Reviewer calls RedMagic 12 Pro the fastest Android phone he's tested

A gaming phone brand most people have not heard of just earned some big praise. ZDNet's reviewer calls the RedMagic 12 Pro the fastest Android phone he has ever tested. RedMagic usually launches its phones in China first. This time it is announcing an international launch for the 12 Pro right away.

What it does

The phone runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip, with speeds up to 5.01 GHz. That chip is the phone's brain. It is paired with RedMagic's own R5 Gaming Chipset. The reviewer ran Geekbench 7, a common speed test, and says he has never seen a score this high. He says it beat current Pixel phones. The iPhone 18 Pro Max came out ahead in single-core speed but just behind in multi-core speed.

He says real use matched the numbers. Menus glide, apps open right away, and switching between apps showed no lag. He also tried the built-in AI tools, including a notepad that writes text for you, and found them very quick. He played Diablo: Immortal and called the graphics crisp, smooth and responsive.

Design and extras

• The screen has no camera hole or notch, so the display is uninterrupted.
• The front and back are glass, which feels smooth but shows fingerprints.
• Lights on the back can be customized for things like calls, charging and alarms.
• AI tools include live translation, call assistant, transcripts and writing help.

The catch

The reviewer's main complaint is the preinstalled games. The phone ships with casual titles such as Puzzle Spark, Mahjong Blast, Bolt Twist, GoGo! Blast, and Little Kitty, Big City. He says they cheapen a serious gaming phone. They are not malicious, and they can be deleted easily.

What is not known yet

The material does not give a price, a ship date or a list of countries. It also reflects one reviewer's testing, not a wide comparison. Anyone interested in a very fast Android phone, especially for gaming, now has a new option to watch. Check the final price and local availability before deciding.