RedMagic has launched its 11S Pro series in China, featuring overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 processors, enhanced cooling systems, and improved battery configurations in a gaming-focused smartphone package.
RedMagic has officially announced the 11S Pro and 11S Pro+ smartphones in China, bringing incremental but meaningful upgrades to its gaming-focused smartphone lineup. The new models target mobile gaming enthusiasts with enhanced processing power, improved cooling systems, and battery optimizations that build upon the foundation established by the RedMagic 11 series.
The most significant hardware upgrade comes in the form of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 Leading Version chipset. This processor features overclocked prime cores clocked at 4.74GHz, matching the performance level found in the "for Galaxy" edition of the 8 Elite Gen 5 that powers the Galaxy S26 series. This represents a notable performance increase over standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 chips, potentially giving the RedMagic 11S Pro series an advantage in demanding mobile gaming scenarios and intensive applications.
Memory and storage configurations vary between the two models. The RedMagic 11S Pro comes equipped with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the more premium 11S Pro+ offers up to 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. This tiered approach allows consumers to choose their preferred balance between performance and capacity based on their specific needs and budget.
Battery capacity represents a key differentiator between the two models. The 11S Pro features a slightly larger 8,000mAh silicon-carbon (Si-C) battery while maintaining the same 80W wired charging speed as its predecessor. In contrast, the 11S Pro+ opts for the same 7,500mAh cell found in the 11 Pro+ but upgrades to faster 120W wired charging and adds 80W wireless charging capabilities. Both devices support bypass charging, a feature that allows the phone to run directly on power from the charger without going through the battery, potentially extending battery lifespan during extended gaming sessions.
Thermal management remains a critical consideration for gaming phones, and RedMagic has addressed this with its cooling architecture. The 11S Pro+ carries over the marquee dual cooling system from the RedMagic 11 series, featuring both a physical cooling fan operating at 24,000 RPM and a pulsating liquid cooling system to help manage heat during intensive gaming sessions. The vanilla 11S Pro, while still capable, only includes the cooling fan. Despite these sophisticated cooling solutions, both devices maintain IPX8 ingress protection, meaning they can survive water submersions up to 3 meters for extended periods.
The display specifications remain consistent across the 11S Pro series, with both models featuring 6.85-inch AMOLED screens offering 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The BOE X10 panels are rated at up to 2,000 nits peak brightness, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Both phones incorporate 16P under-display selfie cameras and ultrasonic fingerprint scanners for a clean aesthetic.
Camera hardware follows a familiar configuration with a 50MP main camera paired with a 50MP ultrawide module and a 2MP macro lens around the back. While not flagship-level by modern smartphone standards, this setup should provide adequate performance for most casual photography needs.
RedMagic has included several gaming-focused features in the 11S Pro series. Both models feature capacitive shoulder triggers with a 520Hz touch sampling rate, allowing for responsive input during gaming sessions. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome touch for gamers who prefer wired audio solutions, eliminating the need for additional adapters or potential latency issues with wireless connections.
Software-wise, the 11S Pro series runs RedMagic OS 11.5, which is based on Android 16. This custom skin typically includes various gaming-oriented features, performance optimizations, and customization options tailored to the gaming community. While RedMagic's software has received mixed reviews in the past, the company has been gradually improving its offering with each release.
From an ecosystem perspective, the RedMagic 11S Pro series continues the brand's focus on delivering gaming-optimized hardware without the premium pricing often associated with flagship devices. The pricing strategy reflects this positioning, with the 11S Pro priced at CNY 5,499 ($807/€694 converted) for the 12/256GB configuration, and the 11S Pro+ ranging from CNY 6,199 ($910/€782 converted) to CNY 7,999 ($1,174/€1,008 converted) depending on the RAM and storage options selected.
The RedMagic 11S Pro series is available in Silver Wing and Dark Night color options, maintaining the brand's distinctive design language that balances gaming aesthetics with a relatively understated appearance. The inclusion of practical features like the headphone jack and shoulder triggers demonstrates RedMagic's understanding of gamer preferences beyond raw specifications.
While the 11S Pro series represents an incremental update rather than a revolutionary leap, the combination of overclocked processing power, enhanced cooling, and improved battery configurations positions these devices as compelling options for mobile gaming enthusiasts seeking high performance without the premium price tag typically associated with flagship smartphones.
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