A senior executive at RedMagic has publicly criticized the smartphone industry for what he calls a growing culture of design copying, arguing that the sector’s aesthetics are “moving backwards” as brands increasingly rely on imitation instead of innovation.
On January 13, Jiang Chao, general manager of RedMagic gaming phones, posted a blunt statement on social media accusing rival manufacturers of releasing products that look nearly identical to one another — often by simply changing camera modules or adding new colors and calling them “new models.”
“We Copy One iPhone, Then Copy Another”
Jiang, who previously worked in design, said he is increasingly frustrated by what he sees as a lack of originality in today’s smartphone market.
According to his post, many brands now “copy the iPhone 17 Pro, then copy the 17 Air,” or make only superficial changes before presenting devices as new products. In his words, this trend reflects a clear decline in the industry’s aesthetic standards.
He called on competitors to be “more sincere and more serious” about product design, adding that gamers in particular value strong visual identity and want devices that are truly distinctive rather than generic.
RedMagic Bets on Transparency as a Design Statement
Jiang’s comments come just days before RedMagic’s next major product launch. The company has confirmed it will officially unveil the RedMagic 11 Air on January 20 at 3:00 p.m. local time.
According to RedMagic, the new phone will introduce a “full-series transparent design” for the first time, pushing the brand’s signature transparent aesthetic further than ever before.
The company says the design blends multiple visual themes — including the texture of vinyl records, the dynamic lines of a racing track, and bold geometric elements — all visible beneath the transparent back panel. The goal, RedMagic says, is to create a device that is immediately recognizable and visually layered, rather than just another anonymous slab of glass.
Built for Gaming, Not Just Looks
Beyond design, RedMagic is positioning the 11 Air as a serious gaming-focused flagship. The company says the phone integrates nine core technologies, including:
- An active cooling fan
- A 4D ultra-thick VC liquid cooling system
- Professional gaming shoulder buttons
- An ultra-narrow-bezel full-screen display
- A built-in PC emulator
- The CUBE gaming engine
- The company’s self-developed Red Core R4 gaming chip
- And the largest battery ever used in the RedMagic Air series
Flagship Hardware Confirmed
The RedMagic 11 Air has already passed China’s MIIT certification, confirming several key specifications.
The device will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite platform and feature a 6.85-inch 120Hz true full-screen display with an under-display front camera, keeping the front of the phone completely free of notches or punch holes.
RedMagic is describing the phone as “the most powerful and best-looking Air-class performance flagship in its segment” — a bold claim in an increasingly crowded gaming phone market.
A Wider Debate About Originality in Smartphones
Jiang’s comments have struck a nerve because they reflect a sentiment shared by many consumers: that modern smartphones are starting to look too similar, with innovation increasingly focused on internal specs rather than outward identity.
His criticism also highlights a growing tension in the industry. As phones become more expensive and development costs rise, brands often play it safe with familiar designs. But that safety, critics argue, comes at the cost of creativity.
With the RedMagic 11 Air, the company appears to be trying to prove that performance-focused devices do not have to look generic — and that visual identity can still be a competitive advantage.
More Than a Product Launch
Whether RedMagic’s transparent design will start a new trend or remain a niche aesthetic remains to be seen. But the message from the company’s leadership is clear: the era of copying and minor cosmetic tweaks is not enough.
As the smartphone market matures, differentiation is no longer just about processors and camera sensors. It is also about standing out in a sea of look-alike devices — and RedMagic is betting that gamers, at least, still care deeply about that.
All eyes will be on January 20 to see whether the RedMagic 11 Air can back up that philosophy with a product that truly feels different.
