When you’re a devoted PC or console gamer who desires to take that high-end gaming expertise on the go, it’s best to contemplate shopping for a gaming cellphone. However with so many out there with various specs, that are value your hard-earned money?
Whereas the thought of high-end gaming on a cellphone was as soon as a pipe dream, there at the moment are telephones which might be devoted to only that. This new wave of gaming telephones brings a bevvy of gaming-focused options, from spectacular cooling to enhanced display tech, overclocked processors and even built-in gaming controls, to ship the perfect gaming expertise potential – and we’ve hand-picked the perfect.
Each cellphone we’ve included on this listing has been totally examined by one among our professional group members, utilizing a mixture of real-world use and artificial benchmark checks to find out how every gadget stacks up towards the competitors.
We’ve additionally included a couple of suggestions that aren’t essentially licensed gaming telephones, however nonetheless provide very good efficiency whereas additionally excelling in different areas, like battery life and digital camera tech. These are a stable various for many who prefer to recreation on a cellphone, but additionally need an all-round expertise for on a regular basis use.
When you’re after one of the best all-round telephones that excel in quite a lot of areas, we advocate trying out our greatest telephones information. When you’re on a tighter funds, then our greatest mid-range telephones and finest low cost telephones articles present a choice of extra reasonably priced handsets. In any other case, carry on studying to seek out out about one of the best gaming telephones out there in 2024.
Greatest gaming telephones at a look
How we check
Each cellphone we assessment goes by a sequence of uniform checks designed to gauge key issues together with construct high quality, display accuracy, battery life, efficiency and digital camera prowess.
These embody formal artificial benchmarks and scripted checks, plus a sequence of real-world checks, comparable to how a lot battery it loses per hour streaming video. For gaming telephones, we pay explicit consideration as to how properly they run among the hottest cellular titles.
We additionally make certain to make use of each cellphone we assessment as our main handset for at the very least every week to make sure our assessment is as correct as potential. You possibly can see a extra detailed breakdown of our testing methodology in our how we check telephones information.
RedMagic 9 Professional
Greatest total gaming cellphone
Professionals
The quickest Android cellphone we’ve examined to dateBeautiful, vibrant and uninterrupted displaySlick design with customisable lightingCompetitive pricing
Cons
The under-display digital camera remains to be terribleNo wi-fi chargingNo IP ratingMinor software program bugs to iron out
If you would like a correct gaming cellphone with the entire RGB glam, then the RedMagic 9 Professional is our high suggestion. In contrast to most telephones on this listing, RedMagic isn’t afraid to point out off its gaming id, with a motherboard sample on the rear and customisable vibrant lighting.
There are a selection of fantastic gaming options right here that set this cellphone other than Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy. Most notably, the RedMagic has built-in contact triggers, permitting you to make use of the rim of the cellphone as makeshift triggers somewhat than having to slap on a controller accent.
That is additionally one of the crucial highly effective gaming telephones ever examined, going toe to toe with the wonderful Asus ROG Cellphone 8 Professional Version. This implies you’ll be capable of play any cellular recreation with ease, with an enormous battery guaranteeing you’ll be able to hold gaming for hours.
The RedMagic 9 Professional does include compromises past gaming. There’s no help for wi-fi charging, and the digital camera pales compared to different telephones at this value level. But when gaming on the go is your precedence, and also you desire a flashy design to point out off, then there’s no better option.
Reviewer: Luke BakerFull Assessment: Nubia Pink Magic 9 Professional assessment
Asus ROG Cellphone 8 Professional Version
Strongest gaming cellphone
Professionals
Blazing quick gaming performanceSmaller design with improved waterproofingCamera has been upgraded with 3x optical zoom Nonetheless filled with glorious gaming options
Cons
Rear will get scratched very easilyDowngraded speakersCamera nonetheless not so good as the competitors
In terms of efficiency energy, there’s no higher possibility than the Asus ROG Cellphone 8 Professional Version. It has the identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip that you simply’ll discover in most new handsets, however Asus has paired this mannequin with a whopping 24GB of RAM in addition to bundling it with a cooler accent to eke out each drop of efficiency.
Just like the RedMagic 9 Professional, this cellphone is brimming with gaming options such because the AirTriggers, key mapping and Macros. The software program is great too, enabling you to make tweaks on the fly, even in the midst of an intense match.
Asus has made a controversial determination to dial down the gaming design parts. This implies there’s little or no RGB lighting right here, whereas the rear appears to be like plain. The sunshine-up AniMe Matrix characteristic is a good addition although, utilizing a Mini LED panel to show the likes of notifications, battery standing and the time.
Regardless of the inclusion of a brand new Telephoto lens for improved zoomed-in pictures, the digital camera nonetheless can’t compete with efforts from Apple and Samsung. However in case you’re comfortable to make that sacrifice within the title of gaming efficiency, then it is a nice possibility.
Reviewer: Ryan JonesFull Assessment: Asus ROG Cellphone 8 Final assessment
Apple iPhone 15 Professional Max
Greatest Apple gaming cellphone
Professionals
It has USB-C (lastly)5x zoom is welcomeMuch comfier to carry and use; a lot lighter
Cons
The Motion Button is welcome – nevertheless it might do moreNo 128GB possibility means greater value
Although the iPhone 15 Professional Max isn’t designed particularly with cellular gaming in thoughts like among the different handsets on this listing, Apple has gone to nice lengths to make the gadget an impressively highly effective machine on this class.
What’s most jaw-dropping right here is the uncooked energy that the A17 Professional chip is ready to obtain, permitting the 15 Professional Max to run triple-A video games natively, with out the necessity for any cloud software program.
On the time of writing, titles like Resident Evil 4 Remake Dying Stranding and Murderer’s Creed Mirage are all out there to obtain by way of the App Retailer. Usually, that is the kind of gaming expertise that wouldn’t be potential with out cloud providers like Sport Cross and GeForce Now, so if you wish to get pleasure from these video games offline on a protracted journey, you then’re finest investing within the 15 Professional Max.
After all, this isn’t to say that Apple’s newest flagship doesn’t boast the traditional cellular gaming expertise that we’re extra acquainted with, removed from it. The cellphone can run hits like Name of Responsibility Cell and Genshin Influence with ease, and that’s earlier than mentioning the worth proposition that Apple Arcade brings to the desk.
When you’re the kind of one who spends quite a lot of time taking part in cellular video games you then’ll get tons of use out of the Apple Arcade library due to titles from big-name firms like Sega, Konami and Disney.
Whereas the iPhone 15 Professional options the identical gaming prowess, having the additional actual property of the 15 Professional Max’s 6.7-inch OLED show is an actual deal with, exhibiting off video games of their finest gentle.
It’s additionally value taking into consideration that, outdoors of gaming, the iPhone 15 Professional Max is likely one of the finest handsets in the marketplace. With terrific cameras, nice software program and super battery life, there’s little or no to depart you wanting right here.
Reviewer: Max ParkerFull Assessment: Apple iPhone 15 Professional Max Assessment
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
Greatest Android flagship for gaming
Professionals
Genuinely helpful AI featuresVersatile digital camera setupAll-day battery life after which someSeven years of OS upgrades
Cons
Very expensiveAverage ultrawide digital camera
If you would like a flagship smartphone that boasts glorious gaming efficiency as simply one among its many accomplishments, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely is the smartphone to go for.
It will probably simply ship among the finest efficiency round utilizing the unique Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, with benchmarks not too removed from what you’ll see from the ROG Cellphone 8 Professional Version, whereas not skimping on the remainder of the smartphone expertise.
Which means you get a really high-end 6.82-inch Tremendous AMOLED 2X show with a 120Hz refresh fee, LTPO tech, a most brightness of 2500nits and a pixel-packed QHD+ decision. It’s arguably the most effective screens round, gaming cellphone or not, made even higher by the inclusion of an S Pen for note-taking and doodling. There’s additionally a whopping 5000mAh cell that might go all day after which some in testing, making it a great possibility for lengthy gameplay classes.
You gained’t get some purist gaming enhancements, comparable to shoulder set off buttons, however you’re going to get some benefits that different gaming telephones might miss out on. That features a assured seven years of OS upgrades, an excellent digital camera system with a set of lenses that features a main 200MP sensor and, in fact, all the advantages of the GenAI-powered Galaxy AI too.
When you’re searching for a top-end Android gadget that may deal with video games with out breaking a sweat and far more in addition, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely is a simple suggestion.
Reviewer: Lewis PainterFull Assessment: Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely assessment
Poco X6 Professional
Greatest funds gaming cellphone
Professionals
Highly effective MediaTek processorBright 120Hz OLED displayGreat essential and selfie cameras
Cons
BloatwareAdvertisements in some system appsWeak ultrawide and macro cameras
Most gaming telephones price upwards of £1000/$1000 outright, which can properly really feel extreme contemplating that’s much more costly than a PS5 and Xbox Sequence X. The Poco X6 Professional is an impressive resolution to this downside, providing unbelievable efficiency and a slew of gaming options at a really affordable value.
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300-Extremely, it’s one of many quickest chips you could find at this value level. Our testing confirmed the cellphone is able to operating the likes of Genshin Influence at 60fps, guaranteeing a clean efficiency whereas preserving temperatures affordable.
It additionally has a couple of gaming-focused options to enhance the expertise, together with software program that can routinely optimise efficiency for gaming workloads, and a 120Hz refresh fee to maintain on-screen movement clean on that pretty 6.67-inch AMOLED panel.
After all, bagging this cellphone at a less expensive value than the competitors does include compromises. The efficiency isn’t fairly nearly as good because the Asus ROG Cellphone 8 Professional Version, whereas the ultrawide and macro cameras will probably disappoint photographers. There’s additionally loads of bloatware and in-app adverts that cheapen the expertise. However, these flaws are straightforward to forgive whenever you’re getting such a superb gaming expertise at a budget-friendly value.
Reviewer: Luke BakerFull Assessment: Poco X6 Professional assessment
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Greatest foldable cellphone for gaming
Professionals
Giant 7.6-inch foldable displayMost highly effective foldable cellphone aroundBetter app help than different book-style foldables
Cons
Similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4£100/$150 value increaseIdentical digital camera setup
If you would like one thing completely completely different to your gaming expertise, look no additional than the foldable Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. The foldable nature of the book-style smartphone means you’ve received entry to a big, high-res 7.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED show whenever you wish to play video games on an enormous display whereas nonetheless folding right down to a dimension resembling a normal smartphone.
It’s not simply the sheer dimension of the foldable show that makes the Z Fold 5 one of the best foldable for gaming both; it additionally boasts Qualcomm’s customized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, similar to the S23 Extremely. It’s greater than able to powering high-end AAA gaming experiences with high-level graphics enabled and constant gameplay even over longer durations of use.
Elsewhere, a 4,400mAh battery ought to be sufficient to get you thru even demanding gaming classes, a triple rear digital camera setup provides extra versatility than an everyday gaming cellphone and it has 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of safety patches to sit up for.
Reviewer: Lewis PainterFull Assessment: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 assessment
We additionally thought of…
FAQs
General, we’d decide the RedMagic 9 Professional as one of the best total gaming cellphone you should purchase.
We’d advocate the iPhone 15 Professional Max in case you love gaming however wish to follow an iPhone.
Greatest Gaming Telephones: Specs Comparability
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Producer
Display screen Dimension
Storage Capability
Rear Digital camera
Entrance Digital camera
Video Recording
IP score
Battery
Wi-fi charging
Quick Charging
Dimension (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Working System
Launch Date
First Reviewed Date
Decision
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Greatest Gaming Telephones: Benchmark Comparability
Geekbench 6 single core
Geekbench 6 multi core
Max brightness
1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR)
Battery drain 60-min (music streaming on-line)
Battery drain 60-min (music streaming offline)
30 minute gaming (intensive)
30 minute gaming (gentle)
1 hour music streaming (on-line)
1 hour music streaming (offline)
Time from 0-100% cost
Time from 0-50% cost
60-min recharge (included charger)
30-min recharge (included charger)
15-min recharge (included charger)
30-min recharge (no charger included)
15-min recharge (no charger included)
3D Mark – Wild Life
GFXBench – Aztec Ruins
GFXBench – Automotive Chase
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