While most modern smartphones can handle casual gaming, certain features elevate a phone from good to exceptional for gaming enthusiasts. A powerful processor is essential for smooth gameplay, ensuring that your device doesn't slow down or overheat after a few minutes of intense play. Adequate memory and storage are also crucial, allowing you to multitask and store numerous games without lag. Some top-tier gaming phones, such as the RedMagic 10 Pro, come with additional gaming-specific features like shoulder buttons and enhanced touch sampling rates, which can significantly enhance your gaming experience.
The display is another critical factor. A large, vibrant screen with a high refresh rate can make all the difference, providing crisp visuals and smooth motion that are vital for competitive gaming. A bigger screen also means less thumb coverage, making touch controls more intuitive. With these considerations in mind, let's explore the best phones for gaming on the go.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Phones:
Best overall### RedMagic10 Pro
11See it at AmazonSee it at RedMagic
### Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
2See it at Amazon
### iPhone 16 Pro Max
2See it at Best Buy
### iPhone SE (2022)
0See it at Apple
### OnePlus 12
2See it at Amazon
### Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
4See it at Amazon
### OnePlus 12R
1See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at OnePlusCheck out our guide to the best phone controllers for accessory options.
Contributions by Georgie Peru and Danielle Abraham
RedMagic 9S Pro – Photos
10 Images
1. RedMagic 10 Pro
Best Gaming Phone
Best overall### RedMagic10 Pro
11The RedMagic 10 Pro combines exceptional performance with extreme sustain in a wonderful package. See it at AmazonSee 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
Gaming demands a lot from a phone, and the RedMagic 10 Pro delivers. Its actively cooled Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip ensures top-notch performance, especially during long gaming sessions. The phone's cooling fan allows the chip to run efficiently, keeping performance high without thermal throttling. In benchmarks, the RedMagic 10 Pro consistently ranks at the top, excelling in sustained performance. Additionally, its large 7,050mAh battery supports extended play.
The RedMagic 10 Pro is designed with gamers in mind, featuring two shoulder buttons that can be mapped to on-screen controls for enhanced gameplay. Its display boasts a fast touch-sampling rate for quick response times and supports supersampling and frame interpolation for improved visuals and smoother action.
Aesthetically pleasing, the RedMagic 10 Pro offers various stylish options, including clear backs that showcase its internal components. Its 6.85-inch AMOLED display features minimal bezels and a high 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring a brilliant and immersive gaming experience. The hidden selfie camera beneath the display further enhances the viewing area.
Remarkably, the RedMagic 10 Pro offers this commanding performance at a starting price of $649, significantly less than competitors like the Asus ROG Phone 9, priced at $999.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Photos
5 Images
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best iPhone Alternative for Gaming
### Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
2Enjoy a massive 6.8" AMOLED screen on a phone packing a processor with enough brawn to run multiple apps, edit videos, game, and power the stunning cameras. See it at Amazon
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 stands out with its sturdy Titanium chassis, stunning display, and powerful processors, making it one of the best Android phones for gaming. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, equipped with an 8-core CPU and a GPU with 1,536 shading units, along with 12GB of RAM, ensures smooth gameplay even at the highest settings. The Game Booster mode helps manage and monitor performance, making it a top choice for mobile gaming.
The 6.8" AMOLED display offers a peak brightness of nearly 2,600 nits, ensuring visibility in any environment. With a 1440p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, the screen delivers crisp and smooth visuals, while the adaptive refresh rate conserves battery life. Although it may not be as fast as the RedMagic 9S Pro, its solid speed, long-term support, great cameras, and exceptional design make it a strong iPhone alternative.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Best iPhone for Gaming
### iPhone 16 Pro Max
2Running on an A18 Pro chip, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is ready to tackle anything you throw its way, gaming included. See it at Best Buy
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, powered by the A18 Pro chip, delivers exceptional gaming performance. The extra graphics core over the A18 chip found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus provides a significant boost for graphics-intensive games. Its large 6.9-inch display offers more space for gaming and controls than the smaller iPhone 16 Pro.
Beyond gaming, the iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts an elegant design with a titanium frame and glass construction. Its camera system excels at capturing stunning photos and videos, including high-resolution recordings in Dolby Vision and slow-motion capabilities. Apple's push into mobile gaming, with titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil on iOS, further enhances its appeal for gamers.
iPhone SE (2022) – Photos
6 Images
4. iPhone SE (2022)
Best Budget iPhone for Gaming
### iPhone SE (2022)
0Get Apple iOS on the cheap with this phone running on an A15 Bionic chip, but be prepared for a lackluster screen. See it at Apple
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-gen iPhone SE offers impressive gaming performance at a budget-friendly $429 price point, thanks to its A15 Bionic chip. Running on iOS, it provides access to a wide array of games, including those exclusive to Apple Arcade.
However, its 4.7-inch screen with thick bezels may not be ideal for gaming. For a better experience, consider pairing it with a phone controller to maximize screen visibility. The limited 64GB storage can be a drawback, but upgrading to 256GB or using cloud gaming services, supported by the phone's 5G capabilities, can mitigate this issue.
See our guide to the best cheap smartphones.
OnePlus 12 – Photos
8 Images
5. OnePlus 12
Best Everyday Phone for Mobile Gaming
### OnePlus 12
2With a powerful processor, a large AMOLED display, and a refined design, this mid-range flagship is a true gem. See it at Amazon
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 exceptional gaming performance at a more affordable $800 starting price, making it an excellent choice for an everyday phone. Its refined design and elegant software don't scream "gaming phone," yet its internals are powerful enough to handle demanding games. The 6.82-inch AMOLED display delivers crisp visuals and can reach a brightness of 4,500 nits, ensuring visibility in any condition. The adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz ensures smooth gameplay and conserves battery life.
Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the OnePlus 12 can run games like Genshin Impact at nearly 60fps on max settings. However, be prepared for potential overheating during extended, high-intensity gaming sessions.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Photos
6 Images
6. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Best Foldable Gaming Phone
### Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
4The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is an incredibly fast and gorgeous smartphone, held back only by the weird aspect ratio when unfolded. See it at Amazon
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 performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, offering up to a 22% speed increase over its predecessor. Its 7.6-inch internal AMOLED screen with a 2160x1856 resolution provides vivid colors and sharp contrast, ideal for gaming. The 6.2-inch external screen is perfect for games requiring an ultra-wide aspect ratio.
Beyond gaming, the Z Fold 6 functions as a versatile device, doubling as a small tablet when open and a regular smartphone when closed. It features a powerful camera system and is backed by Samsung's long-term software support, making it a worthwhile investment despite its high cost.
OnePlus 12R – Photos
7 Images
7. OnePlus 12R
Best Budget Android for Gaming
### OnePlus 12R
1A big, flashy display and potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip are the heart and blood of this value-focused Android phone. See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at OnePlus
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 top-tier gaming performance at a budget-friendly $499, featuring a stunning 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 1264x2780 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip provides ample power for most games, while the 5,500mAh battery ensures long gaming sessions.
While the camera system is not as advanced as the OnePlus 12, it doesn't impact gaming performance, making the OnePlus 12R an excellent value-focused option for gamers.
What to Look for in a Gaming Phone
Choosing the right gaming phone involves focusing on specific features. Unlike regular smartphones, where battery life and cameras are key, gaming phones prioritize powerful processors and high-quality displays. Most gaming phones also come with large batteries to support extended play.
**Processors** are crucial for gaming performance. The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers top-tier processing power and graphics capabilities for Android devices. Budget-conscious buyers can still find excellent performance in earlier chipsets like the Snapdragon 888 or 8 Gen 1/2. For iPhones, Apple's A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro models provides the best performance, with the A15 Bionic in the iPhone SE (2022) offering strong gaming capabilities at a lower price.
When it comes to **displays**, look for screens with refresh rates above 60Hz. A 90Hz refresh rate is a good starting point, but top gaming phones often reach 120Hz or higher. Variable refresh rates can save power when not gaming, while faster touch sampling rates enhance responsiveness. Some gaming phones also include shoulder buttons, adding to the gaming interface's effectiveness.
We'll continue to update this list as new gaming phones enter the market, ensuring you stay informed about the latest and greatest options.
Gaming Handhelds vs. Gaming Phones
Choosing between a gaming phone and a gaming handheld depends on your lifestyle, preferred games, and play style. Gaming phones are highly portable and multifunctional, offering features like quality cameras and communication tools alongside gaming capabilities. Many include cooling solutions and additional triggers, and can be paired with phone controllers for enhanced control.
Gaming handhelds, such as the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, are larger but still portable. These devices are dedicated to gaming, featuring responsive joysticks, triggers, and buttons. While mobile games may be less powerful than their PC counterparts, cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass are improving the gaming experience on phones.
The Steam Deck offers PC-like gaming power, allowing access to your Steam library on the go. The Asus ROG Ally provides a similar experience, while the Nintendo Switch offers exclusive titles. However, the Steam Deck's battery life is notoriously short, whereas smartphones can last all day with moderate use. A portable charger is advisable for extended gaming sessions.
Cost is another factor. Gaming phones can range from $700 to over $1,000, while gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck start at $400, and the Nintendo Switch is even more affordable.
Ultimately, your choice depends on your preferences. If you want a versatile device that can handle gaming and more, a gaming phone is ideal. If you're looking for a device dedicated to gaming with platform-exclusive titles, a gaming handheld might be the better choice.
