Not all smartphones are created equal when it comes to gaming. While any modern phone can run games, certain features set the best gaming phones apart. A powerful processor is essential for smooth gameplay, but it's equally important that the phone can maintain high performance without overheating. Additional memory and storage are crucial for multitasking and storing large games. Some specialized gaming phones, like the RedMagic 10 Pro, offer enhancements such as shoulder buttons and improved touch sampling rates to elevate the gaming experience.
The display is another critical factor. A larger, brighter screen with a high refresh rate ensures clear and fluid visuals. A bigger phone also means your thumbs won’t obscure as much of the screen during gameplay. With these considerations in mind, let's explore the top gaming phones that stand out in the market.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Phones:
Best overall
RedMagic 10 Pro
11 See it at Amazon See it at RedMagic
Check out our guide to the best phone controllers for accessory options.
Contributions by Georgie Peru and Danielle Abraham
RedMagic 10 Pro – Photos
10 Images
RedMagic 10 Pro
Best Gaming Phone
Best overall
RedMagic 10 Pro
11 The RedMagic 10 Pro delivers exceptional gaming performance and sustained power in a sleek package. See it at Amazon See it at RedMagic
Product Specifications
- Screen: 6.85-inch OLED, 1216x2688, 431 ppi, 144Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide, 50-Megapixel Ultrawide, 2-Megapixel Macro, 16-Megapixel Selfie
- Battery: 7,050mAh
- Weight: 229g (0.5lb)
PROS
- Excellent gaming performance
- Great display
CONS
- Underwhelming cameras
- Shorter software support
The RedMagic 10 Pro stands out as a top choice for gamers. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, enhanced by active cooling, ensures high performance even during long gaming sessions. In benchmarks, it's often at the forefront, particularly in terms of sustained performance. The 7,050mAh battery further supports extended gameplay.
Designed with gamers in mind, the RedMagic 10 Pro features two shoulder buttons for enhanced control and a high touch-sampling rate for quick response. Supersampling and frame interpolation enhance visuals and smoothness. Its design is stylish without being over the top, featuring various aesthetic options including clear backs. The 6.85-inch AMOLED display with minimal bezels and a 144Hz refresh rate offers a seamless gaming experience, with the selfie camera hidden under the display for uninterrupted gameplay.
Remarkably, despite its powerful features, the RedMagic 10 Pro is priced competitively at $649, offering great value compared to similar gaming phones like the Asus ROG Phone 9 at $999.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Photos
5 Images
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best iPhone Alternative for Gaming
Product Specifications
- Screen size: 6.8 inches
- Rear cameras: 4
- Front cameras: 1
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 (third generation)
- Battery life: 5,000mAh
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Starting price: $1,299.99
PROS
- Incredible performance
- Exceptional camera system
CONS
- Titanium makes the device big and heavy
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a powerhouse that excels in gaming and beyond. With its robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, 12GB of RAM, and Game Booster mode, it handles intensive games smoothly and multitasks effortlessly. Its 6.8" AMOLED display, boasting a peak brightness of almost 2,600 nits, offers crisp visuals and a 1440p resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay. The adaptive refresh rate helps conserve battery life.
While it may not match the speed of the RedMagic 10 Pro, the Galaxy S24 Ultra's long-term support, excellent cameras, and premium design make it a compelling alternative to iPhones.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Best iPhone for Gaming
Product Specifications
- Screen: 6.9-inch OLED, 1320x2868, 460 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: A18 Pro
- Camera: 48-Megapixel Wide, 48-Megapixel Ultrawide, 12-Megapixel Telephoto, 12-Megapixel Selfie
- Battery: 4,685mAh
- Weight: 227g (0.5lb)
PROS
- Power performance
- Long-term support
- Great design
CONS
- High comparative price
The iPhone 16 Pro Max, equipped with the A18 Pro chip, provides a significant boost in graphics performance, ideal for gaming. Its 6.9-inch display offers ample space for gameplay and controls. Beyond gaming, the iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts a sleek design with a titanium frame and a versatile camera system capable of high-resolution video and stunning photos.
Apple's commitment to gaming is evident with titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil available on iOS, enhancing the gaming experience on the platform.
iPhone SE (2022) – Photos
6 Images
iPhone SE (2022)
Best Budget iPhone for Gaming
Product Specifications
- Screen: 4.7-inch LCD, 750x1334, 326ppi, 60Hz refresh rate
- Processor: A15 Bionic
- Camera: 12-Megapixel Wide | 7-Megapixel Selfie
- Battery: 2,018mAh
- Weight: 144g (0.32lb)
PROS
- Great value for money
- Thin and lightweight
CONS
- Screen is a little too small
The third-generation iPhone SE offers solid gaming performance at a budget-friendly price of $429, thanks to its A15 Bionic chip. Despite its smaller 4.7-inch screen, it provides access to a wide range of iOS games, including those on Apple Arcade. For a better gaming experience, consider pairing it with a phone controller to maximize screen visibility. With only 64GB of storage, expanding to 256GB or using cloud gaming on its 5G network can address storage limitations.
See our guide to the best cheap smartphones.
OnePlus 12 – Photos
8 Images
OnePlus 12
Best Everyday Phone for Mobile Gaming
Product Specifications
- Screen: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1440x3168, 510 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide | 48-Megapixel Ultra-wide | 64-Megapixel Telephoto | 32-Megapixel Selfie
- Battery: 5,400mAh
- Weight: 220g (0.49lb)
PROS
- Solid battery life
- Great performance
CONS
- Limited features
The OnePlus 12 offers excellent gaming performance at a reasonable price of $800. It features a large 6.82-inch AMOLED display with a high brightness of 4,500 nits and an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smooth gameplay. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor ensures it can handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at nearly 60fps with max settings, although it may get warm during extended use.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Photos
6 Images
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Best Foldable Gaming Phone
Product Specifications
- Screen: 7.6-inch 2160 x 1856 AMOLED (Main); 6.2-inch 968 x 2376 AMOLED (Cover)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Camera: 50MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide, 10MP front
- Battery: 4400mAh
- Weight: 239g (0.52 lb)
PROS
- Stunning displays, inside and out
- Extremely powerful
CONS
- Aspect ratios can be weird
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 enhances gaming with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, offering up to a 22% performance boost. Its 7.6-inch internal AMOLED screen delivers vivid colors and sharp details, perfect for immersive gaming. The exterior 6.2-inch screen provides an ultra-wide option for gaming. When not gaming, the Z Fold 6 functions as a versatile device, doubling as a small tablet with multitasking capabilities and boasting a robust camera system. Its high price is justified by Samsung's long-term software support.
OnePlus 12R – Photos
7 Images
OnePlus 12R
Best Budget Android for Gaming
Product Specifications
- Screen: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1264x2780, 450 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide, 8-Megapixel Ultrawide, 2-Megapixel Macro, 16-Megapixel Selfie
- Battery: 5,500mAh
- Weight: 207g (0.46lb)
PROS
- Large, vibrant display
- Strong battery life
- Good main camera
CONS
- No wireless charging
- Only IP64 water and dust resistance
The OnePlus 12R offers flagship-like qualities at a budget-friendly price of $499. Its 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides an excellent platform for gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, while not the latest, still delivers robust performance for most games. The large 5,500mAh battery supports extended gaming sessions. While the camera system is less impressive, it doesn't affect gaming performance, making the OnePlus 12R a strong value-focused choice for gamers.
What to Look for in a Gaming Phone
Choosing the right gaming phone involves focusing on processors and displays more than other features. The latest processors, such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Android and Apple's A18 Pro for iPhones, offer the best performance. Even last-generation chips like the Snapdragon 888 or A15 Bionic provide ample power for gaming.
Displays should feature high refresh rates, ideally above 60Hz, with 90Hz or 120Hz being preferable for smoother gameplay. Variable refresh rates can save power, and fast touch sampling rates enhance responsiveness. Some gaming phones also include shoulder buttons for improved control.
Gaming Handhelds vs. Gaming Phones
Gaming phones offer portability and versatility, functioning as both gaming devices and smartphones with features like quality cameras and communication tools. They often include cooling systems and can be paired with phone controllers for better control.
Gaming handhelds, like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, are dedicated gaming devices with physical controls, ideal for those prioritizing gaming. They offer platform-exclusive games and, in the case of the Steam Deck, access to your Steam library.
More games are coming to mobile platforms, with cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass enhancing the experience. However, gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck provide a more powerful gaming experience, though with shorter battery life. Gaming phones are more expensive, while handhelds like the Steam Deck and Switch are more affordable.
The choice depends on your preference for a multi-functional device or a dedicated gaming experience.
