REDMAGIC 11S Pro vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
REDMAGIC 11S Pro (#1, best overall) vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (#3): in our Gaming Phones scoring the REDMAGIC 11S Pro totals 10/10 and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 8.7/10, the REDMAGIC 11S Pro leading on Cooling and Gaming Features.
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Side by side
| REDMAGIC 11S Pro | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.85" BOE X10 OLED, 2688x1216, 144Hz, 1,800 nits | 6.9" Super Retina XDR, 2868x1320, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (Leading Version) + RedCore R4 | A19 Pro Bionic |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB | 256GB-2TB |
| Battery | 7,500mAh, 80W wired + 80W wireless | Up to 39hr video |
| Cooling | AquaCore liquid cooling, 24,000 RPM turbofan | — |
| Camera | — | 48MP main (ƒ/1.78) + 48MP ultrawide + 48MP 4x (100mm) telephoto |
| Price | $849 → | Check price → |
How they differ in real use
Built from our best gaming phones scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the REDMAGIC 11S Pro and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max made our Top 5 Gaming Phones, at #1 (best overall) and #3. The REDMAGIC 11 Pro that previously held this spot is out of stock everywhere, including direct from REDMAGIC, so its successor takes over: a 'Leading Version' Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, AquaCore liquid cooling with a 24,000 RPM turbofan, a 144Hz OLED display, and a bigger 7,500mAh battery with 80W wired and wireless charging. It isn't sold on Amazon US, so the link below goes to REDMAGIC's own US store. Best for Apple ecosystem gamers with A19 Pro sustained performance, console-quality games (RE Village, AC Mirage), and Apple Arcade. MagSafe controller attachment needs no pairing fuss. Passively cooled, so it trails the actively-cooled and vapor-chamber phones above on extended sessions.
We score gaming phones on Performance (35%), Display (25%), Cooling (20%), Gaming Features (10%) and Battery Life (10%). On that basis the REDMAGIC 11S Pro totals 10 out of 10 and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 8.7. The widest gap is Cooling, where the REDMAGIC 11S Pro scores 10 against 7 for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: thermal. Gaming Features also separates them: 10 for the REDMAGIC 11S Pro versus 6 for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display: 6.85" BOE X10 OLED, 2688x1216, 144Hz, 1,800 nits on the REDMAGIC 11S Pro versus 6.9" Super Retina XDR, 2868x1320, 120Hz ProMotion on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max; Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (Leading Version) + RedCore R4 on the REDMAGIC 11S Pro versus A19 Pro Bionic on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max; RAM: 12GB/16GB on the REDMAGIC 11S Pro versus 12GB on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max; Storage: 256GB/512GB on the REDMAGIC 11S Pro versus 256GB-2TB on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max; Battery: 7,500mAh, 80W wired + 80W wireless on the REDMAGIC 11S Pro versus Up to 39hr video on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The REDMAGIC 11S Pro lists at $849; the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max's current price is on the merchant page. Owners praise the REDMAGIC 11S Pro for aquaCore liquid cooling with a 24,000 RPM turbofan and 13,116 mm² vapor chamber sustains clocks through long sessions and 7,500mAh battery with both 80W wired and 80W wireless charging; the most common complaint is camera system is the biggest compromise, per BGR's review: no telephoto lens, weak dynamic range, and noisy, soft low-light images. Owners praise the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max for best-in-class video recording and 4K 120fps smooth capture; the most common complaint is premium flagship price.
REDMAGIC 11S Pro
- AquaCore liquid cooling with a 24,000 RPM turbofan and 13,116 mm² vapor chamber sustains clocks through long sessions
- 7,500mAh battery with both 80W wired and 80W wireless charging
- 144Hz BOE X10 OLED display at up to 1,800 nits
- Up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage
- Camera system is the biggest compromise, per BGR's review: no telephoto lens, weak dynamic range, and noisy, soft low-light images
- Only 2 years of OS updates and 3-5 years of security updates, trailing Samsung and Google
- Not sold on Amazon US; purchase is direct through REDMAGIC's own US store
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Best-in-class video recording
- 4K 120fps smooth capture
- Zero shutter lag
- Spatial photo/video for Vision Pro
- Premium flagship price
- 12GB RAM less than Android
- Slower charging than competitors
Which should you buy?
The REDMAGIC 11S Pro is the better fit for hardcore mobile gamers and sustained gaming sessions; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Cooling and Gaming Features. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better fit for photography enthusiasts and video creators. The REDMAGIC 11S Pro is a poor fit for camera-focused buyers; the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a poor fit for budget conscious.
Choose the REDMAGIC 11S Pro if
- Hardcore mobile gamers
- Sustained gaming sessions
- Benchmark chasers
Skip it if
- Camera-focused buyers
- Long-term software support needs
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- Photography enthusiasts
- Video creators
- Apple ecosystem users
Skip it if
- Budget conscious
- Fast charging needs
Common questions
Is the REDMAGIC 11S Pro better than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
In our Gaming Phones ranking the REDMAGIC 11S Pro scores higher overall, 10 to 8.7, with the biggest advantage in Cooling. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max does not out-score it on any criterion we weigh.
What is the main difference between the REDMAGIC 11S Pro and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The headline spec difference is Display: 6.85" BOE X10 OLED, 2688x1216, 144Hz, 1,800 nits on the REDMAGIC 11S Pro versus 6.9" Super Retina XDR, 2868x1320, 120Hz ProMotion on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. In use, the gap that matters most is Cooling (10 vs 7 in our scoring): thermal.