GSMArena Team,
17 November 2025.
1. Introduction and unboxing2. Design and build3. Lab tests – display, battery life, charging speed, speakers4. Software and performance5. Camera 6. Alternatives, pros and cons, verdictZTE nubia RedMagic 11 Pro specificationUser opinions and reviewsReview comments (24)
Competition
The gaming segment has narrowed down quite a bit in the last couple of years. We don’t have many gaming-specific smartphones, so nubia’s RedMagic series and the Asus ROG phones remain your only gaming-oriented options.
As of the time of release, the RedMagic 11 Pro doesn’t have a direct competitor, because Asus has not announced anything about the ROG Phone 10 series yet. This leaves the ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro to be the only rivals, even though they run on the yesteryear Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Aside from the raw performance, the ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro are probably a better overall gaming-centric package. They support more games at higher refresh rate, the software experience is considerably more polished, and the ecosystem of accessories is richer. Not to mention the camera performance on the ROG Phones is better.
Asus ROG Phone 9 • Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
On the other hand, the RedMagic 11 Pro pulls ahead in the battery department, thanks to its massive 7,500 mAh cell. It’s also the more powerful device, while being considerably cheaper.
Other notable powerful alternatives to the RedMagic, which are often marketed as gaming-centric, but lack some of the most prominent gaming-oriented features, are the OnePlus 15, Realme GT 7 Pro (or the recently released GT 8 Pro) and the iQOO 15, which is also a brand-new performance-oriented smartphone.
Realme GT 7 Pro • Realme GT 8 Pro • vivo iQOO 15 • OnePlus 15
All these options provide somewhat longer battery life and faster charging, in some cases, but lack the active cooling, which we’ve established numerous times that it makes a difference and it’s not just a gimmick. The RedMagic 11 Pro is also the only one with pressure-sensitive shoulder triggers for more convenient gameplay.
The unique gaming-related software features are also worth considering, although the vast majority of them are limited to certain games or feel like a gimmick.
The OnePlus 15 is perhaps the closest you can get to the RedMagic 11 Pro without committing to a full-fledged gaming handset. It has an almost zero-compromise 165Hz display (vs. 144Hz on the nubia) with wider HDR support compared to the 11 Pro. Moreover, OnePlus offers support for the said 165Hz display in select games and third-party apps.
Verdict
If you are in the market for a gaming Android phone with the latest possible hardware and the looks to match, the nubia RedMagic 11 Pro is a great choice. It has a nice display with very slim bezels; it’s got the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with an advanced cooling system; a handful of neat gaming features, including the physical shoulder triggers; and also a massive battery with quick charging.
Sadly, the awkward translations, the unpolished state of the software at times, and the absence of properly good cameras keep us from giving the phone an excellent score. Even for a gaming phone, the camera experience is subpar.
On the other hand, RedMagic is asking less than €700 at launch for the entry-level version, and that’s a price no one can match right now, especially with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 on board.
Pros
Unique premium-looking flat design, IPX8-rated.
Large and fast 144Hz OLED panel, the UD selfie camera is inconspicuous.
Extra-long battery life, quick wired and wireless charging.
Exceptional price/performance ratio.
Plenty of gaming-oriented features, including pressure-sensitive shoulder triggers.
Flexible and well-executed external display and peripherals gaming experience.
Excellent connectivity with 3.5mm jack, IR blaster and DP output over Type-C.
Advanced cooling design with a fan and coolant.
Cons
Basic HDR video playback support only.
The software is still plagued by awkward English translations from Chinese.
The speaker sounds could still use some improvement.
Camera experience is unimpressive.
No eSIM support.
Current prices