RedMagic 6R: A budget gaming champion in 2025
Launched in 2021, the ZTE Nubia RedMagic 6R arrived as a sleek, performance-focused mobile gaming device. It came with a crisp and clear 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 888 performance, and capacitive shoulder triggers.
These specs made it a formidable platform for gaming, capable of hitting top-tier performance. Reviews at the time praised its battery endurance (thanks to a 4,200 mAh cell) and charging convenience (30W for the global version), which often outperformed rivals in its price range.
A few weeks ago, I got my hands on a RedMagic 6R. It didn't feel dated, so I decided to find out how it holds up in 2025.
Performance: Still smooth
Powered by the Snapdragon 888, the RedMagic 6R still handles most 2025 mobile games without much issue. Heavy titles like Wuthering Waves run smoothly, and the touch responsiveness of the triggers remains exceptional due to the 400Hz sampling rate.
Yet, compared to today’s flagships powered by chips like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4—such as the RedMagic 10 Pro or Asus ROG Phone 9... the RedMagic 6R lags behind in raw processing power.
Display: Fast, but with diminishing returns
Its 144Hz display is still extremely smooth in system navigation and supported games like Real Racing 3, but the mobile gaming ecosystem hasn’t fully caught up. Many titles remain capped at 120fps or lower. The ultra-high refresh rate adds little benefit when most games don’t tap into it. However, for general interface interactions, it still impresses.
Cooling and battery life
Unlike the standard RedMagic 6, the RedMagic 6R does not have an internal cooling fan. It relies on a passive cooling system. For my testing, I paired the phone with a clip-on fan. Even with this accessory, the device remains relevant. Testing showed it can significantly reduce thermal throttling, maintaining better performance during long gaming sessions than many modern, passively cooled phones.
The battery life, while solid in its day, now seems merely average. It lasts around 4–5 hours under a heavy gaming load, especially when I dive into 7DS: Grand Cross. Most modern phones boast larger batteries and more efficient chips that stretch endurance much further.
Software age
RedMagic phones are not known for extended software support. Long-term owners note that updates are delivered slowly, if at all. In 2025, this impacts both security and performance, as the device is stuck on an older version of Android with an outdated security patch.
Pros in 2025:
- An affordable gaming device with dedicated shoulder triggers.
- The ultra-fast display makes the interface feel incredibly smooth.
- Affordable at between $250 to $350 on Swappa.
Cons in 2025:
- The older chipset is really showing its age.
- It has a mediocre battery life compared to modern standards.
- No built-in active cooling fan.
- Virtually non-existent software support or software updates.
- The 144Hz display advantage is still underutilized by most games.
Is the RedMagic 6R still relevant in 2025
In 2025, the RedMagic 6R remains extremely relevant for gamers who are on a budget... or for those who genuinely want a secondary device that's just used for gaming. But... anyone looking for top-tier performance, longer battery life, and modern software would likely explore newer models like the RedMagic 10 Pro or ROG Phone 9.
Source(s)
Hands-on testing
Amazon.com
Swappa.com
RedMagic official
/r/RedMagic - Reddit
