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Looking Back at the Halfway Mark: How REDMAGIC Has Changed the Gaming Industry This Year

In order to see how far you’ve come in life, it’s important to look back at what you've already done. Throughout the years, the gaming industry has changed a lot with a renewed focus on innovation and accessibility. As technology advanced, AI took over, and tech became even better, gamers began to expect more from their devices.

 

The year began with the REDMAGIC 11 Pro, which launched globally in late 2025 and carried its momentum into 2026. As the world’s first mass-produced smartphone with liquid cooling, the 11 Pro already set a precedent for what to expect from our team. With its innovative AquaCore liquid cooling system, flagship gaming performance, and true full-screen display, it immediately made waves while boasting a large battery and distinctive flat-back transparent design. 

 

The 11 Pro easily established a powerful foundation for the year ahead and 2026 was the starting point for pushing boundaries even further. From the launch of the REDMAGIC 11 Air to the arrival of the REDMAGIC 11S Pro and the next-generation Astra 2 gaming tablet, we’ve used the first half of this year to challenge assumptions about what mobile gaming hardware can deliver in the modern age. Today, we’ll be looking at the milestones we’ve achieved in 2026 so far.

Milestone 1: Introducing the 11 Air

We kicked the year off on a high note with the release of the REDMAGIC 11 Air on January 29, 2026. Designed as a lighter, more accessible alternative to the flagship 11 Pro, the 11 Air demonstrated that a gaming smartphone need not be thick, heavy, or intimidating. The device combines the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with our very own RedCore R4 gaming chip, a 144Hz OLED display, a 7,000mAh battery, and a 24,000 RPM turbo fan. However, the main story was always about finding balance.

 

In such a fast-paced landscape, it’s easy for companies to get lost in innovation and forget the people behind the screens they build. The 11 Air was built to show that gaming phones could combine high-end gaming performance with everyday usability, allowing everyone to enjoy the thrill of gaming without breaking the bank.

 

The cooling was equally significant in the 11 Air. Rather than taking the new liquid cooling approach, we stuck to our roots and returned to active airflow, combining a turbo fan with an enlarged vapor chamber. This showcases our diverse approach to cooling and that there is no single solution to mobile thermal management: ultimately, the best approach depends on the device's size, performance targets, and intended audience. Ultimately, we took a firmer stance on how REDMAGIC works for everyone, whether you’re a pro gamer, a noob, or just someone who enjoys world-class performance from their device.

 

Milestone 2: REDMAGIC’s Cooler 8 Series

On the 10th of March, we expanded our approach to thermal management beyond the phone itself with the REDMAGIC Cryo Cooler 8 Series. The Cryo Cooler 8 Pro was highlighted as the latest generation of external active cooling to a wider range of devices, boasting 8th-Gen COLDLNG technology for 30% better cooling and up to 80°C temperature reduction.

 

Armed with a 36W maximum power output, an 11-blade 6,200 RPM turbo fan and a large TEC cooling engine, the cooler brought flexibility and compatibility that extends across MagSafe iPhones, Android smartphones, and tablets. RGB lighting and its distinctive gamer-focused design also make cooling part of the setup rather than an afterthought.

 

Alongside the Pro, the Cryo Cooler 8 Air provides a more lightweight cooling option for players who want external thermal assistance in a more compact package. Together, the series reflects one of REDMAGIC's biggest themes of 2026: peak performance only matters when a device can sustain it.

 

Milestone 3: The REDMAGIC 11S Pro

By this midway point of 2026, we were already warming up for the next big launch. May 27th, 2026, delivered one of REDMAGIC's biggest hardware milestones of the year: the REDMAGIC 11S Pro. Built around the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Leading Version chipset, the 11S Pro was already set to redefine power as an evolution of the foundation we established with the 11 Pro. 

 

By combining high-end processing power, an upgraded AquaCore cooling system, and a 144Hz true full-screen display, the 11S Pro easily became a star. With a flat back and no camera bump, the 11S Pro offered a sleek and improved option, alongside 520Hz shoulder triggers for enhanced gameplay agility.

 

As the industry's only gaming smartphone to combine both water and air cooling, the 11S Pro effortlessly achieved temperatures 2 - 3°C lower than the 11 Pro under peak performance conditions. Armed with a 7,500mAh battery and 80W wired and wireless fast charging, the 11S Pro was not simply faster; it represented the best of smartphone engineering and gaming-PC principles.

 

Milestone 4: We Redefine the Gaming Tablet

Now, hot on the heels of the 11S Pro, we wanted to show our fans that we are not a one-trick pony by any means. So, we decided to expand our line of gaming tablets as well, and suddenly REDMAGIC’s latest flagship gaming tablet, the Astra 2, was born in July 2026.

 

Taking the concept of a gaming tablet further, the compact 363g Astra 2 features a 6.9mm design and comes fitted with a 9.06-inch 2.4K OLED display, an impressive 185Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processing, and our RedCore R4 gaming chip. However, we had to spruce up a few more specs to make the new kid shine. This is why the Astra 2 comes with our upgraded AquaCore Cooling System 2.0, Liquid Metal 3.0, and a large vapor chamber to manage the heat generated by sustained gaming workloads.

 

The tablet also features a 8,300mAh battery and up to 75W charging, alongside dual USB-C ports for added flexibility and versatility. Tablets occupy an interesting position between smartphones and handheld consoles. With larger screens and more physical space for cooling, they’re still considerably more portable than a laptop; giving you the best of both worlds. With the Astra 2, we brought to life the idea that a compact Android tablet can be a powerful gaming platform and useful daily device.

 

Beyond the Hardware: REDMAGIC Community & Brand Milestones

Now, 2026 also marked important community milestones for us as we celebrated REDMAGIC's 8th anniversary. This was a time for celebration and taking into account how far we’ve come and how far we’re willing to still go. REDMAGIC also passed 2 million followers on TikTok, growing our social media presence and community across the world. 

 

We also created a REDMAGIC Facebook community group that now sits at a pretty 55.5K following and has become a loving community with a lot of memes. We also have the REDMAGIC CODM Community Tournament to celebrate where you could stream live gameplay with BobbyPlays.

 

The REDMAGIC 2026 Legacy So Far

Looking back at the first few months of 2026, there’s one theme that connects every major REDMAGIC milestone: ensuring performance without compromise. While the 11 Air made powerful gaming more accessible, the 11S Pro pushed smartphone cooling and sustained performance further, and the Astra 2 expanded the definition of what a gaming tablet can be. 

 

Through these last months, our continued investment in the needs of our fans, alongside our Game Space features, AI assistance, and gaming-focused hardware, shows that we’ve always been building more than a lineup of devices; we’ve been building a community that thrives on innovation, accessibility, and versatility. 

 

As the gaming industry changes rapidly, REDMAGIC is set on helping to drive that change in a positive direction, and none of this would be possible without the REDMAGIC community.

 

To everyone who has played, competed, shared a meme, posted a setup, joined an event, given feedback, or simply supported REDMAGIC this year: thank you for being part of the journey. 2026 isn't over yet, but we've already created some unforgettable moments together. Let us know, what has been your favorite REDMAGIC launch or moment of 2026 so far?

 

FAQ

Q: What has been REDMAGIC's biggest milestone in 2026?

A: The launch of the REDMAGIC Astra 2 and REDMAGIC 11S Pro are among the year's biggest milestones as they push sustained performance, cooling innovation, and display technology further.


Q: Why is cooling innovation so important for gaming phones?

A: Gaming generates sustained CPU and GPU workloads, and advanced cooling helps to manage that heat and allows devices to maintain performance for longer periods.


Q: What makes the REDMAGIC Astra 2 different from a regular tablet?

A: The Astra 2 is designed around gaming, combining a 185Hz OLED display, flagship processing, advanced cooling, a large battery, and dedicated gaming features. This ensures superior performance compared to a regular tablet.


Q: Has REDMAGIC's focus changed in 2026?

A: Our core focus remains superior gaming performance, but we’ve expanded our approach to include accessibility, AI engineering, versatility, ergonomics, and broadening our gaming ecosystem.


Q: What could REDMAGIC's 2026 milestones mean for the future of mobile gaming?

A: They point toward a future where gaming devices can deliver console-like performance, sophisticated thermal management, and specialized gaming features in portable form factors for everyone.

REDMAGIC Branded Merch & Swag REDMAGIC Branded Merch & Swag 

REDMAGIC Branded Merch & Swag

Explore the official REDMAGIC Branded Merch & Swag, featuring stylish and durable gamer gear, including phone stands, canvas bags, collectible stickers, and more. Perfect for REDMAGIC fans, these items combine functionality with bold, gamer-inspired designs to show off your gaming spirit.
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Promotional graphic for the REDMAGIC ASTRO 2 laptop, showing the silver and black laptop from multiple angles, a tablet screen mockup, a 80W fast charger, and text offering €30 off, 1-day early access, free 80W fast charger, and exclusive REDMAGIC Mora keychain. Vantaggi Early Bird del tablet gaming REDMAGIC Astra 2

Vantaggi Early Bird del tablet gaming REDMAGIC Astra 2

Sii tra i primi a provare il tablet gaming REDMAGIC Astra 2. Prenota i vantaggi Early Bird a soli 1 € e ottieni 30 € di sconto, 1 giorno di accesso anticipato, regali esclusivi e il miglior prezzo di lancio sul tablet gaming Android di nuova generazione.
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REDMAGIC Shadow Blade Gamepad 3 REDMAGIC Shadow Blade Gamepad 3

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REDMAGIC Shadow Blade Gamepad 3 – Lightweight, RGB Lighting, Pro-Level Mobile Controller Experience console-style gaming anywhere with the REDMAGIC Shadow Blade Gamepad 3. Featuring customizable RGB lighting, 6-axis gyroscope, Hall joysticks, and Bluetooth 5.3 compatibility for phones and tablets.
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