Nubia Red Magic 6R Review: Affordable, Powerful Gaming Phone
RedMagic 6R Software And User Experience
Here is where things falter a little. From poor translations to
minor bugs, RedMagic’s software has always been awkward and
problematic. Unfortunately, this continues with the RedMagic 6R, which
-- like its sibling, the RedMagic 6 -- runs RedMagic OS v4.0 on top of
Android 11. While this skin is responsive and lightweight, it lacks
visual polish and delivers a mediocre experience.
It’s been a year since we reviewed the RedMagic 5G, and the launcher is still buggy, with apps (like Game Space) missing from the app drawer and notifications sometimes getting stuck or are downright missing from the notification shade. This skin also looks busy, with oddly square icons and a default theme that, unlike the external design, screams “made-for-gamers”. RedMagic also rearranged the settings menu, making it less intuitive.
It’s been a year since we reviewed the RedMagic 5G, and the launcher is still buggy, with apps (like Game Space) missing from the app drawer and notifications sometimes getting stuck or are downright missing from the notification shade. This skin also looks busy, with oddly square icons and a default theme that, unlike the external design, screams “made-for-gamers”. RedMagic also rearranged the settings menu, making it less intuitive.
On the plus side, the launcher includes Google’s Discover feed, and the software is mostly clutter free. The RedMagic 6R is even devoid of bloatware -- including pre-installed games -- which is great news. But what really sets RedMagic phones apart is Game Space, a landscape-mode launcher that’s optimized for gaming. It’s available in the quick settings, and turns the RedMagic 6R into a gaming-first device.
Unlike the rest of the software, Game Space is extremely well thought out. It lets you customize everything from the refresh rate to the capacitive shoulder buttons, among many other things. We invite you to read our RedMagic 5G review to find out more. Still, Game Space doesn’t excuse RedMagic’s other software missteps, not to mention the company’s lack of clarity on its OS upgrade and security update policy.
RedMagic 6R Pricing And Competition
Here in the US, the RedMagic 6R is available unlocked for $499
(8/128GB, Cosmos Black) and $599 (12/256GB, Mercury Silver) directly
from RedMagic’s website. And honestly, that’s a fantastic value. No
other US-market handset delivers these specs for this price -- there’s
simply no competition. Even Samsung’s wonderful Galaxy S20 FE costs
$100 more ($600) and comes with last year’s Snapdragon 865, a 120Hz
screen, and no trigger buttons.
Obviously, you’ll have more options abroad. If you can live with a 120Hz display and no shoulder buttons, the Realme GT 5G ($440) is a solid option. The Black Shark 4 ($410) is a proper gaming phone built around Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon 870. Also consider the MediaTek Dimensity 1200-equipped Poco F3 GT ($350), which is an affordable flagship / gaming handset hybrid, just like the RedMagic 6R.
Obviously, you’ll have more options abroad. If you can live with a 120Hz display and no shoulder buttons, the Realme GT 5G ($440) is a solid option. The Black Shark 4 ($410) is a proper gaming phone built around Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon 870. Also consider the MediaTek Dimensity 1200-equipped Poco F3 GT ($350), which is an affordable flagship / gaming handset hybrid, just like the RedMagic 6R.
RedMagic 6R Final Verdict
The RedMagic 6R is a very interesting and unique device. It splits
the difference between an affordable flagship and a gaming phone, and
boasts a Snapdragon 888 plus a gorgeous 144Hz AMOLED screen for just
$499, which is an unbeatable value. Beyond the inspired hybrid design,
quality materials, and capacitive trigger buttons, this handset also
delivers blazing performance, whether you’re gaming or not.
Find The RedMagic 6R @ Amazon.com
What’s not so great is RedMagic’s lackluster software, which
negatively impacts everything from user experience to camera
performance. Audio also takes a back seat here, with just a mono
speaker and no headphone jack. Ditto haptics, which just feel lackluster.
Finally, battery life is only average, which isn’t ideal for gaming.
So yes, the RedMagic 6R is high on value, but there’s a lot more to
the story, and ultimately, you get what you pay for.
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