Redmagic 11S ProEwan SpenceWith the launch of the RedMagic 11S Pro, Nubia is once more prioritizing its own schedule rather than the industry’s. While the largest manufacturers stick to a predictable timetable, the niche gaming handsets from Nubia take a different path, allowing them to maintain continuous visibility in the market.That also means that the differences between successive handsets are smaller than you might expect. The RedMagic 11 Pro and 11 Air were launched globally in November, and here we are in May with the RedMagic 11S Pro. That fast turnaround keeps RedMagic visible and allows the focus to stay on a few key features.RedMagic 11S Pro Thermals Is The Core Of Its Different DesignThe RedMagic 11S Pro utilizes an internal mechanical cooling fan and an open-air duct to sustain peak silicon performance under prolonged thermal loads.Redmagic 11S ProEwan SpenceWhile every manufacturer strives for power and performance in their smartphones, the gaming smartphone needs something more ambitious. It needs consistent, ongoing performance rather than dealing with a spike in demand. The RedMagic phones have to deliver performance over sustained duty cycles measured in minutes, as opposed to short burstsMORE FOR YOUThat generates heat, and the passive thermal mechanisms from Apple and Samsung’s mainstream smartphones are not enough. Nubia relies on a physical fan and active cooling that goes beyond the standard thermals you find in a smartphone. More cooling means more performance from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The paths of hot and cold air also help move the heat away from the back of the phone and your hands.It does mean sacrificing the liquid and dust protection that many flagships offer for all of the benefits. The fan's ducting on the RedMagic 11S Pro is going to let debris into the chassis.The fan also makes the handset noisier. Rather than just sitting quietly in your hand, you have a 24,000-RPM motor just beneath your fingers. You can hear it. You can feel it, and while it blends into the background when playing games, it is still present.Nubia believes the extra performance makes this all worthwhile.RedMagic 11S Pro Replaces Ergonomics With A Flat-Back HousingThe completely flat rear housing of the RedMagic 11S Pro removes the standard flagship camera bump at the cost of significantly altering hand leverage during landscape interaction.Redmagic 11S ProEwan SpenceOne look at the back of the handset shows a clear difference: no camera island, no bump getting in the way. This is a smooth-backed smartphone. While a camera is present, the lenses are flush with the construction. That reduces the optical power and is one of the most notable sacrifices in pursuit of a better gaming design.That changes how you hold this smartphone. There is an emphasis on holding the RedMagic 11S Pro in landscape mode, which is far more suited to gaming than holding it vertically. With your thumbs on the screen and your index fingers on the shoulder trigger buttons, much of the weight is going to be carried by your pinky fingers. Given how sweaty your hands can get while playing a game, the lack of a silicone case becomes a pain point when you realize how little grip you might have during a 30-minute session.This all helps the RedMagic 11S Pro stand out. It is not following the mainstream; it is designed for gaming, as is evident. There can be no question what this phone is for.The RedMagic 11S Pro’s Under-Display Camera and Optical DegradationThe RedMagic 11S Pro retains an uninterrupted, notch-free panel by embedding the front-facing camera completely beneath the active display pixel layer.Redmagic 11S ProEwan SpenceThere are compromises, and as mentioned, the biggest one is in the camera. You have less depth at the rear, but the forward-facing camera is mounted under the display. No punch-out. It is essentially invisible, allowing a full-screen view of the action. That does degrade its usefulness for facial recognition, and failure rates can rise when using banking applications, for example. It also puts a thin layer of electronics in front of the camera lens and sensor. If you want a camera to show you playing, that is more than enough. This is not a phone for selfies or portraits.The RedMagic 11S Pro Knows What It Wants To BeThe RedMagic 11S Pro breaks rules. There are countless regular smartphones that follow these rules, and the general audience should look at those. But the niche audience, the gamers, will be quite happy with the sacrifices. The lack of water resistance, the lack of ergonomic curves, and the reduced camera precision—all of these show an approach focused on a niche that knows what to expect: gaming.