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REDMAGIC 11 Air Review: Fan-cooled Gaming Flagship at Just 207g, $499

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PROS:


  • Slimmer and lighter design for a gaming smartphone

  • Distinctive gaming aesthetic

  • Large 7,000 mAh battery with 80W fast charging

  • More Accessible price point

CONS:


  • No wireless charging

  • Mediocre 8MP ultra-wide camera

  • Basic IP54 dust and water resistance

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The REDMAGIC 11 Air doesn't apologize for being a gaming phone, but wraps it in the slimmest, lightest package the brand has made yet.

Gaming phones have split off into their own design species, leaning into transparent backs, RGB lighting, and visible cooling that looks more like sci‑fi props than communication devices. The REDMAGIC 11 Pro, which we reviewed recently, took that to its extreme with a liquid‑cooling window showing coolant flowing like spaceship controls. It made a strong visual statement but was unapologetically a gamer’s machine first and everything else a distant second.

REDMAGIC 11 Air tries to keep the same esports‑grade performance, active cooling, and transparent style in a slimmer frame. It packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite, 7,000mAh battery, 6.85‑inch 144Hz OLED, and 24,000 RPM fan into a 7.85mm, 207g body. Whether this Air approach can balance hardcore gaming with something closer to everyday usability, or just becomes a slightly thinner version of the same uncompromising brick, is worth finding out.

Designer: REDMAGIC

Aesthetics

The moment you see the REDMAGIC 11 Air, it announces itself as a gaming phone. Phantom transparent black and Prism transparent white finishes expose stylized internals, circuit‑like etching, and RGB‑lit fan and logo elements. This is not subtle or generalist; it is a cyberpunk, sci‑fi motif that wants to sit next to mechanical keyboards rather than hide in a leather case.

Despite the gaming‑first aesthetic, materials feel more refined than expected. The aluminum alloy frame, Gorilla Glass front and back, and 7.85mm thickness give it a solid feel. It is positioned as the lightest in the REDMAGIC lineup, which matters compared to the heavier 11 Pro. The curves and 20:9 aspect ratio help it sit more naturally in the hand, even if the styling still clearly prioritizes gamers over minimalists.

RGB lighting and transparent elements add atmosphere without chaos. Fan and logo lights sync with in‑game audio, making the back feel alive during sessions, but both can be toned down or disabled when you want less conspicuous carry. That duality helps if you like the gaming aesthetic but occasionally need to bring the phone into neutral environments where flashing lights feel out of place.

Ergonomics

Living with the 11 Air daily, the slimmer and lighter design makes a real difference. Long landscape gaming sessions feel less fatiguing, and the phone slips into pockets more easily than expected, given the 6.85‑inch display. The curved back and aluminum frame help with grip, and the 20:9 screen ratio balances a wide gaming canvas with something that still fits in most hands without constant readjusting.

The large screen dominates the front with a 95.1% screen‑to‑body ratio and slim bezels. That is great for immersion, but leaves little room to rest thumbs without touching the screen during landscape play. Fortunately, the shoulder triggers take over some of that load, letting the screen act more like a viewfinder while the top edges handle key inputs when you need them most.

Controls are where the gaming focus becomes clear. The 520Hz physical shoulder triggers are tuned for low‑latency and now work in portrait and landscape, giving flexibility for different games. Combined with the 0809 X‑axis linear motor for 4D haptics, the phone feels more like a handheld console, especially when triggers are mapped to aiming or abilities through Game Space’s interface.

Outside of gaming, the transparent back and RGB accents may not suit every situation, but the size and weight make it easier to carry than the 11 Pro or older gaming phones. One‑handed use is still a stretch given the display size, but basic tasks like messaging and browsing feel manageable if you are already used to large phones or phablets.

Performance

At the core sits the Snapdragon 8 Elite paired with RedCore R4, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.1 storage. Clock speeds reach 4.32GHz on the Oryon CPU and 1,250MHz on the Adreno 830 GPU. The dedicated RedCore R4 and CUBE scheduling engine focuses on stable frame rates rather than just benchmark spikes, which matters more in sustained gaming, where consistency beats bursts.

The ICE Cooling System backs that up with a large vapor chamber, graphene thermal layers, and a 24,000 RPM turbo fan. Unlike the REDMAGIC 11 Pro’s dramatic liquid‑cooling window showing coolant flowing like sci‑fi, the REDMAGIC 11 Air hides cooling under the transparent back. It opts for slimness while still actively managing CPU and GPU temperatures during long sessions, which keeps performance from throttling halfway through a match.

The active cooling fan is audible when it spins up under heavy load. It is not loud enough to overpower game audio, but it is noticeable in quiet rooms. For a device prioritizing sustained performance, this is expected, and fan behavior can be tuned in Game Space if you prefer cooler operation or less noise during specific sessions or when gaming in shared spaces.

Cameras are solid without being the headline. The 50 MP main sensor with OIS delivers clean photos for social media and casual shots, and the 16 MP front camera handles selfies and video calls well enough. The 8MP ultra-wide camera is a bit of a disappointment in this day and age, but it’s not exactly terrible. These are clearly not camera‑phone specs, but they work fine for anyone who needs decent everyday photography alongside gaming.

Battery and charging are part of the performance story. The 7,000 mAh battery is generous in this slim chassis, going over a day with general use, and hours upon hours of binging video streaming at max brightness. The 80W fast charging refills quickly, while Charge Separation routes power to the motherboard during plugged‑in gaming, reducing heat and protecting battery health over time.

Worth noting is the absence of wireless charging. For a phone focused on performance and internal cooling, skipping wireless charging feels like a conscious choice to prioritize battery size, thermals, and layout. It is not a deal‑breaker with rapid wired charging, but it is worth keeping in mind if you are used to charging pads between sessions or overnight.

Sustainability

Durability starts with materials. The aluminum alloy frame, Gorilla Glass GG7i front, and Gorilla Glass 5 back give a solid, premium feel that should handle knocks better than plastic gaming phones. The combination of metal and tempered glass makes it feel built to survive being tossed into bags, dropped onto desks, and carried through crowds without showing age too quickly or feeling fragile.

IP54 dust and water resistance is a pragmatic compromise. For a device packed with vents, fans, and shoulder triggers, pushing water resistance higher would likely require trade‑offs in cooling capacity or thickness. The phone will survive light rain or dusty environments, but it is not meant for submersion or rough outdoor abuse, worth keeping in mind if you game near water or in harsh conditions.

Value

At launch, the REDMAGIC 11 Air starts at $499 ($529 in the US and Canada) for 12 GB + 256 GB and goes up to $599 ($629 in North America) for 16 GB + 512 GB. That puts it in upper mid‑range territory, but with hardware rivaling more expensive phones in gaming performance, especially when you factor in cooling, battery, and gaming‑specific controls that most flagships skip entirely.

Value shows up in what you get for that money. At this price, you are getting Snapdragon 8 Elite, active cooling with a 24,000 RPM fan and vapor chamber, 7,000mAh battery with 80W charging, 6.85‑inch 144Hz OLED, and 520 Hz shoulder triggers. Many similarly priced phones focus on cameras or slimness, leaving gaming performance to throttle once heat builds, so the 11 Air feels like a focused tool rather than a jack‑of‑all‑trades.

Of course, this focus narrows the audience. The transparent, RGB‑lit, cyberpunk design and heavy emphasis on Game Space features, triggers, and haptics make the 11 Air most appealing to mobile gamers. For someone who barely plays and cares more about camera versatility or minimalist aesthetics, much of what makes this device interesting will feel like overkill or actively off‑putting.

Contrasting it with the REDMAGIC 11 Pro helps clarify positioning. The Pro leans harder into showpiece territory with its visible liquid‑cooling window and heavier footprint, while the 11 Air trades some spectacle for slimness and lighter weight. For gamers who want REDMAGIC’s performance and style but prefer something easier to carry daily, the Air’s pricing and positioning make sense as a more practical but still gaming‑centric option.

Verdict

REDMAGIC 11 Air takes the brand’s familiar ingredients, transparent design, RGB accents, active cooling, shoulder triggers, and wraps them in a slimmer chassis that feels more manageable than previous monsters. It does not pretend to be a mainstream flagship, but within its lane of delivering stable high‑fps gaming and distinct visual identity, it hits targets convincingly. The flagship silicon, thermal management, and gaming controls make it hard to ignore if mobile gaming matters to you.

For people who treat mobile gaming seriously and who like the idea of a semi‑transparent, cyber‑mech slab with a fan inside more than a polished glass rectangle, REDMAGIC 11 Air makes a strong case. It will not convert everyone, and it is not trying to, but for the crowd it speaks to, it offers a rare mix of performance, personality, and practicality at a price undercutting many conventional flagships while still feeling like a purpose‑built tool.

The post REDMAGIC 11 Air Review: Fan-cooled Gaming Flagship at Just 207g, $499 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.
award-icon

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.