Tag Archives: phones

5 Best Tech Gadgets Of November 2025

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November 2025 has delivered some truly groundbreaking tech that pushes boundaries in ways we haven’t seen before. This month isn’t about incremental updates or spec bumps. It’s about rethinking fundamental assumptions around how we interact with our devices. The gadgets making waves right now challenge the status quo of mobile computing, wearable technology, ergonomic design, portable power, and smartphone engineering.

Some are available now, others are concepts that point toward what’s coming, but all of them represent a shift in thinking about what tech can be when designers refuse to accept the limitations we’ve grown accustomed to. These five gadgets stand out not just for their innovation, but for solving real problems that have plagued users for years. They’re the kind of products that make you wonder why nobody thought of this sooner.

1. WELDER Keyboard

Mobile professionals face an impossible equation. Laptops provide adequate computing power but trap you behind a cramped single display. Portable monitors expand your workspace but clutter your bag with extra cables, stands, and fragile panels. Mechanical keyboards deliver typing satisfaction at the cost of carrying yet another device. The WELDER keyboard collapses this sprawling ecosystem into one unified tool that refuses to compromise on any front.

The centerpiece is a 12.8-inch touchscreen mounted directly above a full mechanical keyboard, both housed in precision CNC-machined aluminum. That material choice matters enormously. When the device folds at its 180-degree hinge, the metal construction prevents any flexing that would make typing unstable or damage the display. Close it up and you get a protective shell that safeguards both components during travel, transforming into a sleek aluminum block that looks more premium than most laptops. For a crowdfunded venture to achieve this level of build quality suggests serious engineering capability.

What we like

  • Eliminates the need to carry a separate keyboard and portable monitor.
  • CNC-machined aluminum construction provides exceptional build quality and durability.

What we dislike

  • Crowdfunded status means availability and long-term support remain uncertain.
  • The combined weight of screen and mechanical keyboard may be heavier than ultraportable alternatives.

2. MSI Gaming PC Watch

MSI’s wrist-mounted PC concept makes no pretense of being a conventional timepiece. Subtle hour markings exist almost as an afterthought, while the face reveals a miniaturized computer’s internal architecture. Cooling fans, graphics components, motherboard traces, and processors are fully exposed behind transparent housing. Four side pushers control various functions while the MSI badge sits where you’d normally find a watch crown. This is wearable computing stripped of any attempt at discretion.

The brand already dominates gaming hardware through laptops and desktops that push thermal management, graphics rendering, and RGB aesthetics to extremes. Translating that expertise to wrist-scale computing represents the logical, if audacious, next step. MSI has built a reputation on reliable performance under demanding conditions, which gives this concept more credibility than if a startup proposed it. The promise is immediate access to full computing capability regardless of location, though practical questions around battery life, heat generation, and actual processing power remain unanswered at this conceptual stage.

What we like

  • Showcases visible internal components for a striking aesthetic that appeals to tech enthusiasts.
  • Backed by MSI’s established reputation for durable, high-performance hardware.

What we dislike

  • Actual computing power and practical functionality remain unclear from concept alone.
  • Wrist-mounted form factor raises serious questions about heat dissipation and comfort during extended wear.

3. iRest Adjustable Ergonomic Mouse

Most mice ship with fixed dimensions that work adequately for average hands, while fitting nobody perfectly. iRest Health Science and Technology proposes something radically different with their conceptual mouse featuring app-controlled adjustability. The palm rest integrates two pneumatic cushions that inflate or deflate based on commands from your smartphone. Adjust the air volume, and the mouse physically reshapes itself to match your hand’s exact contours, creating a truly personalized ergonomic profile.

The concept brilliantly identifies a real problem, but stumbles on execution. Pneumatic adjustment requires miniature air pumps that would devastate battery life while adding mechanical complexity prone to failure. Alternative approaches exist that could deliver similar results more elegantly. Moldable silicone shells similar to custom in-ear monitors could work, though those require professional fitting. Mechanical adjustment systems comparable to ergonomic office chairs might provide the customization without electronic complexity. The core insight that ergonomic peripherals shouldn’t force users into standardized shapes remains valuable even if this particular implementation needs rethinking.

What we like

  • App-controlled customization allows precise fitting to individual hand dimensions.
  • Addresses genuine ergonomic needs for users who struggle with standard mouse shapes.

What we dislike

  • The air pump mechanism would significantly drain battery life and add mechanical complexity.
  • Still in concept phase with no clear path to production or retail availability.

4. Portable Magnetic Power Bank

Traditional power banks lock you into carrying a fixed capacity regardless of your actual needs for that day. Quick coffee run where you just need earbuds topped up? You’re hauling 20,000mAh. Week-long trip requiring multiple full phone charges? You’re stuck with whatever single capacity you bought. The Portable Magnetic power bank rejects this inflexibility with a two-piece modular design that adapts throughout your day. The main body provides high-capacity charging for phones and larger devices, while a detachable Energy Capsule handles smaller accessories like wireless earbuds and smartwatches.

Magnetic connection makes the system work. The two units snap together seamlessly when you need maximum capacity, then separate instantly when you want to travel light. No fiddly clips, no cables, no alignment struggles. The magnets ensure perfect contact every time while being strong enough to prevent accidental separation in normal use. You can leave the heavy module at your desk while pocketing just the Energy Capsule for a quick outing, then reunite them for your commute home. It’s flexible power management that finally reflects how people actually move through modern life rather than forcing compromise.

What we like

  • Modular design lets you carry only the capacity you need for different situations.
  • The magnetic connection system provides tool-free attachment without cables or complicated mechanisms.

What we dislike

  • Splitting power across two units may reduce overall efficiency compared to single-cell designs.
  • Magnetic connections could potentially separate accidentally in bags or pockets during movement.

5. Samsung “More Slim” Smartphone

Samsung’s internal development codename reveals its direction clearly. The More Slim follows their S25 Edge, which itself carried the Slim codename during creation. Rather than retreating from ultra-thin smartphone design, Samsung appears committed to pushing dimensional boundaries even further. Engineering challenges multiply exponentially as thickness decreases. Components must be custom-designed for tighter spaces, which dramatically increases manufacturing complexity and cost. Every millimeter shaved requires fundamental rethinking of internal architecture.

The concerning precedent comes from the S25 Edge. To achieve its thin profile, Samsung accepted a dual-camera system without telephoto capabilities and crammed in just a 3,900mAh battery. Those compromises felt severe at the S25 Edge’s premium price point. Going even slimmer logically means accepting additional limitations on battery capacity and camera hardware. Physics imposes constraints that marketing ambition cannot overcome. The ultra-thin phone market certainly exists, but it serves a narrow audience willing to sacrifice functionality for aesthetic minimalism. Samsung clearly believes that the audience is worth pursuing despite the technical and economic challenges involved.

What we like

  • Ultra-slim profile appeals to users prioritizing pocketability and minimalist aesthetic.
  • Samsung’s manufacturing expertise suggests quality execution despite extreme thinness constraints.

What we dislike

  • Likely to feature reduced battery capacity and limited camera capabilities based on S25 Edge precedent.
  • Premium pricing expected despite hardware compromises required to achieve ultra-thin design.

Gadgets That Refuse to Compromise

These five gadgets represent where tech is heading as we close out 2025. What ties them together is a willingness to question established norms. The WELDER asks why keyboards and monitors must be separate. MSI questions whether a watch needs to just tell time. iRest challenges fixed ergonomics. The modular power bank rejects monolithic battery designs. Samsung pushes thinness beyond what seems reasonable.

Not all will succeed commercially. Some are concepts that may never reach production. Others face significant engineering hurdles that could limit their appeal. The value in highlighting these products isn’t predicting which will dominate the market. It’s recognizing that innovation happens when designers refuse to accept inherited constraints. November 2025 delivered gadgets that refuse to play it safe, and that’s exactly what we need.

The post 5 Best Tech Gadgets Of November 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Huawei Mate 80 Series: Design Language Evolution and the 20GB RAM Flagship

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Huawei just confirmed November 25 as the official launch date for its Mate 80 series, and the company isn’t holding back. Four distinct models, each with its own camera architecture and design identity. The standout? A flagship variant packing 20GB of RAM and an octagon-shaped camera module that breaks from the circular designs dominating the smartphone industry.

Designer: Huawei

This is Huawei’s play for design differentiation in a market where most flagship phones look nearly identical from the back. The Mate 80 lineup spans from the accessible base model through to the RS Ultimate Design, a halo product that signals where Huawei sees premium smartphone design heading.

Four Models, Four Design Approaches

The Mate 80 and Mate 80 Pro share a circular rear camera module housing three sensors, including a periscope telephoto lens. Both phones feature dual front cameras with 3D face unlock technology. It’s a refined, approachable design that builds on Huawei’s established camera bump aesthetic.

The Mate 80 Pro Max steps up with a quad-camera system that includes dual periscope telephoto lenses. That’s two dedicated telephoto sensors for optical zoom flexibility, a configuration that gives photographers multiple focal length options without digital cropping. Dual front cameras maintain consistency across the upper-tier models.

Then there’s the Mate 80 RS Ultimate Design. The octagon-shaped camera module is the immediate visual differentiator, a geometric departure that catches attention without feeling gimmicky. It houses four rear sensors and pairs with dual front cameras, but the design statement is what matters here. Huawei is using the RS Ultimate to establish a distinct visual identity for its most premium offering.

Color Palettes Reflect Market Positioning

Huawei assigned different color families to each tier, reinforcing the hierarchy through material and finish choices.

The Mate 80 and Mate 80 Pro come in Dawn Gold, Obsidian Black, Snowy White, and Spruce Green. These are accessible, versatile colorways that work across different user preferences without pushing too far into statement territory.

The Mate 80 Pro Max gets Polar Night Black, Polar Silver, Polar Day Gold, and Aurora Blue. The naming convention evokes extreme environments and natural phenomena, positioning this model as the performance flagship with colors that suggest technical capability.

The RS Ultimate Design narrows to three options: Dark Black, Pure White, and Hibiscus. That last color, Hibiscus, has generated notable attention in early discussions. It’s a bold, design-forward choice that signals this phone is as much about aesthetic expression as technical specifications.

RAM Leadership: 20GB in the RS Ultimate Design

The Mate 80 RS Ultimate Design ships with 20GB of RAM paired with either 512GB or 1TB of storage. That’s the highest RAM configuration in the entire lineup, positioning this model for users running multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously or future-proofing for increasingly demanding mobile workflows.

The base Mate 80 and Mate 80 Pro offer 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB, and 16GB/512GB configurations, with the Pro adding a 16GB/1TB option. The Mate 80 Pro Max comes in 16GB/512GB and 16GB/1TB variants. Huawei structured the RAM progression to create clear performance tiers across the lineup.

Launch Strategy: Pre-Orders and Dual Flagship Debut

Huawei opened pre-orders through its Vmall online store ahead of the November 25 launch event. The company is simultaneously unveiling the Mate X7 foldable, positioning the launch as a comprehensive showcase of its flagship smartphone strategy rather than focusing solely on the traditional slab phone format.

The dual launch suggests Huawei sees both form factors as equally important to its premium positioning. The Mate 80 series represents refinement and camera innovation within the established smartphone template, while the Mate X7 addresses users prioritizing screen real estate and multitasking flexibility.

What This Means for the Flagship Race

The Mate 80 lineup shows Huawei using design variation to create meaningful differentiation within a single product family. Most manufacturers rely primarily on camera count and technical specifications to separate models. Huawei added visual language shifts, particularly with the RS Ultimate’s octagon module, to make the hierarchy immediately apparent.

The dual periscope telephoto system in the Pro Max addresses a real pain point for mobile photographers: the gap between primary wide and telephoto focal lengths. Two periscope lenses allow for more granular zoom options and better image quality across the telephoto range.

Whether these design choices translate into market success remains to be seen when the phones launch November 25. But Huawei is clearly betting that distinctive design, aggressive RAM configurations, and advanced camera architectures can carve out space in the competitive flagship smartphone market.

The post Huawei Mate 80 Series: Design Language Evolution and the 20GB RAM Flagship first appeared on Yanko Design.

OnePlus 15 with 7300 mAh battery and triple-chip architecture crushes other Android Devices

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Oftentimes, the thought that smartphone technology is plateauing comes to mind. All that you can see companies concentrating on, of late, is artificial intelligence, and it seems nothing much is happening on other fronts. But that’s not the case with OnePlus, which has taken on the smartphone world with a different approach. The OnePlus 15, launched recently, touts a mammoth 7300 mAh battery, which early reviews suggest can go up to two days on normal usage.

The latest flagship-level phone from OnePlus is not only dependent on its battery life, in fact, it is escalating things on many other fronts. The major transition is in favour of performance, and the OEM is substantiating that with its AI capabilities, durability, and optical prowess. So, what are we getting with the new and technically most advanced smartphone on the market? Let’s figure out in a little detail below.

Designer: OnePlus

Obviously, the battery is the biggest selling point. But the phone’s processing power is something to talk about. The new OnePlus 15 features a triple-chip architecture, which is spearheaded by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset that powers the functions on the phone. The architecture of the phone is targeted at speed, for which it is facilitated by a touch-response chip capable of 3200 Hz instant sampling, while the connectivity for the power and speed is handled by the phone’s independent Wi-Fi chip.

The octa-core processor of the OnePlus 15 is paired with an Adreno 840 GPU, while it comes in three storage variants: 256GB with 12 or 16GB RAM, 512 GB internal storage variant with 12 or 16GB RAM, and a solitary 1TB model with 16 GB RAM. The company says, a reworked 360 Cryo-Velocity system is designed to take care of the cooling on this high-performance phone. For this, it uses aerogel insulation and white graphite that help in stabilizing temperatures during excessive gaming or on a workday that refuses to come to an end.

On the construction front, the OnePlus 15 features a smooth 1.15mm bezel and comprises a flat frame, which is rounded on the edges. The phone comes in Sand Storm, Ultra Violet, and the more recognizable Infinite Black colorway. The phone’s durability, of course, is assured by up to an IP69K rating that safeguards the handset against temperature variations, dust, and water.

OnePlus 15 is billed as the first phone to feature a 1.5K 165Hz LTPO display with retina-level clarity. The panel boasts up to 1800 nits peak brightness. Designed to run OxygenOS 16 out of the box, the device’s 7300mAh Silicon NanoStack Battery is designed for longevity (it can hold over 80 percent health even after four years of continuous usage, the company claims). The battery is charged with the 120W SUPERVOOC charger that promises to provide a full charge in around 39 minutes.

This new phone from OnePlus is a trendsetter in the optics department as well. The phone features a DetailMax Engine combined with a triple 50MP camera setup. Claimed to be the first Android smartphone capable of 4K 120fps Dolby Vision recording, it’s triple array includes a 50MP OIS main sensor, a 50MP autofocus ultra-wide camera, and a third 50MP periscope telephoto shooter. If you are thinking of upgrading to a new Android phone, there shouldn’t be a reason the OnePlus 15 is not on your list. This flagship starts at $999 and is now available in most international markets.

 

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Apple iPhone Pocket is the most absurdly Apple-ish way to carry your smartphone with you.

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Years after giving Steve Jobs his iconic turtleneck, Issey Miyake returns to give the iPhones their own turtleneck too. Dubbed the iPhone Pocket, these haute handbags are designed for one thing and one thing only, your iPhone. The bags are created using a special 3D-knitted construction that’s developed by the Japanese fashion house, and come in 8 colors. They’re single-sized, which means you can pretty much fit any iPhone in, from the ultra-thin iPhone Air to the large iPhone 17 Pro Max, or even the tiny iPhone 13 Mini. Could you also put an Android smartphone in? Yes, but Steve Jobs will tut-tut at you in your dreams for the rest of your life.

Don’t expect these luxurious phone-holsters to be cheap. They’re a limited-edition item that Apple will sell at just 10 select stores across the globe, with the short-strap versions selling for $149.95 and the larger strapped variant for $229.95.

Designer: Issey Miyake

Is the iPhone Pocket practical? No. Is it classy? Yes. If you’re the kind to splurge on a $19 Apple-branded polishing cloth, or a fancy Hermes strap for your watch, then the iPhone Pocket won’t feel like such a pricey buy. The single-piece 3D-knitted ‘gizmo-garment’ is surely a marvel. It doesn’t have any parts stitched together, it’s singular from start to end, and the weave itself is something that Issey Miyake’s done extensive R&D on.

The result is a yarn that protects the iPhone with its padded weave, while letting you easily ‘wear’ your smartphone around your neck, on the side, or across your body. You could loop it around a bag too, this thing is probably one of the rare Apple products that doesn’t need a user manual… Apart from probably washing instructions. I’d probably keep it away from the rain, food, beverages, or anything too damaging. Sunlight may fade the color, so air-drying indoors is the only sensible option, if this thing gets wet. Don’t even think of chucking this thing in the washing machine, by the way. Or Issey Miyake will cry from heaven.

The iPhone Pocket’s design is sort of open to user interpretation and expression. Put any phone in and it’ll fit. Slide the phone completely if you want to conceal it, or have just the tip jutting out if you want to sneakily film people around you, or if you want to stare at the top of your screen for notifications. The expandable design also lets you add other stuff… maybe a lip balm, your AirPods, or one of these ultra-slim MagSafe power banks.

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Samsung Ditches Galaxy S26 Edge plans for an even slimmer handset called the ‘More Slim’

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Samsung‘s flagship phone strategy has been all over the place lately, and the latest twist in this saga is honestly kind of wild. After months of rumors and contradictions about whether the Galaxy S26 Edge would exist, it turns out the answer is no, but not for the reasons you might think. Samsung apparently has something even more ambitious in the works.

The whole thing started when rumors emerged that Samsung would replace the Galaxy S26 Plus with a new Edge model. Then those plans seemed to reverse, with reports suggesting the Plus was back and the Edge was getting axed entirely. It looked like Samsung had cold feet about the whole slim phone concept. But according to a new leak from Dutch site GalaxyClub, the truth is more interesting. Samsung didn’t abandon the idea of a super-thin flagship. They’re just going bigger, or rather, thinner.

Designer: Samsung

The company is reportedly developing a new device with the internal codename “More Slim,” which has been in the works for a few months now. The name is a pretty obvious nod to the previous S25 Edge, which carried the codename “Slim” during development. It suggests Samsung isn’t backing away from thin phones at all. They’re doubling down on the concept and pushing it even further.

Here’s where things get puzzling though. The Galaxy S25 Edge, which did make it to market, had some pretty significant compromises. You got just a dual-camera setup with no telephoto zoom capability, and Samsung crammed in only a 3,900mAh battery to keep things thin. For the premium price tag attached to it, those trade-offs felt steep. Now Samsung wants to make something even slimmer? The engineering challenges alone would be intense. You need custom components that can fit into tighter spaces, which drives up manufacturing costs considerably. And the elephant in the room is how they plan to address battery life when they’re already starting from a modest capacity.

The math doesn’t immediately add up from a consumer perspective. Making a phone thinner for the sake of thinness is a questionable strategy when it means sacrificing features people actually use every day. Unless Samsung has figured out some breakthrough in battery technology or component miniaturization that we don’t know about yet, it’s hard to see how More Slim won’t face the same criticism the S25 Edge received.

Still, Samsung must have a plan. Maybe they’re betting on a specific market segment that prioritizes aesthetics and portability above all else. Maybe there’s new tech in the pipeline that makes these compromises less painful. Maybe this will help bolster the tri-fold they just recently teased. Whatever the case, we’ll probably hear more details in the coming months as development continues. For now, it’s just another chapter in Samsung’s increasingly chaotic flagship phone strategy, and one that leaves more questions than answers about where they’re really headed with their premium lineup.

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This Foldable iPhone Never Actually Folds, and That’s Genius

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Foldable phones promise devices that shrink for portability and expand for productivity, but they consistently run into the same problems. Hinges wear out or develop resistance over time. Screens crease visibly where they bend. The devices end up thicker than standard phones, even when folded. Most foldables also force users to accept awkward seams running through their primary displays, creating visual interruptions that never quite disappear.

Mechanical Pixel’s iPhone Fold concept sidesteps these issues by keeping the phone itself rigid and adding a separate foldable screen to the back. The main iPhone body stays conventional, maintaining the familiar feel and dimensions people expect. A thin, flexible display sits raised on a platform above the rear panel, almost like it was stuck there as an afterthought. When needed, that screen unfolds outward to create a larger, squarish tablet surface.

Designer: Mechanical Pixel

The raised platform is visible when viewing the device from the side, creating a layered appearance that signals something unusual is happening on the back. This isn’t a flush integration where the foldable screen hides seamlessly. The screen clearly sits above the phone’s rear panel, which gives the concept an experimental, modular quality. The camera module remains in its typical position, unaffected by the additional display layer.

Unfolding the screen pulls it away from the phone’s back and opens like a book. The result resembles a small tablet with nearly square proportions rather than the typical elongated phone-to-tablet transformation most foldables offer. The phone’s primary display can continue functioning normally, while the flexible screen adds surface area when tasks require it. The main body never bends or flexes during this process.

This approach solves several foldable phone complaints. Hinge durability becomes less critical because the phone’s structural integrity doesn’t depend on a folding mechanism. Screen creasing affects only the secondary display, leaving the primary screen untouched and pristine. Daily phone use feels identical to a standard iPhone because that’s essentially what it remains when the extra screen stays folded.

New problems emerge with this design. The raised platform adds bulk to the back, making the phone thicker overall and potentially awkward to hold or pocket. Wireless charging might struggle with the raised section interfering with coil alignment. Camera usage in tablet mode is nearly impossible because the unfolded display covers the lenses.

The concept exists as speculation rather than serious product development. Naturally, Apple hasn’t officially endorsed this design, and manufacturing challenges make actual production unlikely. It addresses real durability concerns while introducing new ergonomic and practical challenges. The raised platform aesthetic makes the experimental nature visible rather than hidden, which feels honest about what this design represents as a thought experiment.

The post This Foldable iPhone Never Actually Folds, and That’s Genius first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 World’s Thinnest MagSafe Power Banks That Give Your Phone Battery Without Any Bulk

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The current war in the tech industry isn’t about megapixels anymore. It’s moved on from cameras to folding displays to AI… and now the battleground is slimness. Companies like Samsung, Tecno, Honor, and Apple are actively locking horns here, shaving off precious millimeters off their phones to make them slimmer and sleeker, without really any strength tradeoff. The iPhone Air is a legitimately strong phone, and took over 200 lbs of pressure to break according to JerryRigEverything’s strength test. The problem, however, with a slim phone isn’t bendability or breakability… it’s battery capacity.

These slim phones end up boasting pro-grade performance, but at the cost of battery life. To be honest, nobody ever asked for ultra-slim phones – go on the streets and ask anyone and they’ll tell you day-long battery is more important than a slick gadget. The solution exists in broad daylight too – MagSafe power banks… but slap a chunky power bank on even a regular phone and it ends up looking like you’re using a massive Nokia Communicator phone. So we sifted through the internet to find the slimmest MagSafe power banks out there. These power banks are all under 10mm, which means they should attach to your phone without adding too much visual bulk. We’ve zeroed down on 11 power banks that fit this unique problem statement… I’ve added the 11th one not just because it’s technically impressive, but also I begrudgingly had to add Apple’s MagSafe Power Bank for the iPhone Air to this list (even though it literally only works with one smartphone). Here are our picks and what we love about them.

01. SnapWireless PowerPack Slim 2 (5.8mm)

You know what, shame on me for assuming that only legacy companies like Apple, LG, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei have advanced battery R&D. The thinnest power bank on the market comes from a company you’d least expect. SnapWireless is known for its smartphone accessories like cases, chargers, and MagSafe wallets, but they also hold the title for selling the world’s thinnest power bank. The SnapWireless PowerPack Slim 2 may just pack 5,000mAh, but it does so in a form factor nearly as slim as the thinnest part of the iPhone Air.

The Slim 2 comes in 5 colors that match the iPhone 17’s palette (so you can get a power bank that matches your phone), and boasts a nifty matte metallic outer body that works as a heat sink, dissipating heat while your phone charges away. Snap the power bank on and it barely adds any thickness or weight to your phone (the thing weighs just 82 grams or 2.8 oz), and it gives your iPhone (or even Qi2-ready Android phone) an extra 5,000mAh, or just enough to get through a weekend.

Why We Recommend It

At 5.8mm, this thing is as thin as 7 credit cards stacked together… Snap it onto your phone and it practically blends in, considering most camera bumps are a comfortable 4-5mm thick anyway. At $45.56 on the SnapWireless website, this power bank is dirt cheap thanks to the Black Friday promo… let’s not also forget that it literally managed to beat stalwarts like Apple, Baseus, and Anker for the title of the ‘World’s Slimmest MagSafe Power Bank’.

02. Apple iPhone Air MagSafe Battery Pack (6.5mm)

Apple had a MagSafe Battery Pack that was discontinued in 2023, just 2 years after it launched. That battery pack notoriously got the nickname of ‘Camel Hump’, because of how it added this strange malignant growth to the back of the phone. Apple, however, quietly relaunched the MagSafe Battery Pack in September, as an iPhone Air exclusive. The reason? Because the iPhone Air’s battery could only pack so much power.

That being said, this $99 Battery Pack basically doubles your iPhone Air’s extra battery. The Air has a 3,149mAh battery itself, and the MagSafe Battery Pack adds an additional 3,149mAh to the phone. It does so while being just 6.5mm thick, and iFixit managed to tear it apart to reveal that the actual battery cell inside the pack was just a mere 2.72mm. The rest of the thickness can be attributed to the insulation/cover, the wireless charging coil, the MagSafe magnets, and the microcontroller that runs the battery pack along with its charging status LED.

Why We Recommend It

We don’t. Well, unless you’re one of the rare few people who splurged on the iPhone Air (apparently the Air only accounted for 3% of iPhone sales since September), this power bank really doesn’t make sense. It’s oddly shaped (and won’t mount on any other iPhone except the Air), and it also has the lowest mAh rating of any power bank in this list, making it an extremely niche product. But despite all that, a 6.5mm-thick power bank is quite the feat.

03. KUULAA Magnetic Power Bank (6.9mm)

Here’s what I love about this list – companies that most consumers wouldn’t have heard of are genuinely pushing boundaries by building well-engineered, slim devices. KUULAA’s slimmest power bank is just 1.1mm thicker than the thinnest power bank in the world. At 6.9mm, it sits third on this list, packing 5,000mAh of battery capacity, which is enough to charge most phones from 0-100 all the way through.

This power bank sports a glass back that matches most glass-back iPhones, and offers 7.5W standard MagSafe charging, but a pretty neat 20W when plugged in using the USB-C port on the bottom. At 110 grams (3.88 ounces), this thing is lighter than Apple’s own MagSafe Power Bank mentioned above, while still having nearly an extra 2,000mAh of capacity.

Why We Recommend It

What’s not to recommend? This thing’s a full $20 cheaper than Apple’s power bank. Super-strong N52 magnets hold the power bank on securely, and the thing supports dual-charging, working simultaneously as a wireless as well as a wired charger. The power bank comes in black or white, and if you want a pop of color, there are purple and pink variations too, although I’m personally a fan of subtle classic colors.

04. KUULAA MagOn Power Bank Ultra-Thin (7.2mm)

Back again on this list, KUULAA’s MagOn Power Bank sits at 7.2mm thick, making it just a fraction of a millimeter thicker than its own sibling. The specs are exactly the same – 5,000mAh on the inside, 7.5W wireless charging, 20W wired charging, and the ability to support dual charging. The difference, apart from the thickness, is its use of materials.

While the KUULAA Magnetic Power Bank had a glass-encased design, this one boasts an aluminum outer shell with a glass panel on the back (where the wireless coil is). The aluminum shell does two things – it helps dissipate heat efficiently, keeping the MagOn power bank cool, but it simultaneously also blends well with more premium Pro-grade iPhones that have muted metallic tones. The MagOn’s Titanium and Grey finishes complement the Pro-series iPhones wonderfully, making them a great pick if design matters to you.

Why We Recommend It

It might be thicker than its sibling, but it’s somehow lighter, clocking in at 104 grams or 3.67 ounces. I personally prefer the aluminum back because it visually blends in with my 15 Pro Max wonderfully well. That 0.3mm size bump is negligible, and your eyes (or even your hands) will never be able to tell the difference. The MagOn’s also priced at $76.5, making it even more affordable than its marginally slimmer sibling.

05. Baseus Picogo Ultra-Slim (7.6mm)

We’re sort of venturing into this grey area where all the power banks begin offering the same features. The Picogo Ultra-Slim comes from Baseus, known for their chargers and dongles (I swear by mine), measuring 7.6mm, tying it in with the TORRAS MiniMag which is next on the list. The one (actually two) thing/s giving the Picogo Ultra-Slim its edge remain, firstly, the fact that it’s the lighter of the two, measuring 3.8 ounces or 107.7 grams in weight… The next pro is just pure affordability.

As of this article, the Picogo Ultra-Slim is just $34.99, making it the most budget-friendly power bank on this list. That does matter to most people, and to seal the deal, Baseus also makes some pretty wild claims, like the Picogo Ultra-Slim having its own AI chip for monitoring and managing the power bank’s temperature for ‘cooler charging’. It also helps that the Picogo Ultra-Slim has an aluminum outer shell, helping dissipate heat.

Why We Recommend It

I recommend it for the sheer price. Baseus’ Black Friday discount gives this power bank an undeniable edge (apart from the one its slim design already has). It also supports pass-through charging, and has a 2-year warranty, which feels pretty compelling considering it’s double of what most companies offer.

06. TORRAS MiniMag (7.6mm)

TORRAS is an interesting company because while they make some pretty remarkable personal cooling wearables, they’re also absolute masters at casemaking. I still have (and cherish) their Ostand cases with the built-in rotating kickstand, but that’s not what this is about. Aside from neck-based phase-changing coolers and slim creator-friendly cases (and tempered glass protectors), TORRAS also owns bragging rights to the MiniMag, a 7.6mm-thin MagSafe power bank that packs 5000mAh of power in a deceptively thin form factor.

The MiniMag is the size of a playing card, and measures 0.01 inches thinner than the iPhone 17 (which clocks in at 0.31 inches). This, along with the fact that it weighs 115 grams or 4 ounces makes it a perfectly portable pack of power, phone and pocket-worthy. The limiting factor with thin power banks is usually being capped at 5,000mAh (and the MiniMag is limited by that too), but TORRAS also sells a thin 10,000mAh MagSafe power bank that’s a mere 0.5 inches thick… although that one clearly doesn’t make this list.

Why We Recommend It

It’s small, it’s light, and as of today, it’s $43.99 on TORRAS’ website thanks to Black Friday deals going live well in advance. The thing supports super-fast wired charging, making it faster than standard power banks, and the battery’s rated to last 500+ cycles, which easily gives you years of use without any signs of slowing down.

07. SAVEWO EVA MagCell (8mm)

Here’s an unexpected one – truly, because not only have I never heard of SAVEWO as a company, their 8mm-thick power bank looks nothing like any of the ones before it. The EVA (short for Evangelion) comes with an anime-inspired aesthetic, with graphics, characters, and motifs from the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. That outer aesthetic adds character to the otherwise fairly template-ish internals.

5,000mAh, 15W of wireless power delivery, 20W of PD3.0 thanks to the USB-C on the bottom – there’s nothing extraordinary here if you purely look at the spec sheet, but that’s a pretty scummy way to judge a design. The design is how it looks too, and the EVA MagCell definitely gets our vote in that department.

Why We Recommend It

At $40, this one feels like a good bargain. You get a power bank that’s slim and looks good enough that it won’t get lost or mixed up with your friends’ power banks any time soon. You’ve also got multiple designs to choose from, making this the only themed product in the entire series.

08. Native Union (Re)Classic MagSafe Power Bank (8.6mm)

If the EVA was the edgy one, Native Union’s (Re)Classic power bank is the classy one, sporting not a plastic or metal outer casing, but one made from faux leather for that extra oomph. You’ve got 5 very dapper colors to choose from, all echoing very pristine leather tan hues, blending in perfectly with any leather case you may put on your phone.

At 8.6mm, this isn’t the thinnest of the bunch, but it’s certainly impressive in its sleekness, and comes with a 5,000mAh internal, along with both MagSafe and Qi2 support (so that works for newer Android phones too). Each power bank gets paired with one of Native Union’s braided USB-C cables, upping the class-factor on this gizmo.

Why We Recommend It

Why rock plastic or glass when you could rock vegan leather? And this isn’t some run-of-the-mill vegan leather – Native Union designed it to be durable, and even gave it a gorgeous diamond texture that your fingers will love. At $69.99, it’s on the pricier side, but then again, you’re paying for style and substance as well as sleekness.

09. Anker Nano MagGo Power Bank (8.6mm)

About time Anker made it to the party. The company that practically pioneered an entire industry of charging accessories, Anker’s Nano MagGo barely makes the cut, tying in with Native Union’s (Re)Classic power bank at 8.6mm in thickness. I dock points for being basic looking, given that Anker’s power bank sort of looks like a mirror image of Apple’s own MagSafe power bank.

The only difference is that the Nano MagGo comes in 4 colors as opposed to Apple’s singular white. This bad-boy packs a 5,000mAh capacity too, with 15W fast wireless charging as well as fast-recharging for the battery pack itself. Anker claims it charges an iPhone 16 to 25% in just half an hour if you plug it in (delivering 20W of power), but marginally longer if you rely on the MagSafe charging protocol.

Why We Recommend It

Is it thicker than Apple’s own power bank? Yes, but it packs more capacity, works with all iPhones, and costs $54.99, which makes it cheaper than what Apple offers. I’d pick this if the only other option was Apple’s MagSafe power bank, but if you want style and substance, or even a competitive price point, there are others on this list.

10. PITAKA Aramid Fiber Magnetic Power Bank (8.8mm)

Vegan leather is nice, but Aramid fiber is infinitely cooler. Made from the same material used to make Kevlar, PITAKA’s power bank has a reputation that precedes it. Sure, it won’t deflect bullets, but that Aramid fiber weave is genuinely one of the coolest things I’ve seen on a power bank. PITAKA’s perfected the ability to weave the fibers in different patterns, creating unique designs that truly stand out. While blending in thanks to the sleek 8.8mm profile.

Sure, 8.8mm isn’t the slimmest, but if you’re trying to find a power bank that truly is a treat for the eyes, this one’s your bet. It packs 5,000mAh on the inside (a standard at this point), has MagSafe and Qi2 support, and even packs a 4 LED battery indicator that tells you exactly how much juice you’ve got remaining on the bank.

Why We Recommend It

At $69.99, it’s not your budget option, but one look at the Aramid fiber weave and you’d never think of using the word ‘budget’. This thing looks gorgeous as heck, and pairs rather well with PITAKA’s woven Aramid fiber cases too. Here’s the best part, each case comes with a magnetic array on the inside, which means the Android cases all instantly become MagSafe compatible in seconds!

[Bonus] KU XIU 2025 Solid-State Magnetic Portable Charger (9.9mm)

This otherwise-unheard-of brand gets a special mention on this list – not for just being slim, but for pioneering a technology that no company on this list has managed to so far. This KU XIU power bank features a solid-state battery, which is significantly more advanced than any of the Li-ion batteries on the competition. Solid state batteries are pretty much the holy grail of consumer-grade battery technology at this point. They’re a lot more durable than Li-ion, and unlike the latter that tend to catch fire or explode under duress, solid state batteries can literally get crucified with a nail and a hammer and they’ll still work. Don’t do that though. Just know that your battery is ridiculously durable.

It’s going to be a while before we see this tech in phones, but the fact that you’re getting them in power banks this slim (at a respectable 9.9mm) is still impressive. Go to KU XIU’s website and you’ll see someone literally hammering the power bank’s battery cell, puncturing it with nails, even clipping the corner off with pliers. The thing still works without catching fire or heating up. I’d call that mighty impressive considering it isn’t even a decade since the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fiasco we had in 2016.

Why We Recommend It

Three words. Solid State Batteries. One more word. $49.99. You read that right, this 5,000mAh solid state power bank is literally cheaper than most of the other contenders on this list. Is it thicker? Yes, but is it also safer, more long-lasting, and quite literally the future of battery tech? Also yes.

The post Top 10 World’s Thinnest MagSafe Power Banks That Give Your Phone Battery Without Any Bulk first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nubia Z80 Ultra Review: Style, Stamina, and a 35mm Camera Edge

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PROS:


  • Stunning "true full-screen" experience

  • Eye-catching Van Gogh-inspired Starry Night design

  • 50MP camera with 35mm optical lens gives a more natural "human eye" output

  • Dual-stage physical button mimics tactile camera experience

CONS:


  • Not available in markets like the US, UK

  • Ultra-wide camera has no OIS

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The nubia Z80 Ultra delivers the rare combination of professional 35mm optics, multi-day battery stamina, and a truly notch-free display in a design that refuses to blend in.

Flagship smartphones have become predictable, with most settling into the same design language, camera arrays, and battery compromises that force users to choose between power and portability every year. The nubia Z80 Ultra breaks from that pattern with a phone that bets big on three things other flagships often sacrifice: a truly immersive, notch-free display; a massive 7200mAh battery that lasts days; and a 35mm optical lens that brings a professional photographic perspective to smartphone photography.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the nubia Z80 Ultra targets users who want a device that excels at gaming, photography, and endurance without forcing compromises. Available in Black, White, and a limited Starry Night Blue edition, the phone blends bold design with technical innovation, aiming to stand alongside the best from Samsung and Apple while carving its own path through unique features and design philosophy. But does it deliver its promises beyond the juicy spec sheet? We take it for a spin to find out.

Designer: nubia

Aesthetics

The Z80 Ultra’s design immediately sets it apart from the sea of glass-and-metal rectangles dominating the flagship space right now. The review unit in black showcases a soft stardust matte finish that resists fingerprints and feels warm to the touch rather than cold and clinical. The luminous red ring encircling the main camera creates a visual anchor, drawing the eye without overwhelming the minimalist rear panel’s clean geometry.

The camera module occupies slightly less space than previous-generation nubia flagships, giving the back a more balanced, less top-heavy appearance. The arrangement of three lenses, flicker sensor, and laser autofocus module within the raised island feels considered and symmetrical. The DECO area occupies just 13 percent of the back, leaving plenty of room for the nubia branding and the distinctive red physical button on the right edge.

The four-sided curved bonding process and subtle arc edges give the nubia Z80 Ultra a refined, ergonomic profile. The 2nd-generation Longxi glass front is smooth and flat with a 2.5D flexible display that curves gently at the edges, creating a seamless transition between screen and frame. The crystal fiber body feels substantial and premium, while the rounded corners prevent any sharpness or discomfort during extended holding periods.

The Blue Starry Night edition takes the aesthetic in a dramatically different direction, with a Van Gogh-inspired swirling pattern across the entire back panel. This artistic approach makes the phone feel like a collectible statement piece rather than just a communication device. The black variant reviewed here offers understated elegance for those who prefer subtlety, while the white version provides a clean, modern alternative for minimalists.

Ergonomics

Despite the large 6.85-inch display, the Z80 Ultra manages to feel balanced and manageable in daily use. The curved back and tapered edges nestle comfortably in the palm, distributing the 227-gram weight evenly across the hand. The device never feels unwieldy during extended gaming sessions or prolonged photo walks, thanks to the thoughtful weight distribution and grip-friendly curves that encourage natural hand positioning.

The dual-stage physical camera button on the right edge provides tactile control that touchscreen shutters simply cannot match. Half-pressing focuses and locks exposure, while a full press captures the shot with satisfying mechanical feedback. For mobile photography enthusiasts who miss the feel of dedicated cameras, this button brings back the ritual of deliberate shooting. The button’s placement is natural for index finger access during landscape shooting.

Button placement follows a logical pattern, with the power button and volume rocker positioned for easy thumb access during normal holding. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor embedded in the display responds instantly, unlocking the phone in well under a second. The customizable shortcut key can be programmed for quick camera access, flashlight activation, or any frequently used function, adding convenience without cluttering the minimal design.

The phone slips into jeans pockets without excessive bulk, though its width may challenge smaller pockets or hands. The slim 8.6mm profile helps offset the large footprint, and the matte finish prevents the phone from sliding on smooth surfaces when placed face-up on tables or desks during meetings and meals.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with up to 24GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, delivers flagship performance that handles everything from intensive gaming to rapid photo editing without breaking stride. App launches are instantaneous, multitasking between dozens of apps feels seamless, and sustained gaming maintains stable frame rates thanks to the advanced cooling architecture working quietly in the background.

The REDMAGIC CUBE Gaming Engine optimizes power delivery and thermal management during gameplay. Running demanding titles like Genshin Impact at maximum settings with the 144Hz display active, the phone maintains smooth performance with minimal frame drops. The AI Super Frame Stabilization keeps motion fluid even during fast-paced action, while the 3000Hz touch sampling rate ensures every tap and swipe registers immediately for competitive advantage.

The advanced composite liquid metal and oversized 3D Ice Steel vapor chamber cooling system represents a significant upgrade, increasing cooling area by 35 percent over previous models. This thermal management prevents the performance throttling that plagues thinner flagships during sustained loads. During extended gaming sessions lasting over an hour, however, the phone got a little warm to the touch, but not so much to be uncomfortable.

The 6.85-inch BOE X10 AMOLED display is the star of the show, offering a truly immersive, notch-free viewing experience. The 1.5K resolution (2688×1216) delivers sharp text and detailed imagery, while the 144Hz refresh makes scrolling and gaming feel buttery smooth. Peak brightness of 2000 nits means the screen remains visible even in direct sunlight, and the 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut ensures photos and videos look vibrant and accurate.

The under-display camera technology hides the 16MP selfie camera beneath the screen, preserving the seamless visual experience. While selfie quality in challenging low light doesn’t quite match dedicated punch-hole cameras, the trade-off for an uninterrupted display feels worthwhile for content consumption, gaming, and the overall visual aesthetic. Outdoor and well-lit selfies remain sharp and detailed, making the compromise reasonable for most users.

The triple camera system built around the 35mm f/1.7 main lens offers a perspective that feels natural and professional compared to the wider 24mm or 26mm lenses most flagships employ. Street photography, portraits, and documentary-style shots benefit from the reduced distortion and beautiful subject isolation that 35mm provides. The focal length matches human vision more closely, making compositions feel intuitive and authentic rather than artificially wide or compressed.

The 50MP ultra-wide and 64MP telephoto round out the system, providing versatile coverage from macro close-ups at 5.5cm to 85mm equivalent for portraits and distant subjects. The dual-stage camera button, combined with over 21 creative filters and Pro mode controls, makes the nubia Z80 Ultra feel like a dedicated camera that happens to make phone calls rather than the other way around. Strangely, while both main and telephoto cameras tout optical image stabilization or OIS, the ultra-wide shooter doesn’t.

The massive 7200mAh silicon-carbon battery delivers multi-day endurance that surpasses virtually every flagship competitor. Moderate use with mixed gaming, photography, and streaming easily stretches to two full days, while lighter use can push three days between charges. The 80W wired charging reaches 50 percent in about 20 minutes, and the 80W wireless charging (with nubia’s wireless charging kit) offers cable-free convenience without sacrificing speed.

Sustainability

Build quality inspires confidence from the moment the phone comes out of the box. The crystal fiber construction feels solid and resistant to flex, while the Longxi glass front shows excellent scratch resistance during daily use. The matte back finish hides minor scuffs and maintains its appearance even after weeks of handling without a case, though the included magnetic case adds protection without bulk.

The IP68 and IP69 ratings provide exceptional durability for real-world conditions. The phone survives accidental spills, rain exposure, and even high-pressure water jets during testing scenarios, emerging unscathed and fully functional. This level of protection adds confidence for daily carry in any weather, at the beach, or during outdoor photography sessions where conditions can’t always be controlled. The robust sealing around ports and buttons maintains integrity without compromising accessibility.

Value

The nubia Z80 Ultra positions itself as a flagship alternative that offers premium features without commanding the absolute highest prices in the market. The combination of the 35mm optical lens, 7200mAh battery, truly full-screen display, and advanced cooling system creates a value proposition that stands out from competitors who often sacrifice one or more of these features for slimness or cost savings.

For photography enthusiasts, the 35mm lens alone justifies consideration. Where most flagship cameras default to wider 24mm perspectives that distort faces and architecture, the nubia Z80 Ultra’s 35mm provides the “humanist eye” perspective prized by professional photographers for natural, pleasing compositions. The dual-stage physical button and extensive manual controls add value for users who want creative control rather than purely computational photography.

One significant limitation affects the Z80 Ultra’s global value proposition: regional availability. The phone is not officially sold in some countries, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or Japan, limiting access for many potential buyers. This limited availability means warranty support, software updates, and customer service may be challenging for buyers outside official markets. Network band compatibility and potential import costs could also affect value for those considering gray-market purchases.

Verdict

The nubia Z80 Ultra delivers on its promise of blending style, stamina, and photographic substance in a package that stands apart from mainstream flagships. The combination of a truly immersive notch-free display, professional 35mm camera optics, and exceptional battery life creates a phone that excels at the things that matter most for daily use: consuming content, capturing memories, and staying powered throughout extended days without constant charging anxiety.

For design-conscious users who value innovation over brand familiarity, nubia the Z80 Ultra offers a refreshing alternative with its bold aesthetic choices, tactile controls, and technical features that prioritize user experience over spec-sheet bragging rights. While limited regional availability may restrict its audience, those in supported markets will find a flagship that confidently competes with the best while carving its own distinctive identity through thoughtful design and engineering choices.

The post Nubia Z80 Ultra Review: Style, Stamina, and a 35mm Camera Edge first appeared on Yanko Design.

REDMAGIC 11 Pro Review: Watch Liquid Cooling Flow Like Sci-Fi

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PROS:


  • Eye-catching visible liquid cooling design

  • Water- and dust-proof mini turbo fan

  • Has a rare 3.5mm headphone jack

  • Flat back design with no protruding camera bump

  • Impressive overall performance

CONS:


  • Gamer aesthetic won't appeal to everyone

  • Visible liquid cooling is only available on more expensive transparent designs

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The REDMAGIC 11 Pro makes cooling beautiful with visible liquid pulsing through its transparent body.
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Gaming smartphones have become a category unto themselves, but most either sacrifice design for performance or deliver great specs with boring looks that blend into the sea of generic slabs. For anyone who wants a phone that feels as exciting to hold as it is to use during competitive matches or daily tasks, the market has been surprisingly limited, forcing compromises that feel unnecessary given modern manufacturing capabilities and design possibilities.

The REDMAGIC 11 Pro enters the scene with a bold promise that challenges those compromises directly: flagship gaming performance wrapped in a design you’ll actually want to show off to friends and fellow gamers. With visible liquid cooling, a flat-back transparent body, and specifications that deliver the processing power, it’s a phone that promises visual impact as well as winning matches and dominating leaderboards. Let’s take a deeper look inside to see how well it actually performs in real-world use.

Designer: REDMAGIC

Aesthetics

The REDMAGIC 11 Pro’s design is unapologetically futuristic, especially in the Nightfreeze and Subzero transparent versions that showcase some of the phone’s internal engineering like a piece of wearable art you can carry. The flat rear panel eliminates the camera bump entirely, creating a sleek profile that sits comfortably on desks without wobbling and feels balanced in hand during extended gaming sessions that stretch for hours.

The most arresting detail is the visible liquid cooling system, particularly the circular Time-Space Ring window that reveals the AI server-grade fluorinated coolant pulsing through laser-cut microchannels beneath the transparent metal body. Watching the ice-blue liquid flow as the phone cools itself during intense gameplay creates a kinetic, sci-fi effect that’s both functional and mesmerizing, turning thermal management into visual theater that never gets old.

Dynamic RGB lighting frames the visible cooling loop and extends to a side strip that can be customized through software for different effects and colors. The transparent metal construction showcases intricate craftsmanship, revealing some of the components through the premium material. The effect is industrial yet refined, appealing to both gamers and design enthusiasts who appreciate engineering on display rather than hidden behind opaque shells.

Material choices reinforce the premium positioning throughout the device from every angle you examine it. Corning Gorilla Glass protects the display from scratches and impacts, while the aluminum alloy mid-frame provides structural rigidity without excessive weight that would make extended gaming uncomfortable. The matte Cryo version offers a more subdued look for those who prefer understated elegance, but the transparent models are where REDMAGIC’s design philosophy truly shines.

Ergonomics

Despite its futuristic looks and transparent internals packed with visible technology, the REDMAGIC 11 Pro remains remarkably practical for daily use and extended gaming sessions without causing discomfort. At 230 grams, the phone has a substantial feel without being uncomfortably heavy during one-handed use, and the weight distribution keeps it balanced during two-handed gaming grips that competitive gamers favor during intense matches requiring precision control.

The flat back and rounded corners create a comfortable grip that doesn’t dig into palms during marathon sessions lasting several hours. The absence of a camera bump means the phone sits flush on surfaces without rocking annoyingly, making it ideal for desk gaming, table use during video calls, or content consumption on flat surfaces where other phones wobble constantly from protruding cameras.

The phone’s 8.9 millimeter thickness makes it surprisingly pocketable for a gaming device with this much cooling hardware inside, fitting into most pants and jacket pockets without excessive bulk. The flat design actually helps here, distributing the phone’s footprint evenly rather than creating awkward bulges from protruding camera modules that plague most flagship smartphones today and make them uncomfortable to carry.

Button placement is thoughtfully considered throughout the design for both gaming and daily use scenarios. The power button and volume rocker are positioned for easy access, whether you’re gaming in landscape orientation or using the phone normally in portrait mode. The 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor works reliably even with wet hands, a practical detail for gamers who get sweaty during intense sessions. The customizable Magic Key on the side provides quick access to Game Space or other functions without interrupting gameplay or requiring menu navigation that pulls you out of immersion.

The 520Hz shoulder triggers are positioned perfectly for landscape gaming, offering tactile, responsive control that feels natural within seconds of picking up the phone for the first time. These physical buttons provide a significant advantage over touchscreen-only controls, especially in competitive shooters where split-second reactions determine outcomes and touchscreen delays can cost matches. The triggers support both landscape and portrait modes for versatility.

Performance

The REDMAGIC 11 Pro’s performance capabilities start with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, Qualcomm’s fastest mobile chipset built on a 3nm process with clock speeds reaching 4.6GHz across its cores. Paired with up to 24GB of LPDDR5T RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 Pro storage, this configuration handles anything you throw at it, from graphically demanding games to heavy multitasking across dozens of apps simultaneously without slowdowns.

What truly separates the REDMAGIC 11 Pro from competitors is the revolutionary AquaCore Cooling System, the world’s first mass-produced smartphone implementation of flowing liquid cooling technology used in AI servers. This system uses non-conductive fluorinated liquid, circulating it through micron laser-cut channels to draw heat directly from the battery and processor during sustained high-performance use that would throttle most phones.

The cooling system combines four technologies working in concert to maintain optimal temperatures throughout extended sessions. Flowing liquid cooling provides direct heat extraction from hot spots, Liquid Metal 3.0 ensures rapid thermal conductivity between components, and the industry’s largest 13,116 square millimeter vapor chamber distributes heat evenly, and a waterproof 24,000 RPM TurboFan accelerates air circulation without failing in humid or dusty conditions.

Testing with demanding titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail demonstrates the cooling system’s effectiveness in real-world gaming scenarios. The phone maintains consistent 60-plus frame rates with minimal variance over multi-hour sessions, while competing devices show significant performance degradation and frame stuttering as internal temperatures climb. Battery consumption during gaming is noticeably lower, extending playtime significantly beyond what other flagships achieve.

The 6.85-inch AMOLED display dominates the front with minimal bezels at just 0.7 millimeters thick, achieving a 95.3 percent screen-to-body ratio that creates an immersive viewing experience without distractions. The display’s 2688 by 1216 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate deliver fluid visuals for both gaming and everyday scrolling, while the under-display camera technology eliminates notches or punch holes entirely, maintaining clean lines across the entire screen surface.

The screen emphasizes the importance of the touch experience as much as it does the visuals. The Synaptics 3910v chip enables 2,592Hz instant touch sampling, making on-screen controls incredibly responsive and precise during competitive play where milliseconds matter. The new wet-hand mode ensures reliable touch recognition even in rain or immediately after washing hands. The 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor works reliably even with wet hands, a practical detail for gamers who get sweaty during intense sessions.

The 7,500mAh battery provides genuinely impressive endurance across all usage scenarios, delivering up to 34 hours of daily mixed use and over 7 hours of Genshin Impact gameplay at maximum settings without charging. The 80W wired and wireless fast charging reaches full capacity quickly enough to top up during short breaks, and the inclusion of reverse wireless charging means you can power up accessories.

The camera system handles daily photography needs competently without pretending to be a dedicated camera phone, which is perfectly fine for a gaming-focused device. The 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization and anti-glare coating captures sharp, stable shots in good lighting, while the 50MP ultra-wide lens handles group photos and landscapes with natural perspective. The 16MP front camera, tucked beneath the display, delivers selfies enhanced by AI processing that keeps skin tones natural and details clear during video calls or casual shots.

Sustainability

The REDMAGIC 11 Pro approaches sustainability through durability and longevity rather than disposability, building a phone designed to remain relevant and functional for years rather than requiring replacement. The aluminum alloy mid-frame and Corning Gorilla Glass construction create a robust foundation that withstands daily wear, accidental drops, and the rigors of travel without showing excessive damage or requiring replacement after minor incidents.

The IPX8 water resistance rating and unique dust-proof design protect the phone’s internals from environmental damage that would compromise cheaper devices, extending its practical lifespan significantly. The waterproof and dust-proof mini fan is a REDMAGIC industry first, ensuring the active cooling system continues functioning reliably even in dusty or humid environments where conventional fans would fail or degrade rapidly, maintaining cooling efficiency.

The visible liquid cooling system, while visually striking, also serves a crucial sustainability purpose by preventing thermal degradation of internal components over time. By maintaining lower operating temperatures consistently during heavy use, the phone’s processor, battery, and other heat-sensitive components experience less thermal stress, extending their functional lifespan and maintaining performance consistency across years of heavy gaming.

Value

The REDMAGIC 11 Pro’s pricing positions it strategically within the high-end smartphone market, especially considering what you receive for the investment in terms of hardware and design. The transparent Nightfreeze and Subzero versions start at $849 for 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, while the top configuration with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage comes in at $999, offering flagship specs without flagship pricing.

When you compare these specifications and prices to other gaming phones and premium non-gaming flagships currently available in the market, the value proposition becomes compelling. Many similarly specced devices with advanced cooling systems, high-refresh displays, and large storage capacities often cost significantly more, sometimes well over the $1,000 mark, and frequently lack the visual flair, gaming-focused features, or transparent design aesthetic that makes the REDMAGIC 11 Pro distinctive.

When you factor in the visible engineering, waterproof active cooling, and gaming-specific features like shoulder triggers and dedicated gaming chips, the value equation tilts heavily in REDMAGIC’s favor. Throw in the 3.5mm headphone jack, 80W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, and you’re essentially getting desktop-class gaming performance in a pocketable form factor at prices competitive with conventional flagships.

The rare combination of visible engineering, industry-leading cooling technology, and thoughtful design choices makes the REDMAGIC 11 Pro stand out in ways that raw specifications alone cannot capture. You’re not just buying processing power and storage capacity; you’re investing in a device that celebrates its capabilities visually and functionally, making every gaming session and daily interaction feel intentional and exciting rather than routine.

Verdict

The REDMAGIC 11 Pro delivers on its promise to blend cutting-edge gaming performance with a futuristic design that turns heads and starts conversations wherever you use it publicly. The visible liquid cooling system is genuinely innovative beyond its aesthetic appeal, providing tangible thermal management advantages that translate to sustained performance during the gaming sessions that matter most to competitive players. Combined with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, massive battery, and thoughtful gaming features, it’s a phone that respects your competitive aspirations.

For gamers, power users, and design enthusiasts who want their technology to look as advanced as it performs during daily use, the REDMAGIC 11 Pro offers a compelling package. The transparent design, waterproof cooling fan, and flat-back profile demonstrate that gaming phones can be both powerful and beautiful, setting a new standard for what’s possible when engineering and aesthetics receive equal priority in product development without compromise.

The post REDMAGIC 11 Pro Review: Watch Liquid Cooling Flow Like Sci-Fi first appeared on Yanko Design.

Motorola Edge 70 Is 5.9mm Thin But Somehow Lasts 50 Hours

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Flagship phones keep getting pricier and chunkier, making it easy to feel left out if you want a device that’s both stylish and practical without emptying your wallet or your pockets. The latest Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and Apple iPhone Air are everywhere, but their price tags and premium positioning aren’t for everyone who just wants a good-looking phone that works reliably without costing a month’s rent.

The Motorola Edge 70 is Motorola’s answer to those flagships with a phone that looks the part, feels great in hand, and packs a battery that goes the distance without constant charging. It’s designed to compete with the big names visually and functionally, but takes a slightly different approach under the hood with mid-range specs. The Edge 70 offers style and stamina where others demand deep pockets and constant charging anxiety.

Designer: Motorola

The Motorola Edge 70 is impossibly thin at just 5.9mm, making it the slimmest in its class and lighter than most competitors at only 159 grams. The matte finish, rounded corners, and Pantone-certified color options like Lily Pad and Bronze Green give it a premium vibe that stands out in a sea of black rectangles flooding the market. The aerospace-grade aluminum frame adds durability without compromising the slim profile.

Up front, you get a 6.7-inch pOLED display with a buttery-smooth 144Hz refresh rate and Pantone-validated color accuracy for authentic visuals. It’s bright at 4500 nits peak, vibrant, and smooth for scrolling, streaming, or editing photos on the go. The screen-to-body ratio of 96.32 percent delivers edge-to-edge immersion that rivals the best flagships on the market today.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip, 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage handle daily tasks, social media, and light gaming with ease and reliability. While it won’t out-muscle the Galaxy S25 Edge or iPhone Air in benchmarks, it’s more than capable for most users who aren’t pushing hardcore gaming or intensive video editing. The specs are mid-range, but performance feels premium for everyday life.

The Motorola Edge 70 sports a triple 50MP camera setup, including main, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, plus a high-resolution selfie camera for social sharing and video calls. Moto AI brings smart features like auto-capture, scene optimization, and instant note-taking from photos without complicated menus or settings. The camera system is versatile for everyday snaps, portraits, and 4K video recording, though it’s not aiming to dethrone dedicated camera phones at higher price points.

Where the Motorola Edge 70 really shines is battery life and charging speed that outpace many flagships. The 4800mAh silicon-carbon cell and 68W TurboPower charging mean you can go up to 50 hours on a single charge with moderate use, and top up in just 15 minutes when you’re running low. This battery performance beats many flagships that sacrifice capacity for thinness, making the Edge 70 ideal for heavy users.

Shipping with Android 16, IP68 splash resistance, 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, the Motorola Edge 70 is a well-rounded package at £700. For anyone who wants flagship style, exceptional battery life, and everyday performance without the flagship price or constant charging anxiety that plagues thinner competitors, it’s a compelling alternative worth serious consideration.

The post Motorola Edge 70 Is 5.9mm Thin But Somehow Lasts 50 Hours first appeared on Yanko Design.