RedMagic 11 Pro wows with liquid cooling, falters on software
The REDMAGIC 11 Pro introduces the first mass-produced smartphone with a visible liquid cooling system. But critics warn its software still undermines the experience.
The REDMAGIC 11 Pro has entered the gaming smartphone arena with a bold engineering statement.
It has a visible circulating coolant loop paired with a 24,000 rpm fan and large vapour chamber. It marks what the company describes as the first mass-produced phone to feature “AI server-grade fluorinated liquid cooling”.
It has been driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, up to 24 GB of RAM and backed for up to 1 TB of storage. The device is clearly engineered for marathon mobile gaming sessions,” according to REDMAGIC (Global)
Reviewers have widely praise the performance gains achieved thanks to the cooling hardware. According to test results, the 11 Pro achieved benchmark scores well ahead of competitors and sustained high frame-rates during demanding titles like Genshin Impact and PUBG.
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In one detailed breakdown, reviewers noted temperatures remained manageable even during extended stress tests thanks to the cooling setup.
Visually the device also stands out. Available in transparent Nightfreeze and Subzero finishes, the cooling loop is visible through the rear panel and offers a sci-fi aesthetic matched by RGB accent lighting, capacitive shoulder triggers and a flat-back design with no camera bump.
However, the software experience throws a shadow over the hardware triumph. The handset runs RedMagic OS 11 based on Android 16 and offers a dedicated GameSpace hub.
The reviewers from outlets like CNET have criticised the UI for inconsistent translations, persistent bloatware, and a lack of polish relative to its premium hardware.
Further concerns centre around camera performance and everyday usability: despite dual 50 MP rear cameras, reviewers agree the 11 Pro’s photographic output does not match mainstream flagships. It underscores that this device is purpose-built for gaming rather than photography.
From a market perspective the REDMAGIC 11 Pro launches at a time when the gaming-phone segment is sharpening its focus on performance and thermal innovation.
At the same time, software maturity remains a differentiator — and for REDMAGIC the cleavage between extreme hardware and casual usability could influence broader adoption beyond core gamers.
As mobile esports and high-refresh-rate gaming devices proliferate, the software and ecosystem support for such niche phones will matter as much as the cooling loops and gigahertz engines behind them.
