After using an Android phone with liquid cooling, I’m not sure if I can go back to my Pixel

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Redmagic 11 Professional is out there on the official web site beginning at $749.
• This is without doubt one of the strongest telephones I’ve ever examined, with liquid cooling and an industry-leading CPU.
• The digicam is not fairly as much as par with different Android flagships.

Comply with ZDNET: Add us as a most well-liked supply on Google.

For those who’ve ever used a Redmagic smartphone, you recognize the model locations a specific emphasis on two issues: energy and aesthetics. The Redmagic 11 Professional highlights each of those traits in a means few telephones do.

I have been a fan of Redmagic’s merchandise (such because the Astra gaming pill) ever since I used to be fortunate sufficient to check the RedMagic 10 Air. I discovered their telephones and tablets to eke out extra energy for a mid-range machine than something I’ve skilled so far. 

Additionally: Why I like to recommend this Lenovo pill over competing fashions that price twice the worth

Its “Professional” telephones reside as much as that moniker and have but to disappoint. For sure, when the corporate reached out to me with the 11 Professional, I jumped on the probability.

How did it fare? Let’s have a look. 

My expertise

I’ve reviewed a handful of Redmagic units prior to now, and each certainly one of them has been a factor of magnificence. The handsets are glossy, do not waste a centimeter of area, and provide critical energy at a mid-range worth.

The 11 Professional not solely lived as much as that status but additionally launched it to new ranges. The second I pulled the cellphone out of the field, I knew it was one thing particular. 

The cellphone’s bodily type is boxy, so when you’re a fan of that aesthetic, you will love this machine. The traces are clear, sharp, and chic. The again of the machine has a Nothing Telephone-esque glass pane that does not precisely provide you with a peek into the interior workings of the machine, however makes for a stunning case. 

Additionally: Lastly, a rugged Android cellphone that does not seem like a brick (and will not break the financial institution)

After having fun with the bodily great thing about the cellphone, I lastly determined to show it on. Given that is an Android cellphone, the setup was painless. After roughly two or three minutes, I had the 11 Professional linked to my Google account and will begin utilizing it. My preliminary response?

Wow. 

I like what Redmagic does with Android. If iOS and Android had a love little one, it might be Redmagic’s tackle the latter. Not solely is it lovely when it is static, however the second an animation kicks in (resembling opening the Notification Shade or the App Drawer, you see what Android is able to. It truly is one thing particular. So far, I’ve not seen Android look this polished.

Sure, Google has made large aesthetic strides with the most recent launch of Android, however it nonetheless has some catching as much as do with Redmagic’s design. However how does it carry out? 

Liquid-cooled and quick

The Redmagic 11 Professional is liquid-cooled. You learn that proper: The 11 Professional has a full-blown liquid cooling system, full with a micro-pump that pushes liquid by the system.

Keep in mind that glass again? Apparently, this makes it doable to view the liquid being pumped by the system. I have never skilled that but, however I am attempting to push the cellphone’s limits to see if I get to look at it unfold earlier than my eyes.

Certain, it is a bit gimmicky, however while you’re taking part in video games on a cellular machine (one thing Redmagic has staked its declare on), cooling might be essential. I’ve performed video games on Android telephones and felt them heating up fairly rapidly. This cooling system ought to clear up that downside and permit the CPU to run all out with out concern for overheating.

Additionally: The very best gaming telephones you should buy: Skilled examined

I put in “Diablo Immortal” to see how effectively it labored. The set up took a bit longer than traditional, however I chalk that as much as gradual networking speeds (Cloudflare, I am you). 

The Redmagic 11 Professional occurs to be one of many first telephones to sport the brand new Snapdragon Elite 8 CPU, and wow, does it present. This chip is quick, and the 11 Professional takes full benefit of that. Even my Pixel 9 Professional cannot match the pace of this cellphone (and it is roughly $200 extra).

Enjoying Diablo Immortal was as clean as I’ve ever seen it. There was zero lag, the graphics have been beautiful, and the sound was spectacular. And guess what? As quickly as I began taking part in, I checked the again of the cellphone and was capable of see the liquid passing by the cooling system.

Yeah, that is cool.

Whereas taking part in Diablo, the cellphone felt cool to the contact the whole time. Not as soon as did it really feel even barely heat. That is a primary for me. Did I point out this cellphone is quick? At $749, you’ll assume it to be simply above mid-range in efficiency, however this can be a flagship machine by and thru. 

It isn’t fairly good

It took me some time to seek out one thing adverse to say. I am accustomed to the Pixel cameras, and all different telephones pale compared. The Redmagic 11 Professional will not be completely different. Though it takes nice images, it is less than par with the Pixel. Granted, that is a excessive bar to achieve, and I’ve but to expertise a cellphone to match what Google has created in its flagship telephones.

Even so, if an excellent digicam will not be on the high of your checklist of cellular wants, you will not thoughts the 11 Professional’s digicam one bit. I used to be capable of snap some very nice images with the digicam. For me, the largest distinction between the Redmagic 11 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional cameras is that the Pixel digicam is extra forgiving. With the Pixel, you do not have to have such a gentle hand. With the 11 Professional, it actually helps. That is more than likely do to Google’s injection of AI into each facet of the Pixel telephones.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

If you would like critical energy in your fingers with out overheating, and a UI that defines what Android might be, the Redmagic 11 Professional is the cellphone to beat. With an industry-leading CPU, liquid cooling, and a chic case, this smartphone is a factor of energy and wonder.

I extremely advocate this cellphone. In truth, I appreciated this cellphone a lot, I’ll dread sending it again. When it comes time to improve from my Pixel 9 Professional, I would significantly consider going the Redmagic route.

Redmagic 11 Professional tech specs

• CPU – Snapdragon 8 Elite
• Show – 6.85-inch 144Hz 1216×2688 OLED with 1800 nits peak brightness
• Dimensions – 163.8 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm, 230g
• Cooling – Energetic cooling fan and liquid cooling
• Score – IPX8 rated
• Battery – 7500 mAh battery and speedy 80W wired/wi-fi charging
• Colorways – Cryo is a matte black end and serves as the bottom mannequin cellphone with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, whereas Nightfreeze and Subzero can be found for the 16GB+512GB or 24GB+1TB fashions
• Cryo is an all-black colourway with a matte end. Cryo is just out there for the bottom mannequin with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Nightfreeze and Subzero can be found for the 16GB+512GB or 24GB+1TB fashions.
• Cameras – 50MP essential digicam (1/1.55-inch sensor), 50MP ultrawide (AF), 16MP under-display selfie digicam