Redmagic 12 Pro Enhances Gaming Phone with RGB Liquid Cooling and 185Hz Display

Image: Redmagic upgrades its liquid-cooled gaming phone with extra RGBs · Source

Redmagic upgrades its gaming phone with RGB lighting embedded in the liquid cooling system, a 185Hz refresh rate display, and improved cooling, launching the 12 Pro starting at $949.

Redmagic has introduced the 12 Pro, an enhanced version of its gaming smartphone, featuring an innovative RGB lighting system integrated into the transparent liquid cooling loop. This is a notable evolution following last year's incorporation of true liquid cooling in the series. The RGB lights in the cooling loop can be programmed with predefined patterns and can react to specific apps, notifications, or calls. However, due to the fluorescent blue cooling liquid, light colors like blue and white reinforce the blue hue, while others, such as green and red, blend variably, resulting in colors like turquoise or colored bubbles in the blue liquid.

Beyond the liquid cooling ring, the phone includes additional RGB lights: a small illuminated ring beneath the main camera, side lighting within the chassis, and thin strips along the touch-sensitive shoulder buttons. These illuminate in their intended colors without the dilution effect of the liquid cooling system. Nevertheless, some visible liquid cooling sections near the Redmagic logo lack RGB lighting, maintaining a fixed blue color, creating a complex lighting interplay difficult to homogenize.

The cooling system itself is upgraded, delivering an output pressure of 130kPa, an 85% improvement over the previous generation. It incorporates a built-in fan and a vapor chamber to effectively manage the heat generated by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset. Complementing the hardware, the 12 Pro is offered with 12GB or 16GB RAM options—absent the 24GB variant now—and storage choices of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. Its substantial 8,400mAh battery supports prolonged use with the lighting and cooling active, and the device supports relatively fast 80W charging.

The phone carries an IP69 rating for water and dust resistance over most of its body; however, the cooling fan area is rated only IPX8 with no dust protection, presenting a potential vulnerability. Notably, the 3.5mm headphone jack has been removed, a decision likely to affect existing users accustomed to wired audio.

Photography capabilities are straightforward, with dual 50-megapixel rear cameras—main and ultra-wide—not distinguished by sensor size but noted for their aesthetically pleasing flush integration beneath the rear glass panel.

A key highlight is the 6.8-inch display capable of a 185Hz refresh rate, marking one of the highest refresh rates in mobile gaming displays, though this peak is attained primarily in certain gaming scenarios. This display also is the first with an under-display 16-megapixel selfie camera at this refresh rate, which remains discreet but delivers limited photo quality. Selfies are described as poor with heavy AI-driven beautification filters that appear non-disableable, likely intended to compensate for image quality shortcomings.

Launching at $949—a $200 increase from the previous generation—and reaching up to $1,199 for the highest specification model, the Redmagic 12 Pro will be available for pre-order starting November 12, with shipments commencing November 18. This release consolidates Redmagic’s commitment to innovative gaming phone designs by combining advanced cooling, lighting, and display technologies.