Why You Can Trust CNET RedMagic 5G phone with 144Hz display goes on presale today
Nubia's flagship RedMagic 5G will go on sale globally starting April 21.
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On the heels of releasing the world's first gaming phone with a built-in fan, Chinese phone maker Nubia began taking preorders on Tuesday for its new gaming phone, the RedMagic 5G. The handset is due to be released globally on April 21.
The RedMagic 5G appears to lay claim to being the first mass-produced phone to come with a 144Hz refresh rate -- a step up from the 90Hz display seen on last year's Red Magic 3 line. It comes in two variants: 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, which costs $579 (£539, which is roughly AU$1,060), or 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for $649 (£599, which is roughly AU$1,180).
The RedMagic 5G comes in three colors: Eclipse Black, Pulse, and Hot Rod Red, which the company says will be available soon.
The RedMagic 5G has a 6.65-inch AMOLED display and is powered by the Snapdragon 865 processor. It comes with an X55 modem, which means it has 5G capabilities, as its name suggests. Other features include an upgraded fan-cooling system, an 18-watt charger and a 4,500-mAh battery, which is smaller than the one found in its predecessor. The camera system includes three shooters on the phone's rear led by a 64-megapixel sensor.
Launched in 2019, the RedMagic 3 was the first gaming phone to come with an in-built fan after taking inspiration from a gaming PC. It uses a fan in combination with a liquid cooling system to keep the device from getting too hot.
Nubia, which was once owned by Chinese telecom giant ZTE, launched back in 2012. The company made waves last year with its Nubia Alpha for the wrist, which features a 4-inch flexible OLED display.