I attempted to convert the Red Magic 11S Pro into a handheld gaming device, and it functioned remarkably well.

      A glance at the Red Magic 11S Pro instantly reveals that it’s not aiming for subtlety. This device doesn't seek to emulate the sleek aesthetics of a contemporary flagship smartphone and isn't attempting to market itself as an outstanding camera phone. Its appearance suggests it could have emerged from the workspace of someone who believes transparent electronics embody the pinnacle of industrial design.

      Many smartphones claim to be gaming devices yet spend half their time trying to appear ordinary. The Red Magic 11S Pro has none of these pretensions. The transparent back is striking and showcases visible liquid cooling, RGB lighting, a flat glass-and-metal body, and a design that entirely relies on whether you appreciate gaming hardware or not. The Nightfreeze variant I tested had a refined look.

      I utilized the 16GB LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and 512GB UFS 4.1 model for about a month, primarily as a gaming and testing tool rather than a typical everyday smartphone, as this is a device that requires a different approach for evaluation.

      Thus, I pushed its limits. Benchmarks, demanding Android games, emulation, PC-like gaming interfaces, thermal performance, fans, liquid cooling—it’s all part of the experience. The outcome is a phone that feels more like a compact gaming rig capable of making calls rather than a flagship Android device. Having prior experience with the Red Magic 11 Pro, I was aware of its capabilities.

      This model showcases peak performance amid an unabashed and striking design.

      The transparent back is the first feature that captures attention, remaining the most noteworthy aspect of the phone even after several weeks of use. The flowing liquid cooling is visibly animated, and it's entertaining to observe. Friends would gaze at it just as I did upon first seeing it. It’s hard not to be surprised by the fact that actual liquid visibly circulates inside the device.

      The RGB lighting exceeded my expectations as well. Typically, I’m not inclined to appreciate RGB on phones aside from older LED notification lights, but it complements the Red Magic 11S Pro’s character. The phone is already sufficiently gamer-centric that the lighting feels organic rather than contrived.

      In hand, it resembles a hefty glass-and-metal slab. The flat front and back, combined with a lack of camera protrusion, contribute to a futuristic, nearly featureless aesthetic. However, this design also results in a rather slippery grip—extremely slippery. I didn't frequently use the provided case as the phone’s uniqueness felt too special to cover, even though that left me constantly anxious about grip.

      Additionally, its weight can be tiring during one-handed use. Gaming isn’t an issue because you hold it with both hands, and the fan vents didn’t hinder my fingers. Yet, as an everyday phone, it is quite bulky. Red Magic didn’t design this with compact elegance in mind.

      The 6.85-inch AMOLED display is among the phone’s most notable features, offering a resolution of 2688×1216 and a 144Hz refresh rate, along with a seamless full-screen design that enhances immersion. The under-display camera is nearly invisible unless you deliberately search for it.

      This is particularly significant for gaming. There's no notch, no hole-punch, and no interruptions in the HUD. Watching videos and playing games on this screen is genuinely impressive. While outdoor brightness was commendable during my experience, both the front and back surfaces are reflective. The display operates smoothly at both 120Hz and 144Hz, although the distinction between the two is not something most will consistently perceive. Still, on a gaming phone, why not opt for the higher refresh rate?

      Touch sensitivity was exceptional, and I didn’t encounter accidental touches or issues with sweaty fingers during fast-paced games. Competitive games can maximize higher refresh rates, and Red Magic’s gaming tools also provide frame rate enhancement and visual upgrades for compatible titles.

      This phone is all about performance, and the Red Magic 11S Pro is quick to demonstrate its capabilities.

      In Geekbench 6, it achieved a score of 3,596 in single-core and 10,814 in multi-core with Diablo mode activated. Turning Diablo mode off dropped the single-core score to 2,448 while the multi-core score remained high at 10,230. This suggests that Red Magic has finely tuned this device to handle demanding tasks while regular use doesn’t constantly tap into its full potential.

      In 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, it scored 8,022 with an average frame rate of 48.04fps. When running Steel Nomad Light, it achieved 3,058 with an average frame rate of 22.66fps. The regular Wild Life test maxed out, which was completely unexpected.

      However, things became a bit more complicated during the stress tests. When running the Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, the best loop score reached 6,464, while the lowest came in at 2,909, translating to 45% stability. This isn’t particularly flattering and