The subject of our test today is the new RedMagic 12 Pro: gaming smartphone equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, the fastest processor currently available for Android smartphones. Mobile phone equipped with an advanced cooling system, super battery, futuristic look, thin bezel display and invisible front camera.
Let us therefore analyze in detail all the features and performances of the new RedMagic 12 Pro.
Design
This year too, RedMagic has created a smartphone that is striking at first glance. Let’s start from the rear where the AquaCore technology is clearly visible, the first liquid cooling system mounted on a smartphone. System, which we will analyze later, now in its third generation, now also extended to the highest area of the smartphone where the processor is located. Back showing the blue liquid, with numerous air bubbles, flowing inside ducts of various shapes, now divided into three different areas: the largest with a circular shape for cooling the battery, a thin horizontal element and a rectangular circuit at the top right dedicated to the Soc.
The new model also boasts a completely flat back side, particularly in the area dedicated to the cameras, and the cooling system fan. Fan equipped with RGB LEDs also present in the back buttons and under the main cooling circuit. Fully user-customizable lighting that can be used in games, when charging the battery, for notifications and more.
Let’s move on to the front. The 12 Pro retains the advanced design of previous models, with the display occupying almost the entire front thanks to even thinner bezels (just 0.96 mm) and a screen/body ratio of up to 96.3%. Full screen front thanks to the invisible front camera, hidden under the display. There are, therefore, no notches or holes dedicated to the selfie camera.
Let’s not forget the two Gorilla Glass panels on the front and rear, with the back which, unfortunately, tends to retain the user’s fingerprints.
Smartphone with flat edges in matt aluminium, with the controls all present on the right side where we find the power button, the volume rocker and two highly sensitive touch buttons, for use in video games; trigger with sampling rate at 520 Hz, unfortunately without feedback. We continue with the red button, to activate the “Game Space” which we will analyze later. We continue with the first speaker on the upper side and with the slot for the two Nano Sims on the lower one where there is also the USB Type-C and the second speaker, for stereo sound. The headphone jack present on the previous model is absent.
RedMagic 12 Pro is slightly lighter and thinner, with dimensions equal to 163.03 x 75.96 x 8.55mm and weight of 223g.
Three versions available which differ in color and memory capacity. Let’s start with the lighter “Subzero” variant on test, with 16 GB of Ram and 512 GB / 1 TB of storage. We continue with the dark version, “Nightfreeze” which can also be purchased in the basic variant with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. Finally, the blue “Skyfrost” version arriving soon with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.
Technical characteristics and packaging
RedMagic 12 Pro is the first smartphone with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 on board, the fastest processor currently available for Android smartphones. 2nm octa core Soc, with a maximum frequency of 5 GHz, supported by the Adreno 850 GPU. Processor that boasts a performance increase of 37% and 40% for the GPU, compared to the previous generation.
We also remember the additional Redmagic Red Core 5 CPU which improves performance in video games and manages the lighting system and touch controls.
As previously mentioned, RedMagic 12 Pro uses the new AquaCore 3.0 liquid cooling system, consisting of a ceramic piezoelectric micro pump that circulates a coolant (fluorinated liquid) inside microscopic laser-cut ducts which now allow you to cool not only the battery, but also the processor. More powerful system, now dual circuit, completely redesigned, resistant to falls and suitable for even the most extreme climates.
AquaCore 3.0 technology which joins the new vapor chamber with a 15% larger cooling area and 50% greater thermal conductivity.
System also equipped with a liquid metal plate and fan (speed increased to 25,000 rpm, reinforced shaft and better resistance to dust) which uses an intake on the right side, with the hot air which is then expelled on the left (smartphone face down).
Waterproof mobile phone, with Ip68 and Ip69 certification, but with the fan only water resistant (Ipx8 certification).
There are also new features for the battery, with a capacity increased from 7,500 to 8,400 mAh, and for the display which now goes from 144 to 185 Hz. Unfortunately, the photographic sector remains unchanged.
Finally, the package includes a USB cable and a transparent hard cover.
Below is the complete technical data sheet:
- Display: 6.85″ Oled, 1.5K resolution (2,688 x 1,216), 185 Hz refresh rate, 5,000 peak nits, 100% Dci-P3 Color Gamut
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 + RedCore R5 auxiliary proprietary chip
- Ram: 12 or 16 GB
- Storage: 256/512 GB or 1 TB
- Rear cameras: main 50 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.55″, OIS + wide angle 50 MP, f/2.2
- Front camera: 16 MP, 1/2.77″, 5P, F2.0, 112μm
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, GPS, 5G, dual SIM, no eSIM, NFC, USB-C 3.2 with video output
- Audio: stereo speaker, Dolby Atmos certification
- Battery: 8,400 mAh, with 80W fast charging, wireless charging, also reverse up to 22.5W
- Operating system: RedMagic OS 12 based on Android 17
- Dimensions: 163.03 x 75.96 x 8.55mm
- Weight: 223g
Software analysis
The 12 Pro uses the RedMagic Os 12 operating system based on Android 17 and with October 2026 security patches.
Let’s start with the launcher which includes Google Discovery news accessible with a swipe to the right. We also find useful functions such as the sidebar for quickly launching apps, themes to customize the smartphone and numerous wallpapers with simple games inside or created with AI. We also mention the app duplicator, to use two accounts at the same time, and the complete section dedicated to battery optimization.
We continue with the “Private Space”, to protect personal information, images, files, videos and apps, and the RedMagic AI+ which includes various functions managed by artificial intelligence such as translations, summaries of voice recordings and notes and text generation.
Too bad for the numerous pre-installed apps, however, which can be removed by the user.
Finally, the complete camera management software which includes numerous features such as Pro, Night, Portrait, Slow motion, Macro, Panorama and Timelapse modes. We also find different ways to take excellent shots of the starry sky, with various effects, and HDR. There is also no shortage of automatic scene recognition, filters, effects and additional functions such as the document scanner.
Game Space
Also in the Redmagic 12 Pro we find the “Game Space”: an app dedicated to video games, also accessible via the customizable button on the left side of the smartphone. Furthermore, within each video game there are two side panels that can be activated by swiping towards the center of the screen. Menus that allow you to manage many features, such as monitoring CPU and GPU frequency, screen recording, call blocking and much more.
We continue with the section of plug-ins that add various features to video games, such as the possibility of enabling a large crosshair (useful in FPS), activating a magnifying glass, the “Diablo Mode” which pushes the smartphone’s performance to the maximum and the AI Trigger to enable automatic actions in games. We also find voice control to execute hands-free commands and performance analysis to improve your win percentages. In some compatible games, such as Cod Mobile, it is also possible to improve the fluidity and quality of the images. We also find menus for managing the performance of the smartphone and the fan.
We also mention the experimental “PC Emulation” function which allows you to launch PC games directly on your smartphone, with compatibility with the Steam platform. The very high power of the 12 Pro’s processor allows you to play titles like GTA V fluidly and at 30 fps without using cloud services.
Finally we remember the virtual mascot “Mora” which comes directly from the world of manga, which can be interacted with via AI and can also be used as an interactive background for the smartphone.
User experience
Let’s continue the review of the 12 Pro with our experience of use. Mobile phone equipped with latest generation hardware that allows very high performance with apps and video games of all kinds.
The performance of the operating system is excellent, with a very powerful processor, very fast memory and an interface that is always fluid and responsive. Operating system, in Italian, but with a translation to be perfected in some menus.
The build quality is high and the ergonomics are good, with a slightly high weight. Positive opinion also on the refined design. The display is excellent, bright, with bright colors and very thin edges.
Let’s move on to the battery which allows more than a day of intense use with an hour of play. Furthermore, it is possible to reach over two days of battery life with more careful use of the smartphone.
No problems from the telephone-audio sector, with powerful, quality stereo speakers. Good connectivity, shame about the absence of the eSim.
As for the performance of the main rear camera, during the day you get fairly good quality, detailed and natural-colored shots. Similar rating for 4K videos at 60 fps; However, the 8K mode at 30 fps is useless. The evaluation on Night mode and wide angle is fair. The evaluation on the front camera is only sufficient, with shots that are not very detailed and whose colors are not always natural.
Video game performance
We tested the RedMagic 12 Pro with many video games of various genres: Grid Autosport, Call of Duty Mobile, Asphalt Legends, Destiny: Rising, Bright Memory: Infinite and others. The overall opinion is decidedly positive. The RedMagic 12 Pro is, in fact, according to our assessment, the best gaming smartphone currently on the market. A model with very high performance, also equipped with very useful programmable back buttons; decidedly versatile controls, which can be used, for example, as accelerator and brake in driving games.
Positive opinion on the screen with a high refresh rate and with a touch that allows precise controls in games. Highly visible display which therefore allows you to play without difficulty even outdoors.
Let’s not forget the powerful audio and the ability to play on TV and monitors too. The many software features of the “Game Space” and the various plug-ins capable of satisfying even the most demanding players are very useful. The various menus dedicated to gaming can be improved, crowded with many items and not always very clear.
Excellent work done by the powerful cooling system which allows long gaming sessions without any overheating and slowdown of the processor. Liquid and air technologies, fully customizable by the user and can also be activated separately.
Prices and availability
The RedMagic 12 Pro can be purchased starting from 899 euros in the 12/256 GB version. Price rising to 999 euros for the 16/512 GB variant and 1,199 euros for the 16 GB/1 TB model. From November 12th launch offers will be available on RedMagic websitewith the smartphone available for purchase starting from November 19th.
Vivo X500 Series: new and powerful camera phones