Forget Tri-Fold Phones: The Real Excitement Lies in Gaming Mobile Devices
Let’s face it: smartphones have become boring. Every new iPhone or Android release feels like a slight tweak of its predecessor, leaving us craving something truly groundbreaking. While ultra-expensive tri-fold devices (like the one teased by Samsung: https://gizmodo.com/samsung-trifold-display-cameras-features-revealed-2000677944) promise a glimpse into the future, it’s the gaming-focused phones that are quietly revolutionizing what our pocket computers can do. And this is the part most people miss: these devices aren’t just for hardcore gamers—they’re pushing boundaries in ways that could benefit everyone.
Take the recently unveiled Redmagic 11 Pro (https://redmagic.tech/pages/redmagic-11-pro), for example. Its standout feature? Liquid cooling—a technology borrowed from high-performance desktop PCs. While most phones rely on passive cooling systems like heat pipes or vapor chambers, the Redmagic 11 Pro uses a micropump to circulate fluorinated fluid across its baseplate, which is then cooled by a fan. This isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a game-changer for sustained performance, especially during intense tasks like gaming or video editing.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is liquid cooling overkill for a smartphone? Two years ago, OnePlus showcased a concept phone with similar tech (https://gizmodo.com/mwc-mobile-world-congress-fast-charging-liquid-cooling-1850180633/5), but now it’s a reality—and it’s paired with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (https://gizmodo.com/qualcomm-snapdragon-8-elite-gen-5-cpu-gpu-features-2000662143). During my own testing of this chip, I noticed performance degradation over time, likely due to overheating. Redmagic claims its liquid cooling system will prevent this, even in extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F). But until we see it in action, it’s hard to say if it’ll outshine what Samsung’s next Galaxy device might offer.
At $750 for the base model (or $850 for a transparent back that showcases the cooling system), the Redmagic 11 Pro isn’t cheap. But it’s not just about cooling—its 144Hz display ensures smooth visuals, making it a solid choice for gamers. And speaking of gaming, these phones are evolving beyond performance specs.
Gaming phones are adding more buttons—but is it too much? Devices like the Asus ROG Phone 9 (https://gizmodo.com/asus-rog-phone-9-review-2000526406) experimented with external fans and extra shoulder buttons, but the Redmagic 11 Pro keeps it sleek, avoiding the stereotypical “gamer” aesthetic. Meanwhile, companies like Ayaneo, known for retro handhelds, are entering the smartphone game with a device inspired by 1990s tech. Their phone features bumper buttons on the left side, positioning it as a modern Game Boy alternative or a hub for retro emulators (https://gizmodo.com/every-gamer-should-explore-this-archive-of-video-game-magazines-2000559224).
OnePlus is also shaking things up with its upcoming devices. While the OnePlus 15 (https://gizmodo.com/the-oneplus-15-is-one-of-the-first-phones-that-could-kick-the-iphone-17-pros-ass-2000665106) isn’t marketed as a gaming phone, its 165Hz display and Qualcomm’s latest chip hint at serious potential. The real star, though, is OnePlus’s HyperRendering GPU pipeline, which could bring frame generation to mobile gaming. This AI-driven tech, similar to Nvidia’s RTX 50-series GPUs, inserts additional frames to smooth gameplay—a feature that could be a game-changer for smaller devices.
But here’s the question: Will these innovations matter if there aren’t killer apps to showcase them? ARM’s promise of AI upscaling (https://gizmodo.com/arms-new-neural-upscaler-could-finally-make-gaming-on-phones-exciting-again-2000641838) and OnePlus’s advancements suggest mobile gaming could leap forward—but only if developers and major players like Samsung, Google, and Apple take notice. Until then, gaming phones remain a niche but exciting proof that innovation in mobile tech isn’t dead.
What do you think? Are gaming phones the future, or just a flashy distraction? And will mainstream brands ever catch up? Let’s debate in the comments!
