The new gaming phone from RedMagic has arrived, and gamers are once again in safe hands. The RedMagic 8S Pro doesn’t come with a lot of upgrades, but it’s only a mid-year refresh version and not a whole new phone model.
What it does promise is an improved chipset, advanced cooling system, slightly refreshed design, and all the other perks that the 8 Pro version came packed with. In this RedMagic 8S Pro review, we’ll have a look at this new gaming phone by RedMagic and see if it’s again the best gaming phone you can find on the market.
RedMagic 8S Pro: First Impressions & Specs
It’s only been a few months since the release of the ultimate gaming machine which was the Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro , and now RedMagic is giving us yet another gaming beast – the 8S Pro model. But is it worth the money for those who already bought the 8 Pro? And was this phone necessary at all? Let’s find out.
Before we dive into the review, here’s the full list of specs of the RedMagic 8S Pro:
- Dimensions: 6.4 x 3.0 x 0.37 inches (163.98 x 76.35 x 9.47mm)
- Weight: 8.04 ounces (228 grams)
- Material: metal middle frame with glass back cover
- Display: 6.8 inch FHD+ AMOLED, maximum brightness of 1300 nits
- Resolution: 1116×2480 pixels
- Refresh Rate: Up to 120Hz
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 – the latest version
- Software: Android 13 with RedMagic OS 8.0
- Capacity: 12/16GB LPDDR5X RAM
- Storage: 256/512GB UFS 4.0
- Rear cameras: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro
- Front camera : 16MP under-display camera
- Ports & connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-S 3.1, Type-C, DP, dual nano-SIM slot, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Battery: 6,000 mAh dual cell battery
- Charging: 65W GaN fast charging
- Special features: shoulder trigger buttons (touchpad with 520 Hz touch sampling rate), game space switch – toggle the special game mode on or off, haptic feedback and fully customizable RGB light effects
- Colors: silver platinum, transparent black aurora, black midnight, Aurora
- Price: from $649 on the RedMagic website .
From its captivating AMOLED display with a high refresh rate to its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, this Android gaming phone is designed to elevate your gaming experience.
Aside from adding the letter S to its predecessor’s name, the RedMagic 8S Pro introduces a refined chipset, fresh look, and an upgraded cooling system to the flagship phone lineup from the esteemed Chinese gaming titan. While the leap might not be that big, you need to understand that the RedMagic 8S Pro serves as a mid-year refresh model rather than a complete new smartphone.
Don’t underestimate these improvements, as the RedMagic 8S Pro has now established itself as the go-to option for those looking for a top-tier performance gaming phone. Still, if you already own the RedMagic 8 Pro, the upgrade may not be worth it. But if you’re looking to upgrade from the RedMagic 7 or earlier, the 8S Pro is the creme de la creme within the RedMagic range.
As always, the new RedMagic version does what it does best – brings together powerful computing abilities, gaming-focused hardware and software, all while keeping the price pleasantly surprising. It’s being touted as one of the top gaming phones around now, with impressive strengths, but we also need to remember that a few drawbacks come along with its cool features.
The poor camera performance is still there, just like the lack of constant updates and software support. Before we discuss that in greater detail, let’s look at the 8S Pro design and build.
Design and Unpacking
The RedMagic 8S Pro boasts a sleek design with its glass back, particularly in the Aurora finish that I have for review. While you can’t see all the internal components, it does look pretty cool. This model also comes in Platinum and Midnight color options.
What’s in the Box
When unpacking your RedMagic 8S Pro, here’s everything you’ll find in the box.
- REDMAGIC 8S Pro Smartphone
- Power adapter
- 54-watt fast type-C charging cable
- Protective phone case
- Sim tray ejector
- User manual and other documentation
RedMagic has managed to strike a balance between bold design and wide appeal, avoiding making the phone look too gamer-centric. The boxy design of the RedMagic 8S Pro feels contemporary, with color choices like Platinum or Midnight that avoid an overly flashy gaming appearance like that of the RedMagic 7. All versions of the phone include the iconic RGB lighting in the cooling fan, visible through a window on the back.
The 8S Pro comes with a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, Full HD resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The display is absolutely stunning and almost bezel-free. It doesn’t have any intrusive cutouts thanks to the under-display camera. While this affects the front camera performance, this decision does make it perfect for immersive gaming sessions.
The Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front ensures durability, although it’s important to note that the phone lacks water and dust resistance due to its unique cooling system design.
Both the RedMagic 8S Pro and its predecessor share a similar build quality. With only a 0.6mm difference in thickness, both models weigh a substantial 8oz. The phone feels hefty in hand at first, but the feeling goes away after a few days of use. The device is designed with a serious aesthetic in mind, featuring sharp edges that emphasize the construction.
On the phone’s sides you’ll find the volume buttons, power button, and the recognizable red switch, which activates the Game Space feature.
Charging is facilitated through the USB-C port on the bottom of the smartphone. It supports fast charging of up to 65W using the included RedMagic charger. And of course, the 8S Pro also features the 3.5mm headphone jack, which should never have disappeared from the modern phones in the first place, if you ask me.
Turning the phone over reveals the triple camera system. The cameras are vertically aligned, just like in the previous model. There’s a circular cutout showcasing the spinning fan inside, with an addition of RGB lights for an eye-catching effect.
Even though the phone’s build feels sturdy, all that beautiful glass cover will make you worry about dropping and breaking it. There’s a protective case included, but the design leaves much of the sides exposed to accommodate the cooling system and trigger buttons. I suggest you use your new gaming beast with caution and try not to drop it on hard surfaces.
How Fast Is It?
Let’s have a look at the Geekbench numbers and compare the results with what we had for the 8 Pro model. Using the Geekbench 6 app to test the 8S Pro’s overall performance, and here are the benchmark results I got:
The RedMagic 8S Pro received a 2116 single-core and a 5610 multi-core score. While it still doesn’t outscore the iPhone 14 Pro Max (with 2502 and 6289 points, respectively), it’s a gain over RedMagic 8 Pro in the CPU department with its 2007 and 5491 respectively. And it still leaves behind the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (1869 and 4940) and Xiaomi 13 (1738 and 5138).
If you’re not impressed by the CPU numbers, wait until you see what the GPU test uncovered. The RedMagic 8S Pro received a crazy 9802 score on the OpenCL test (against the 8 Pro’s 64430) and 10188 on the Vulkan test.
Gaming Experience
When it comes to catering to hardcore gamers, the RedMagic 8S Pro certainly doesn’t hold back on processing power. Sporting a blazingly fast overclocked 3.36GHz Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the latest and greatest available at its release time, the phone gets an additional boost from the dedicated Red Core 2 gaming processor.
If you’re a fan of intense gaming sessions with the likes of Genshin Impact, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how well the 8S Pro handles it. You won’t notice any lags or freezes, no matter how intense the action, even if you use the maximum frame rates.
RedMagic has significantly upgraded the cooling system in the 8S Pro, introducing the advanced ICE 12.0 system. This incorporates a spacious 2068mm3 double-layer vapor chamber cooling plate, an innovative duct structure, cooling gel, a layer of graphene beneath the display, and a high-speed 20,000rpm fan.
In other words, the new cooling system is extremely effective, and holding the phone for extended periods of time during gaming is comfortable since it doesn’t get significantly hot. The fan’s operation is pretty quiet, although if you haven’t used a RedMagic phone before, you’ll definitely notice the fan’s presence as it’s a unique phone equipped with such a cooling method.
Taking gaming controls to the next level, the RedMagic 8S Pro allows you to map trigger buttons on the top edge (in landscape mode) to execute various in-game actions that would typically require touchscreen taps. Add the extra-responsive 960 Hz touch-sampling rate on top of that, and you’ll get an enjoyable gaming experience with swift and precise responses.
Performance for Non-Gaming Applications
The 8S Pro is a gaming beast, but is it as good as a normal use phone? Unfortunately, that again depends on how important the photo quality is to you, as the 8S Pro carried most of the camera performance problems from its predecessor.
Camera Performance
While the RedMagic 8S Pro boasts powerful gaming capabilities, its camera system remains unchanged from the original 8 Pro. The rear setup includes a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. The front houses a 16MP selfie camera tucked under the display.
Looking at the sample images, you can be sure that the cameras carried over the challenges of the 8 Pro. The pictures aren’t vibrant enough, and the camera often gets the colors wrong.
The ultrawide lens results in a weird loss of brightness and the colors start to appear much cooler.
And of course, the hidden selfie camera is still the worst. Your selfies will be washed out with weird fuzziness and the colors of both yourself and the background will either be too saturated and unreal.
Having said that, if you completely ignore the selfie camera, you can still get some decent pictures with your RedMagic 8S Pro.
A good example are these couple of photos taken in low light conditions and at night time.
Software
The RedMagic 8S Pro operates on Android 13, layered with the RedMagic OS 8.0 interface. This offers extensive customization options, allowing you to personalize icons, themes, and even the phone’s behavior. Thus, if you’re seeking a simple Android experience, this phone may not be for you.
Sadly, the software experience isn’t entirely flawless. Some bugs need addressing to ensure a smoother day-to-day usage. During testing, various apps unexpectedly shut down for seemingly no reason. That’s something that shouldn’t be happening with a brand-new Android phone and you’ll probably find such things frustrating.
Battery Life
The RedMagic 8S Pro packs a hefty 6000mAh battery, which is actually two 3000mAh batteries working together. This power source is carried over from the 8 Pro and still performs really well. On a normal day of using social media, making calls, browsing the web, and even some gaming, the battery easily lasted me until bedtime.
Even with intense gaming sessions, you’ll still get a good few hours of play before needing to charge.
The 65W charger that comes with the phone is super fast. It charges the battery from empty to full in just over 30 minutes. A quick 15-minute charge can get you up to 60% battery. But keep in mind, there’s no wireless charging option for this phone.
Should You Buy the REDMAGIC 8S Pro?
If you’re a dedicated gamer looking for a smartphone that combines powerful hardware and gaming-focused features, the RedMagic 8S Pro could be an attractive choice. With its overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and revamped cooling system, it offers impressive gaming performance. The 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate enhances the gaming experience further.
However, keep in mind that the camera performance isn’t its strong suit, and the software experience, while customizable, might have some bugs that need ironing out. The massive 6000mAh battery and fast charging capabilities contribute to extended gaming sessions. Ultimately, if you prioritize gaming and are willing to overlook some minor shortcomings, the RedMagic 8S Pro is definitely worth considering.
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If you don’t have a full-sized printing machine at home and often need to print a document on the go, check out the Newyes portable printer . This wireless printer is lightweight and small enough to fit in your bag. Not to mention it’s environmentally friendly, since it uses thermal paper instead of ink.
Follow our review of the Newyes portable wireless thermal printer to see if it suits your printing needs.
Newyes Portable Wireless Thermal A4 Printer: First Impressions & Specs
When I was a student, I remember my university always required hard copies of documents. Luckily, there was a print shop on campus where I could always pop in to print something.
Then I became a professional, and to my surprise many life spheres still required me to have printed versions of documents with me. Of course you can get your own full-sized machine to print things at home, but if like me you live in a small apartment, you value every extra bit of space and don’t want a massive printer to take it up.
One day, when I was looking for a neighbor with a printer to help me with my event tickets, they introduced me to the concept of a portable printer. Seeing how easy it is to use, I immediately wanted to get my hands on one of those. So here I am, reviewing one of the most useful gadgets I received recently – the Newyes portable thermal printer.
Before we continue with this review, here is the full list of specs of this printer.
- Model: Newyes LD0801
- Dimensions: 10.4 x 1.2 x 2.28 in (265 x 58 x 30.5 mm)
- Weight: 16.8oz (475g)
- Paper format: A4
- Paper width: 210mm or 218mm
- Printing Type: thermal paper
- Resolution: 203DPI
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Charging port: USB type-C port
- Input Voltage: DC 5V / 2A
- Battery: 1200mAh lithium battery
- Charging time: 75 min
- Automatic shut down: after 30 minutes
- Stand-by: about 30 days
- Extra features: LED light, reset, on / off switch button
- Color: white, black
- Warranty: limited one year warranty
- Price: $199 on the Newyes website
If you find yourself in need of hard copies of important documents while on the move, the Newyes portable wireless thermal printer will become your go-to gadget. Newyes calls it “the world’s smallest printer”, and with the weight of under 500g this seems plausible. This mini printer offers a handy solution for those moments when you need to quickly print an important document but don’t have access to an office setup.
Operating this printer is a breeze – a simple Bluetooth connection is all that’s required. Once connected, just fire up the app, choose the file you want to print, and send it over. Efficiency is at the forefront, and you can easily print multiple sheets by inserting new pages back to back.
The only limitation this printer has is that it can only print in black. So even if your original file is in color, the printed document will still come out in black and white. Other than that – you can print a variety of file types including Excel, Word, PDF, JPG, PNG, and web pages – and it only takes seconds.
The Newyes portable wireless printer combines convenience, portability, and efficiency – all the things I appreciate in a modern gadget.
Design and Unpacking
Let’s have a closer look at the design and build of this smart printer, as well as what you get included in the package when you purchase it.
What’s in the Box
Here’s everything you’ll find when unpacking your Newyes portable thermal printer:
- The Newyes portable wireless thermal printer
- Bracket
- USB type-C cable
- Storage/carrying pouch
- 100pcs thermal printing paper
- User manual
You can use the Newyes portable printer right out of the box, as you’re all set with essential accessories. Aside from the printer itself, the package includes a bracket which will make printing more than one page smoother, a convenient storage bag for carrying your printer with you, a USB-C cable for charging, and a supply of 100 pieces of thermal paper to get you started.
One important thing to remember is that this printer only works with thermal paper. While thermal paper is significantly more expensive than normal paper, this printer also uses inkless printing and works without a ribbon and toner. Since you don’t have to spend money on ink, carbon ribbons or toner cartridges, you ultimately end up saving money with thermal paper.
The Newyes LD0801 is a pocket-sized printer that features straightforward design. For the purpose of this review, I had a printer in white color. The printer looks like a small white brick with just two pressable buttons on top – one for switching it on and off, and another for opening the printer’s cover. You’ll also see the paper entry slot on top of the printer.
On the side of the printer, you’ll find a single charging port.
The printer is made of plastic, but the build feels sturdy. I never have to worry about throwing it into my bag or damaging it when traveling. Besides, you can use a nice carrying pouch included in the package for protection.
Performance & Features
According to Newyes, the portable printer has a “handheld size and two times the weight of an iPhone”. This can give you an idea of how portable and convenient this little gadget is. In a month of testing, I used it at home, in a store, and even in a car while on the road.
Using the printer is unbelievably easy. Connect it to your mobile phone via Bluetooth, press the button to turn the printer on and put a sheet of thermal paper into the paper entry slot. Make sure to use thermal paper and not standard paper, and put it with the black marks facing down. Bear in mind that the thermal printer can only print in black and white and only on one (marked) side of the thermal paper sheet.
Then open the iPrint app on your smartphone. If you’re printing an A4 document, you can select one of two options – Photo Printing and Document Printing . Then choose the document from your phone’s files and print it.
The printer is reliable and in the time that I used it the Newyes LD0801 never let me down. The printing quality will surprise you, as it’s sometimes better than what you get from a full-sized printer. The printer supports printing in various formats, and you can use it to print documents from your smartphone (Android and iPhone), iPad, and Android tablet.
When fully charged, the printer can support up to 90 pieces of paper continuously, which is very impressive for a gadget of such a small size.
Software
The Newyes portable printer requires an iPrint app to operate. The app is available for free on iOS and Android. You’ll need to download the app on your device from the App Store or Google Play before you begin printing your documents.
The app has a simple and user-friendly design. You’ll need to pair your device with the printer on the first use via Bluetooth.
Depending on the type of document you want to print, you can choose different options from the app. There’s photo printing, document printing, web printing, and banner printing.
The app also has Materials and Template sections, where you can find various pictures and templates for printing to-do lists, post-its and holiday cards. You can also use the Newyes LD0801 as a label printer using these templates.
Battery Life
The Newyes portable wireless thermal printer is equipped with a decent 1200mAh lithium battery. This high-capacity battery allows you to print on the go without constantly worrying about running out of charge. When I received the printer, I charged it fully once, and it still hasn’t run out of battery after one month of use (I use it to print something almost every other day).
Charging this printer is quick and takes just over an hour to charge the printer from zero to full. The type-C charging cable facilitates a rapid charging experience. And if you run out of battery while on the go, you can quickly charge the printer from a portable power station or a power bank to continue printing.
The printer doesn’t support wireless charging, so I’d recommend always bringing the usb-c cable with you just in case.
Should You Buy the Newyes Portable Wireless Thermal Printer?
The Newyes portable thermal printer ensures high-quality wireless printing while on the go and easy operation. It’s not the most budget-friendly option, but this purchase will save you money and nerves in the long run thanks to its versatility and portable nature.
Personally, I can say that this printer made my life easier. So much that it’s probably my favorite smart gadget of the year. If you’re looking for a portable printer that won’t take any space in your house, I’d certainly recommend considering the Newyes LD0801 model.
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