We know what the best gaming phone is? Want us to share that information with you? Of course, you do. There are all sorts of factors to consider when it comes to choosing the correct device. Luckily, the team at Pocket Tactics is well-versed when it comes to this sort of tech – we’ll help you pick out the right device for you.
You first need to consider the amount of money you’re willing to part with, the games you play, where you play (at home or on the go), and what you want your phone for. Besides gaming, there are a lot of other things to consider, pictures and video content being quite important, for instance. Such devices to consider if you want to play the best mobile games are the Google Pixel 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 ultra, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max – each has much to offer as both a gaming phone and a typical smartphone.
Why you can trust our advice ✔ At Pocket Tactics, our experts spend days testing games, phones, tech, and services. We always share honest opinions to help you buy the best. Find out how we test.
Asus ROG 7 Ultimate
The best gaming phone overall.
Asus ROG 7 Ultimate specifications:
- ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Display6.78-inch 165Hz AMOLED (1080 x 2448)
- Storage512GB
- RAM16GB
- BatteryLi-Po 6000 mAh
Reasons to buy
- 6000 mAh battery for long gaming sessions
- Gamecool thermal system to prevent overheating
- Best screen available in a smartphone
- Air triggers for an excellent FPS experience
Reasons to avoid
- Cameras are very poor for the price
- Fingerprint sensor less responsive than competition
If you want the best there is when it comes to a gaming phone, we strongly suggest you take a look at the Asus ROG range, the most recent of which is the Asus ROG 7 Ultimate (with the Asus ROG 8 poised to take over upon release), a powerhouse of a smartphone that’s more than capable of running any mobile game that you can get your hands on. The Snapdragon Gen 2 chipset ensures that this device can run even the most demanding of games, while the RAM and storage make sure it doesn’t run slowly not take up too much space.
If you’re a Hoyoverse fan who lives and breathes for Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail, and soon, Zenless Zone Zero, we think you might want to consider an ASUS when the time for a new phone comes.
The innovative device features the air trigger system to help with shooters such as Call of Duty and PUBG Mobile, as well as a 6000 mAh battery, which ensures you can spend hours upon hours playing games on your phone. Not only that, but the built-in gamecool thermal system ensures overheating is unlikely to occur.
Read our Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate review.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
The best iPhone for gaming.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max specifications:
- ChipsetApple A17 Pro
- Display 6.7-inch 120HZ OLED (1290 x 2796)
- Storage256GB-1TB
- RAM8GB
- BatteryLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Reasons to buy
- Gorgeous 6.7-inch display
- Fast A17 Pro chip
Reasons to avoid
- A pricey option
- Insufficient cooling for marathon gaming
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most powerful iPhone on the market right now (until the inevitable iPhone 16 release date), allowing you to play games such as Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 Remakes, and it features Apple’s A17 Pro chip, which is more efficient than the previous A16 bionic chip found in iOS devices. This helps to ensure a smooth gaming experience. Of course, there’s also no denying that the display is sublime, bringing any mobile game to new heights (you just have to remember such a device comes with a premium cost).
It also has a decent battery life which means you can stay away from an outlet for a fair few hours before needing some more juice. Admittedly, while the battery life is good, there are better options out there in that regard. Finally, the size of the device ensures you have plenty of room to maneuver when you use touch controls. Oh, and did we mention it’s powerful enough to run Resident Evil 4 Remake and Resident Evil Village? You can check out our full iPhone 15 Pro Max review for more information.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The best Samsung gaming phone.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specifications:
- ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Display6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED (1440 x 3088)
- Storage256GB-1TB
- RAM8GB/12GB
- BatteryLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Reasons to buy
- Features 6.8-inch display
- Impressive camera array
- Comes with a stylus
Reasons to avoid
- No gaming-specific features
Yes, of course, there’s a Samsung device that’s capable of providing you with the ultimate mobile gaming experience. Some would argue that Samsung is the king of the Android device marker, and considering that the Samsung Galaxy S23 features some impressive processing speeds with 2.8GHz, 2.5GHz, and 1.8GHz, we can see why.
We all know how important this is – nobody wants to be stuck with a laggy phone, but ti does take away the ‘I was lagging’ excuse in Call of Duty. Better still, the 6.8-inch display ensures you have plenty of space to utilize touch controls. Outside of gaming, we also have to admit that the Samsung Galaxy S23 has the best camera on this list, making it a prime pick for people who like a bit of photography.
However, while 22 hours of playback isn’t bad, it’s not quite as good as the previous two phones, which can impact your gaming experience should you be after a device that can cater to a marathon session. It can get to a point where ‘just one more mission’ isn’t possible. Check out our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
The best Google Pixel gaming phone.
Google Pixel 7 Pro specifications:
- ChipsetGoogle Tensor G2
- Display6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED (1440 x 3120)
- Storage128GB-512GB
- RAM8GB/12GB
- BatteryLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Reasons to buy
- Affordable for a flagship device
- Stunning camera quality
- Colorful 6.7-inch OLED screen
Reasons to avoid
- Battery life could be better
Though it’s no longer the current flagship, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is more affordable than a lot of other phones on the market, considering the specs it has. Although not designed for gaming specifically, it’s ideal for casual mobile gamers who want a well-designed, high-specced Android phone. Couple the 6.7-inch display with Google’s Tensor G2 chip which sets a powerful GPU benchmark, and you’ve got a pretty solid gaming device.
The camera quality is also stunning. However, the brilliant screen and versatile processor come at the expense of battery life – which is a little disappointing when you’re away from power. If you want to get a full look at what this phone offers, read our Google Pixel 7 Pro review.
Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
A good budget gaming phone.
Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G specifications:
- ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1080
- Display6.67-inch 120Hz OLED (1080 x 2400)
- Storage128GB/256GB
- RAM6GB-12GB
- BatteryLi-Po 5000 mAh
Reasons to buy
- Good value
- High-refresh-rate screen
Reasons to avoid
- Lots of alternatives
- Software issues
The Redmi Note Pro 5G is a great option for someone looking for a gaming phone that can do everything else capably (without breaking the bank!). It has its issues, but with frequent price drops, it’s a tempting option if you’re on a tight budget.
While the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 is a little old, it’s still a decent mid-range chip, offering zippy gaming without decimating battery life. Casual games are a breeze, while any heftier titles on medium settings are generally smooth.
The best thing about the Redmi Note Pro 5G is that it’s a good all-rounder, so if you need a cheap handset that can handle gaming but still fit into your daily life, it fits the bill. Decent cameras, battery life, and build quality all come together to make an ace smartphone.
The main downside is that there isn’t really any standout feature. There are competitors with better processors, higher IPX ratings, and smoother OS. If you need a specific feature, maybe look elsewhere. Read our Redmi Note Pro 5G review.
RedMagic 8S Pro
A great value gaming phone.
RedMagic 8S Pro specifications:
- ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Display6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED (1116 x 2480)
- Storage128GB-512GB
- RAM8GB-16GB
- BatteryLi-Po 6000 mAh
Reasons to buy
- Personalized gaming mode
- Reasonably priced
Reasons to avoid
- Cheaper materials than flagships
- Passable camera
Here we have another device designed specifically for mobile gaming. The RedMagic 8S Pro is one of the best on the market, and given it starts at $659, it’s one of the cheaper options too, within this spec range, at least.
It features a 6000mAh battery to ensure you can have longer gaming sessions, alongside 65W fast charging so you can dive back in quickly after you run out of juice. Oh, and what sort of gaming phone would the RedMagic 8S Pro be if it didn’t have a cooling system?
Luckily it does, with a built-in cooling fan and heat sink, making it an all-out gaming powerhouse. Oh, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that it has a personalized gaming mode, a saving grace for those in this for the long haul. Read our RedMagic 8S Pro review to learn more.
OnePlus 10 Pro
A high-refresh-rate gaming phone.
OnePlus 10 Pro specifications:
- ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Display6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED (1440 x 3216)
- Storage128GB-512GB
- RAM8GB/12GB
- BatteryLi-Po 5000 mAh
Reasons to buy
- A great retail price
- Fantastic battery life
- A great 120Hz refresh rate
Reasons to avoid
- Lacks cool-down qualities
- Isn’t compatible with 5G
Here we have what we consider to be the king of Android gaming phones. Honestly, there’s a lot to love about the OnePlus 10 Pro, from its lovely 6.7” display to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip it utilizes.
Oh, and then there’s the 120Hz refresh rate it possesses, which just happens to go nicely with the nearly 13 hours of battery life it has. All of those qualities help to push this gaming phone to the front of the pack, and the fact it costs $699 USD also helps.
Yes, you read that right, it’s a good $200 USD cheaper than a lot of its competitors, yet it still has many qualities that help to ensure that you can enjoy long marathon gaming sessions on a responsive screen.
Motorola Edge Plus
A cheap flagship gaming phone.
Motorola Edge Plus specifications:
- ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Display6.67-inch OLED (1080 x 2400)
- Storage256GB/512GB
- RAM8GB
- Battery5100 mAh
Reasons to buy
- Flagship device on a budget
- Good RAM
Reasons to avoid
- Other devices have AMOLED screens
If you’re after a decent gaming phone on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the Motorola Edge Plus. This 2023 device boasts a decent battery that can maintain a charge for those long gaming sessions, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset ensures the games run well on the phone. With a chipset like this, you can enjoy basic titles and the likes of Genshin Impact.
Moreover, with up to 512GB of storage, you don’t have to worry about running out of space for all of those games. Combine that with 8GB of RAM, and you’re well away. However, while the OLED screen is nice, there are other devices on this list that offer slightly higher refresh rates, so you may want to consider that should that be important to you.
In this day and age people like to pick up a gaming phone due to how versatile they are, especially in comparison to the best portable gaming consoles on the market. With a phone, you can access social media, send There you have it, what we consider to be the best gaming phones on the market right now. If it’s a standard smartphone that you’re after, our best iPhone and best Android phone guides can help you.
How to choose the best gaming phone
There are tons of phones out there. Different brands, numbers, Pro models, Ultimate models, Pro Max models… you name it, it’s out there. Most of these phones can double as a gaming device to an extent, though some are better than others, with a few being designed specifically for all you gamers out there. As mobile gaming continues to grow in popularity, so do the demands of consumers who want bigger and better-looking games – which is where a phone suited to the job comes in.
For that reason, we look at various features and components when determining the best phones for gaming. We consider the chipset, display, RAM, storage – everything. We also take a look at things you might like outside of gaming. The Samsung Galaxy, for instance, isn’t just the best Samsung gaming phone; it’s possibly the best phone on the market right now in terms of cameras.
If you want a full rundown of how we test the phones that make it into guides such as this, give our article a read – we only want to bring you the best so you can get the best bang for your buck.
What’s the best gaming phone brand?
Picking the right brand of gaming phone is important for several reasons. Some brands focus their efforts on camera technology or content creation features, while brands like Asus, Xiaomi, and even Sony now make devices tailored specifically for gaming.
First up, do you want to access the best Android games or best iOS games? That will help you to choose between an Android or an Apple device. Next, ask yourself whether you’re a gaming generalist – someone who only really plays while traveling or during downtime – or a hardcore player who wants to run the latest and best games.
Aside from gaming specs and brand affinity, consider any other devices you already own. If you have a Mac computer or Apple Watch or love the best iOS games, an iPhone is the better choice.
When you’ve found the right gaming phone for you, check out our picks for the best iPhone games, Android games, fantasy games, games like Dark Souls, games like The Witcher, and best mobile RPGs to fill up that storage space and make use of your new device.