Design
The RedMagic 11 Air is a sleek and slim handset that offers a vibrant 6.85-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 144Hz. While it may not match the 165Hz refresh rate of the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, it still outperforms many games in the Google Play Store. The screen boasts excellent colors and saturation, particularly shining in blues, greens, and silvers. The device features an edge-to-edge display with minimal bezels and an imperceptible under-display selfie camera.
Cameras
In the camera department, the RedMagic 11 Air makes some sacrifices compared to its Pro counterpart. It features an 8MP ultrawide lens instead of the 50MP found in the Pro model, resulting in some noise in wider shots. While the main lens captures vibrant and clear images, the selfie camera struggles with color consistency, often distorting colors. Gaming phones typically compromise on camera quality for better internal specs, and the RedMagic 11 Air is no exception.
Software
Running on RedMagic OS 11 (based on Android 16), the RedMagic 11 Air offers a smooth and snappy user experience. Pre-installed bloatware can be easily removed, and customization options are straightforward. The device includes features like RedMagic AI+ and Google Gemini for added functionality. Game Space provides a dedicated gaming hub for users, offering a console-like experience with easy access to games, stats, and GPU settings.
Gaming
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the RedMagic 11 Air delivers impressive gaming performance, surpassing the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro in benchmarks. While it may not match the cooling capabilities or RAM options of the Pro model, it handles games with ease. The device offers a 14% decrease in performance compared to the flagship Pro model, but it still runs demanding games smoothly and competes well with mainstream handsets.
Battery
Equipped with a 7,000mAh battery, the RedMagic 11 Air provides solid battery life, matching or exceeding the performance of the flagship Pro model. After two and a half days of casual use and gaming sessions, the device still had 15% battery remaining. However, it lacks wireless charging capabilities compared to the Pro model.
Should you buy the RedMagic 11 Air?
If you’re looking for a powerful Android device for gaming and demanding tasks, the RedMagic 11 Air offers great value. While it may not match the performance of the flagship Pro model, it provides solid gaming performance at a lower price point. Compared to other budget options on the market, the RedMagic 11 Air stands out for its power and affordability.
