PhoneLifespan

RedMagic 11 Pro vs RedMagic 11S Pro

vs

It depends

Too close to call outright

These two are within 1 point overall, so it depends on you: keep phones for years → RedMagic 11S Pro (supported until Jun 2029); want maximum speed → RedMagic 11 Pro (Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5).

Value Score: RedMagic 11 Pro 61 · RedMagic 11S Pro 60 methodology

Who should pick which

Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.

Nubia RedMagic 11 Pro

The world's first mass-produced liquid-cooled phone is a $749 performance bargain — but with support ending in late 2028, a mid-2026 buyer gets barely 2.5 years of safe ownership.

Pick it if

  • Competitive mobile gamers
  • Emulation and sustained-load power users

Skip it if

  • You keep phones longer than 3 years
  • Camera quality matters to you
Nubia RedMagic 11S Pro

A 2026 gaming powerhouse with the fastest Snapdragon, a massive 7500mAh battery and active fan cooling for the money, but RedMagic's short update support and bulky design limit its all-rounder appeal.

Pick it if

  • Mobile gamers who want top sustained performance and active cooling at a lower price than mainstream flagships
  • Users who need the biggest possible battery and fast wired-and-wireless charging
  • Buyers who still want a headphone jack and physical shoulder triggers

Skip it if

  • You want long-term OS updates and a lightweight, camera-first phone
  • You prefer a subtle design and don't play demanding games

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Nubia RedMagic 11 Pro $699
Buy with care$25.34/mo
2025◆ Buy-by Nov 20262028
Nubia RedMagic 11S Pro $849
Buy with care$24.64/mo
2026◆ Buy-by Jun 20272029

Category by category

Display
RedMagic 11 Pro 70RedMagic 11S Pro 70

Both displays are effectively the same class.

Performance
RedMagic 11 Pro 100RedMagic 11S Pro 100

Performance is a wash — same chip tier.

Camera
RedMagic 11 Pro 67RedMagic 11S Pro 67

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery
RedMagic 11 Pro 100RedMagic 11S Pro 100

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity
RedMagic 11 Pro 33RedMagic 11S Pro 41

The RedMagic 11S Pro is supported until Jun 2029 — 7 months longer than the RedMagic 11 Pro.

Value
RedMagic 11 Pro 61RedMagic 11S Pro 60

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Frequently asked

How long will the RedMagic 11 Pro be supported?

RedMagic's published policy for the 11 Pro series promises 2 generations of Android OS updates and 3 years of security patches from launch — so support runs to about November 2028. Buying at mid-2026 leaves under 2.5 years of coverage, easily the shortest window of any 2025-26 flagship we track, and the main reason its longevity score suffers despite great hardware.

Is the liquid cooling a gimmick?

No — it is the first mass-produced phone with actively circulating coolant, pushed through micro-channels by piezoelectric pumps and paired with liquid metal, a huge vapor chamber, and a 24,000 RPM fan. Reviews consistently showed near-zero throttling in extended gaming sessions, which slower-cooled flagships cannot match.

When does the RedMagic 11S Pro stop getting updates?

RedMagic (part of ZTE/Nubia) does not commit to a clear multi-year policy, and its gaming phones have historically received only about two Android upgrades and a couple of years of patches. From its June 2026 launch we estimate roughly 2 OS updates and around 3 years of security support, into about 2029, which is shorter than the 5-plus years offered by many mainstream brands.

Is the RedMagic 11S Pro worth buying in 2026?

For gamers it is outstanding value: a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Leading chip, a 7500mAh battery, a real cooling fan, shoulder triggers and a headphone jack, often undercutting mainstream flagships. The catch is weaker cameras and short software support, so it is best as a dedicated gaming device rather than a long-term daily driver for everyone.

Full spec table
SpecRedMagic 11 ProRedMagic 11S Pro
Price (street)$699$849
Display6.85-inch AMOLED, 2688x1216, 144Hz, 1800 nits peak, under-display selfie camera6.85-inch flat AMOLED, 1216x2688 (1.5K), 144Hz, 1800-nit peak, under-display selfie camera
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Leading Version with RedCore R4 gaming chip
RAM12GB/16GB/24GB12GB/16GB/24GB
Storage256GB/512GB/1TB256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery7,500 mAh7,500 mAh
Charging80W wired, 80W wireless80W wired, 80W wireless
Rear cameras50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide
Dimensions163.8 × 76.5 × 8.9 mm163.82 x 76.54 x 8.9 mm
Weight230 g230 g
Water resistanceIPX8 (water only, no dust rating)IPX8
Supported untilNov 2028Jun 2029

More comparisons

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.