Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
I was reasonably impressed when benchmarking my first Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 handset. The Nubia REDMAGIC 11 Pro I tested performs within just a few percentage points of Qualcomm’s best-case reference model from its launch event, suggesting the new Snapdragon will retain the performance crown for another year.
However, there’s one significant caveat — graphics stress tests hit blistering highs of 56°C to maintain peak performance over time. That’s far too hot to hold the phone comfortably. The only reason the REDMAGIC didn’t buckle under such extreme heat is its elaborate liquid cooling system and fan setup.