Many dedicated gaming phones are being released, promising an even more immersive experience. These gaming devices often boast superior cooling systems and hardware modifications like shoulder triggers and detachable physical controls for convenience and the best gaming experience. This article will tackle the best gaming phone tips in 2024, prioritizing those purpose-built for gaming and general smartphones with sufficient power to deliver a seamless and captivating gaming experience.
How to choose the best gaming phone for you:
Selecting the ideal gaming phone involves careful consideration of your gaming preferences and priorities. Here’s an in-depth guide to assist you in making the optimal decision:
- Game Compatibility: Consider the types of games you enjoy playing. Some games may benefit from additional controls, such as shoulder buttons or dedicated gaming modes. Look for phones that offer these features to enhance your gaming experience.
- Battery Life and Charging: For gamers who frequently play on the go, battery life and charging speed are crucial factors. Opt for phones with large battery capacities and fast charging capabilities to ensure uninterrupted gaming sessions, even during long commutes or travel.
- Performance: A robust processor and sufficient RAM are vital for smooth gameplay, especially for graphics-intensive games. Choose phones with high-performance chipsets and enough memory to handle demanding gaming applications without lag or slowdowns.
- Display Quality: The screen plays a crucial role in gaming immersion. Look for phones with high-resolution screens, fast refresh rates, and vibrant colours to enjoy crisp visuals and fluid gameplay. Additionally, consider devices with HDR support for enhanced contrast and realism.
- Gaming Features: Some phones offer specialized gaming features, such as customizable gaming modes, built-in game recording, or advanced cooling systems to prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions. Evaluate these additional features to determine their importance for your gaming needs.
- Aesthetics: Although not directly impacting performance, a gaming phone’s design and aesthetics can enhance the overall gaming experience. Choose phones with sleek, ergonomic designs and gamer-centric aesthetics to complement your gaming style.
- Software Support: Ensure the phone receives regular software updates and support from the manufacturer to ensure peak performance and compatibility with the latest games and gaming accessories.
Once you’ve identified your preferred gaming phone based on these criteria, explore our comprehensive list of the best iPhone and Android games to discover an extensive selection of games customized to suit your gaming preferences. Remember that our lists are updated with new recommendations, so check back regularly for the latest gaming experiences. With careful consideration and research, you’ll find the perfect gaming phone to elevate your mobile gaming adventures.
Best Gaming Phone Tips: The Perfect Companion for Fun!
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
Introducing the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, hailed as the ultimate gaming phone. Asus has solidified its position as a leader in the gaming phone market, blending cutting-edge hardware, intuitive software, and captivating designs and accessory ecosystems explicitly tailored for mobile gamers.
While previous iterations focused on delivering more power, longer battery life, larger screens, enhanced cooling, and more features, the ROG Phone 8 series shifts the paradigm by questioning what a gaming phone should embody beyond gaming excellence.
The result is a device that maintains exceptional gaming performance – boasting Qualcomm’s top-tier 8 Gen 3 chipset, coupled with up to an astonishing 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage – while also integrating luxuries like wireless charging, eschewing an actuated cooling vent to achieve IP68-certified dust and water resistance, and incorporating a high-quality camera rarely seen in gaming phones.
The ROG Phone 8 Pro departs from a singular focus on gaming to embrace a broader spectrum of capabilities. It expands the appeal of the ROG Phone series to a wider audience while retaining the essence of what made its predecessors exceptional. Here are the specifications:
- Release date: January 2024
- Weight: 225g
- Dimensions: 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9mm
- OS: Android 14
- Screen size: 6.78-inch
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: Up to 24GB
- Storage: Up to 1TB
- Battery: 5,500mAh
- Rear camera: 50MP + 13MP + 32MP
- Front camera: 32MP
Reasons to Buy:
- Unrivalled performance from any Android phone upon release.
- Refined design suitable for everyday use
- Best camera in a gaming phone
Reasons to Avoid:
- Limited OS update support
- Smaller battery compared to competitors
- High price point
Nubia RedMagic 9 Pro
Presenting the Nubia RedMagic 9 Pro, acclaimed as the best value gaming phone. Nubia’s Red Magic gaming phone series has consistently delivered cutting-edge hardware and top-notch performance at remarkably competitive prices. The RedMagic 9 Pro continues this tradition, boasting Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.
With features like a dedicated gaming mode switch, an integrated RGB fan for active cooling, a 520Hz touch response rate display, and capacitive shoulder buttons, the 9 Pro solidifies its position as a gaming powerhouse, enhanced by its high-quality silicon.
While the RedMagic software running on the 9 Pro offers numerous gaming-centric features, it may not appeal to everyone. However, for serious mobile gamers, the value proposition presented by this device is hard to overlook. Here are its specifications:
- Release date: January 2024
- Weight: 229g
- Dimensions: 164 x 76.4 x 8.9mm
- OS: Android 14
- Screen size: 6.8-inch
- Resolution: 1116 x 2480
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: Up to 16GB
- Storage: Up to 512GB
- Battery: 6,500mAh
- Rear camera: 50MP + 50MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to Buy:
- Exceptional value for money
- High-performance capabilities
- Remarkable battery life
Reasons to Avoid:
- Ergonomics may not suit everyone
- User experience may not be universally appealing
- Cameras may lack luster
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
Introducing the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, hailed as the most daring gaming phone. While the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate of 2023 has been overshadowed by its successor, it remains Asus’ last uncompromising gaming phone in every aspect, at least for now.
True to its name, it is unabashed in its mission to provide the ultimate mobile gaming hardware and software experience. Although the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset powering it may no longer be the latest, it still boasts ample power to outperform most other devices currently available.
Equipped with a sizable battery ideal for extended gaming sessions, the Ultimate features the AeroActive Portal – a motorized port on the phone’s back that unveils part of the device’s copper heat sink. When coupled with the AeroActive Cooler 7, a detachable fan accessory, cool air is directed at the phone’s internals, effectively reducing heat buildup and enhancing performance. This fan also incorporates a subwoofer, strengthening the phone’s integrated stereo speakers, though a headphone jack is also available for alternative audio preferences.
The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is a standout gaming device that prioritizes bulkier design and sacrifices flagship-grade cameras to deliver the most immersive gaming experience possible with its hardware capabilities. Here are its specifications:
- Release date: May 2023
- Weight: 239g
- Dimensions: 173 x 77 x 10.3mm
- OS: Android 13
- Screen size: 6.78-inch
- Resolution: 1080 x 2448
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Rear camera: 50MP + 13MP + 5MP
- Front camera: 32MP
Reasons to Buy:
- Exceptional gaming performance
- Massive, long-lasting battery
- Expansive, superb, high-speed display
Reasons to Avoid:
- Subpar cameras
- AeroActive Cooler required for optimal performance
- No longer at the cutting edge
The top non-gaming phones for gaming:
While the ROG Phone 8 is reshaping the narrative of gaming phones, they typically prioritize gaming at the expense of other features like design, water resistance, wireless charging, update support, and camera quality.
If you prefer a phone that excels in gaming but isn’t explicitly marketed as a gaming phone, offering a more balanced overall experience, consider the options below. Our list of the best phones may overlap, as these devices naturally excel in gaming due to their all-around excellence.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The ultimate non-gaming powerhouse for gaming.
Samsung’s latest Ultra iteration represents an evolutionary step forward from its predecessor. Its performance has notably improved thanks to the tuned Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ‘for Galaxy’ chipset paired with a vapour chamber twice the size of its predecessor, ensuring superior cooling.
This enhancement results in graphical capabilities rivalling or exceeding the latest iPhones and the ROG Phone 8, especially in artificial benchmarks. With a 5,000mAh battery offering decent longevity for most gaming sessions and Samsung’s lightweight gaming tools integrated into its One UI user experience, the Galaxy S24 Ultra provides an impressive gaming experience overall.
For those seeking one of the most well-rounded flagship phones available, be prepared for a premium price tag unless you find the latest discounts in our Samsung Galaxy S24 deals article. Here are the specifications:
Release date: January 2024
Weight: 232g
Dimensions: 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm
OS: Android 14
Screen size: 6.8-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 3120
Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
RAM: 12GB
Storage: Up to 1TB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 200MP + 12MP + 50MP + 10MP
Front camera: 12MP
REASONS TO BUY
- Matches or surpasses the latest ROG Phone & iPhone performance
- Exceptional display quality
- Larger vapour chamber for superior cooling
REASONS TO AVOID
- Despite its titanium build, it remains large and heavy
- Lacks AI-enhanced gaming features
- High price tag
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The ultimate iPhone for gaming.
More than just a mere upgrade from its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces enhancements in various aspects, including improved cameras, a 5x telephoto lens, a new Action Button, a titanium design, and, notably, the new A17 Pro chip.
With this cutting-edge chipset, the 15 Pro Max achieves unprecedented power levels, featuring hardware-accelerated ray tracing for enhanced realism in gaming graphics. It can seamlessly handle console-grade titles like Resident Evil: Village and Death Stranding, offering a truly immersive gaming experience on a smartphone.
Coupled with access to Apple Arcade, which continues to expand its offerings, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iOS deliver unparalleled gaming experiences. Additionally, the 120Hz 6.7-inch display offers exceptional visual quality, with smoother edges for improved comfort during extended gaming sessions.
In summary, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a superb smartphone that handles gaming tasks with unparalleled ease.
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 221g
Dimensions: 159.9mm x 76.7mm x 8.25mm
OS: iOS 17
Screen size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1290 x 2796
Chipset: A17 Pro
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery life: Enjoy up to 29 hours of continuous video playback.
Rear camera: 48MP+12MP+12MP.
Front camera: 12MP
REASONS TO BUY
- Exceptional performance in gaming
- Outstanding photography capabilities
REASONS TO AVOID
- Higher starting price (but more storage)
- Charging speed could be faster
OnePlus 12
A versatile flagship with hidden gaming prowess.
OnePlus has consistently prioritized performance in its smartphone lineup, and the OnePlus 12 is no exception. Featuring the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset found in flagship gaming phones like the ROG Phone 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, coupled with a substantial dual vapour chamber, a large battery, and impressive 100W fast charging (80W in the US), this device is a powerhouse for gaming.
Instead of following the trend of AI-driven features, OnePlus concentrates on its performance-optimizing Trinity Engine, ensuring that the processor, memory, and storage operate at peak efficiency for extended periods. Tools like HyperTouch further enhance gaming responsiveness, while the device also boasts one of OnePlus’s most impressive camera setups to date.
However, it’s disappointing that the eye-catching design, which includes repositioned physical alert switches to enhance antenna performance, lacks the same level of water resistance as some of its competitors.
SPECIFICATIONS
Release date: February 2024
Weight: 220g
Dimensions: 164.3 x 75.8 x 9.2mm
OS: Android 14
Screen size: 6.82-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 3168
Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: Up to 16GB S
storage: Up to 1TB
Battery: 5,400mAh
Rear camera: 50MP + 48MP + 64MP
Front camera: 32MP
REASONS TO BUY
- Enhanced antenna placement tailored for gaming
- Remarkable battery life with the fastest charging available
- Outstanding performance
REASONS TO AVOID
- Shorter software support compared to rivals
- Curved design and display may not appeal to everyone
- Less IP certification than competitors like Samsung, Apple, and ROG Phone 8 series
Conclusion:
Gaming phones are meticulously crafted for the needs of gamers. When investing in one, prioritizing swift performance, a spacious, high-resolution display with a high refresh rate, robust battery life, and gaming-centric features is essential.
