According to the latest review by The Verge, the Redmagic 12 Pro pushes its liquid-cooled gaming phone design further by adding RGB lighting to the transparent cooling loop. While the cooling technology itself has improved significantly, the lighting effects produce mixed results due to the fluorescent blue coolant influencing color accuracy, offering a visually unique but imperfect experience.
- Innovative liquid cooling with embedded RGB lighting.
- 185Hz high refresh rate AMOLED screen optimized for gaming.
- Priced competitively but with some feature compromises.
Product angle
The Verge’s recent review highlights that the Redmagic 12 Pro incorporates an improved liquid cooling system with a remarkable output pressure increase of 85% over its predecessor. This cooling system includes a transparent loop filled with fluorescent blue liquid and enhanced by embedded RGB lighting effects that can be customized per app or notification. However, the liquid’s inherent coloration limits the authenticity of some light colors, creating a distinctive but inconsistent aesthetic.
Beyond cooling and lighting, the phone features a Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and a choice between 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage, indicating strong core performance and capacity for gamers. A standout display with a 185Hz refresh rate offers exceptional smoothness for supported games, complemented by an under-display 16-megapixel selfie camera designed to be discreet but with quality that is subpar for high-fidelity photos. The design integrates practical considerations like an 8,400mAh battery with fast charging and IP ratings, although water and dust protection around the fan area is not comprehensive.
Best for / avoid if
The Redmagic 12 Pro is well-suited for dedicated gamers and tech enthusiasts seeking premium cooling technology and high refresh rate displays to enhance gaming performance and visual experience. Those who appreciate customizable RGB lighting effects and aggressive internal specs like top-tier Snapdragon processors will find this model compelling.
Conversely, users who prioritize audio features such as a 3.5mm headphone jack, advanced camera capabilities for photography, or balanced design without lighting inconsistencies may want to avoid this device. The phone’s complex lighting setup can appear mismatched, and its selfie camera quality is limited, which might frustrate social media users or multimedia consumers looking for more refined imaging.
Pricing and alternatives to check
The Redmagic 12 Pro starts at $949, which is a noticeable $200 increase over the previous generation. This pricing places it in the premium tier that competes with other flagship gaming phones and high-end devices offering similar performance and features. Buyers should weigh whether the enhancements in cooling and lighting justify the cost versus earlier versions or rival brands.
Potential alternatives include other specialized gaming smartphones equipped with liquid or advanced cooling systems, such as ASUS ROG Phone series or Xiaomi’s Black Shark lineup, which may offer different balances of features, pricing, and camera performance. Traditional non-gaming flagship phones could also be considered by users valuing broader feature sets over gaming-specific enhancements.