RedMagic 12 Pro review

Design and handling

Visually, the RedMagic 12 Pro doesn't stray too far from its predecessor. The manufacturer is sticking with the same familiar industrial design, so anyone expecting a major overhaul will have to look a little closer to spot the differences. The overall shape and layout remain largely unchanged, with the most noticeable revisions located around the back panel and the controls on the sides.

The rear camera arrangement has been reshuffled, giving the camera cluster a different look despite the otherwise familiar design. There's also an illuminated RedMagic logo positioned right next to the cameras, adding another visual accent to the back of the phone. The rest of the design retains the same distinctive gaming-oriented aesthetic.

The choice of materials is the same - glass front, glass back and aluminum side frame. This time around, RedMagic names the protection of the front and back panels, which is Gorilla Glass 7i.

The active cooling system is still part of the package, although its physical cooling fan now sits slightly higher on the chassis. This is a relatively minor change, and the overall layout remains recognizable. The fan continues to be one of the defining features of the RedMagic design, setting the phone apart from other flagship devices.

The side controls have received a more noticeable adjustment. The dedicated red slider found on the previous model has been replaced with a regular key, which is now customizable. But it still launches the Game Space mode by default. This offers some welcome flexibility, although it also means losing one of the more distinctive physical elements of the previous design.

RedMagic 12 Pro

The SIM card tray is on the bottom, housing two physical slots, and there's no eSIM support, unfortunately. Oh, and the 3.5mm jack is nowhere to be found. It used to be on the top side of the frame.

The shoulder triggers are also slightly smaller this time around, but the changes may not necessarily degrade the experience.

Shoulder triggers

One of the more significant changes concerns durability. The RedMagic 12 Pro is rated IP68/IP69, which is an upgrade in the phone's protection against dust and water. Interestingly, the cooling fan itself is still rated IPX8. That's a somewhat unusual distinction, as we haven't encountered a phone with separate ingress-protection ratings assigned to the main device and its hardware. The separate ratings raise questions about precisely how the fan assembly is tested and how its protection differs from that of the rest of the body.

The ultrasonic fingerprint reader seems to be working just fine, no issues as expected.

The RedMagic 12 Pro is now offered in three distinct colors, adding the Skyfrost (Blue Transparent) to the mix. The familiar Nightfreeze (Transparent Black) and the Subzero (Transparent Silver) remain in the roster. We have the Nightfreeze for the review.

All things considered, the RedMagic 12 Pro is more of a refresh rather than a redesign. The revised camera layout, illuminated rear logo and customizable side key provide some visual changes, but none of the changes have any practical impact. It's a solid slab of glass and metal with no protrusions or obstructions. What's not to like?