cell, and it’s a tough battery to kill.
In the event you’re solely doing a little bit of gaming all through the day and utilizing the telephone like a traditional system for the remainder of the time, then you definately’ll normally be left with loads of cost left on the finish of the day. For some folks, it’ll be a two-day telephone.
In the event you’re going to be doing a whole lot of gaming, you’ll need nice battery life, one thing the Redmagic 9 Professional delivers
Heavier periods of graphically intensive titles (particularly in case you’re in nicely lit areas and wish the brightness up) clearly shortens the time between fees, however I by no means felt too fearful in regards to the 9 Professional working out of steam earlier than the tip of the day.
I obtained round 4 or 5 hours of gaming out of the system earlier than needing to recharge, however clearly there are elements at play that imply your mileage might differ. Placing it by way of our customary PCMark battery take a look at, the system scored 10 hours 23 minutes, which is round an hour greater than the Redmagic 8S Professional.
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There’s an 80W charger included within the field, and plugging the lifeless 9 Professional into introduced issues again to life in a short time. After quarter-hour there was 45% cost obtainable, 85% after thirty minutes, with the total 100% recharge taking solely 44 minutes.
Software program
- Android 14 with Redmagic 9.0
- Recreation House
- Nonetheless buggy
The Redmagic 9 Professional runs Android 14 out of the field, with Nubia’s personal Redmagic 9.0 pores and skin on high.
Other than the assorted techno-based art work and widgets, plus fascinating customisation results, it’s a light pores and skin that doesn’t obscure Android an excessive amount of. Sure, there’s some bloatware on board, however this may be deleted when you’ve arrange the system.
I encountered fairly a couple of bugs initially, with Google sign-ins not working and numerous apps having issues, however this gave the impression to be as a result of pre-release software program model. Issues settled down after a couple of updates. There’s the occasional glitch, such because the digital camera app closing when the display senses a faucet that’s simply me attempting to carry the system, however it’s a strong performer general.
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Sliding the crimson button on the proper aspect of the 9 Professional launches the Recreation House software program suite. This can be a long-standing characteristic of Redmagic telephones, giving customers the flexibility to customize controls, quick-launch video games, handle in-game screenshots, organise plug-ins, set reminders and rather more.
It’s a mature suite now, with a nicely thought-out vary of options that genuinely enhance the way you play on a cell system.
By way of replace, Nubia makes no particular dedication relating to the Redmagic 9 Professional. However on its web site, the corporate says it “presents greater than 2 years of software program assist”. It suggests the telephone will get Android 16 and safety patches till the tip of 2025, however nothing after that, which is disappointing.
Value & Availability
The Redmagic 9 Professional launched on 18 December 2023. It’s obtainable straight from the Redmagic web site and prices £579/$649 for the 12GB/256GB configuration and £709 / $799 / €799 if you would like the extra capacious 16GB/512GB complement.
No carriers are promoting the telephone on contract within the UK or US, so that you’ll have to purchase it outright and pair with a SIM deal as a substitute.
However that value it in the identical ballpark because the Black Shark 5 Professional, which prices £729/$899 if you would like the identical configuration because the Redmagic baseline mannequin. In the event you’re searching for arguably the most effective gaming smartphone, then the ROG Telephone 7 Final is about nearly as good because it will get, however its pricing will take you over the £1,000/$1,000.
To see which different alternate options are round, try our round-up of the most effective gaming smartphones.
Verdict
The Redmagic 9 Professional is a wonderful gaming telephone. Loads of energy underneath the hood, devoted {hardware}, spectacular cooling and nice battery life imply the gaming expertise is persistently unbelievable.
However it additionally achieves the uncommon feat of being a strong day-to-day telephone. The cameras are higher than anticipated (except for the dodgy selfie one) and might ship very usable images and movies.
The software program can also be simple to make use of, offered you don’t thoughts some bloatware and the occasional bug. So the one actual barrier is the sheer dimension and weight of the system. Like most gaming telephones, it’s a little bit of a beast, so it’s nonetheless solely actually value shopping for in case you love enjoying video games.
Specs
- 6.8inch FHD+ Q9+ show (2480 x 1116), 120Hz
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
- Pink Core 2 Professional Gaming chip
- 520Hz shoulder set off buttons
- ICE 13 upgraded cooling system
- 22,000 RPM high-speed fan
- 12GB or 16GB LPDDR5X reminiscence
- 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.0 storage
- Samsung GN5 50MP 24mm essential (extensive) digital camera with OIS
- Samsung JN1 50MP 13mm ultra-wide
- 16MP under-display selfie digital camera
- Beneath-display fingerprint sensor
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Twin audio system
- Twin-haptic motors
- Bluetooth 5.3
- NFC
- Wi-Fi 7
- USB-C
- 6,500mAh battery with 80W quick charging
- 164 x 76.4 x 8.9mm / 6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 inches
- 229g