Red Magic 5G review

The Red Magic 5G probably doesn't have mainstream appeal, but a buttery smooth 144Hz display and stellar performance make it one of the very best gaming phones you can buy.

Super-smooth 144Hz display; Excellent performance; Solid cameras;

Frustrating in-display fingerprint; Imposing design; Can't change default launcher;

Nubia Red Magic 5G review: Hardcore gamer

The Nubia Red Magic 5G gaming phone is a tempting purchase with flagship specs for just $579, but buying a gaming phone is a big decision. You might want it mostly for games, but it almost certainly needs to do other things as well. That includes taking photos, making calls, using social networks, and more. You’ve got to live with it every day, so it needs to do everything any other phone does, in addition to satisfying your gaming requirements. The Red Magic 5G will fulfill your gaming desires, but it falls short elsewhere. There’s no doubt the Red Magic 5G is a gaming phone. It has cooling vents down the side, a sci-fi design on the back, and the biggest giveaway of all — the Red Magic logo lights up. My review model is in Eclipse Black, which is a bit understated, but the Hot Rod Red and Pulse versions are much brighter, and more in keeping with what I’d expect from a gaming phone’s design. This is no featherweight. It weighs 218 grams, and it’s 9.8mm thick, too. While this would no...

Good gaming-focused design; Excellent multimedia ability; Plenty of performance; Long battery life;

Mediocre camera; Poor software experience; Fingerprint sensor does not work;