RedMagic 12 Pro: One-minute review
RedMagic has produced yet another phenomenally high-performing phone in the RedMagic 12 Pro, but it no longer screams bargain in the way the series used to.
Its design has been slightly slimmed down and lightened up, though it remains a whole hunk of a phone with a slightly gauche look. Mind you, that visible liquid cooling system meets the approval of our inner 13-year-old.
The phone’s display is brighter and faster than that of its predecessor and provides one of the cleanest media experiences thanks to the lack of a selfie notch, though that omission leads to issues elsewhere.
As one of the first phones released with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, the RedMagic 12 Pro is just about as fast as you could hope for, though it may not be able to sustain peak performance quite as well as its predecessors.
Battery life is the biggest improvement here, thanks to a massive increase in capacity. This is a phone that could potentially last you days, provided you don’t hit the games too hard, with 80W charging getting you up to speed relatively swiftly.
But for all of these improvements, RedMagic has raised the price of the 12 Pro by a considerable amount, meaning it no longer feels like the total bargain this series built its reputation on.
While £799 is still a reasonable price for a device that performs and lasts as long as this, the flagship pricing draws extra attention to the phone’s failings.
For all the subtle progress elsewhere, shortcomings are most typified by a camera system that remains mediocre. Selfies, especially, continue to be a total write-off on the RedMagic 12 Pro due to the hidden front camera.
Elsewhere, a paltry two-year OS update promise further dents the brand’s sense of value.
The RedMagic 12 Pro is arguably the most capable gaming phone on the market, but older iterations remain a much better buy for budget-conscious consumers while stocks last.
RedMagic 12 Pro review: Price and availability
Released on November 18, 2026
Priced from $899 / £799 (around AU$1,290)
Another big price bump
Available globally
Open sales for the RedMagic 12 Pro commence on November 18, 2026. Availability is global, including the UK, US, Australia, and much of Europe.
Following an industry-wide trend, the phone is significantly more expensive than its predecessors. With a starting price of $899 / £799 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it represents a considerable $250 / £170 jump over the previous model.
This represents the second major price rise in a year for the brand, pointing to an increasing shift toward mainstream flagship pricing.
Buyers will pay significantly more for models with higher RAM and storage configurations, reaching up to $1,199 / £1,059 for the top-tier 16GB/1TB variant.
RedMagic 12 Pro review: Design
Extended liquid cooling system
Confusing IP68/IP69 and IPX8 certification
Dedicated gaming mode button and capacitive shoulder buttons
Improved speakers
RedMagic’s current design language maintains its signature flattened-out look, complete with right angles, semi-transparent elements, and customizable RGB lighting.
The RedMagic 12 Pro broadly follows that trend, though there have been a few minor tweaks and refinements to make it slightly more manageable.
It remains a large device, measuring 163.03 x 75.96 x 8.55mm and weighing 223g. Compared to last year’s model, however, the 12 Pro is slightly lighter and thinner.
The dust resistance claims are somewhat confusing. While marketing materials boast full IP68 and IP69 certification, the cooling fan area is rated only IPX8 due to its independent airflow channel design.
This means the phone is completely dustproof until you reach the open vents on either edge.
Those open vents form part of an extensive cooling system featuring a physical fan that spins at a higher 25,500rpm. This is paired with an expansive liquid cooling network designed to draw heat away from core components.
The visible liquid cooling pathways add a striking visual aesthetic that complements the customizable RGB LED lighting around the cooling fan and shoulder buttons.
The right edge of the phone hosts a set of capacitive shoulder buttons alongside the volume rocker and power button, while the traditional slider switch has been replaced by a push button.
This button grants access to RedMagic’s custom gaming UI, though users must now press and hold rather than flick a switch.
On the plus side, it functions well as a remappable shortcut key for functions like the camera or flashlight.
Audio output is handled by Dolby Atmos-certified stereo speakers, which sound balanced and full, though they lack deep low-end bass.
RedMagic 12 Pro review: Display
6.85-inch OLED display
185Hz refresh rate
1,900 nits maximum brightness
RedMagic has kept the basic display dimensions consistent, featuring a large 6.85-inch OLED panel with a 2,688 x 1,216 resolution.
Upgrades include a move to a BOE X11 panel material, boosting maximum brightness to 1,900 nits.
The panel also supports a rapid 185Hz refresh rate. While few mobile games can fully utilize such high frame rates, it remains a notable spec for a dedicated gaming device.
The default color profile can appear overly vibrant, but users can easily adjust this by switching to the Standard mode in the settings menu.
Ultimately, the large, unobstructed screen—free from any selfie notch—makes the device an excellent choice for uninterrupted media consumption and gaming.
RedMagic 12 Pro review: cameras
50MP main camera with OIS
Mediocre 50MP ultra-wide
No more macro
16MP in-display selfie camera remains awful
RedMagic phones have historically underperformed in photography, a compromise traditionally accepted due to the brand's gaming focus and aggressive pricing.
With the recent price increases, however, these camera shortcomings are much harder to defend.
The main 50MP OmniVision sensor captures acceptable images in good lighting, though performance is easily matched by standard mid-range handsets.
Low-light photography suffers from noticeable noise in dark areas and a distinct lack of fine detail.
Portrait shots struggle with an artificial-looking bokeh effect and imprecise edge detection around subjects.
The dedicated macro lens has been removed entirely, though its absence is hardly a major loss.
Without a dedicated telephoto lens, zoomed shots quickly lose clarity and become soft even at low magnification levels.
The 50MP ultra-wide camera offers decent sharpness, but color tones tend to run cooler than the main sensor.
The under-display 16MP selfie camera continues to be a weak point, producing fuzzy details and unnatural skin tones.
Video recording fares somewhat better, offering support for high-framerate 4K capture.
Ultimately, a smartphone priced at nearly $900 should deliver a much more competitive photography experience.
RedMagic 12 Pro review: performance
Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset
12GB, 16GB, or 24GB of RAM
Extended liquid and active cooling system
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, the RedMagic 12 Pro ranks among the fastest Android devices available.
Benchmark tests show modest CPU gains compared to previous iterations utilizing the same platform.
Graphics performance demonstrates a more substantial generational improvement, with GPU benchmarks running noticeably faster.
However, stress tests indicate that sustained performance under heavy, prolonged loads can dip lower than expected.
While peak performance numbers are high, thermal throttling during extended benchmark runs can result in lower stability scores than prior models.
Despite this quirk, the inclusion of active cooling fans and vapor chambers ensures the hardware handles demanding titles smoothly.
In real-world gaming scenarios, the device executes graphics-heavy titles effortlessly at maximum settings.
For users prioritizing raw computing speed above all else, the device easily justifies its capability.
RedMagic 12 Pro review: software
Fluid yet bland Android 17-based UI
Game Space gaming UI
Two Android updates
Five years of security updates in Europe, three in the US
Software has traditionally been a weak point for the brand, but noticeable improvements have been made with this release.
RedMagic OS 12 is cleaner, more stable, and closely resembles standard Android skins from major manufacturers.
Bugs and mislocalized text have become far less frequent, resulting in a more polished user experience.
The interface remains functional and responsive, though it includes standard integrated news feeds and third-party recommendations.
Preinstalled bloatware remains present, requiring users to manually remove unwanted applications and games.
Software support policies remain disappointing, offering only two major OS upgrades and limited security patching compared to mainstream competitors.
The standout feature remains the Game Space UI, accessible via the dedicated side button, which offers comprehensive performance tuning and hardware overlays.
While feature-dense and enthusiast-focused, it provides the precise toolset expected from a gaming handset.
RedMagic 12 Pro review: Battery life
Huge 8,400mAh battery
Multi-day usage
Comprehensive 80W wired and wireless charging
RedMagic has significantly expanded battery capacity within the slim chassis, housing a massive 8,400mAh cell.
Under light-to-moderate daily use without heavy gaming, the device easily stretches across multiple days before requiring a charge.
Even with extended gaming sessions included in the daily routine, the phone easily maintains enough stamina to last a full day.
Recharging is handled via 80W wired and wireless protocols, delivering rapid top-ups given the enormous battery capacity.
A full recharge from empty takes roughly just over an hour.
Buyers should note that compatible high-wattage power adapters may need to be sourced separately.
Should you buy the RedMagic 12 Pro?
You want the fastest phone around. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, liquid cooling, and plenty of RAM, the RedMagic 12 Pro delivers top-tier performance.
You want a fluid, unobstructed viewing experience. Thanks to a high refresh rate and no camera notch, the device offers an exceptionally clean media display.
You want maximum battery endurance. The upgraded 8,400mAh battery easily provides multi-day longevity under normal operational loads.
You expect budget pricing. The RedMagic 12 Pro commands a much higher asking price than its predecessors.
You prioritize mobile photography. The camera system falls short of mainstream competitors in nearly every scenario.
You intend to keep your phone for many years. Limited software support means it will not receive long-term OS updates.
