High-end Android phones are now powerful enough to emulate the PC version of Cyberpunk 2077 — YouTuber gets 2020's hottest PC game running at playable frame rates on Red Magic 11 Pro
Published: (February 17, 2026 at 01:53 PM EST)
2 min read
Source: Tom's Hardware
Source: Tom’s Hardware
Image credit: YouTube – ETA Prime
Introduction
Running Cyberpunk 2077 on a smartphone seemed impossible when the game launched in 2020. Six years later, YouTuber ETA Prime demonstrated that the PC version can be emulated on an Android device at playable frame rates.
Setup and Emulation Method
- Device: Red Magic 11 Pro – a flagship Android phone equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, internal liquid cooler, and an active cooling fan.
- Emulation platform: GameSir’s GameHub (uses Valve’s Proton compatibility layer).
- Video demonstration: Cyberpunk 2077 on Android – PC Emulation Is Getting GOOD! (YouTube)
Performance Results
| Settings | Resolution | FPS (average) | FPS (peak) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low settings, 720p, FSR 2.1 Balanced | 720 p | ~30 FPS (most scenarios) | – |
| Same settings, FSR frame generation enabled | 720 p | 40‑50 FPS (highs up to 50 FPS) | Low 40s |
| Steam Deck preset, frame generation off | – | ~27 FPS | – |
| Steam Deck preset, frame generation on | – | 40‑50 FPS | – |
In worst‑case moments the phone dipped into the high 20s but never fell into the teens. The experience was described as “smooth” for the achieved frame rates.
Hardware Utilization and Temperatures
- CPU usage: 60‑80 %
- GPU usage: 50‑60 %
- RAM usage: high 80 % (device has 16 GB LPDDR5T)
- Temperature: peaks around 100 °C despite the liquid cooler (a known issue for Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 devices).
Significance for Mobile Gaming
ETA Prime’s demo highlights how far Android PC emulation has come, largely thanks to Valve’s Proton layer and the increasing power of mobile SoCs. If current trends continue, future smartphones may comfortably reach 60 FPS in demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077.