REDMAGIC 12 Pro: what we know so far

Updated: 9 October 2026. REDMAGIC revealed the 12 Pro+ design and three transparent colours, officially teased RGB liquid cooling and opened reservations in China. The China launch is still 15 October. Global timing and pricing haven't been announced.

REDMAGIC launches the 12 Pro+ in China on 15 October 2026 at 14:30 local time. The global version is the REDMAGIC 12 Pro, and REDMAGIC hasn't announced when it reaches other markets. The phone runs Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, pairs a 0.96mm bezel with a ninth-generation under-display camera, and now has a transparent back and RGB liquid cooling. Battery, memory, cameras and price are due at the China launch.

The specs below come from REDMAGIC's China teasers for the 12 Pro+. REDMAGIC hasn't said whether the global 12 Pro differs.

REDMAGIC 12 Pro specs: confirmed vs rumoured

12 Pro or 12 Pro+?

REDMAGIC sells the phone as the 12 Pro+ in China and as the 12 Pro in global markets. China's teaser campaign uses the 12 Pro+ name, which is why you'll see both in coverage before launch. REDMAGIC hasn't confirmed whether the two versions share identical specs, so wait for the global announcement before assuming they do.

Launch date: 15 October in China

The 12 Pro+ China event starts at 14:30 local time on 15 October 2026. Reservations are already open on REDMAGIC's Chinese website and JD.com, but a reservation isn't a sale: pricing and full specs are still to come.

The global 12 Pro has started its own teaser campaign. REDMAGIC hasn't given timing for other markets, including the US, Europe or Mexico, so don't read the China launch as the start of international sales.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6

REDMAGIC confirmed the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, the higher-end chip in Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 family, and says the phone will be among the first to use it. The chip's branding also appears on the revealed back panel. ZTE and Nubia executives pitch the upgrade on faster response, better efficiency and steadier performance through long gaming sessions.

Design revealed: transparent back, three colours

REDMAGIC has now shown the full design. Official renders posted on Weibo show a transparent-style flat back with visible cooling hardware and gaming shoulder triggers. Three finishes are confirmed for China:

• Transparent Dark Night
• Transparent Ice Blue
• Transparent Silver Wing

International colour names and availability may differ.

The reveal builds on REDMAGIC's earlier promise of its best-feeling flagship yet, designed around four priorities: lighter, thinner, narrower and rounder. Teaser images show refined corners, slimmer proportions and tighter display borders. A gaming phone also needs room for high-performance hardware and active cooling, which makes that direction harder to deliver. Exact dimensions and weight will show how far REDMAGIC got.

A new benchmark for bezels

The 12 Pro pushes REDMAGIC's full-screen design further with a 0.96mm bezel, continuing the progression across recent generations.

REDMAGIC made that cut while keeping its uninterrupted, hole-less screen, now with a ninth-generation under-display camera. You get a more immersive display for gaming, streaming and everyday use, and the phone keeps the clean front that has long separated REDMAGIC from conventional flagships. Selfie quality and how well the camera area blends in day to day will need hands-on testing.

Sound

REDMAGIC calls the phone its best-sounding flagship to date and confirms Dolby Atmos support.

RGB liquid cooling: from patent to teaser

This is the biggest change since our last update. REDMAGIC has officially teased RGB liquid cooling for the 12 Pro+, which it calls the industry's first RGB water-cooled thermal system in a smartphone. That "industry-first" label is REDMAGIC's own claim.

Reports also suggest the liquid-cooling layout now reaches toward the mainboard, instead of sitting mainly around the battery as on the 11 Pro and 11S Pro. Sustained gaming loads build the most heat around the chipset, so cooling that area could help the phone hold its frame rates longer. REDMAGIC still has to show the full architecture and what it does for real-world performance.

That direction matches a ZTE patent application we covered earlier. It describes a cooling architecture that combines active fan cooling, a liquid-cooling circulation loop and a semiconductor thermoelectric cooling assembly.

The official teaser doesn't mean every patented part, including the thermoelectric cooler, will ship in the phone. Expect the full picture on 15 October.

Built for long gaming sessions

REDMAGIC product line manager Jiang Chao describes the phone as built for real gamers. His priorities: sustained performance, cooling for long sessions, a lighter and thinner body, a distinctive design and a complete hole-less display.

Rumoured battery and charging

Leaks point to an 8,400mAh battery, 120W wired charging and 80W wireless charging. None of these figures are confirmed. They'll also decide whether the phone delivers on its "lighter, thinner" promise once you add the bigger cooling system.

What Heyup readers want to know

Your comments on this article raised two questions REDMAGIC hasn't answered yet. Several of you want a clearer commitment on software updates, and 11 Pro owners say cases and accessories are hard to find. We'll update this article if REDMAGIC addresses either at launch.

What to watch on 15 October

REDMAGIC still has to confirm battery size, charging speeds, weight and dimensions. Watch the cooling reveal closely: the RGB liquid loop is now official, but how far it reaches toward the processor, and whether it keeps frame rates steadier, is still unknown.

Pricing, RAM and storage options, rear cameras and display refresh rate are also due at the China event. Global 12 Pro timing, including the US, Europe and Mexico, and any spec differences from the 12 Pro+ may come later. We'll update this article after the launch. Until then, browse more REDMAGIC news and smartphones on Heyup, or check the current Tryouts.

FAQ

What is the difference between the REDMAGIC 12 Pro and 12 Pro+?

The 12 Pro+ is the China name and the 12 Pro is the global name. REDMAGIC hasn't said whether specs differ between the two.

When does the REDMAGIC 12 Pro launch?

The China version, the 12 Pro+, launches on 15 October 2026 at 14:30 local time. Reservations are open in China. REDMAGIC hasn't announced global dates for the 12 Pro.

When will the REDMAGIC 12 Pro launch in the US or Mexico?

REDMAGIC hasn't announced dates outside China. The global 12 Pro is being teased and is expected after the China event.

What chip does the REDMAGIC 12 Pro use?

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.

How thin are the REDMAGIC 12 Pro bezels?

0.96mm, down from 1.25mm on the 11 Pro and 1.48mm on the 9 Pro.

Does the REDMAGIC 12 Pro have liquid cooling?

Yes. REDMAGIC has officially teased RGB liquid cooling for the 12 Pro+. Full technical details are due at launch.

What colours will the REDMAGIC 12 Pro come in?

In China: Transparent Dark Night, Transparent Ice Blue and Transparent Silver Wing. Global colour names and availability haven't been confirmed.

What battery will the REDMAGIC 12 Pro have?

Not announced. Leaks point to 8,400mAh with 120W wired and 80W wireless charging.

How much will the REDMAGIC 12 Pro cost?

REDMAGIC hasn't announced pricing. China reservations are open ahead of the 15 October launch.