As longtime fans of the RedMagic series at DG, we were excited to test their latest offering—the RedMagic 10 Air. Positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to its premium counterparts, this phone aims to deliver exceptional gaming performance without breaking the bank.
But does it live up to expectations? Let’s dive in.
First Impressions
Having previously reviewed the RedMagic 8 Pro, I immediately noticed the 10 Air's more subtle aesthetic. Gone are the flashy comic-inspired packaging and sci-fi accents—replaced by sleek black-and-silver branding and brushed metal side panels.
While the toned-down design makes it more office-friendly (perfect for discreet gaming sessions), I suspect hardcore fans might miss the edgier visuals. Notably, this minimalist approach seems exclusive to the Air lineup—Pro models continue embracing their signature spacecraft-inspired styling.
Setting up was remarkably smooth—USB-C transfers quickly migrated all my apps, including niche ones like Pojav unavailable on Google Play.
The Tech
The RedMagic 10 Air packs serious gaming horsepower: a 120Hz 6.8" AMOLED display dominates the front, powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 silicon. Our review unit featured 16GB RAM paired with 512GB storage—ample for even demanding titles.
Its innovative cooling system uses phase-change metal to absorb heat, while the 6,000mAh battery delivers 3-4 hours of intensive gaming or all-day casual use. During testing, it breezed through Play Pass titles without overheating or slowdowns—though extreme emulation scenarios might require tweaking.
The Features
The Game Center (slightly buried in menus) serves as a Swiss Army knife for gamers. Beyond acting as a games launcher, it offers granular performance tuning, screen recording, plugins for in-game utilities, and even quirky additions like an anime assistant who addresses you as "Commander."
Surprisingly strong camera capabilities—boasting 50MP main/16MP selfie shooters with macro modes and 8K video—make it competent beyond gaming. Clearly, Nubia designed this as a legitimate daily driver.
The Dislikes
Minor quibbles: The UI retains RedMagic's trademark clunkiness (albeit improved), defaults to a proprietary browser, and maintains substantial heft—"Air" refers to design, not weight (205g). Our unit came with a two-pin charger; UK compatibility remains unclear.
The Overall Verdict
The RedMagic 10 Air marks impressive evolution—where the 8 Pro felt like a specialized gadget, this balances gaming prowess with everyday usability. Nubia demonstrates genuine iteration rather than resting on gamer-brand laurels.
For those wanting affordable gaming performance without compromising daily functionality, this stands as a compelling choice. Visit RedMagic's site if intrigued.
A Gaming Phone That Fits Your Life
While retaining some eccentric charm, the 10 Air delivers impressive performance, thoughtful gaming features, and subtle styling—making it ideal for gamers seeking affordable versatility.
