Nubia Red Magic 8S Pro Review: Unleashing the Power of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

 Nubia Red Magic 8S Pro Review: Unleashing the Power of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Introduction:

With the release of Qualcomm's overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, smartphone manufacturers are swiftly upgrading their flagship lineups with the latest advancements. Nubia, staying true to its schedule, has recently unveiled the Red Magic 8S Pro series, successors to the earlier Red Magic 8 Pro lineup from this year.

Impressive Upgrades:

As expected, the most significant improvement comes in the form of the new SoC itself. The Red Magic 8S Pro and 8S Pro+ are now powered by the SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 silicon, which is an overclocked version of the original SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Previously exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices under the name "Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy," the SM8550-AC promises a remarkable 5% increase in CPU performance and 5.7% in GPU performance over its predecessor. Furthermore, the 8S Pro lineup has made significant improvements to its ICE cooling system, now at version 12, to guarantee seamless management of sustained workloads.

Top-Notch Specifications:

The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 8S Pro boasts an impressive array of specifications:

Dimensions of 164.0x76.4x9.5mm and a weight of 228g; The device features a Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, and an aluminum frame. It includes Pressure-sensitive zones with 520Hz touch-sensing and a Built-in cooling fan, all enclosed in an Aviation aluminum middle frame.

The phone sports a 6.80" AMOLED display with a 1B color display (available in China only). It has a 120Hz refresh rate and can reach a peak brightness of 1300 nits. The resolution is 1116x2480px, offering a 20:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of 400ppi.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process. The processor is an Octa-core configuration, comprising a 3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 core, two 2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 cores, two 2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 cores, and three 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. Handling graphics is the Adreno 740 GPU with a clock speed of 719 MHz..

Memory: Multiple options available, ranging from 128GB 8GB RAM to 512GB 16GB RAM; UFS 4.0.

OS/Software: Android 13, Redmagic OS 8.

Rear camera: 50 MP wide (main) with f/1.9 aperture, 8 MP ultra-wide-angle with f/2.2 aperture, 2 MP macro with f/2.4 aperture.

Front camera: 16 MP wide with f/2.0 aperture, under display.

Video capture: Up to 8K@30fps for rear camera, and 1080p@30/60fps for front camera.

Battery: 6000mAh with 80W wired charging (100% in 35 min - China) or 65W wired charging (100% in 40 min - International).

The device offers various connectivity options, including 5G support, the ability to use Dual SIM cards, Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC functionality, and a standard 3.5mm audio jack.

Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical), stereo speakers.

Design and Ergonomics:

The design of the new Nubia Red Magic 8S Pro remains similar to its predecessor, the 8 Pro, with a few notable changes. One significant enhancement is the LED-illuminated cooling fan, which was previously exclusive to the Pro+ version but is now included in the standard 8S Pro as well. The device comes in three colorways: Midnight Black, Platinum, and Aurora, with the Platinum variant featuring a semi-transparent back cover, giving it an industrial and modern look.

Handling the Red Magic 8S Pro:

Despite its attractive aesthetics, the phone's large size and sharp edges can make it a bit challenging to handle, especially due to its slippery metal chassis. However, during gameplay, it feels secure and comfortable to hold horizontally, and the pressure-sensitive shoulder triggers on the right side add to the gaming experience. Nubia's Game Space, accessible through a physical switch, enhances the gaming mode and adds to the overall gaming appeal.

Display and Camera:

The Red Magic 8S Pro leaves a striking impression with its seamless full-screen display and ultra-slim bezels.The under-display selfie camera seamlessly blends into the screen, maintaining the symmetrical design. The camera setup, with three lenses at the back, follows a simple and straightforward approach.

Conclusion:

The Nubia Red Magic 8S Pro series, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, is a force to be reckoned with. With enhanced performance, efficient cooling, and the latest Redmagic OS 8 features, it caters to both gaming enthusiasts and users seeking a high-performance smartphone. The Platinum colorway offers a sophisticated and neutral look, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a minimalist design without compromising on functionality.

Unboxing the Red Magic 8S Pro reveals a standard package, including user manuals, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a 65W wall charger. Nubia also provides a transparent protective case as an added bonus, preserving the device's design while ensuring its safety.