RedMagic 10 Air: Budget Gaming Phone Tested

We at DG have long been fans of the RedMagic series, so we were excited to get our hands on one of their latest models, the RedMagic 10 Air. This phone aims to offer a more budget-conscious alternative to its higher-end siblings while still delivering a top-tier experience for mobile gamers.

But does it live up to that promise? Let's dive in and find out.

First Impressions

My last encounter with a RedMagic phone was reviewing the RedMagic 8 Pro a few years back. The most immediate difference with the 10 Air is its more refined, understated design compared to its predecessor. The packaging has moved away from comic-book-style graphics to a sleek black and silver scheme featuring the logo.

The phone itself also tones down the sci-fi aesthetic seen on older models. Instead of intricate panel details, you get the logo and some elegant brushed metal accents on the sides. I was torn on whether I preferred this subtler look or missed the bolder style. This appears to be a characteristic of the 'Air' variant specifically, as the Pro model reportedly leans heavily into a spaceship-inspired design.

This more professional appearance means you can discreetly use your phone in a meeting without making it obvious you're trying to beat a level in Downwell.

Transferring data via USB-C from my daily driver was seamless. All my apps, including niche ones like Pojav which weren't on Google Play, were up and running quickly with minimal setup hassle.

The Tech

First, let's talk hardware. The RedMagic 10 Air is well-equipped, with specs clearly optimized for gaming.

It features a vibrant 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, covering nearly the entire front.

Powering it is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Our review unit, with 512GB of storage, also packed a substantial 16GB of RAM.

A novel passive cooling system uses a phase-change metal that melts at a specific temperature to absorb and dissipate heat.

The sizable 6,000mAh battery provides excellent endurance for everyday tasks and should deliver 3-4 hours of playtime with more demanding games.

Performance was excellent. We couldn't find any game from the Play Pass library that this phone couldn't handle smoothly. Everything ran flawlessly without any noticeable heat issues.

The only potential challenge might be with extremely resource-intensive emulation scenarios. However, some of the customizable features mentioned below could help optimize performance even in those cases.

The Features

A major highlight for gamers is the dedicated Game Center, accessible via the settings menu (though it took us a moment to locate initially). It acts as an alternative launcher for your games, but its functionality goes much deeper.

You can fine-tune performance settings for each game individually, easily record your screen, or cast your gameplay. A vast array of handy plugins offers utilities ranging from in-game distance calculators to random card selectors for chance-based games. The depth of options is impressive, showcasing serious thought towards creating a genuinely gamer-friendly ecosystem—it's far more than just a themed skin.

There's also an optional anime-style assistant you can enable to give reminders and address you as 'Commander'. While I might not be the target audience for this feature, it's there if you want it. Crucially, it's completely optional, so you won't have an anime character announcing your texts at work unless you explicitly choose to.

While some gaming-centric features were expected, I was pleasantly surprised by several thoughtful everyday additions.

The camera system is far more capable and feature-rich than I anticipated from a gaming-focused phone. With multiple lenses, a macro mode, and built-in editing tools, I had fun experimenting with photography. It also supports video recording up to 8K resolution (at 30fps).

While there are phones with higher-spec cameras out there—this one has a 50MP main and 16MP front camera—it performs admirably, especially considering photography isn't its primary selling point.

It feels like the designers aimed to create a competent all-rounder, which is great if you don't want a device used solely for gaming.

The Dislikes

Overall, my experience with the RedMagic 10 Air was very positive, though a few minor drawbacks stood out.

The user interface functions well but defaults to a proprietary browser. Thankfully, Chrome was pre-installed and appeared after the initial setup, so switching wasn't difficult. Still, I'd prefer immediate, easy access to my preferred browser.

The UI can feel a bit clunky at times, despite being an improvement over previous RedMagic models I've used. It's perfectly usable but requires a short adjustment period.

Don't let the 'Air' name fool you into expecting a compact device. While thinner and lighter than some earlier RedMagic phones, it's still a substantial piece of tech at 205 grams. This is reasonable given its performance and battery, but if you prioritize an ultra-thin, feather-light phone, this isn't it.

Our review unit came with a two-pin charging plug, so we cannot confirm if a UK-style three-pin plug is available or if you'd need an adapter.

The Overall Verdict

When I reviewed the RedMagic 8 Pro, I found it charming and excellent for its niche but somewhat impractical for daily use due to its heft and occasional quirks.

The RedMagic 10 Air feels like a phone I could comfortably use every day while still getting the premium gaming experience I want. It's well-considered, and it's clear Nubia is committed to refining each iteration, not just resting on its reputation for powerful gaming hardware.

If you're looking for a reasonably priced gaming phone that can also capably serve as your primary device, the RedMagic 10 Air is a compelling choice. If you're interested, it's worth checking out the official RedMagic website for more details.