RedMagic 10 Air Review - Does The Budget Gaming Phone Deliver?

We’ve long been fans of the RedMagic series here at DG, so we were excited to get our hands on the RedMagic 10 Air—one of their latest offerings. Positioned as a more budget-friendly alternative to its bulkier counterparts, this device aims to deliver a premium mobile gaming experience without the premium price tag.

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

First Impressions

Having previously reviewed the RedMagic 8 Pro, I immediately noticed a shift in design philosophy with the RedMagic 10 Air. The packaging ditches the flashy comic-book aesthetic for a sleek, minimalist black and silver finish, highlighting the brand logo with subtle elegance.

The phone itself follows suit—opting for a more refined look compared to the sci-fi-inspired paneling of earlier models. Instead of glowing accents and spaceship-like detailing, the 10 Air features brushed metal side panels and a clean logo placement. While some may miss the bold, gamer-centric flair, this toned-down design makes the device more suitable for professional or casual settings. (No more awkwardly explaining why your phone looks like it’s from 2225 during a meeting.)

Setting it up was a breeze. Using USB-C data transfer, all my apps—including niche ones like Pojav, which aren’t available on Google Play—migrated smoothly and were up and running in no time.

The Tech

Let’s talk specs—because the RedMagic 10 Air is built to impress. Designed with gamers in mind, it packs a serious punch under the hood.

It features a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, covering nearly the entire front of the device for an immersive visual experience.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage in the model we tested, performance is lightning-fast. Whether you're multitasking or running graphics-heavy games, the phone handles everything effortlessly.

A standout feature is its innovative passive cooling system, which uses a phase-change metal that melts at high temperatures to absorb and dissipate heat—keeping the device cool even during extended gaming sessions.

The 6,000mAh battery delivers excellent endurance. For everyday use, it lasts well over a day, and during intense gaming, expect a solid 3–4 hours of playtime. We tested a variety of titles from Play Pass, and every game ran flawlessly, with no noticeable lag or overheating.

The only potential bottleneck might be high-end emulation, but even then, the customizable performance settings help mitigate performance drops.

The Features

One of the standout aspects of the RedMagic 10 Air is its dedicated Game Center—an intuitive hub accessible through system settings (though it took us a moment to locate it at first).

More than just a themed launcher, Game Center offers deep customization for each game. Adjust graphics settings, enable screen recording, or stream gameplay with ease. It also includes a suite of useful plugins: from in-game distance meters to RNG card pickers, the tools are both practical and thoughtfully designed.

And yes—there’s an anime girl assistant who can address you as “Commander” and deliver notifications. It’s entirely optional, so if that’s not your thing, you can disable it without any hassle. But for fans of the aesthetic, it adds a fun, personalized touch.

Beyond gaming, the phone impressed us with its everyday usability.

The camera system exceeded expectations for a gaming-focused device. With multiple lenses, macro mode, and on-the-fly editing, it’s surprisingly capable. It even supports 8K video recording at 30fps.

Experimenting with macro mode was a delight—capturing fine details with clarity and depth.

While the 50MP main sensor and 16MP front camera aren’t class-leading, they’re more than adequate, especially considering the phone’s primary focus. You won’t be buying a RedMagic for photography, but it holds its own when needed.

The Dislikes

Despite its strengths, the RedMagic 10 Air isn’t without minor drawbacks.

The UI works well overall but still defaults to a proprietary browser. Thankfully, Chrome was pre-installed after setup, so switching wasn’t an issue—but immediate access would have been better.

The interface feels slightly clunky compared to stock Android, though it’s a clear improvement over previous RedMagic iterations. It takes a little time to adjust, but it’s manageable.

And while the “Air” name suggests lightness, don’t expect featherweight portability. At 205g, it’s still a substantial device—though significantly slimmer and lighter than earlier models. Given its powerful internals, the weight is justified, but those seeking ultra-thin, lightweight phones may find it cumbersome.

Lastly, our review unit came with a two-pin charging plug. We couldn’t confirm whether a UK-compliant version is available, so buyers in certain regions may need an adapter.

The Overall Verdict

Compared to the RedMagic 8, which felt niche and somewhat impractical for daily use due to its weight and quirks, the RedMagic 10 Air feels like a true evolution.

It’s a well-rounded device—powerful enough for hardcore gaming, yet refined enough for everyday tasks. Nubia clearly put effort into balancing performance, usability, and design, showing they’re committed to evolving beyond just raw power.

If you’re looking for an affordable gaming phone that doesn’t sacrifice daily functionality, the RedMagic 10 Air is an excellent choice. It delivers strong performance, smart features, and a more understated look—making it ideal for gamers who want a capable all-rounder.

For more details, check out the [ttpp] RedMagic website.

A Gaming Phone You Can Take Anywhere

The RedMagic 10 Air retains the brand’s signature gaming DNA while smoothing out the rough edges. With solid performance, thoughtful features, and a more discreet design, it’s a compelling option for mobile gamers who don’t want to compromise on everyday usability.

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