Sure, almost any phone today can run a game or two. But if you’re serious about mobile gaming, you need a device that goes above and beyond, packed with features that transform your experience from good to absolutely epic.
First off, raw power is crucial. A top-tier processor isn’t just about speed; it’s about sustained performance. You don’t want your phone to throttle and turn into a hot plate after a few intense rounds. Plus, ample RAM and storage are vital for smooth multitasking and hoarding all your favorite titles. Some dedicated gaming phones, like the RedMagic 10 Pro, even throw in unique extras like physical shoulder buttons and super-responsive touchscreens – though a dedicated phone controller can also bridge that gap.
And let’s not forget the display! A gorgeous, vibrant screen with a high refresh rate makes all the difference. Imagine buttery-smooth visuals and an expansive canvas where your thumbs won’t obscure the action. Having extensively tested and reviewed gaming phones over the years, I’ve considered all these essential factors to bring you the ultimate list of smartphones that truly shine for gaming, anytime, anywhere.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Phones:
1. RedMagic 10 Pro
The Ultimate Gaming Phone
If you’re looking for a phone that lives and breathes gaming, the RedMagic 10 Pro is your champion. It’s powered by an actively cooled Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, ensuring top-tier performance even during extended gaming marathons. My review confirmed its incredible capability to sustain high frame rates without overheating, a critical advantage for serious players. Complementing this powerhouse is an impressive 7,050mAh battery, built to keep you in the game longer.
This phone isn’t just about raw power; it’s packed with gamer-centric features. You’ll find two programmable shoulder buttons, perfect for mapping on-screen controls and giving you a competitive edge. The display boasts a lightning-fast touch-sampling rate for instant input detection, and features like supersampling and frame interpolation further enhance visuals and smooth out the action.
The RedMagic 10 Pro also scores high on aesthetics and display quality. Its sleek design subtly hints at its gaming prowess without being overly flashy, available in several stylish options, including clear backs that reveal its internal components. The brilliant 6.85-inch AMOLED display, with tiny bezels and a crisp 144Hz refresh rate, offers vibrant colors and exceptional sharpness. Plus, the selfie camera is cleverly hidden beneath the display, ensuring an uninterrupted gaming view.
Despite its commanding performance and premium features, the RedMagic 10 Pro offers incredible value, starting at just $649 – a price point that significantly undercuts many of its rivals, making it an undeniable choice for dedicated mobile gamers.
Specifications:
- Screen: 6.85-inch OLED, 1216×2688, 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 lifespan
2. OnePlus 13
Best Everyday Phone for Gaming
If the flashy designs of typical ‘gamer’ gear aren’t your style, don’t worry – the OnePlus 13 offers an outstanding alternative. It delivers all the gaming prowess you could want, wrapped in a much more subtle and elegant package for everyday use.
Under the hood, the OnePlus 13 houses a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, featuring a blazing-fast CPU and a potent GPU. This combination ensures exceptional performance for both daily tasks and demanding games. In benchmark tests, the OnePlus 13 confidently stood toe-to-toe with the iPhone 16 Pro Max in CPU speeds and outperformed it in 3DMark’s graphics tests. It even maintains solid performance over time, and when pushed with Wuthering Waves on max settings, it kept up effortlessly. The generous 6,000mAh battery also guarantees long gaming sessions without interruption.
OnePlus has truly refined the chassis with three distinct and sophisticated designs, offering more personalization than most new phones. This design also boasts impressive water resistance, protecting against submersion and hot water jets. The display is equally superb: a large, vibrant, and incredibly bright screen, perfect for movies, daily use, and, of course, gaming. Unlike many gaming-focused phones, the OnePlus 13 doesn’t compromise on camera quality; its front and rear shooters capture stunning photos and videos.
The OnePlus 13 starts at $899 for 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. For serious gamers who need extra space, you can upgrade to 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM for $999.
Specifications:
- Screen: 6.82-inch OLED, 1440×3168, 510ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide, 50-Megapixel Ultrawide, 50-Megapixel Telephoto, 32-Megapixel Selfie
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Weight: 210g (0.46lb)
Pros:
- Great value
- Fast performance
Cons:
- Software support a little shorter than rivals
3. iPhone 17 Pro Max
Best iPhone for Gaming
For mobile gaming, you need two things: extreme performance and a stellar display. The iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers Apple’s absolute best in both departments. Boasting a massive 6.9-inch display (huge for a smartphone), the 17 Pro Max features 120Hz ProMotion technology for incredible smoothness, impressive sharpness, and an OLED panel so bright that our reviewer jokingly mentioned it could ‘flashbang’ you.
Its performance is equally impressive. The A19 Pro chip, with its six CPU and six GPU cores, offers noticeable speed improvements over the previous iPhone 16 Pro Max and a substantial upgrade for anyone coming from older models. While the iPhone 17 Pro Max still lags slightly behind some Android phones running the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC (like the RedMagic 10 Pro and OnePlus 13) in multi-core and 3DMark benchmarks, this gap is expected to grow with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 later in 2025. However, this doesn’t diminish its standing as a fantastic gaming option, as many developers optimize heavily for iPhone, and its current performance easily handles the most demanding titles.
During our tests, heat management, a common smartphone challenge, was handled well by the iPhone 17 Pro Max. In the 3DMark Steel Nomad Light stress test, the phone initially lowered performance but then maintained it consistently for the majority of the runs. This is typical for phones without active cooling (a rare feature) or those that prioritize performance throttling. Crucially, its robust aluminum frame and vapor chamber effectively dissipate heat, preventing any major hot spots despite warming up during intense gaming.
Beyond its gaming capabilities, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a powerhouse in all other areas. It’s built to last, features an excellent camera system, and offers the long-term software support that iPhones are renowned for.
Specifications:
- Screen: 6.9-inch OLED, 1320×2868, 460 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: A19 Pro
- Camera: 48-Megapixel Wide, 48-Megapixel Ultrawide, 48-Megapixel Telephoto, 18-Megapixel Selfie
- Battery: 4,823mAh
- Weight: 233g (0.51lb)
Pros:
- Strong performance
- Great display
- Long-term software support
Cons:
- Expensive
- Contentious software
4. iPhone 16e
Best Budget iPhone for Gaming
While Apple did introduce the new iPhone 16e in 2025 with budget-conscious buyers in mind, it’s not quite as affordable as previous iPhone SE models. Still, the $599 iPhone 16e brings significant advantages. It’s powered by the A18 chip, the same formidable hardware found in the iPhone 16, though with a slightly trimmed-down GPU (4 cores instead of 5). Fortunately, the A18 has more than enough power to spare, so I don’t anticipate this impacting its ability to handle even demanding games. Although I haven’t personally tested the iPhone 16e yet, I’m confident it will excel in both everyday tasks and gaming, a sentiment echoed by my colleague at PCMag in their positive review.
While it’s a shame the iPhone 16e couldn’t hit the $429 price point of its iPhone SE predecessor, it compensates by ditching some of that phone’s compromises. The iPhone 16e sports a more modern design, consistent with Apple’s aesthetic since the iPhone 12. For gamers, the biggest win here is the significantly larger 6.1-inch OLED display, free from the chunky bezels of the iPhone SE. This means more screen real estate for your games and controls, along with superior image quality and contrast. Additionally, the iPhone 16e doubles the base storage to 128GB, a huge improvement over the 64GB offered in the previous iPhone SE.
All these features make the iPhone 16e a compelling choice for gamers. However, a word of caution: it might not be the ideal option for those seeking a value-first iPhone. While it’s currently Apple’s most affordable new model, it does make some trade-offs. For example, you won’t get mmWave or UWB 5G networking, which offer the fastest speeds, and the absence of mmWave means precise AirTag tracking won’t work. MagSafe support is also missing, requiring a case for compatibility with MagSafe accessories. The camera system is quite basic with just a single sensor. For most users, the iPhone 14 would be a better recommendation, but for gamers willing to forgo these extras, the iPhone 16e’s upgraded chip makes it a smart choice.
Specifications:
- Screen: 6.1-inch OLED, 1170×2532, 60Hz refresh rate
- Processor: A18
- Camera: 48-Megapixel Wide, 12-Megapixel Selfie
- Battery: 4,005Ah
- Weight: 167g (0.39lb)
Pros:
- Fast chip
- Lower price than main iPhone lineup
Cons:
- Trims a handful of common iPhone features
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Best Foldable Gaming Phone
When you crave maximum screen real estate to fully immerse yourself in your favorite games, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is precisely what you need. This innovative foldable phone features a massive 8-inch internal display that beautifully expands your games. While it might not be ideal for every title, its more conventional 21:9 exterior display is also perfect for gaming on the go. Both screens boast the rich contrast and vibrant colors of AMOLED technology, along with the silky-smooth visuals provided by a 120Hz refresh rate.
Powering your gaming experience, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset – the same high-performance hardware found in many top gaming devices of 2025. With its powerful Oryon CPU cores and Adreno GPU, this chip delivers extreme performance, effectively making the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a gaming smartphone and tablet all in one. However, if pure, uncompromised gaming performance is your sole priority, a purpose-built gaming phone would still be superior. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 excels in short bursts, but under heavy, sustained loads, its slender design can lead to heating and performance drops of up to 60%. Thankfully, many Android games don’t fully tax the hardware yet, so you’ll likely enjoy smooth gameplay without encountering this limitation often.
On the upside, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is significantly more pocket-friendly than its predecessor. When unfolded, it’s just over 4mm thin, and when folded, it measures a mere 8.9mm – the same thickness as the Asus ROG Phone 9.
While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 may not match the extreme gaming capabilities of dedicated gaming phones, it offers a far more versatile and well-rounded experience. If you also value excellent cameras and long-term software support, this phone delivers. Keep in mind its $1,999 price tag; for those who don’t specifically need one device to function as both a gaming tablet and a phone, combining a OnePlus 13 with a RedMagic Astra tablet might be a more cost-effective solution.
Specifications:
- Screen: 8-inch 2184 x 1968 AMOLED (Main); 6.5-inch 1080 x 2520 AMOLED (Cover)
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Camera: 200MP Wide, 10MP Tele, 12MP Ultra Wide, 10MP front, 10MP front (interior)
- Battery: 4400mAh
- Weight: 215g (0.47 lb)
Pros:
- Extra thin design
- Large inner display
Cons:
- Steep price
6. OnePlus 12R
Best Budget Android for Gaming
The OnePlus 12 offers compelling value, delivering flagship-tier qualities at a price comparable to many base-model premium phones (think S24 Ultra performance for an S24 price). But for an even more budget-friendly option, OnePlus introduced the OnePlus 12R. This model captures the look and feel of the OnePlus 12 but comes in at a mere $499. The standout feature is its gorgeous 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, boasting a 1264×2780 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It’s a truly stunning screen that serves as an excellent platform for gaming. Side-by-side with the iPhone SE, there’s no question which display is superior.
Internally, the OnePlus 12R isn’t gunning for absolute top-tier performance; it features 2023’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. However, for the vast majority of games, this still provides more than enough horsepower for a smooth experience. Coupled with a robust 5,500mAh battery, the OnePlus 12R is well-equipped to extend your gaming sessions.
Naturally, some compromises were made to achieve its attractive price point, and the camera system is one such area. While it doesn’t match the OnePlus 12’s setup, the camera’s capabilities have little bearing on the phone’s primary function as a gaming device. So, if you’re in the market for a more affordable gaming phone, the OnePlus 12R stands out as a fantastic, value-focused choice.
Specifications:
- Screen: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1264×2780, 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
What We’re Looking Forward to:
The RedMagic 10 Pro is undeniably an excellent gaming phone. But its incredible performance from the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip got me thinking: what if that power could be unleashed on the same kinds of games we enjoy on PC? As someone who frequently tests both phones and laptops, I’ve noticed how the line between PC and phone hardware is blurring. Phone chips are rapidly advancing, and Windows is embracing ARM architecture (which phone processors use) with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite SoCs for Windows systems.
With this convergence, I’m always on the lookout for overlaps. For instance, the RedMagic 10 Pro’s Geekbench 6 single-core and multi-core scores were surprisingly close to those of the MSI Claw 8 AI+. While its raw GPU performance in Steel Nomad Light lagged a bit (around 78% of the MSI Claw 8 AI+), it’s important to remember that the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a powerful handheld, significantly outperforming even the Steam Deck in 3DMark. This all suggests the RedMagic 10 Pro, when paired with a phone controller, could very well serve as a viable handheld gaming device.
Currently, Android offers many great games, but a vast library of PC titles would be amazing to experience with the RedMagic 10 Pro’s horsepower. You can’t natively, but this is where the upcoming RedMagic 10S Pro gets exciting. Reports suggest the RedMagic 10S Pro might support some form of Windows emulation to run PC games. While I’d expect some performance hit, even a 25% penalty likely wouldn’t stop it from delivering excellent performance in indie gems like Hades or Dead Cells – games that thrive on gaming handhelds. And with the new RedMagic 10S Pro featuring a Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version chip, it should offer a slight performance bump over its predecessor.
While this is still speculative – I haven’t laid hands on the new phone yet, and its emulation capabilities aren’t confirmed – the prospect is incredibly thrilling. It would be even better if a company like Valve adapted Steam OS for mobile hardware. Who knows, it might not be long before Windows runs natively on these phone SoCs!
What to Look for in a Gaming Phone
Once you’re sure a gaming phone is right for you, here’s what to keep in mind while shopping. While even the best standard smartphones have *some* gaming potential, dedicated gaming phones offer distinct advantages. You’ll find hidden benefits under the hood, significant upgrades to the screen and battery, and even extra controls designed to give you an edge in games.
- Processors: This is a crucial element for gaming phones, as it directly impacts how well a game runs. Top-tier chips from the Snapdragon 8 family (like Elite, Gen 1/2/3) consistently deliver strong gaming performance, with the recent Snapdragon 8 Elite proving to be an absolute beast. Apple’s iPhones also feature high-performance chips, with models from the last year or two typically providing more than enough speed for the latest titles.
- Cooling and heat management: A fast processor is just the beginning; running games is demanding and generates heat. Gaming phones are specifically designed to manage this. We meticulously test for sustained performance, which is key to a phone’s gaming potential. While a phone like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra might show great burst performance in a short benchmark, it often slows down considerably as it heats up. In contrast, a top-tier gaming phone like the RedMagic 10, despite sometimes lagging slightly behind Samsung in initial benchmarks, excels at maintaining its performance over long sessions, thanks to powerful heat management systems, often including active cooling – a feature rarely found in everyday phones.
- Power: Smart heat management isn’t just about internal hardware. Look for phones offering pass-through power. This feature allows your phone to draw power directly from the charger, bypassing the battery. This prevents extra heat generation from charging while gaming and lets you play nonstop without worrying about battery drain. However, this is another feature not guaranteed on every phone.
- Display: Most gaming phones come with an impressive display tailored for gaming. Expect high resolutions and refresh rates ranging from 120Hz to 165Hz or even higher. These are typically OLED panels, offering rich contrast and minimal motion blur. While many games are capped at 60fps, those that aren’t can benefit immensely from higher refresh rates, delivering a noticeably smoother experience. Many gaming phones also feature high touch sampling rates, ensuring your inputs are registered instantly—a critical advantage in games demanding split-second reactions.
- Gaming-specific features: Finally, dedicated gaming phones often include features that make a real difference in gameplay. This can range from specialized software (though not always user-friendly) to physical buttons. Even a simple pair of shoulder buttons on a gaming phone effectively doubles your input options beyond just thumbs, allowing for more complex maneuvers like moving, aiming, jumping, and firing simultaneously in online FPS games, which can be a huge game-changer.
Gaming Handhelds vs. Gaming Phones
Choosing between a portable gaming device really comes down to your lifestyle, the games you want to play, and your preferred way of playing them.
A gaming phone is incredibly portable and slips easily into your pocket. Yet, it’s a highly capable machine that does much more than just game – it offers all the typical smartphone features, including quality cameras, navigation, and communication. Gaming phones also provide superior support for cloud streaming services like Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox games. Many even include advanced cooling systems to prevent thermal throttling and convenient triggers. If you’re not a fan of touch controls, simply grab a phone controller for an experience much closer to a dedicated gaming handheld.
In contrast, gaming handhelds, such as the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, are considerably bulkier but still easy to toss into a bag for on-the-go play. Unlike gaming phones, they are almost exclusively designed for gaming, offering responsive joysticks, triggers, and physical buttons for a tactile experience.
When it comes to actual games, there’s a significant difference. Android and iOS platforms host a plethora of games, and many titles are increasingly available on both mobile and PC, though mobile versions are often scaled back. Gaming handhelds, however, typically grant access to nearly all PC games, as they are essentially portable gaming PCs (with the exception of the Nintendo Switch). Bear in mind that some PC games might not run optimally, or at all, on the lower-powered hardware of certain gaming handhelds.
Both gaming handhelds and phones can leverage cloud gaming platforms like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass. In these scenarios, the performance of the device itself matters less than the quality of your internet connection. Here, phones often have an advantage, offering both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity (though a strong 5G connection is almost essential for smooth game streaming).
Battery life can be a mixed bag. Gaming phones usually have large, efficient batteries and can easily last a full day, even with some gaming – after all, they’re still phones! Gaming handhelds, conversely, often only last a few hours, with devices like the Steam Deck notably having poorer battery life. Recharging on the go is often simpler for a phone, which doesn’t typically demand a high-wattage charger.
Cost is a major consideration. The Steam Deck starts at $400, and the original Nintendo Switch is even less. Most gaming phones tend to be more expensive. However, some newer gaming handhelds are pushing prices closer to $1,000, which can easily exceed the cost of many excellent gaming phones. Plus, most of us already need a phone anyway, so the dual utility of a gaming phone adds significant value.
Ultimately, the limited game access might be the deciding factor. Even with cloud gaming, some titles simply won’t be available for gaming phones. If all the games you want to play are on mobile or accessible via cloud streaming, consider trying cloud gaming on your current phone. If you enjoy it, a dedicated gaming phone might be your next upgrade. If you can’t play the games you desire, a gaming handheld could be the better fit.
Mark Knapp is a contributing freelancer for IGN, covering electronics and gaming hardware. He has over 10 years of tech industry experience, with features in PCMag, Reviewed, CNET, and more.