Home >  News >  RedMagic 10 Air: Budget Gaming Phone Reviewed

RedMagic 10 Air: Budget Gaming Phone Reviewed

Authore: ChristopherUpdate:Jun 16,2025

Here is the SEO-optimized and polished version of your article, maintaining the original structure, formatting, and tone while enhancing readability and ensuring Google-friendly content:


We’ve been long-time admirers of the RedMagic series here at DG, so we were excited to get our hands on one of Nubia’s latest offerings: the RedMagic 10 Air. Positioned as a more budget-friendly alternative to its bulkier siblings, this device promises to deliver a powerful mobile gaming experience without breaking the bank.

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

First Impressions

Having previously reviewed the RedMagic 8 Pro, I was curious to see how the 10 Air would compare. The first thing that stood out was its more understated design language. Unlike the bold, sci-fi aesthetic of earlier models, the 10 Air opts for a sleeker, minimalist look—both in packaging and build.

The box replaces the comic-book-style artwork with a clean black-and-silver finish, while the phone itself ditches the futuristic paneling in favor of brushed metal accents and a centered logo. It’s a refreshing change, especially if you prefer a subtler appearance—perfect for slipping into meetings without drawing attention to your secret Downwell session.

Setting up the phone was seamless. Using USB-C data transfer from my previous device, all apps—including niche ones like Pojav—were restored quickly and effortlessly.

The Tech Specs

Under the hood, the RedMagic 10 Air is packed with high-end components tailored for gamers:

  • A 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor for top-tier performance
  • 16GB RAM and 512GB storage (on the model tested)
  • Innovative passive cooling system using phase-change metal
  • A robust 6,000mAh battery capable of lasting 3–4 hours under heavy gaming loads

In real-world testing, the phone handled everything we threw at it—from demanding Play Pass titles to resource-heavy multitasking. We experienced zero lag or overheating issues, making it a solid contender for extended gaming sessions.

While there may be some strain when running advanced emulators, the Game Center's customizable settings can help optimize performance for such scenarios.

Gaming-Focused Features

One of the standout features of the RedMagic 10 Air is its dedicated Game Center—a feature-rich hub accessible through the settings menu. Once located, it acts as a secondary launcher for all your games, but its capabilities go far beyond that.

With Game Center, users can:

  • Adjust game-specific settings
  • Record gameplay easily
  • Cast screen content
  • Access tools like in-game rulers and probability aids

It’s clear that a lot of thought went into crafting a truly immersive and functional gaming environment—not just a flashy UI with red tones and aggressive visuals.

Additionally, there’s an optional anime companion character that offers notifications and refers to you as “Commander.” While not everyone’s cup of tea, it’s entirely optional and won’t interfere unless activated.

Surprisingly, the phone also impressed us with its everyday usability.

Camera Performance

Despite being marketed primarily as a gaming device, the RedMagic 10 Air boasts a surprisingly capable camera setup:

  • 50MP main lens
  • Macro mode for detailed close-ups
  • Support for 8K video recording at 30fps
  • 16MP front-facing camera

While it may not rival dedicated photography phones, it holds its own well enough for casual use. The macro mode was particularly fun to play with, and overall image quality was crisp and colorful.

This makes the 10 Air a versatile choice—not just for gaming, but as a daily driver.

What We Didn’t Love

No device is perfect, and the RedMagic 10 Air has a few minor drawbacks:

  • The proprietary browser feels unnecessary, though Chrome is pre-installed.
  • The UI, while improved over past versions, still feels slightly clunky and requires some getting used to.
  • Despite being lighter than previous RedMagic models, the phone still weighs 205g—so don’t expect featherlight portability.
  • We received a two-pin charger, so availability of UK-compatible plugs remains uncertain without further confirmation.

Final Verdict

Compared to the RedMagic 8, which was excellent at gaming but somewhat impractical for daily use, the RedMagic 10 Air strikes a much better balance. It’s clearly built with gaming in mind, yet functions seamlessly as a general-purpose smartphone.

Nubia continues to refine the RedMagic line with each iteration, focusing on both performance and user experience. If you're after a reasonably priced gaming phone that doesn't compromise on day-to-day functionality, the RedMagic 10 Air is a strong contender.

A Gaming Phone You Can Live With

It retains the signature RedMagic charm—just refined. With solid performance, thoughtful features, and a more subdued design, the 10 Air is ideal for gamers who want a capable, affordable all-rounder.

[ttpp]

Rating Summary:
Speed: 9 / Build Quality: 9.5 / Features: 9.5 / Screen: 9.5 / Camera: 8 / OS: 8
Overall Score: 8.9

If this sounds like the device you've been looking for, consider visiting the official RedMagic website for more details and purchasing options.