I don’t race automobiles for a dwelling however I can definitely admire horsepower, engine tuning, and sports activities automotive aesthetics. Likewise, I’m not a hardcore cell gamer however that doesn’t imply I can’t admire a cellphone that’s constructed with high-end gaming in thoughts.
Nubia has thrown one other quarter within the console for its REDMAGIC line, persevering with in its quest to create the last word in cell gaming. With two fashions to select from right here in 2022, the 7 and seven Pro, I’ve been capable of take a look at out the previous.
Given that my smartphone wants are just about fulfilled with any mid-range or higher system, generally I can solely worth one thing for what it places forth on paper. At a sure level there’s simply going to be a lot reminiscence and efficiency that I received’t actually acknowledge issues in the true world.
Would the REDMAGIC 7 be a case of me simply not totally appreciating the handset at giant or may there be a unique cause for me to contemplate the cellphone for my very own wants? As it seems, there’s an terrible lot to love concerning the system even for informal varieties.
Design
There’s no mistaking the REDMAGIC line for every other model of cellphone. While they’re totally different from yr to yr, they carry over hallmarks and telltale signature designs. The REDMAGIC 7 isn’t any exception.
This is is a beautiful cellphone with a really distinctive design and shade mixture. It’s provided in three colours (Obsidian, Pulsar, and Supernova) that are kind of black, iridescent purple and blue, and semi-transparent.
My evaluate unit was the Supernova which is kind of a mixture of black and silver with just a few clear spots. It’s very enjoyable to take a look at and is not like the rest in the marketplace. The final thing you wish to do is cover or obscure this attention-grabbing look with a case; thankfully, REDMAGIC supplies a transparent protecting case so you may showcase that factor off.
Similar to different gaming telephones, the REDMAGIC 7 has a few shoulder triggers for video games in addition to a headphone jack and turbo fan for cooling. The port is nice for many who have a most well-liked pair of gaming headphones or earbuds. As for the fan, that robotically activates to maintain the cellphone cool throughout recreation classes.
You received’t see it, however there’s a handful of issues maintaining the cellphone cool and optimized. There’s air cooling, liquid cooling, a VC warmth sink, an insulation warmth pad, and different strategies at work.
The cellphone additionally comes with a protecting case that makes for an excellent grippier expertise that helps when gaming. It doesn’t add an excessive amount of bulk and I believe it definitely helps to make it really feel extra pure.
Software
The REDMAGIC 7 runs Nubia’s customized Red Magic OS (v5) which is predicated on Android 12. While there’s been no exhausting dedication on any updates, I think it would decide up Android 13 later this yr.
I’ve seen experiences from others that discover the software program to be buggy however I’ve not discovered that to be the case. I’d time period it as inconsistent. It doesn’t really feel prefer it’s cohesively designed from prime to backside. Between settings, notifications, and the launcher typically, it takes a little bit of time to determine the place the guardrails are and the way issues function.
As somebody who prefers a “stock” Android or Pixel expertise, it was a bit irritating at first. Taking pictures, for example, produced outcomes with a watermark in them. You can go into the settings and alter this, however I’d slightly it’s an opt-in possibility. I’m not making an attempt to promote any firms with my pictures.
Similarly, the best way it handles the app drawer was aggravating out of the field. You can activate the normal drawer and extra rapidly find apps, and I like to recommend doing so, particularly when you plan to make use of your cellphone for issues aside from gaming.
To its credit score, every little thing feels constructed to cater to customers who wish to get into video games and spend the vast majority of their time there. The Game Space provides customers management over so many features of the system in the best way of efficiency and tuning. I discovered it inviting to tinker with choices and customise the expertise.
There are loads of widgets and shortcuts to sprinkle on your own home display screen, a few of that are there by default. If you wish to keep watch over stats and efficiency, you’ll admire them. As for me, I eliminated them and rearranged the structure as a result of it felt cluttered.
Performance
The REDMAGIC 7 is maybe probably the most succesful cellphone I’ve touched in years. It’s packed prime to backside with high-end {hardware}, tuned for gaming, and handles each process I’ve thrown at it. In AnTuTu Benchmarks I see that it ranks on the prime of the listing of at present’s Android telephones.
Using the shoulder buttons is sweet and useful throughout video games. In truth, the extra video games I encountered with button compatibility, the extra I discovered myself pondering that cell gaming could be one thing I may get into over time.
The 6.8-inch show is huge and delightful and an actual deal with to make use of. It has an unimaginable picture, excessive refresh charge (as much as 165Hz), excessive contact sampling charge (as much as 720Hz), and a couple of,400 x 1,080 decision. That is to say it doesn’t simply look good for graphic-intensive video games, however Netflix and video streaming, too.
Scrolling by the timeline on social media is silky clean and the show registers faucets as successfully as every other telephones I’ve used. To make certain, you’ll wish to toggle the refresh charge right down to 60Hz or 90Hz for fundamental duties and texting. It’s not essential to go greater and it helps with the battery, too.
The turbo fan kicks on if you plug within the charger, guaranteeing issues don’t ever get too heat. If you’ve used a latest flagship cellphone, you understand that generally charging a cellphone whereas taking part in on it might trigger it to get pretty scorching.
Between the graphics, the high-resolution display screen and refresh charge, and top-tier processor you’ll discover that gaming classes can actually eat into the battery. To that finish, I might need appreciated seeing a 5,000mAh energy supply. Many mid-range telephones, and a few entry-level fashions are greater than the REDMAGIC 7’s 4,500mAh battery.
To its credit score, the 65W charging velocity could be very fast, taking it from almost depleted to greater than half full in just below fifteen minutes. You ought to have the ability to get from 0% to 100% in round a half hour when you’re simply plugging in and leaving it unattended.
There’s no wi-fi charging functionality right here, however I’m nonetheless torn on whether or not I would like or want that function. Besides, you can not cost it wirelessly and play video games on the identical time.
Given that the cellphone leans closely within the route of gaming, I didn’t have excessive expectations for the digital camera. The predominant rear shooter is a 64-megapixel digital camera which creates first rate photographs. It’s greater than satisfactory, and if you perform a little post-capture processing, you’ll get nice outcomes worthy of social media and timelines.
The dynamic vary was typically slightly spectacular however the publicity was generally too excessive. That mentioned, a fast go by Snapseed or one other photograph editor cleaned issues up.
The 8-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera and a 2-megapixel macro sensor are okay however don’t appear to seize the identical stage of element. Even in first rate lighting the macro digital camera was extra miss than hit. Fortunately, these are modes that I don’t use fairly often.
Conclusion
I actually just like the REDMAGIC 7 as a complete, regardless that I’m not its goal consumer. Performance-wise it’s nearly as good as something I’ve examined in latest months.
I’m not keen on the working system and interface, particularly out of the field, however a few of that may be remedied within the settings. With that in thoughts, I can see how avid gamers may dig the “get in, game, and get out” method it feels.
As a normal cellphone consumer, I admire the massive display screen with all of its bells and whistles. I’m additionally a fan of super-fast charging and headphone jacks. I wouldn’t advocate this one for its digital camera expertise, however in any other case it’s top-tier {hardware} at a mid-range value.
If you’re a hardcore cell gamer, or contemplating leveling up within the area, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a extra well-rounded system.
Learn extra concerning the REDMAGIC 7 and different fashions on the cellphone maker’s web site. You should buy the handset in three colours and configurations. Obsidian ($629) comes with 12GB RAM and 128GB storage; Pulsar ($729) has 16GB RAM with 256GB storage; Supernova ($799) boasts 18GB RAM and 256GB storage.
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