RedMagic 8 Pro Review: A Hot Android Gaming Value Phone


RedMagic 8 Pro: Software And App Experience, Pricing And Review Conclusion

RedMagic OS 6.0 is where things go sideways a bit. Despite being responsive and lightweight, this Android 13-based skin remains plagued with clumsy translations, minor glitches, and an overall lack of refinement that negatively impact the user experience. While the RedMagic 8 Pro shows some improvements over its predecessors with a more consistent UI design, the software is still far from polished, and that’s a bummer.

RedMagic 8 Pro Software And User Experience

We want to believe that RedMagic is listening to customer (and media) feedback, but when it comes to software, we're not seeing much progress. The settings menu is still haphazard, and the unsightly square icons have returned to the launcher. In addition, RedMagic's policy regarding OS upgrades and security updates remains unclear. At least bloatware is minimal, with only one bundled third-party app – the NextWord Browser – which is easy to uninstall.

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RedMagic 8 Pro App Tray

One of the RedMagic 8 Pro's standout features is Game Space, a second landscape-mode launcher designed specifically for gaming that’s enabled using the red game mode switch. It’s reasonably intuitive and highly configurable. You can adjust anything from the 520Hz capacitive shoulder buttons, to the 20,000 rpm fan, to the refresh rate (and many other settings) for each individual game. Read my RedMagic 5G review to find out more.

RedMagic 8 Pro Review Top Take-Aways And Summary

At just $649, the RedMagic 8 Pro is an attractive proposition in the mobile space. It isn’t just the lowest priced Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 handset available in the US, it’s an impressive piece of hardware that boasts a beautiful 120Hz display, US 5G support, remarkable battery life, and superb performance – particularly while gaming. This handset's ultra-cool design is the icing on the cake, however. Just be mindful of the middling cameras and lackluster software.


These small niggles aside, the RedMagic 8 Pro delivers exceptional value in a high-quality package. While it can’t compete directly with traditional flagships in terms of overall versatility, it’s perfect for anyone who’s passionate about mobile gaming. And who knows? Maybe someday RedMagic will finally deliver better software and improved imaging performance. For now, you can find the RedMagic 8 Pro on Amazon or at the company's website directly.

hothardware approved


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