RedMagic 10 Air: Budget Gaming Phone Reviewed

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We’ve long been fans of the RedMagic series here at DG, so we were genuinely excited to get our hands on the latest addition: the RedMagic 10 Air. This device promises a more budget-friendly alternative to its bulkier siblings while still delivering a top-tier experience for mobile gamers.

So, does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in.

First Impressions

Having previously reviewed the RedMagic 8 Pro, I was curious how the RedMagic 10 Air would compare. One of the first things I noticed was the shift in design language—this model opts for a more subdued aesthetic compared to its predecessor. The packaging has moved away from comic book-style artwork to a sleeker black-and-silver theme with just the brand logo featured prominently.

The phone itself also tones down the sci-fi paneling seen on earlier models. Instead, it features a cleaner look with brushed metal accents along the sides. Whether this minimalist approach is better than the edgier style is subjective, but it definitely makes the phone feel less overtly “gamer-centric”—which can be a plus when you're using it in professional settings.

Setup was seamless thanks to USB-C data transfer from my previous phone. All apps—including niche ones like PojavLauncher—were quickly restored without issues.

Under the Hood

Let’s talk specs. As expected from a gaming-focused device, the RedMagic 10 Air comes packed with hardware tailored for performance:

• Display: A vibrant 6.8-inch AMOLED screen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
• RAM & Storage: 16GB RAM paired with 512GB internal storage
• Cooling System: Unique passive cooling using phase-change thermal material
• Battery: A robust 6,000mAh battery that easily lasts 3–4 hours under heavy gaming loads

In real-world use, the RedMagic 10 Air handled everything thrown at it—from high-end mobile titles to cloud-streamed games. We didn’t encounter any lag or overheating issues, even during extended play sessions.

While resource-heavy emulation tasks may push its limits slightly, the built-in game optimization tools help mitigate performance concerns.

Gaming-Focused Features

The Game Center is one of the standout features that make this phone shine for gamers. Easily accessible through settings, it acts as a dedicated launcher for all your games—and much more.

You can customize individual game profiles, record gameplay, cast your screen, and access a variety of in-game utilities. These include tools for measuring distances in shooters or picking random cards in games of chance. It's clear that a lot of thought went into making Game Center both powerful and user-friendly—not just a flashy overlay.

There’s also an optional anime assistant character that can notify you of events and call you "Commander." While not everyone's cup of tea, it's fully customizable and easy to disable if it doesn't appeal to you.

Beyond gaming, the phone impressed with everyday usability. The camera system exceeded expectations for a gaming phone, offering macro capabilities, multiple lenses, and support for 8K video recording at 30fps. At 50MP rear and 16MP front-facing resolution, it's not the best on the market, but it’s more than capable for casual photography.

Exploring macro mode was a fun experience—it brought out fine details that most phone cameras miss.

Overall, the RedMagic 10 Air feels like a well-rounded device, not just a single-purpose gaming rig.

What Didn’t We Like?

Despite its many strengths, there are a few areas where the RedMagic 10 Air falls short:

• The UI includes a proprietary browser by default, though Chrome is pre-installed after setup.
• While improved from past versions, the interface still feels slightly clunky and takes time to adjust to.
• Despite being lighter than earlier models, the phone still weighs 205g—so don’t expect an ultra-lightweight device.
• Our unit came with a two-pin charger; availability of UK-compatible plugs wasn’t confirmed.

Final Verdict

Compared to the RedMagic 8—which was great for gaming but somewhat impractical for daily use—the RedMagic 10 Air feels like a major step forward. It’s clearly designed to be a daily driver that also delivers exceptional gaming performance.

Nubia continues to refine its formula, and the result is a powerful, versatile smartphone that balances form, function, and affordability. If you're looking for a solid mid-range gaming phone that doesn’t sacrifice general usability, the RedMagic 10 Air is definitely worth considering.

A Well-Balanced Powerhouse

It retains the core RedMagic charm while improving everyday usability, performance, and aesthetics. For gamers who want a capable all-rounder at a reasonable price, this might be the ideal pick.

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Performance Score: 8.9
Speed: 9 | Build Quality: 9.5 | Features: 9.5 | Screen: 9.5 | Camera: 8 | OS: 8