The Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro represents an impressive blend of raw gaming power and affordability. In a market crowded with premium gaming phones, it stands out by offering top-tier specifications that rival pricier devices like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, but at nearly half the cost. With a starting price of $1,199/£1,099.99, it undercuts many competitors while delivering a feature-rich experience tailored to gamers.
From the outset, it’s clear that the Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro prioritizes gaming performance above all else. Every element, from its cutting-edge chipset to its high-refresh-rate display, aims to enhance gameplay. While its affordability makes it accessible to more users, some compromises in design, cameras, and software refinement suggest that this device caters best to a niche audience who prioritize power over polish.
Specifications of the Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro
Feature-packed and gamer-focused, the Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro boasts hardware that supports even the most demanding tasks with ease. Below are its key specifications:
- Dimensions: 163 x 76 x 9mm
- Weight: 229g
- Display: 6.85-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 144Hz
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: 12GB / 16GB / 24GB (LPDDR5X)
- Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.1)
- OS: Android 15
- Main Camera: 50MP w/ OIS
- Ultra-Wide Camera: 50MP
- Macro Camera: 2MP
- Front Camera: 16MP under-display
- Battery: 7,050mAh
- Charging: 80W wired
- Colors: Shadow, Dusk, Moonlight
Design: Built for Gamers
The Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro’s design leans heavily into its gaming identity, retaining much of the aesthetics of its predecessor, the Red Magic 9 series. At 163 x 76 x 9mm and weighing 229g, it’s a substantial device.
Its flat back design is a highlight, eschewing the typical camera bump found on most smartphones. This choice makes the phone easier to pocket, though the physical power button and Gamespace slider on the right edge can snag on clothing.
RGB lighting accents the capacitive shoulder buttons, which operate at a swift 520Hz. These buttons, paired with dedicated cooling vents for the internal fan, cater to gaming enthusiasts. However, these design choices come at the cost of water resistance—a feature offered by some competitors like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro.
Gamers will appreciate the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, a rare feature these days, although the single USB-C port placement can feel restrictive when charging and gaming simultaneously. The phone’s 95.3% screen-to-body ratio, achieved through ultra-thin bezels and an under-display selfie camera, makes for an immersive visual experience. However, this design can lead to ergonomic issues during gaming, as parts of the screen may be unintentionally obscured by your hands.
Display: A Vibrant Canvas
The Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro features a stunning 6.85-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1216 x 2688. It strikes a balance between sharp visuals and manageable GPU performance, avoiding the strain of full 4K resolution while remaining sharper than standard FHD+ screens. The 144Hz refresh rate delivers fluid visuals, perfect for fast-paced gaming, and while it doesn’t quite reach the 185Hz of the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, the difference is imperceptible for most users.
An impressive improvement is its peak brightness of 2000 nits, which ensures clear visibility in bright outdoor conditions or when viewing HDR content. The under-display selfie camera enhances the immersive experience by eliminating interruptions on the screen, though this can impact image quality.
The display’s performance is let down slightly by the lack of front-facing stereo speakers. When holding the phone in landscape mode, sound can be muffled due to the bottom-edge placement of one speaker. This compromises the overall gaming and multimedia experience compared to devices with better speaker setups.
Camera: Serviceable, But Not Exceptional
Cameras are not the focus of the Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro. Its 50MP primary sensor with OIS performs adequately in good lighting conditions, delivering vibrant colors and decent detail. However, it struggles with dynamic range, particularly in high-contrast scenes. The 50MP ultra-wide lens offers less consistency in tone and detail, and the 2MP macro camera feels more like an afterthought than a useful feature.
The under-display 16MP front camera is a weak point, producing grainy and soft images due to its limited light capture. Competing devices, such as the Google Pixel 8a, offer far superior selfie performance with better portrait depth and separation.
Video capabilities fare better, supporting up to 8K at 30fps with reliable stabilization, making it a viable option for casual recording.
Performance: Built to Dominate
At the heart of the Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro lies the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, offering unparalleled performance for its price. Whether gaming, multitasking, or handling resource-intensive applications, this device excels. Its built-in cooling fan ensures sustained performance during extended gaming sessions, keeping temperatures in check.
With options for up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage, the phone is tailored for power users. Benchmark scores are on par with flagship competitors, including the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, highlighting its capability in both CPU and GPU tasks.
Software: Room for Improvement
The Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro runs on Red Magic OS 10, layered over Android 15. While the software is functional, it lacks the finesse seen in competing interfaces. The UI design leans heavily on bright and flashy elements, which may not appeal to everyone, and the presence of pre-installed bloatware detracts from the overall experience.
That said, the Gamespace UI is a standout feature, providing a centralized hub for managing games, performance modes, and cooling settings. This gamer-focused addition compensates somewhat for the software’s shortcomings, but there’s room for refinement to make it more appealing to a broader audience.
Final Verdict
The Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro stands out as a budget-friendly powerhouse in the gaming smartphone market. It prioritizes performance and display quality, making it an excellent choice for gamers who value raw power above all else. While its design, camera capabilities, and software refinement leave room for improvement, the phone’s affordability and top-tier hardware make it a compelling option for those seeking premium gaming experiences without breaking the bank.
