Update (January 17th 7pm ET): The RedMagic 8 Pro series gets an international launch date.
What you need to know
- Nubia has announced the RedMagic 8 Pro and 8 Pro+.
- Both models have the same design and spec sheet, but the Plus version comes with larger RAM and storage options, a smaller battery and faster charging speeds.
- The new devices will be available for purchase from Nubia’s online storefront and partner retailers on December 28th.
Nubia wouldn’t let a year go by without unveiling its own flagship series powered by Qualcomm’s latest and most powerful chipset. The debut of the RedMagic 8 Pro and 8 Pro+ came a little earlier than its predecessor, which debuted in February of this year.
The latest series includes two models (opens in new tab)ie RedMagic 8 Pro and RedMagic 8 Pro+ are the first products in the RedMagic series. That said, while both variants generally share the same spec sheet and design, there are some differences (via GSMArena) (opens in new tab)).
Nubia’s high-end flagship models offer more memory and storage options, with up to 1TB of internal storage and 16GB of RAM available. The vanilla version, on the other hand, is limited to 256 GB of storage and 12 GB of RAM.
The Plus model, on the other hand, has a smaller 5000mAh battery compared to the regular version’s 6000mAh battery, resulting in a longer screen on time. However, it comes with a 165W GaN charger as opposed to the 80W charging support of the regular model, so if you’re looking for a phone with faster charging times, the Plus variant is a great choice.
This means that Nubia claims the RedMagic 8 Pro+ can be fully charged from zero to 100% in 14 minutes, while the regular version can reach zero to 100% in 35 minutes.
These differences aside, both models are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, making them strong contenders to the best Android phones. Nubia’s exclusive Red Magic R2 chip complements Qualcomm’s most powerful processor, promising an improved gaming experience in terms of audio, touch sensitivity, haptics, and color.
The phone features a 6.8 inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1116 x 2480 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. Just like the RedMagic 7 Pro, the 16MP selfie snapper is hidden under the display.
On the back is a triple camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary sensor powered by Samsung’s ISOCELL GN5, an 8MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 2MP macro sensor.
Nubia’s gaming roots aren’t forgotten, and the latest RedMagic model gets an upgraded cooling system thanks to ICE 11.0. The setup includes a full-size graphene sheet and a 3D vapor chamber with a volume of 2,068 cubic millimeters.
Both models ship in black and transparent colors. The vanilla version is available for pre-order now, with prices starting at his CNY 3,999 (around $575). Plus models start at RMB 5,199 (about $747). Nubia will begin selling the phone through its online store and retail partners on December 28th.
update
Following its initial launch in China, the Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro makes its global debut. However, instead of offering Pro and Pro+ versions, the international market only offers the moniker “Pro”, but two different versions.
The RedMagic Pro 8 Matte is basically the standard RedMagic Pro 8 with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. On the other hand, the RedMagic Pro 8 Void is on par with the Pro+ with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
It’s not just the name that has changed. The devices also come in different battery specifications. now, both Both models come with a 6,000mAh battery, but charging drops to just 65W wired. Compared to many of the best Android phones, it’s still plenty fast, but it’s a noticeable downgrade from the Chinese variant.
RedMagic 8 Pro will be available on February 2nd, priced at $650/€650/
Matte and Void are £580 and $800/€750/£710 respectively. The company is also offering an early bird discount on Jan. 28 for those looking to get their hands on the latest gaming powerhouse.
