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RedMagic 7: A Little Bit Android, A Little Bit Nintendo Switch

This gaming phone uses PC-like specs to beef up performance for Android games.

Mike Sorrentino
Mike Sorrentino is a Senior Editor for Mobile, covering phones, texting apps and smartwatches -- obsessing about how we can make the most of them. Mike also keeps an eye out on the movie and toy industry, and outside of work enjoys biking and pizza making.
Mike Sorrentino
RedMagic 7 gaming phone
1 of 13Mike Sorrentino/CNET

RedMagic 7

The RedMagic 7, starting at $629 and £529, is all about speed and performance to beef up Android games. The highlight is the phone's 165Hz refresh rate on its 6.8-inch screen.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

The phone's starting configuration has 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but can go upwards to 18GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

Like many gaming phones, a cooling fan is included to help dissipate heat during gameplay and while fast charging.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

The RedMagic 7's Game Space launcher arranges Android games into a menu that's more like what is seen on a game console.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

On this review unit, the cooling fan has a decorative rainbow light.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

Menus in the Game Space mode let you toggle between refresh rates and other modes.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

Mortal Kombat Mobile supports the 165Hz refresh rate, running extremely smooth in fights.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

The corners of the phone to the left and the right of the exhaust can be set up to act as touch-sensitive "shoulder buttons."

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

The phone includes a 65W GaN charger in the box.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

The RedMagic 7 can charge from 0% to 100% in roughly 30 minutes.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

The phone can run directly from the power adapter, allowing the battery to take a break when available.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

The RedMagic 7 runs on RedMagic OS, which is a skin on Android 12.

RedMagic 7 gaming phone
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RedMagic 7

The skin has a number of defaults that might not be preferable, such as the NextWord browser and a watermark it imprints on photos. These can be turned off in the Settings menu.

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