Red magic 3s review in Spanish (full analysis)

Today we have with us the Smartphone Gaming Red Magic 3S, the most hardcore Nubian terminal for mobile gaming enthusiasts with features that will undoubtedly surprise you. In addition to powerful hardware, the manufacturer has managed to tuck a fan system onto the CPU that will make a difference in FPS stability with very powerful games.

It is not everything, because we have a double tactile trigger on the side, which for compatible games like PUBG, will come from pearls to expand versatility and improve control. We have tested the most powerful version with Snapdragon 855+, 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB UFS 3.0 of storage. Is it true that it is at the level of the Asus ROG Phone 2?

Red Magic 3S technical features

Unboxing

The Red Magic 3S has come to us in a typical rigid cardboard box like all those used for smartphones, although in this case it is square and low in height. It is an option that is not too common nowadays, since the boxes super adjusted to the measurements of the terminal predominate.

In any case, the opening system is the same, due to sliding, and inside we find a mold that divides the bundle into two sections, one for the terminal and the other for the other accessories. The mobile comes only with a protective plastic, while the accessories are inside small boxes.

So in total we have the following elements:

• Red Magic 3S Terminal 18W Charger USB Type-C Cable for Charging and Data Sticker Set Documentation

It is striking that it does not bring any type of mobile phone case. In fact, the documentation comes in a cardboard box with the ideal size and thickness to fit the hypothetical cover. But hey, it's not the end of the world, so we can show it off as it deserves.

Pure gaming exterior design

If anything stands out with the naked eye, it is the aggressive design of the Red Magic 3S. We would say that it is even more striking than gaming terminals such as the ROG Phone II and even the Black Shark 2, whose endings are similar. And it is that for this mobile an aluminum cover has been used that occupies the entire rear and side areas, with the corresponding rubber separations in the upper and lower area to eliminate the cage effect to the coverage.

The terminal is large, very large, with a 6.65-inch screen that also has no notch, nor are the edges the tightest we have seen. Therefore, the measurements amount to 78.5 mm wide, 171.7 mm high and 9.76 mm thick, adding a weight of 215 grams without any cover. Still, it still maintains the 19.5: 9 format instead of going up to 21: 9 which would be a great option for gaming. The screen does not specify Gorilla Glass certification, although it has scratch protection.

The part of the screen registers quite prominent 2.5D curved edges, along with two long openings in the upper and lower areas to let out the forceful dual speaker sound system with DTS-X 3D technology. In the absence of the notch we only have a 16 MP selfie camera listed to the left, something that does not favor aesthetics.

Regarding the finishes in general, they are very good, highlighting the quality of the aluminum housing that in the model we tested comes with a striking gradient in blue and bright red. It is also available in red, black and a very elegant gray called silver storm. It has IP55 certification, that is, protection against dust and water jets, but no immersion in this terminal.

Before we start looking at the wings, it is well worth stopping to look at the rear area of the Red Magic 3S in more detail. This is not completely flat, but its central area is slightly more out, hence the thickness it registers. In this central area, we have an RGB lighting band that will be activated while we are playing and that we can customize from an application that is installed by default. In the same way we have the lower logo that also lights up and some details in the corners merely decorative. This area has a slight roughness that allows us to grip the mobile very comfortably and with great security as it is not slippery.

What interests us most in terms of usability is at the top. We start with a fingerprint sensor with an at least original design using a hexagon. Right above us we have what is being the air intake of the CPU fan protected by a dust grille. Despite the IP55 certification, I would not throw water in this place… And finally we find a single sensor as the main 48 MP camera together with a fairly normal LED flash.

Ports and connections

After analyzing the peculiar external appearance, we will focus on the sides, which come with many gaming-oriented innovations, with some that will surprise you.

The upper and lower area of ​​the Red Magic 3S will be the most normal and generic with respect to other terminals. In the lower area we find the USB Type-C connector for data and charging. In addition, we have an opening for sound and the corresponding microphone. The screws that hold this metal housing to the terminal are also visible.

The upper area only shows the 3.5 mm jack port for headphones, which could not be missing in a gaming smartphone like this one. The noise canceling microphone is not in this area, but at the rear in a very discreet corner.

We continue with the right side, where we have one of the great novelties in the form of touch triggers on each side. Be careful, they do not have any route, but their operation is purely tactile. This has been a great decision by Nubia, since in compatible games such as PUBG or Asphalt, we can configure them from the game itself to fulfill a certain function, giving us much better PSP-style manageability in its times or Nintendo switch.

The news does not stop here, because if we had an air inlet, the outlet could not be missing, which is just on this side in the form of a grid. You will be surprised by the amount of air that is expelled when the fan is running, although it must be said that the system is not very quiet. It will only be activated in benchmark programs or games, the rest of the time it will be totally stopped.

Otherwise, we have the corresponding volume buttons and the unlock button perfectly located to access it without moving your hand, from the grip position. Very good distribution in general and correct design.

We continue with the left area of ​​the Red Magic 3s, in which an advanced 7-contact connector for expansion elements has been installed. Specifically, this element consists of a base that we must acquire independently that provides us with an outlet for headphones, a charging port for the terminal and also an ethernet port for wired connection. In it, we can connect an external screen through its USB-C, making it a great option for enthusiastic gamers.

In the upper area there is a button or switch that allows us to activate the integrated gaming application. It is a function that practically all gaming smartphones have, and this could not be the exception. Next to it, the corresponding removable tray for the dual SIM has been installed, which in this case does not support storage expansion by MicroSD.

Display and features

Now it's time to focus on the characteristics of the screen, and this time the Red Magic 3S does not disappoint either. We have a panel with AMOLED technology of 6.65 inches and a FHD resolution of 2340 x 1080p and therefore, a pixel density not too high with 388 dpi, yes, maintaining a 19.5: 9 image format. Of course, it is a gaming mobile, so its refresh rate rises to 90 Hz, just what we could ask for, and the truth is that this screen is very similar to the one installed by the OnePlus 7 Pro.

This panel offers us a contrast ratio of 100, 000: 1 with a maximum brightness of 430 nits, 100% NTSC coverage and HDR10 support as expected. In addition, the refresh rate of the touch input has been increased to 240 Hz, with a latency of approximately 41.7 ms. These parameters become relevant in a smartphone of this type, since it is about gaining speed of response under any circumstance, and this screen gives us plenty.

The utilization ratio of the front is relegated to a secondary plane with only 80% as it does not have a notch, although we think that it is not a priority in a terminal purely focused on gaming. Being a fairly large screen, the feeling it gives us is very good, with a perfect representation of colors and a decent brightness, although not exceptional. Perhaps a raise to 600 nits would have been fabulous, but the incredible fluidity it gives us is worth experiencing. We hope that soon all terminals, at least high-end, standardize these 90 Hz on their screens, because it is certainly the present and future.

Security systems

Regarding security systems, we have the least we could ask for in the Red Magic 3S, that is, facial recognition and a fingerprint sensor.

Extending into facial recognition, we have our own brand instead of the generic Android and this works incredibly fast. Unlocking by this system is practically instantaneous after pressing the unlock button on the screen. We have only lacked an option to apply recognition in different conditions, for example, using glasses, and other accessories. The unlocking system always forces us to press the side button, and we do not have activation of the screen through the motion sensor, such as Realme or other terminals.

As for the fingerprint sensor, despite its strange shape, it is perfectly located and works just as fast as the previous method. In addition, it supports practically any finger position while we have configured it with enough positions. In this case we have Android's own system without manufacturer modifications.

A section without a doubt sensational and of which we do not have any type of complaint except the small commented details.

Dual speaker sound and 4D vibration

We already know the audio system that the Red Magic 3S implements, as it is the same or similar to that of the LG G8 ThinQ, that is, the DTS-X 3D. What does change, and much is the arrangement of the speakers and the long openings that we have on both sides that allows us to have a great acoustic experience. This is achieved thanks to two speakers running in stereo with capacity for 7.1 output, at least that is what the manufacturer indicates.

As for the maximum volume, it is not too high, at least not as much as, for example, the Xiaomi or the Razer Phone, and in this it does closely resemble the LG. But the large openings let us hear a perfect mat and without any distortion and even a good bass presence to take advantage of the explosions and shutter juices.

Along with this, we have a complete 4D vibration system that for practical purposes could resemble the OnePlus haptic system. These are various engines distributed by the finish that will give us a feeling of vibration by zones depending on the events of the game, which will blend perfectly with the sound system to give us the best gaming feeling. And the truth is that all this pack of details shows when playing and regardless of our pure ability, having a gaming-oriented terminal shows a lot.

Hardware and performance

And we come to the section that every gamer must know, and that is the specifications. This Red Magic 3S does not disappoint at any time, especially the model of our analysis that is devilishly powerful.

This terminal has as its central core the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor along with an Adreno 940 GPU. This 64-bit 855+ CPU has 8 cores, 1 Kryo 485 at 2.96 GHz, 3 Kryo 485 at 2.4 GHz and 4 1.8 GHz Kryo 485, with 7nm manufacturing process as normal.

But of course, you will have fallen into the detail or the advantage that the manufacturer gives us by implementing an active cooling system by means of a fan that will certainly make a difference. And the temperatures are very good at full capacity . The price to pay is a slight noise when the system is working, but nothing that the sound of the device can mask.

Along with this processor we have different versions of RAM available, all of them of the LPDDR4X type working at 2133 MHz. In our case we have the most powerful version with no less than 12 GB, but there is also a more discreet version of 8 GB. With storage something similar happens, since we have two versions associated with each RAM, with 128 and 256 GB, the one of our model being the most powerful. The storage system uses UFS 3.0 technology, being twice as fast 2.1 and the one with the majority of flagships on the market. Finally, indicate that it does not have a storage expansion through SD cards, so we recommend purchasing the 256 GB version if we plan to install many games.

Benchmarks and gaming experience

Next, we leave you with the score obtained in AnTuTu Benchmark in its new version 8, the benchmark software par excellence in Android and iOS terminals. In the same way, we will leave you the results obtained in the benchmark of 3DMark oriented to games and GeekBench 5 that evaluates the performance of the CPU in mono-core and multi-core.

It is undoubtedly one of the best optimized terminals with this hardware configuration. We just have to appreciate the great distance it takes from the rest of the terminals analyzed by us in 3DMark or the enormous score of AnTuTu. The drawback we have had is that since the benchmark software has been updated, now we cannot compare it with previous devices analyzed by us, such as the Black Shark 2.

Once again, we owe these notable improvements not only to the implementation of the operating system, but to the installed air cooling that allows for better temperatures in the CPU and GPU of the terminal. The advantage is that this performance is not reached at specific times, but is sustained for much longer, as we have seen during the days that we have used the terminal.

Operating system and customization layer

Obviously we have Android 9.0 Pie running on the Red Magic 3S along with the RedMagic 2.0 customization layer that we cannot help but say is too intrusive in the appearance configuration and distribution of configuration options. We do not doubt that it is poorly implemented, on the contrary, the scores show how light it is by not having only the manufacturer's own applications, for the sole purpose of the aid and the application of lighting. But the look is quite dated and basic, with a white background and fairly outdated icons for the times.

The interaction is correct, very fluid and simple, and those 90 Hz are great for the device. We have a management similar to that of the other terminals, although we have noticed that the Spanish translation is not well carried out, there are still many options in English and some elements somewhat messy. A certification with Android One would have been the best without a doubt.

As for own applications, we highlight the Game Space mode that we will now talk about, the application to control lighting and little else. We can modify some parameters of the screen, as well as the authentication systems. The display mode of battery consumption is somewhat rough and does not provide many details of use, only the screen hours. It is interesting to have a screen recording mode, as Oxygen OS does, which will be very useful for content creators.

Very complete game mode

A game mode, which in this case is called Game Space 2.0, could not be missing in a gaming mobile like this Red Magic 3S . We can activate it at any time with the button placed on the left side.

Within this mode, we can view all the games that we have installed through an application carousel with a large image of it. Or we can choose a classic presentation with blocks if we choose it with the upper button. With two options at the bottom left, we can enable or disable the lighting and the CPU fan.

The installation panel for the Red Magic Handle gadget, the notification and calls block and the Personal Center section are also not missing. From it, it is possible to configure more options for cooling, screen recording mode and LED strip. This recording mode allows us to record in SD and HD quality, although it does not specify the specific resolution. Finally we have a floating options menu that will appear if we drag our finger from the right edge. In it, we have a summary of all the previous options and the possibility of activating a D-Pad on the screen.

It is a necessary and very complete way that we can act within the game itself, for example, to configure the touch triggers at the top of the terminal. One of the most complete we have tested, with a perfect and very intuitive implementation. Too bad it is not in Spanish, which will be a small inconvenience for many.

Cameras and performance

We come to the camera section, one that in this Red Magic 3S is not going to have too much prominence nor is it going to satisfy enthusiastic users of photography. We already know what this mobile is for, and not exactly for taking photos.

48 Mpx rear sensor

In any case, a very good rear sensor has been installed such as the Sony IMX586 Exmor RS. This is 48 Mpx with 1.7 focal aperture and a CMOS type lens with 0.800 µm. It is clear that if something is going to give us this unique sensor is detail in the photographs, in that there is no discussion, but otherwise it will have a rather discreet performance for which of a very improvable camera application.

This camera does not include portrait mode, so the beginning is not hopeful. So the blur in the background we will have to look for ourselves with a bit of luck and skill. It does have an automatic or manual HDR mode, as well as a professional mode to retouch the shooting characteristics. It is not a very agile camera in general, unless we have good lighting conditions. We also have two focus elements that can be separated to better adapt the image we want. Where this sensor stands out the most is having a good white balance with good lighting, a very faithful representation of colors and a high level of detail.

Versatility is pretty lacking, only with digital zoom and no portrait or wide-angle mode. We do have night mode, although this rather what it does is overexpose the lighting to get a clearer image. The treatment of night light is not the best and it does not improve if what we want is to achieve a well-focused image.

The own application has a Family Mode with curious effects for photos, such as the possibility of making a multi-exposure, cloned images by superimposing photos, slow motion or the popular time-lapse mode, along with several others that are not too useful in my mode either. to see. The entire application is in perfect English, so certain language skills are required from the user. It has a professional way to touch up detailed image parameters.

Regarding video recording, it is not a sensor that is stabilized, so our pulse will determine the quality itself. By having Adreno 940, it offers the possibility to record video in 4K @ 60 FPS and even an experimental mode in 8K, something that not many terminals on the market offer. Similarly, we have the ability to record in slow motion at 1920 fps, which is plenty for the brand in this regard.

16 Mpx front sensor

In the front area we have a 16 Mpx sensor with 2.0 focal aperture and also without stabilization. The performance of this sensor can be considered normal, with well-detailed selfies, although of course without the possibility of portrait mode.

Once again, it doesn't measure up to a flagship, it also tends to overexpose the color of the images taken when the lighting is low. There is not much more to say, it is capable of recording at 1080p resolution and 60 FPS.

Like all this, the photography section leaves us with a bittersweet feeling. We know the gross power of these sensors, so their biggest limitation is precisely in the software that the camera uses. We already know that the Pixel 3 works wonders with a single 12 Mpx sensor, so there is no such a limitation. In addition, we have tested GCam, the Google application, but the compatibility is quite low, without the possibility of recording video or activating night mode.

We leave you with a series of photos of these sensors

Main camera

Main camera

Main camera

Main camera

Main camera

Main camera

Main camera

Normal mode

Night mode

Normal mode

Night mode

Selfie

Selfie

Selfie

Brutal autonomy with 5000 mAh battery

Again, being a gaming terminal, Nubia has put all the meat on the grill with the Red Magic 3S to incorporate a 5000 mAh battery. This one, has a fast charge of 27W, although the charger available in the purchase is only 18W. Not bad, but as always, manufacturers don't give all their cards. On the other hand, we lose wireless charging capacity.

Well, this battery with this specific hardware has given us an autonomy of just over two days in most tests.

• Basic use: The catch that we have attached has been to make a normal and basic use of the device, navigate, watch videos, do the benchmarks and play undemanding games with a screen brightness of slightly less than half. With all this, we have had a total of 17 hours of screen, a true wonder. Gaming use: in the gaming tests with PUBG as the main game used, we have obtained about 7 hours of screen at a brightness of 50%.

In any case, the autonomy is spectacular, which shows that the hardware and the system are very efficient in using it. Everything will depend largely on the game used, and the brightness of the screen. Also, if we deactivate the fan we will gain a little extra autonomy.

Regarding connectivity, we have more or less what was expected, with the notable absence of NFC, which we believe would be necessary in such a high-end terminal. In any case, we have Dual SIM and Wi-Fi compatible with 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac. Similarly, we have geolocation sensors compatible with A-GPS, GPU, Beidou and GLONASS, something already standard.

Final words and conclusion about Red Magic 3S

Well, we come to the end of this review of the Red Magic 3S, and for now it is the most powerful gaming terminal that we have tested with the permission of the new IPhone 11 with its Apple A13 CPU. The capacity of the Snapdragon 855+ has been maximized to give results typical of its plus version, and this is largely due to the fan cooling system that the brand has implemented. One that really has really worked, unlike others based on water.

To this we add the impeccable choice of two versions with 8 and 12 GB of RAM along with 128 and 256 GB of UFS 3.0 type storage, the fastest available today. All this makes us have a true beast for games. In addition, its 5000 mAh battery offers a gaming autonomy of almost 7 hours of screen playing and more than 15 hours for normal use, which is sensational.

Something that feels great to you is the 90 Hz refresh rate on an outstanding AMOLED FHD display. We do not have a surface too well used, since there is no notch, but honestly it is in a secondary framework for this mobile. The door features are complemented by its multimedia sections, these being excellent, with a quality screen and sound with a fairly strong stereo double speaker, although without reaching the level of the Razer Phone for example.

We recommend reading our guide to the best Smartphone Gaming

Something that we have also loved is the speed of its unlocking systems, practically instantaneous both facial recognition and fingerprint sensor. On the other hand, the implementation of the Game Space 2.0 software on Android 9.0 is a success. Something that I personally did not like is its customization layer, quite intrusive in appearance and with a rather outdated design. The Spanish translation has been half done in many options, and the own applications are all in English.

As for exterior design, we also give it an outstanding for its originality and aggressiveness. An aluminum casing with very daring and different colors, which also even RGB as good gaming. But the most interesting thing is the double touch trigger system on the top, which greatly improves the handling of the terminal in games.

The cameras section is relegated to a second or third step. Versatility is low with a single rear sensor, and the camera app pretty much limits a 48MP Sony sensor that with a good implementation would do wonders. In any case, detailed images and 4K @ 60 FPS and even 8K recording are available.

We finish with the price section, and here we also have pleasant surprises, because it offers us an excellent quality / price ratio. The most powerful 12/256 GB version, which we have analyzed, can be obtained for $ 599, while the 8/128 GB is at $ 479. Taking into account the performance is a spectacular figure.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ THE MOST POWERFUL SNAPDRAGON 855 TERMINAL TESTED	- LITTLE VERSATILITY IN THE CAMERAS AND NOT AT THE REQUIRED LEVEL
+ TOP RANGE HARDWARE WITH 12 GB RAM AND 256 GB UFS 3.0	- PRETTY LARGE AND HEAVY TERMINAL
+ VERY GOOD 90 HZ SCREEN	- IMPROVABLE PERSONALIZATION LAYER
+ TOUCH TRIGGERS ON SIDES	- SERIAL CHARGER AT 18W AND NO NFC OR WIRELESS CHARGE
+ CPU AIR COOLING
+ ORIGINAL AND AGGRESSIVE DESIGN
+ COMPLETE GAME MODE APPLICATION
+ QUALITY / PRICE
+ VERY GOOD AUTONOMY WITH 5000 MAH

The Professional Review team awards you the platinum medal and recommended product:

Red Magic 3S

DESIGN - 90%

PERFORMANCE - 96%

CAMERA - 75%

AUTONOMY - 95%

PRICE - 93%

90%

The most powerful Snapdragon 855 terminal we have tested. One of the best games on the market and at the best price