Anticipation Builds for the RedMagic 11 Air Launch
ZTE Nubia made waves in October with the release of the RedMagic 11 Pro series, featuring the RedMagic 11 Pro and 11 Pro+ models. However, the much-awaited Air variant of the RedMagic 11 remained unannounced at that time. In a similar pattern to the previous generation, where the RedMagic 10 Pro debuted in November 2023 and the lighter RedMagic 10 Air was released globally months later in April 2024, many expected a similar launch timeline for the 11 Air model. Contrary to these expectations, new information reveals that the RedMagic 11 Air will arrive earlier, with a planned launch in January 2026.
Jiang Chao, RedMagic's gaming product manager, highlighted this accelerated timeline by resharing a post from tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo. He also emphasized the powerful nature of the Air variant, hinting at significant upgrades compared to its predecessors.
Powerful Specs Backed by Latest Technology
The RedMagic 11 Air is rumored to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, boasting approximately 28% faster CPU performance over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in the current model. Gamers can also expect Nubia’s renowned active cooling system to make a comeback, ensuring efficient thermal management during intense gaming sessions. Additionally, this model is anticipated to be the first smartphone of 2026 to incorporate an under-display front camera, offering a sleek and futuristic design aesthetic.
Insights from TENAA Reveal Key Details
Recently surfaced TENAA certification details confirm that the RedMagic 11 Air, under model number NX799J, will sport a 6.8-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1216 × 2688 pixels. The phone is expected to feature a dual 50 MP rear camera setup along with a 16 MP front camera. Storage options are impressive, with configurations of 24 GB RAM paired with 1 TB storage and 12 GB RAM with 256 GB storage anticipated.
Perhaps the most notable upgrade is its battery capacity, leaping from the previous model’s 6,000 mAh to a hefty 7,000 mAh power cell. This enhancement promises extended gaming and usage times, addressing one of the critical pain points for mobile gamers.
Looking Forward
The RedMagic 10 Air, available at $549, has garnered attention among gamers for delivering strong performance for the price. However, it wasn’t without flaws; users pointed out issues such as a persistent small green line on some screens and a front camera that fell short of expectations.
While the upcoming RedMagic 11 Air will reportedly maintain the 16 MP front camera, it remains to be seen whether image quality will improve with a different sensor. Another area Nubia might address is weight, as the previous Air model weighed 205g—significantly heavier than other smartphones in the same “Air” category, like the iPhone Air at 165g.
If Nubia successfully tackles these concerns while delivering the promised power and enhancements, the RedMagic 11 Air could emerge as a top contender in the mid-range gaming smartphone market when it officially launches early next year.
