Goodbye to the 'Brick' Phone! RedMagic 11 Air Hands-On: An Ultra-Slim Body with a Built-in Fan and an Incredible Feel

The world of gaming phones, a niche but passionate category, might be on the verge of a significant change. Previously, the term "gaming phone" conjured images of heavy, bulky devices, often mocked as fitness equipment due to their extreme measures to dissipate heat. To tame powerful processors, manufacturers seemed willing to weld cooling accessories directly onto the back of their phones.

However, the new device we're looking at today defies these conventions. This is the RedMagic 11 Air, released on January 20th.

 

Goodbye to the 'Brick' Phone! RedMagic 11 Air Hands-On: An Ultra-Slim Body with a Built-in Fan and an Incredible Feel


The most compelling aspect of the RedMagic 11 Air isn't just its performance, but its form factor. It houses a Snapdragon 8 Supreme Edition processor, a massive 7000mAh battery, and a 6.85-inch 1.5K true full-screen display. The most incredible part? It manages to pack an active cooling fan while keeping the thickness down to a mere 7.85mm and the weight at around 207g. This radical design led to speculation: was cooling compromised for thinness? Was the battery downsized? After spending some time with the device, it's clear this isn't a traditional gaming phone, but rather a more well-rounded performance flagship.

Thinner, Lighter, and a Great Feel

Let's start with the exterior. The RedMagic 11 Air features a transparent design across the lineup. The Quantum Black model reviewed here showcases racetrack lines, vintage vinyl record textures, and even Mondrian-style geometric aesthetics beneath the transparent back panel. This creates a fascinating tension between order and speed that is surprisingly cohesive and appealing. To address the sharp-edge problem common with flat-screen phones, RedMagic customized a curved rear glass panel. The feel is sublime; the 7.85mm ultra-thin body, metal mid-frame, and ergonomic curve create a fit in the hand that is both light and secure, completely shedding the cumbersome feeling of older gaming phones.

 

Goodbye to the 'Brick' Phone! RedMagic 11 Air Hands-On: An Ultra-Slim Body with a Built-in Fan and an Incredible Feel

 

But where is the fan in such a slim profile? RedMagic's engineering is impressive. They've managed to integrate a physical centrifugal fan within the constrained space. The air intake is located below the second camera module, and the outlet is on the side of the mid-frame, easily mistaken for a speaker grille. Of course, it wouldn't be a RedMagic without RGB lighting. The logo and fan area still feature customizable lights, instantly bringing back that familiar esports vibe when the fan spins up.

 

Goodbye to the 'Brick' Phone! RedMagic 11 Air Hands-On: An Ultra-Slim Body with a Built-in Fan and an Incredible Feel

 

Flipping to the front reveals where RedMagic refuses to compromise. While other brands embrace the notch, RedMagic sticks with under-display camera (UDC) technology. This means you get a completely uninterrupted 6.85-inch screen with a 1.5K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, 1800nit local peak brightness, and high-frequency PWM dimming. For purists and gamers, this truly immersive, full-screen view is a feature you won't want to give up once you've experienced it.

 

Goodbye to the 'Brick' Phone! RedMagic 11 Air Hands-On: An Ultra-Slim Body with a Built-in Fan and an Incredible Feel

 

Fan-Boosted, Stronger Performance

Even with its 'Air' moniker, performance is non-negotiable. The device is powered by the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Supreme Edition chipset, which remains in the highest echelon of performance with an AnTuTu score of 3.35 million. The key differentiator for the RedMagic 11 Air is its built-in fan. While regular flagships often throttle performance or dim the screen under sustained load to manage heat, this phone's active cooling system changes the game. In a demanding test with the game *Honkai: Star Rail* at max settings, the frame rate remained incredibly stable, hugging the 60fps mark. Critically, the heat was actively expelled through the vent, keeping the areas where you hold the phone comfortably warm (max 37.4°C) instead of scorching hot. This physical cooling advantage is undeniable. The phone also retains its signature shoulder triggers, providing a tangible, mechanical advantage in FPS games that screen-based controls simply can't replicate.

Camera is Unimpressive, System Shows Improvement

As a device focused on a slim profile and performance, the camera system on the RedMagic 11 Air is understandably restrained. It features a dual-camera setup on the back with a 50MP main sensor and a secondary ultra-wide lens. There is no telephoto lens. In good lighting, the photos are perfectly fine for sharing on social media, with pleasing color reproduction. However, image quality degrades quickly in low-light conditions or when zooming. The under-display front camera, despite generations of improvement, still produces a soft, 'hazy' look in backlit or complex lighting situations. On the other hand, battery life is outstanding. The 7000mAh battery, an impressive feat in a 7.85mm frame, easily lasts through a full day of heavy use. Combined with 120W fast charging, battery anxiety is virtually nonexistent. The RedMagic OS has also matured, offering a smooth experience and a highly detailed Game Space with practical tools for gamers, though there is still room for improvement in system aesthetics and animations.

 

Goodbye to the 'Brick' Phone! RedMagic 11 Air Hands-On: An Ultra-Slim Body with a Built-in Fan and an Incredible Feel
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