Once mock as the dwelling house of “ filthy casuals , ” peregrine gaming has advanced over the last few years , with games likeGenshin Impact , PUBG : Mobile , andCall of Dutyshowing that the menial smartphone can provide just as much use as the console table park in front of the TV .
While almost all ofthe good smartphonescan recreate mobile game , some are better at it than others . If you ’re really serious about games , perhaps even at a competitive level , there are telephone work up expressly for the intent . Our top choice is theAsus ROG Phone 9 Probecause it ’s made specifically for gamers .
To experience the late game at their full potential , you ’ll need a suitable smartphone with an impressive screen and a powerful mainframe that can care whatever you want to diddle . Once you ’ve found the right telephone set , you ’re ready to start play some of thebest Android gamesandbest iPhone gamesout there .
Now we ’ll detail why we picked the following earpiece .
The best gaming phone
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
Why you should buy this : It ’s the good gaming smartphone you’re able to grease one’s palms right now .
Who it ’s for : It ’s made by gamers for gamers .
Why we picked the Asus ROG Phone 9 professional :
TheASUS ROG Phone 9 Proactually comes in two variants : the Pro , and Pro Edition , the only difference of opinion between the two being the RAM and repositing space boost plus the fact the Pro Edition includes the AeroCooler X Pro in the box . For the purpose of this roundup , we ’ll focus on the ROG Phone 9 professional , which come with a burly 16 GB of RAM , Snapdragon 8 elect mainframe , and 512 GB of onboard storage .
It might be great at 227 gram , but it packs in loads of gameplay - enhancing feature , from its 3.5 mm headphone jack — a peculiarity on smartphones nowadays — to two USB - C charging larboard , tactile shoulder - mount AirTriggers , and an IP68 dust and water electrical resistance valuation for enduringness . Stereo speaks tuned by Dirac provide full - rounded strait and unmatched audio capability and carrying out for a smartphone .
play on this beast is a whole new experience from any other headphone . Everything from the late AAA Mobile River title to indie puzzle games depend great on the expansive 6.78 - inch AMOLED display , which packs a max refresh rate of165Hz . This can be boost to 185Hz via Game Genie configurations , but in reality you wo n’t notice too much difference . A beefy 5,800mAh battery ensures around four and a one-half hours of intensive play , according to Acer , and you’re able to carry around six hours of screenland - on time with worldwide function .
Speedy 65W flying charging will have you back up and campaign in no prison term , and if you ’re in the heart of a boss battle when your battery conk , the side - rise USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate port lets you keep charge as you play . To prevent overheat and maintain performance , you’re able to switch this to beltway style via Game Genie , so the phone is only powered , not blame while you stake .
talk of overheat , we found that was definitely a concern in our revaluation . Despite a improved cooling system , the telephone frame got almost too red-hot to handle in our gambling session , with the back of the gimmick hot up up detectable too . Though this did n’t do any operational military issue , it ’s something worth noting if you ’re design on buy this phone .
We already mentioned noted feature like Game Genie , which have you how customise how the phone works when you play games , but there are some nerveless AI boast too , from X Capture to record your gameplay , to X Sense , which use image recognition to auto - upgrade skill , assist pluck routes , and machine - fast - forward dialog in pick out games .
play features aside , the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro runsAndroid 15out of the box , with a kitchen stove of AI features including Google ’s Circle to Search , AI Call Translation , and a few more . The photographic camera is n’t anything to spell home about for serious picture taking enthusiast , but that ’s likely not why you ’re buy this earpiece — and it takes perfectly decent shots .
Overall , the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is out top pick for the dear gaming smartphone out there right now — and it ’s the gimmick we would buy for serious roving gambling .
The best gaming phone from Apple
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Why you should buy this : The iPhone 16 Pro has the most brawny chipset of any peregrine gadget , which empowers it to run selective port wine of popular titles originally made for microcomputer and gaming consoles .
Who it ’s for : Serious gamers who are also looking for the best smartphone for everyday function .
Why we picked the iPhone 16 Pro Max :
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is one of the top contenders for the championship of the beneficial phone overall . It ’s a powerhouse with some of the best phone television camera , it sport an exceptionally color - accurate showing , and it offer the dependability that comes with Apple ’s long financial backing for all iPhone devices .
What makes the iPhone 16 Pro Max best become for play is the chipset it houses . The A18 Pro is the first commercially available 3 - nanometer mobile bit and shares a bloodline with Apple ’s M4 chip . Despite a slight execution cutback compared to the iPad Pro , the cow dung is fabulously brawny and makes the iPhone 16 Pro and the 16 Pro Max saint for gaming .
Whilesharing its internal hardware with the iPhone 16 Pro , the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a better selection , thanks to its larger barrage fire , which is complemented by 45 - watt fast wired charging . The grand 6.9 - inch 120Hz video display with minimal bezels also gives your fingers plenty of way to cabbage across while gaming .
Apple has also been promise availability of console table - bound game ported to the iPhone and iPad . Titles such asAssassin ’s Creed MirageandResident Evil Villagealready provide performance comparable to their console versions , while ironware - acceleratedray tracingamps up graphics for supported games .
With iOS 18 , Apple is also tot a consecrate gambling mood that prioritizes gambling carrying out while limiting background tasks . All of these software feature film compound to make the iPhone 16 Pro Max a great deal for gamers . Finally , you get Apple Intelligence , with AI - power features tools for committal to writing and paradigm conception , a firebrand - fresh Siri with ChatGPT integration , and more .
The best mainstream Android gaming phone
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Why you should grease one’s palms this : Not only is it fantabulous for gaming , but it ’s expectant for daily role , too , and it ’s the good S - serial sound on the securities industry .
Who it ’s for : zealous mobile gamers who do n’t want a gambling - specific phone , just an excellent Android phone .
Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra :
The S25 Ultra is our top passport for the good Android telephone to grease one’s palms if you want something more mainstream that ’s still capable of playing the latest mobile game . It ’s packed with amazing qualities , from it ’s shiny , nippy 6.9 - inch 120Hz display to some ofthe best cameras on any mobile earpiece . It ’s also a lot easy than other phones its size of it , so if you do n’t want the bulk and weight associated with a gaming phone like the ROG Phone 9 professional , this is the machine to get .
Under the hood , theS25 Ultrais power by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite 8 for Galaxy . There ’s 12 GB of RAM , up to 1 TB of computer storage for all your favorite mobile games and we remark lightning fast response metre and seriously impressive performance in our review . In performance mode playing game at the high-pitched setting , we did n’t notice any overheating to verbalize of , though it did get pretty lovesome running the 3DMark benchmarking app ’s Solar Bay Stress Test .
The burly 5,000mAh stamp battery will see you through minute of boss battle and heroic MMORPG pursuit with friends , easy making it through a full day . With general use , this is a two - day phone , with around three hours of filmdom - on time a day . There ’s 45W cable charging to get you back into your gaming session cursorily - the battery reach 50 % in around 20 minutes for those times you postulate a warm top up , though it acquire just over an time of day to reach full .
If you want to have a more enriched gambling experience , somefiddlingwill give up you to playact PC games on an external monitor usingSamsung ’s DeXmode . That ’s a feature of speech hardly any phone can match up to .
The best value gaming phone
OnePlus 13
Why you should bribe this : It ’s a plenteous Android earphone with honorable gaming operation at an attractive price .
Who it ’s for : Those who want a dependable flagship speech sound without breaking the bank .
Why we pick the OnePlus 13 :
Though most machine on our list are a swell value , you could grab theOnePlus 13for around $ 850 , making it the perfect phone for gage without breaking the bank . Ok , so it ’s not explicitly a gaming phone , but its telling ironware and gambling feature film ensure it ’s a worthy contender . A powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 elect central processor , 6,000mAh bombardment , impressive triple rear camera array , 100W flying charging , and vivacious 6.82 - inch AMOLED display , plus IP68 and IP69 rating for durability add up to an attractive computer software .
In our reappraisal , we note that theSnapdragon 8 Elitechip did n’t get raging during canonic gambling Roger Huntington Sessions . The phone ’s frame did ignite up when guide the 3D Mark Solar Bay Stress Test , or during intense gaming session , but the back stayed nerveless to touch . That ’s potential thanks to the phone ’s new chill system with 14 temperature sensors and two graphite layers .
Speaking of intense gaming , there ’s a vast 6,000mAh assault and battery to support long sessions , with superfast 100W send taking you from empty to full in just over 30 second with the 100W Super VOOC charger . That ’s not admit — in fact , there ’s no battery charger in the boxful , but that ’s not unusual now . A 30 - minute gaming session playingAsphalt 9 Uniteused only 4 % stamp battery , and with general use this is easily a multi - 24-hour interval phone .
On the gaming front , there are some standout features that helps this machine make our list of the good gaming phones . The OnePlus 13 packs 72 case of tactile feedback that see your gameplay is as immersive as if you were run with a controller .
There ’s also the Hyperboost Game Engine , which optimizes performance setting for gaming while quieten notifications and other distractions so you could lose yourself in whatever you ’re play . Finally , although it ’s not a gaming - specific feature , OnePlus ' cool AquaTouch system lets you use the phone with loaded fingerbreadth . It ’s plan for use on showery solar day but does n’t go amiss with sweaty fingers during a tough party boss struggle .
The telephone runs OxygenOS 15 over Android 15 , and the combination of this with the Snapdragon 8 scrap ensures top - snick smoothness and reactivity for gaming and multitasking . You also get four years of OS updates and six old age of security updates , making this a big future - proof choice for under $ 1,000 .
The best folding gaming phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Why you should buy this : This phone has is a ball of fire , with a pad - similar footprint that gives you a self-colored vantage .
Who it ’s for : world power users who want an incredible phone for multitasking and relentless power for play .
Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 :
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the most convincing foldable smartphone out there right now . With the latest generation , Samsung has reworked the design to make the Fold look more modern and less bulky . It is the slender and lightest Galaxy Fold so far , and weigh only more or less more than theiPhone 16 professional . While it ’s thin profile and the favorable weighting are among reason that make it exciting while gaming , they are n’t the only ones .
The Galaxy omega Fold 6 rocks a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset , but its flexibility to practice fold or open is what makes it so sympathetic as a gambling phone . The enceinte 7.6 - inch privileged display not only gives you more room and better perpendicular span of view while gaming , but it also spread out up the possibility for running emulation gaming with onscreen accountant push button without hinder visibility ; just imagine running a Nintendo DS emulator !
Both the intimate and outer screen pop the question swell sharpness , exceeding colors , and high brightness . These attributes merge to make the Galaxy Z Fold 6 an excellent phone for a variety of games , but you ’ll particularly enjoy ones with foresighted cinematic cut scene .
Like the Galaxy S25 Ultra , the Z Fold 6 can also be thieve to an international admonisher and used for toy games , let in some retro PC titles . It ’s also compatible with a keyboard and black eye . We also appreciate Samsung control that the Fold 6 handicap all box for major power users , especially with its S Pen backing . The convenience of carrying a tablet in your pocket and Samsung ’s consignment to keeping the phone up and running for the next seven geezerhood makes the deal even more tempting .
The best midrange gaming phone
OnePlus 13R
Why you should buy this : It comes with the confidence of a authentic brand and offers incredibly gamy value for the money .
Who it ’s for : Those who desire high - final stage spectacles on a strict budget .
Why we picked the OnePlus 13R :
It ’s hard to believe $ 600 could get you a great play earphone , but theOnePlus 13Rpacks a punch in the performance department . Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 , the same chip find in the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra , one of our top gaming sound of 2024 , it offer blazing fast performance , two - day electric battery life-time , and the same software system updates loyalty as the OnePlus 13 .
The OnePlus 13R ’s figure is simple and pragmatic , yet it does n’t feel cheap . An IP65 rating ensures it ’s protect from dust and body of water , and it does n’t find immensely dissimilar in hand to theOnePlus 13 . Under the hood , the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is paired with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of onboard storage , and there was no noticeable heat construct up during 30 or 45 - minute gaming sessions during our fourth dimension spent with the brushup unit .
This is a multi - day phone , with a 6,000mAH battery ensuring you wo n’t be constantly strive for the charger . The 55W charging speeds are a turn slow than the 80W we discover on the OnePlus 12R , but still take the battery from empty to full in under an hour , so you ’ll be upright to secret plan again in no time .
Speaking of gambling , Hyperboost gaming modality is present here to optimise your solo or multiplayer school term , and everything looks stunning on the 6.78 - inch AMOLED screen with adaptive 1 - 120Hz refresh rate .
The OnePlus 13R also packs a three-fold rear tv camera raiment with a 50MP telephoto lense replace the OnePlus 12R ’s questionable 2MP macro camera . There ’s no Hasselblad stigmatization here , but in our review we found the cameras were amazingly good .
You ’re pay $ 600 but you get the same software program update commitment as OnePlus ' flagship devices : four years of OS update and six long time of surety update . That ’s impressive for the cost and ensures the OnePlus 13R has earned its place on our inclination , with brawny spectacles for an out - of - this - humankind Leontyne Price .
What to consider when buying the best gambling phone
There ’s plenty to think about when it comes to buy the best gaming telephone , and we ’ve broken this down for you below , to help oneself you pick out the right telephone , whatever game you want to make for .
Do you necessitate a gaming phone or a regular phone with play features ?
You may not need a play telephone set , but you in all probability want one . Normal phones are fine for gaming , specially if your gaming habits extend to the odd plot ofCandy Crushor a couple ofAmong Ussessions with your friend on the weekends . For serious gamers , though , gaming speech sound are a bully choice . They ’re packed with additional feature focused on gaming , like articulatio humeri button , bigger fan for cooling , and customizable game modes to raise your experience when playing the a la mode titles .
Even as normal phones lack the distinctive hardware feature of speech , they are on equation in terms of software features like gambling modes . So if you ’re looking for a phone capable of supporting your serious gaming habit , it ’s well deserving looking at which mainstream phone extend features aimed at gamers , like the S25 Ultra or the OnePlus 13 .
What ’s your budget ?
We ’d all fuck to drop over $ 1,000 on a gamy - ending gaming phone like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro . But if you ’re naturalistic about your budget , you might ascertain you have less to pass . That does n’t think of you ca n’t still get a fantastic headphone with gaming feature . The OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R are both great pick , with the 13R being the more budget - friendly of the two . If you have more to drop , the Asus ROG Phone 9 pro is clearly the holy grail of gaming telephone set , or you could opt for the iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you ’d favor an Apple or Android phone that ’s still groovy for gaming .
What feature ca n’t you live without ?
As we mentioned , gaming phones have payload of feature of speech designed to make your gaming sessions placid , more pleasurable , and more immersive . Do you really need all those high - end characteristic , though ? If you ’re regularly trifle COD Mobile or diving into intense MMORPG seance with your friends , the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro ’s feature film like shoulder buttons , enhanced chilling , and game modes that optimize your phone ’s performance are probably a must . If you ’re more of a everyday gamer diving into the latest indie teaser on your severance from work , a budget phone like the OnePlus 13R would believably become you just fine . you could still use features like its Hyperboost play mode to shut out distractions on those rarified occasions your gaming session are more intense , but you ’re not wasting money on feature you do n’t need and will never utilize .
What platforms are your favorite game on ?
This is a mo like the age - sometime Xbox vs PS5 question . While most roving game are available on both Android and iOS devices , there may be some title that are weapons platform specific . So if you ’ve get your warmness on playing a new game that ’s only out on one or the other , or if one political program has a history of centre on the genre of game you play the most , that might sway your purchasing conclusion either way . It ’s also worth check out pricing in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store . There usually is n’t much of a divergence , but you might find out the game you want to bet are tatty on iOS gimmick , in which case the iPhone 16 Pro Max is your go - to gaming phone . Or you could find more affordable biz in your preferred genre on the Play Store , swaying your conclusion towards the S25 Ultra .
Do you need to play PC biz on your phone ?
Yes , that ’s a thing . Or it could be if you get yourself the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or the Z Fold 6 . Both telephone set have Samsung ’s DeX mode . It take a chip of tweak to arrange up , but once you ’re salutary to go you may play PC secret plan on your phone , connect to an external monitor . We think that ’s pretty cool .
How we test
Many of us are gamers , whether we prefer puzzle game like Monument Valley or action RPGs like Road Trip to Canada . So we roll in the hay how important it is to find a phone that can stand up to time of day - long gambling sessions without overheating or impacting performance . We utilize this personal knowledge when choosing the good gaming phones , focusing on machine offer excellent economic value for money alongside ranking gaming feature , outstanding carrying out , and enceinte battery life . We also essay to provide a broad range of earpiece to befit all budgets , so there ’s something on the list for everyone .
Why commit us ?
dependable to say , we ’re some of the bountiful nerd the major planet has ever seen . Our ( un)healthy obsession with all things tech often spills over from our work to our personal life , and we have tenner of experience write about and test multiple tech brands . It ’s our missionary post to be as accusative as possible regarding the quality of each product we try out . If we discern any shortcoming , we ’ll always manoeuvre those out so our readers get the full flick . That means it ’s easy for you to make informed decision when choosing your newfangled gaming earpiece . After all , you ’re likely break to drop a lot of time gaming on it , so you require to know about any negative alongside the positives .
