Gaming phones with active cooling systems are getting cheaper every year. Earlier this year, ZTE subsidiary RedMagic launched the RedMagic 11 Air with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, built-in fan, and 6.85-inch 144Hz display for €500. Now at MWC 2026, nubia is pushing the price even lower with the nubia Neo 5 GT.
The Neo 5 GT will retail for €400 globally, with Southeast Asia getting it first. This makes it one of the most affordable gaming phone options on the market right now.
Built-In Cooling Fan: A First for This Price Class
The nubia Neo 5 GT is the first in its class with a built-in cooling fan
The standout feature here is the active cooling system. The nubia Neo 5 GT packs a physical fan attached to a vapor chamber and graphite sheet heat spreader covering 29,508mm². This is the first phone in this price bracket to include active cooling.
The Chipset Problem: Dimensity 7400
The nubia Neo 5 GT is powered by the Dimensity 7400
Here's where things get questionable. The Dimensity 7400 powering this device feels underpowered for a €400 gaming phone. It is a mid-range chip, and you have to wonder how much it actually benefits from active cooling.
For just €100 more, you can get the RedMagic 11 Air with a Snapdragon 8 Elite flagship processor. That price difference makes the value proposition tough to justify.
Display and Gaming Features
The nubia Neo 5 GT has a 6.8-inch 144Hz OLED display
The display specs hold up well. You get a 6.8-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 1,224 x 2,720 pixels and a smooth 144Hz refresh rate. Unlike some gaming phones, this one has rounded corners and a punch-hole selfie camera instead of an under-display solution.
The unit we handled came with shoulder triggers featuring a 550Hz touch sampling rate, which is essential for competitive mobile gaming.
Battery and Design
Flat design with a 6,210mAh battery inside
Battery capacity sits at 6,210mAh using a dual-cell design that supports 80W fast charging. This is smaller than the RedMagic's massive battery but should still last through extended gaming sessions.
The flat design is practical too - no wobbling when you place it on a table. IP64 protection covers most of the phone, though the air duct itself only gets IP5X since you can't seal an active ventilation system completely.
Gaming Aesthetics: RGB and Transparent Elements
nubia didn't skimp on the visual flair. The back features RGB lighting including an eye-shaped element and GT logo. There's also a transparent window showing what appears to be a chip underneath - though that's likely just for show.
Verdict: Good Hardware, Wrong Chipset?
The nubia Neo 5 GT delivers solid hardware for its price point: active cooling, high refresh rate display, shoulder triggers, and RGB lighting are all present. However, the Dimensity 7400 feels like a mismatch for this package.
For mobile gamers who want maximum performance per euro spent, spending an extra €100 on the RedMagic alternative might be the smarter move.