A “gaming smartphone” is a smartphone that allows you to comfortably play high-load smartphone games. Many smartphones on the market have enough performance to comfortably play game apps.
So this time, we will introduce the best gaming smartphones, along with how to choose them and recommended manufacturers. In addition to gaming smartphones, we have also picked out high-spec smartphones that allow you to play games comfortably, so be sure to check them out.
What is a gaming smartphone?
A gaming smartphone is a high-spec smartphone specialized for playing game apps. Equipped with a high-performance processor, you can comfortably play 3D games and online games.
Another feature is that many of them have larger internal storage capacity than regular smartphones so that they can store many game apps. Another point is that some products come with special accessories to make playing games more comfortable.
How to choose a gaming smartphone
The CPU is the latest high-performance model.
When choosing a gaming smartphone, the performance of the central “CPU” is important. Although there is a balance with other parts, basically the higher the CPU specs, the faster the data processing speed will be, and the more comfortable you will be able to enjoy games.
Although the CPU installed varies depending on the model, many gaming smartphones currently on the market use Qualcomm’s “Snapdragon” series. Generally, the larger the number following Snapdragon, the more powerful the model.
If you enjoy games with low rendering loads such as puzzle games and 2D RPGs, the mid-range “Snapdragon 600” series is sufficient. If you want to enjoy the latest 3D games comfortably, it’s safe to choose the high-end “Snapdragon 800” series.
Number of cores matters too
The number of CPU cores is also an important point when choosing a gaming smartphone. If it has two cores, it is often expressed as “dual core”, and if it has four cores, it is often expressed as “quad core”, and generally, the more cores there are, the higher the processing performance.
We recommend a CPU with an octa-core or higher core count, as this will allow you to play many games smoothly.
Memory (RAM) must be at least 6GB
Memory (RAM) is the part that temporarily stores data while working on your smartphone. The more memory capacity you have, the more simultaneous processing you can do, making games run more smoothly.
If you want to enjoy the latest 3D games, a minimum of 6 to 8 GB of memory is recommended. If you want to enjoy games in high quality or record and stream while playing games, 12 GB or more is a good guideline.
By the way, memory (RAM) and storage (ROM) are sometimes confused because they are both measured in units of GB (gigabytes). These two parts are different, so be careful when choosing a gaming smartphone.
If you want to play in high quality, check your display resolution
If you want to enjoy your favorite games with beautiful images, the display resolution is also an important point. Generally, the higher the resolution of a gaming smartphone, the more detailed and beautiful the images will be.
If you’re not too concerned about image quality, the “Full HD (1920 x 1080)” that most smartphones use will suffice, but if you want to enjoy games with beautiful images, we recommend a model that supports “Full HD+ (2340 x 1080)” or “4K.”
By the way, as the resolution of a gaming smartphone increases, higher specs are also required for the CPU and RAM. If the processing performance of these parts is insufficient, frame drops and stuttering may occur during gameplay, so when checking the display resolution, be sure to check the specs of the CPU and RAM as well.
High refresh rate for smoother images
Refresh rate is the number of times the screen changes per second. Just like flip books, which look smoother the more pages you flip through, the higher the refresh rate of your smartphone, the smoother the images will be.
If you’re playing a game with little movement, you don’t need to worry about it, but if you’re playing a game where speed is important, you should check it out. It depends on the genre, but if you want to enjoy the game comfortably, a refresh rate of at least 90Hz is safe.
If you want to enjoy FPS or racing games where response is important, we recommend a model that supports high refresh rates of 120Hz or 240Hz.
Check battery capacity
Battery capacity is also important when choosing a gaming smartphone. When playing games on a smartphone, the CPU and graphics chip are put under heavy load, which causes rapid battery consumption.
Battery capacity is measured in units of “mAh (milliamperes),” and generally the higher the number, the better the battery life. Although it depends on the game you’re playing, a battery capacity of 4000mAh or more will allow you to enjoy the game comfortably.
If you want to enjoy gaming without worrying about time, we recommend choosing a model with a large capacity battery of 5000 to 6000mAh.
Check the sound performance
If you want to enjoy games where you can enjoy the voices of popular voice actors or rhythm games where sound is important, be sure to check the sound performance of your gaming smartphone.
Specifically, we recommend models that support “Dolby Atmos,” which allows you to finely adjust the equalizer, and “aptX,” which reproduces the original sound almost faithfully even wirelessly. You can enjoy your favorite games with higher sound quality.
Check the cooling performance
When playing games, parts such as the CPU and graphics chip are under heavy load, and heat accumulates inside the smartphone. If you use your smartphone while it is overheated, it can cause various problems, such as a drop in CPU performance and reduced battery performance, so be careful.
The key point here is whether or not the smartphone has a cooling system. If the smartphone has a water-cooling system that uses a special liquid to cool the inside of the smartphone, or a heat pipe that increases the efficiency of heat transfer, you can enjoy gaming for long periods of time without worrying about heat generation.
If your favorite gaming smartphone doesn’t have a cooling system, we recommend using a “smartphone cooler” that can be attached directly to the smartphone. This will allow you to efficiently cool your smartphone that gets hot even while gaming.
Check size
When choosing a gaming smartphone, check the size. It is recommended to choose a size that is suitable for the size of your hands and is easy to play with.
Large displays are easy to see and are ideal for understanding enemy positions, but they can be difficult to hold and make it difficult for people with small hands to play smoothly.
On the other hand, if you choose a compact size, it will be easier to hold, but the screen will be harder to see. Hand sizes vary from person to person, so try to find a smartphone that fits you.
With a portable battery, you can feel safe even when you’re out and about
Even if you choose a smartphone with a large battery capacity, you may run out of charge if you play games outside for a long time. It is recommended to carry a large-capacity mobile battery with you so that you can play games for a long time on the go without worry.
Check out other accessories too
If the basic performance is high, you can play games using just your smartphone, but if you want to play more seriously, you should also check out the peripheral accessories.
For example, if you use a smartphone controller, you can control it in the same way as a regular game console, since it is equipped with a cross key and L/R buttons. Games that require complex operations can be played more comfortably than if you were to play on your smartphone alone.
Recommended gaming smartphone manufacturers
ASUS
ASUS is a manufacturer headquartered in Taiwan that handles PCs, smartphones, and peripherals. In the DIY market, they are particularly famous for their motherboards. They have a high level of support and hold a top-class market share.
In the smartphone field, in addition to the gaming smartphone “ROG Phone series”, we also offer the popular SIM-free “ZenFone series”. We offer a lineup of stylish and high-performance products. They are recommended not only for gaming but also for everyday use.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi is a Chinese comprehensive home appliance manufacturer established in 2010. They handle a wide range of products, from their flagship product, smartphones, to wearable devices and smart home appliances.
In terms of smartphones, the “POCO series” is popular for its high specs but low price, as well as the high spec “Black Shark series” invested in by Xiaomi. This is a recommended manufacturer for those who value cost performance.
Recommended gaming smartphone models
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
This is the flagship model of the iPhone series, to be released in September 2024, which allows for comfortable gaming. It features a large 6.9-inch display. In addition, it supports “ProMotion technology” that can increase the refresh rate up to 120Hz, so you can enjoy games with smooth images. It is a gaming smartphone that allows you to experience immersive content regardless of genre, such as RPG and FPS.
The new chip “A18 Pro” is used, making it comfortable to use. It is up to 15% faster than the previous model “A17 Pro”, which is beneficial not only in everyday life but also in gaming, such as improved video processing speed. Another point is that it has reduced power consumption. It is said to be capable of video playback for up to 33 hours, so you can play without worrying about running out of battery.
Another attractive feature is the large storage capacity. Available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models, there is plenty of room to download multiple games that take up space. However, the device weighs 227g, so those who value portability should be careful. This is recommended for those who want to sit down and enjoy playing smartphone games, so be sure to check it out.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
This is a high-performance gaming smartphone that allows you to experience low latency gameplay. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 4.3GHz processing makes even heavy games display smoothly. The 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED achieves a high refresh rate of up to 185Hz. You can play with an advantage.
The unique cooling system prevents the game from getting hot even after long hours of play. It maintains stable performance. It also features AniMe Vision with 648 mini LEDs on the back. You can enjoy projecting logos and animations.
Equipped with a large capacity 5800mAh battery, it also supports 65W fast charging. You can enjoy playing without worrying about running out of battery. It is also IP68 waterproof, so it is designed for everyday use. This model is recommended for those who want a full-fledged gaming experience.
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
This is a high-end gaming smartphone recommended for those who want to enjoy serious gaming. It is equipped with a high-performance Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. It allows for comfortable play even with heavy game titles. It is equipped with a display that supports a high refresh rate of 165Hz, so you can enjoy smooth images even in fast-moving scenes.
It also has a wide range of features for gamers. It is equipped with pressure-sensitive “AirTrigger” buttons, which improves operability in FPS and action games. It also has a function that allows you to continue playing games in the background, so your progress is maintained even when switching apps. In addition, the bypass charging function makes it comfortable to play for long periods of time.
Another attractive feature is the large capacity 5500mAh battery. It supports bypass charging and has excellent cooling performance, so you can enjoy gaming for long periods of time. In addition, stereo speakers and AptX adaptive Bluetooth deliver powerful sound. It also has IP68 dust and water resistance, so you can immerse yourself in gaming no matter where you are.
Xiaomi Xiaomi 13T Pro
This is a gaming smartphone equipped with a 6.7-inch OLED display. This model is recommended for those who value the beauty of the image. With a high refresh rate of up to 144Hz, you can play high-speed games comfortably. The peak brightness is high at 2600nit, making the screen easy to see.
It is equipped with MediaTek’s “Dimensity 9200+”, which makes it fast to use. It also has a large capacity 5000mAh battery, so you can use it for a long time without worrying about running out of battery. It also supports 120W “Xiaomi Hyper Charge”, which allows you to fully charge it in about 19 minutes.
It also features IP68 dustproof and waterproof performance, so you can use it safely not only in wet areas such as the kitchen, but also outdoors.
Xiaomi POCO X7 Pro
A gaming smartphone equipped with a high-performance AMOLED display. With a resolution of 1.5K and a refresh rate of 120Hz, you can enjoy clear and smooth images. The peak brightness is 3200 nits, making it comfortable to use even outdoors.
The specs allow you to play games comfortably. The CPU is equipped with the octa-core “Dimensity 8400-Ultra”, which achieves high performance. The memory is 8GB, so you can multitask to a certain extent. The storage is 256GB, so you can install a variety of games. It is recommended for those who want something easy to use.
Another advantage is its excellent cooling performance. The combination of a 5000mm super-large loop pump and a “3D ice loop system” that improves heat dissipation allows it to maintain stable performance even during long hours of gaming. Another plus is that it is IP68 dustproof and waterproof. It’s perfect for those who want something that won’t break easily.
Red Magic 10 Pro
A high-performance gaming smartphone that brings together technology. In addition to adopting the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, it delivers high performance with the ICE-X wind-cooled cooling system using composite liquid metal. It also has a 1.5K resolution display optimized for gameplay. The 144Hz refresh rate provides smooth images.
The 7050mAh large capacity battery is also a plus. It can handle long hours of gameplay. In addition, it is equipped with dual 1115K speakers, so you can enjoy a sense of realism with powerful sound.
It is also the first model in the series to support the Osaifu-Keitai function, making it a highly convenient and recommended model.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Equipped with the high-spec “A17 Pro” chip with good processing speed and power efficiency, this smartphone is suitable for gaming. It achieves the best graphic performance compared to previous iPhone models.
The refresh rate is 120Hz and the hardware ray tracing is used for a smooth viewing experience.
Another point is that it is equipped with a 6.7-inch “Super Retina XDR display.” It can be bright with a maximum brightness of 2000 nits and has a high contrast ratio, allowing you to enjoy games with clear and beautiful images.
Apart from gaming, the overall specs are also attractive. The camera is powerful and can take beautiful photos that rival those of a professional. In addition, it is made of aerospace-grade titanium, making it highly durable and IP68-rated water resistant. This is a recommended model that is great for gaming as well as everyday use.
Sony Xperia 1 VI
A gaming smartphone that provides smooth operation. The CPU uses the high-performance “Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform,” which can quickly process games that require a high load. It also comes equipped with a heat diffusion sheet and vapor chamber, which allows for heat control to maintain high performance. This model makes it easy to concentrate on the game.
It also features a convenient game enhancer app. You can check performance and set detailed notifications to create a comfortable gaming environment. In addition, you can also stream on YouTube. With an easy-to-use UI, you can easily start streaming activities.
The high-quality OLED display is also attractive. “Powered by BRAVIA” uses unique AI image quality adjustment technology to reproduce color, texture, and three-dimensionality. It also supports variable refresh rates from 1 to 120Hz, so it is recommended for those who want to play games with vivid and smooth images.
OPPO Reno10 Pro 5G CPH2541
A smartphone for gaming with full basic performance. Equipped with the mid-range “Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G” and a large capacity 8GB LPDDR4x memory, you can enjoy your favorite videos and games smoothly.
The screen size is about 6.7 inches and supports a refresh rate of 120Hz. You can play games that require high reaction speed, such as FPS and fighting games.
Plus, the handy Game Space allows you to block in-game notifications and optimize performance for your games.
This product has a lightweight body weighing about 185g, making it easy to handle. It is also recommended for those who want to enjoy gaming for long periods.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
A high-performance smartphone that delivers a comfortable gaming experience. Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, it runs even high-load 3D games smoothly.
The enhanced cooling system also supports long gameplay. Equipped with a larger vapor chamber compared to the previous model. Effectively suppresses performance degradation due to heat generation.
In addition, the 6.9-inch large screen display provides an immersive gaming experience. This model is recommended for serious gamers who want high gaming performance.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
This model is recommended for those looking for a gaming smartphone that can be played on a large screen. When the main display is opened, it is about 7.6 inches in size and can display multiple windows at the same time. It is also perfect for multitasking, such as taking notes while looking up strategies online.
The CPU uses the “Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy,” which has excellent processing power. In addition, it is equipped with a vapor chamber that is about 1.6 times larger than the previous model, so you can play games that require a lot of load with peace of mind.
Another attractive feature is the extensive use of AI. In addition to AI camera functions such as AI zoom and background fill, it also comes with “Search by Enclosing” which allows you to search for text or images simply by circling them, and “Note Assist” which transcribes recordings and summarizes notes. It is also useful for everyday use.
SHARP AQUOS R9 pro
A gaming smartphone that lets you enjoy the world of games. Equipped with a Pro IGZO OLED display that supports up to 240Hz operation, you can enjoy smooth images with little afterimage. In addition, it is said to be able to express 1 billion colors, allowing you to vividly depict game images. Recommended for those who play RPGs and open-world games.
The CPU uses the high-performance “Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform.” You can play games that put a lot of strain on your computer smoothly. The memory is 12GB, and you can use up to 12GB of virtual memory. This model is also great for multitasking.
Another advantage is that it prevents performance degradation due to heat. The Dual Thermo Management System combines heat dissipation from the camera ring with heat diffusion by the vapor chamber, making it easier to concentrate on the game.
SHARP AQUOS R8 pro
This model uses a 6.6-inch “Pro IGZO OLED.” It is characterized by its support for the HDR imaging technology “Dolby Vision” and the surround sound technology “Dolby Atmos.” This model is recommended for those who want both high-quality images and immersive sound.
The CPU is Qualcomm’s “Snapdragon 8 Gen 2”. Combined with 12GB of memory, it delivers excellent processing performance. It has a large 256GB of built-in storage, so you can store many downloaded games and apps, which is a nice feature.
In addition, the phone is designed with user convenience in mind, with features such as a highly secure 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and support for the Qi standard for wireless charging. If you are looking for a phone that is easy to use in everyday life, check it out.
A word from the writer
Recently, there are many games that use 3D graphics and are very demanding, and high specs are required to play them without compromising image quality. If you want to enjoy them seriously or want to stand out from the crowd with a comfortable gameplay, you will need a gaming smartphone or a high-spec smartphone. Please try to find the product that is perfect for you.
