RedMagic 11 Air: The Best Value Gaming Phone on the Market | Review

The RedMagic 11 Air has officially launched, bringing a more affordable and streamlined option for gamers who want the power of the Pro model without the hefty price tag. Priced at $529, this device is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, making it a solid choice for gaming enthusiasts, especially when compared to the RedMagic 10 Air’s original price.

Debuting alongside high-end $3,000 devices, the RedMagic 11 Air stands out as a refreshing alternative. It delivers all the essential features expected from dedicated gaming phones while making some smart compromises on the more extravagant elements found in its flagship counterpart. While it lacks the flashy liquid cooling windows, it boasts a robust 7,000mAh battery and performance that outshines Asus’s latest offering.

The Early Access for the RedMagic 11 Air kicks off on February 10, but savvy gamers can snag Early Bird vouchers starting January 5 for a $30 discount at launch.

Key Specs

Price	$529 / $629
Display	6.85-inch AMOLED, 2688 x 1216 at 144Hz
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Elite
RAM	12GB / 16GB
Storage	256GB / 512GB
OS	RedMagic OS 11 (Android 16)
Cameras	50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 16MP selfie
Battery	7,000mAh
Water resistance	IP54
Dimensions	163.8 x 76.5 x 8mm
Weight	207g

In terms of design, the RedMagic 11 Air leans more towards the aesthetic of the 10 Pro rather than the Pro model’s liquid cooling showcase. I’ve been testing the ‘Transparent Black’ variant, which features a sleek dark gray body with gold accents. The subtle lines on the back give it a PCB-like vibe, while the signature RGB fan hums beneath the camera setup.

The branding is tastefully understated, with the gold lettering and logo positioned at the corners, complementing the darker finish. However, the transparent cover on the back is a magnet for fingerprints, which can be somewhat concealed in daily use but still requires a case to keep it pristine.

One of the most noticeable differences between the Pro and Air is the thickness. At just 8mm, the RedMagic 11 Air is 0.9mm slimmer than its flagship sibling, making it feel noticeably lighter and more comfortable to hold in both portrait and landscape orientations.

The speaker placement is also improved, ensuring that audio remains clear and unobstructed when gaming in landscape mode. The sound projects from the sides, just below where your fingers rest, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Button and port layout remains consistent with recent RedMagic models, featuring a dedicated Game Space button on the left, a centered USB-C port and SIM eject slot on the bottom, and touchpads, volume rocker, and lock button on the right.

The display is the same 2688 x 1216 AMOLED panel found in its sibling, delivering vibrant colors and impressive brightness. While it doesn’t quite match the 165Hz refresh rate of the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, the 144Hz refresh rate is more than sufficient for the current library of games, ensuring smooth gameplay in titles like Call of Duty Mobile.

The screen is nearly edge-to-edge, with minimal bezels, and the under-display selfie camera remains unobtrusive during use.

However, the RedMagic 11 Air does make a significant compromise in the camera department. While the Pro features dual 50MP lenses, the Air opts for an 8MP ultrawide lens, resulting in noticeable noise in images when zoomed out. While gaming phones typically prioritize performance over photography, those looking for decent wide shots may want to consider other options.

The main camera captures vibrant colors and sharp images in good lighting, though the selfie camera struggles with color consistency, producing odd hues in some cases.

Ultimately, gaming phones aren’t designed to compete with mainstream flagships in photography, and the RedMagic 11 Air is no exception.

Running on the same RedMagic OS 11 (based on Android 16) as the Pro model, the user experience is quite similar. Navigation is smooth, and app loading times are quick, though some pre-installed bloatware can be easily removed. Customizing the home screen is straightforward, allowing for a personalized setup in no time.

The device also includes RedMagic AI+ for various features, though many may find them unnecessary. Google Gemini is included as a more practical chat assistant.

Game Space remains a standout feature, providing a dedicated hub for all your games, stats, and settings, creating a console-like experience when activated.

In performance tests like 3D Mark Wild Life Extreme and Solar Bay, the RedMagic 11 Air shows its budget-friendly positioning compared to the Pro and 10S Pro, yet it still outperforms the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro. While it lacks the advanced cooling of the Pro model and doesn’t offer a 24GB RAM variant at launch, the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset ensures solid performance.

Expect around a 14% decrease in performance compared to the flagship Pro model, which is understandable given its thinner design and fewer cooling features. It also trails slightly behind the previous generation 10 Pro, which remains pricier even on sale.

The key takeaway is that in-game performance is still impressive. While larger titles like Genshin Impact may experience a few more frame drops compared to the Pro model in the future, the Snapdragon 8 Elite can handle current gaming demands with ease, supported by more gaming tech than most mainstream devices.

The 7,000mAh battery is slightly lighter than the 7,500mAh version in the Pro but still delivers excellent daily life. After two and a half days of casual use, including gaming sessions, I found myself at 15% battery.

It’s important to note that the Air model lacks the wireless charging capabilities of the Pro.

If you’re in the market for an Android device that can handle gaming and more, the RedMagic 11 Air is a strong contender. While serious mobile gamers may prefer the flagship for its superior performance, the Air holds its own remarkably well.

With a 14% drop in raw performance, you’re also saving about 30% on the device itself, making it a compelling value proposition.

Budget options from other brands simply can’t match this level of power. For instance, the OnePlus 15R starts at $699.99 and barely competes with the performance offered here.

I used the RedMagic 11 Air as my primary device for two weeks, leaving my iPhone 13 Pro behind. Gaming benchmarks were conducted using 3D Mark software, running both Wild Life Extreme and Solar Bay three times to obtain an average score.