It’s always a pleasant surprise when a new piece of technology arrives that not only boasts solid build quality but also hails from a brand outside the established tech giants. While Samsung, Apple, and OnePlus rightfully dominate the industry for good reason, I firmly believe there are many worthwhile, perhaps less obvious, alternatives. For gamers especially, exploring options tailored to our specific hobby makes perfect sense. Redmagic has carved out its niche by offering phones engineered specifically for gaming, and this philosophy is evident in their latest offering.
Unboxing the Redmagic 11 Air, its substantial size is immediately apparent. It’s a large device – possibly too large for some. With what I consider reasonably average-sized hands, I can just about manage the 6.85-inch OLED screen one-handed, though reaching the top-left corner requires an awkward stretch and additional support to prevent drops. Those with smaller hands might find a more compact alternative preferable. Despite its dimensions, the Redmagic 11 Air feels surprisingly comfortable to hold. Once the included case, with its textured surface, is on, the grip feels secure, suggesting it would take considerable effort for it to slip. It exudes robustness, even if it defies the single-handed operation I typically prefer for mobile phones.
Yet, the expansive screen size comes with a strong justification. The Redmagic 11 Air isn’t just any phone; it’s a device, much like its predecessors, crafted specifically for gamers – essentially, a handheld gaming console disguised as a smartphone. When held horizontally, palms wrapped around it, and a game like Call of Duty Mobile running, the crisp OLED display suddenly feels perfectly suited. Its 2688×1216 resolution delivers a stable visual experience, ideal for video content, but truly shining for gaming. Adding another layer to the gaming experience are the two digital trigger buttons located at each end of the phone’s right side. The integrated game hub allows for precise customization, letting me map trigger presses to specific screen areas and define their action: a simple tap, ‘quick fire,’ or a ‘toggle.’ This feature proves remarkably effective, particularly in action games where touch-screen controls often fall short, transforming the phone into something akin to a controller – though the smartphone’s flat design can become less comfortable during extended sessions.
Further cementing its identity as a gaming phone, several other engaging features are noteworthy. Chief among them is the integrated fan, spinning at 24,000 RPM. This efficiently keeps the phone at a comfortable temperature even during prolonged gaming sessions. Upon launching a game, a prompt suggests activating the cooling system. For an extra flair – perhaps to impress friends – a home screen widget allows me to rev the fan to full speed, accompanied by somewhat cheesy engine sounds and a glowing red light. It’s a fun, albeit unnecessary, gimmick I found myself using a bit too frequently for a 31-year-old.
Then there’s the 0809 X-axis vibrator motor, which elevates the gaming experience with haptic feedback reminiscent of a DualSense controller. Whether battling in Call of Duty Mobile or collecting blue gems in Duolingo, the immersion is undeniably enhanced. While achieving full immersion on a portable device remains challenging, the excellent vibration motors are a welcome addition. If nothing else, the tech enthusiast in me gets a slight thrill from such enjoyable hardware.
A unique feature to Redmagic phones is the pre-installed AI assistant, Mora. She offers real-time tips and tricks for selected games and serves as a tool for study or work – or simply for chatting with an AI-generated animated girl. Perhaps I’m old-fashioned, but while technological advancement is great, I struggle to see the real problem this particular solution aims to solve. Furthermore, Mora’s somewhat suggestive design makes her features unusable in public, and even at home, I’d need a pillow to hide behind. While the Redmagic 11 Air is indeed designed for gamers, this particular aspect leans too heavily into gamer stereotypes for my taste.
The Redmagic 11 Air comes in two color options: ‘Prism’ white and ‘Phantom’ black, the latter being my review unit. Both models are available with either 12GB RAM/250GB storage or 16GB RAM/512GB storage configurations. The phone’s aesthetic is distinctly gaming-focused, featuring elegant gold accents on the back and a Redmagic logo with customizable RGB lighting to suit individual preferences. The design strikes a commendable balance between semi-futuristic and ‘gamer cool’ without venturing into overly gaudy territory. In fact, pulling this distinctive device from my pocket often elicits a sense of subtle swagger; its unique characteristics bring to mind a Transformer in smartphone form. My only minor gripe is the included semi-transparent white case, which, unfortunately, detracts more than it enhances the look of my black Redmagic 11 Air. A black case option for the black phone would have been a far more thoughtful inclusion, especially for a device where design has clearly received significant attention.
Beyond the gaming-specific features, the battery life is nothing short of phenomenal. As someone who charges phones daily, I’ve yet to see the battery level drop below 75%. With moderate usage, it rarely dips below 90% in a single day. The camera setup is also decent, featuring a 50-megapixel rear sensor and a 16-megapixel front camera. While it won’t produce historically high-resolution selfies, it capably handles typical photo needs. I did, however, have to delve into the settings to disable an unnecessary Redmagic watermark that would otherwise appear on every taken photo – a peculiar feature, but easily forgotten once removed.
Overall, my experience with the Redmagic 11 Air has been thoroughly enjoyable. Beyond being a highly capable gaming phone packed with engaging features, it stands as a solid general-purpose mobile phone at a relatively affordable price point. The higher-end model is available for €439.00, with a slightly less expensive version offering reduced RAM and storage. As noted earlier, its size might be considered large for a conventional smartphone. However, with gaming at its core, these dimensions serve a crucial purpose, directly benefiting gamers – precisely the target audience for the Redmagic 11 Air.