REDMAGIC 10 Air Review: The Light Gaming Phone that Packs a Punch

Gaming phones are powerful things. But with great power comes a fair amount of heft in your pocket. That's where the REDMAGIC 10 Air—a gaming phone under $500—is different. As mainstream phone makers are racing to go thinner (hello, iPhone 17 Air rumours and Galaxy S25 Edge leaks), REDMAGIC delivers a sleek device that’s a first for gaming phones. This lightweight powerhouse is 10% thinner and lighter than the REDMAGIC 10 Pro.

But the big question is: has REDMAGIC sacrificed any of the powerful gaming specs that they've come to be known for?

Build: Slim and Light but Still Built for Gaming on Android

Measuring just 7.9mm thin and weighing 205g, the REDMAGIC 10 Air is noticeably slimmer than your average gaming beast. Meanwhile, the brushed aluminium frame and matte glass back add a touch of elegance that’s rare for a phone of its kind. It’s available in three colours: Hailstone (white), Twilight (black), and Flare (bold orange)—though the latter isn’t hitting the markets until later.

The 10 Air is probably the most minimal-looking gaming phone released in a while. Sure, you still get gamer-centric elements like the bright red Magic Key and touch-sensitive shoulder triggers, but they’re integrated with more restraint compared with previous models. That said, switch on REDMAGIC's signature RGB lighting, and you’re reminded this is still a phone built for gameplay.

Screen & Design: Full-view Android Gaming

No matter what you're playing (or if you're not playing games at all), the 6.8-inch AMOLED screen is a treat for the eyes. It makes everything from watching Netflix to doing everyday tasks look big, bold and beautiful.

It supports Full HD+ and a 120Hz refresh rate, which may fall short of the 144Hz crowd, but still delivers a silky experience, especially in titles like Call of Duty: Mobile. Scrolling and swiping also feel super smooth. To top it off, the front camera is even hidden under the display, so you get a clean, uninterrupted view for both gaming and streaming.

Gaming Performance: Still a Powerhouse

Despite being powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (one generation behind the 8 Gen 3 Elite in the 10 Pro), the Air still holds its own. Backed by 16GB of RAM and the Red Core v3 chip, it delivers smooth, consistent performance across titles like Genshin Impact and Weathering Waves, maintaining near-perfect frame rates on high settings.

What's missing here is the internal fan found in the 10 Pro—a cut likely made for a slimmer design. That said, the 10 Air still keeps it cool through a layered cooling system and liquid cooling.

Software: More Mora

Running REDMAGIC OS 10 on Android 15, the UI is familiar to REDMAGIC fans, complete with deep customization options. Themes, icons, animations—even the fingerprint sensor glow—can be tailored.

And yes, Mora the REDMAGIC mascot is here. For those who aren’t acquainted: Think Alexa with attitude. Mora animates on-screen, reacts to your voice, and even comes with alarm and live-streaming functions. She's a bit eccentric, sure. But it wouldn't be a REDMAGIC gaming phone without her. 

Built-in Gaming Gear: Game-changing

In terms of hardware, there’s gaming gear naturally baked right into the frame. First, we’ve got the shoulder triggers, which are customizable and super responsive to give you an extra edge in fast-paced FPS games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Fortnite. Then there's the Magic Key that you can map for quick in-game actions.

In keeping with REDMAGIC tradition, slide the Game Space switch to kick your device into maximum gaming mode and personalize everything for your ideal gaming setup. The Game Space even allows you to record your best gaming actions. It's how REDMAGIC has consistently delivered some of the best gaming phones out there.

Compared to the REDMAGIC 10 Pro, I couldn't detect any real difference in gameplay performance, and that alone makes the 10 Air a tempting choice for budget gaming phones.

Phone Cameras: Surprisingly Sharp for a Gaming Phone

Gaming phones don’t usually focus on photography, but the REDMAGIC 10 Air puts in real effort. Dual 50MP cameras (main and ultra-wide) deliver solid shots, and the under-display selfie cam gets a boost from new image processing for clearer, more natural selfies. What's more, the 10 Air uses the same camera software as the 10 Pro, so you're getting the same great quality for a better price.

Battery Life: Passes the Test for Mobile Gaming Marathons

The Air packs a 6000mAh battery, slightly smaller than the 10 Pro. In general usage or with lighter games, you’ll get 10–11 hours. But heavy hitters like Weathering Waves can drain it in under 4 hours on high settings. Thankfully, 80W fast charging brings you from 0 to 100% in just 40 minutes—but there’s no wireless charging.

Heyup's Verdict: A Gaming Powerhouse that's Light on Your Hands (and on Your Wallet)

If you're after a sleeker gaming phone that can still handle demanding titles without totally breaking a sweat, the REDMAGIC 10 Air is a solid choice and easily one of the best Android phones for gaming. Performance is strong, the design is far more everyday-friendly, and the gaming features remain robust. That said, if cooling and raw performance are your top priorities, the bigger REDMAGIC 10 Pro may still be the better bet.

But for those who want a more portable powerhouse that doesn’t go too hard on the gamer aesthetics and starts at under $500, the REDMAGIC 10 Air is hard to beat.