Keeping smartphones cool amid rising performance demands

As smartphones become more powerful, keeping them from overheating has emerged as a critical challenge. Simple heat dissipation is no longer sufficient, and even advanced passive cooling solutions like vapor cooling chambers can struggle, particularly with demanding tasks such as gaming.

Nubia’s gaming sub-brand RedMagic believes the answer lies in an external accessory and is now sharing its technology with others. The RedMagic VC Cooler 5 Pro is a small square block that attaches to smartphones via magnetic wireless charging or an optional back clip, making it widely compatible.

The device includes a 7-blade fan and a 3,060 sq. mm. vapor chamber liquid cooling plate, which RedMagic claims can reduce a phone’s temperature by up to 18°C. Rather than offering a simple fan and cooling plate, RedMagic has incorporated AI to automatically adjust the VC Cooler 5 Pro’s speed through its “Goper” app, along with customizable RGB lighting controls.

While the magnetic version is compatible with MagSafe on iPhones, the app’s AI-powered dynamic settings and custom RGB lights are currently only available on Android devices. The RedMagic VC Cooler 5 Pro will launch on April 15th, priced at €59 ($64) for the magnetic version and €64 ($69) with the optional back clip.

As smartphones push the boundaries of performance, innovative cooling solutions like RedMagic’s VC Cooler 5 Pro could prove essential in mitigating the risks of overheating and enabling sustained, high-intensity use cases such as gaming.