Gone are the days when gaming phones were exclusive to a privileged few, boasting eccentric designs and cumbersome software. Nowadays, you can easily find a phone that excels in gaming without compromising on style or performance. These devices are equipped with great hardware: bright displays featuring high refresh rates, and impressive speakers that are literally music for your ears.
Even if you're not a dedicated gamer, these phones offer a plethora of features. Moreover, as standard high-end phones continue to increase in power, they also deliver exceptional gaming experience. Whether you're a hardcore gamer looking to elevate your multiplayer shooter skills or simply seeking a top-notch gaming phone, you've come to the right place! Here's the list of the best gaming phones you can get in 2024, including dedicated gaming models, as well as more popular and mainstream flagship phones.
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the latest and greatest in the dedicated gaming phone category. The Taiwanese company kind of departed from the normal flashy LED models, and adopted a more understated approach, aiming to attract a broader audience.
The phone features a discreet design for a gaming device, showcasing a stealthy LED matrix on the back, rounded corners, and a contemporary-looking camera bump. Beneath the surface, it maintains high-quality specs, including a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, up to 24GB of RAM, a huge 6,000mAh battery, and a very bright 165Hz display in line with current trends.
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However, the only trade-off to consider is a financial one. With a starting price of $1,200, the phone falls on the higher end of the price spectrum. Opting for the top-tier 24/1TB model will require a more substantial investment of $1,500.
Asus decided to join the "Ultra" race and launched the Zenfone 11 Ultra. This kind of a controversial device shared a lot of its DNA with the ROG Phone 8, barring the gaming bells and whistles, but for the purposes of this article, it's a solid choice for a gaming phone.
First of all, it comes with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, it also sports a very bright (currently sitting at the top of our brightness chart) display, supporting a 120Hz refresh rate (and 144Hz while gaming).
The phone also comes with a big 5,500mAh battery, and some AI magic onboard, plus a solid camera system. You can think of the Zenfone 11 Ultra as an understated ROG Phone 8 Pro, you're getting most of the features but without waving your gaming preferences in the face of everyone around you.
Incredibly good speakers, plus subwoofer in the cooler accessory
Camera is adequate even though it's a "gaming phone"
Massive battery, good battery health options
Buttons and controls for handheld gaming
The Bad
The edgy gamer design is a taste thing
Camera is adequate, but is outclassed by other flagships
No wireless charging
And here we are with the next iteration of the ROG Phone Ultimate, it's the seventh generation, and currently, this is the phone to beat if you like playing mobile games. It has an excellent 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with HDR10+ support and 165Hz refresh rate, one of the best in the industry for super smooth gaming.
Being the best in the ROG lineup, this phone also features the latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, supported by upgraded internal cooling, and also some external cooling accessories to run cool during extended gaming sessions. The stereo speakers are one of the best we've ever heard and there's also a subwoofer accessories to elevate your gaming FX even higher.
The package is rounded off by a massive battery for prolonged gaming, a very sturdy build, and your typical ROG styling.
The Sony Xperia 1 V is not a dedicated gaming phone but Sony has an immense gaming pedigree when it comes to consoles and handhelds. And it shows in every Xperia model in the last couple of years. The Xperia 1 V is no exception.
This phone comes with a gorgeous 6.5-inch 4K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate - a gamer's dream. It's a 21:9 screen in typical Sony fashion and there are no notches, cutouts or other eyesore to hamper your gaming experience.
The Xperia 1 V uses the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, coupled with 12GB or RAM and the phone also comes with a microSD card slot - that's definitely a plus when it comes to gaming. Last but not least, Sony offers a great gaming software in the face of Game Enhancer - a tool to tweak all the setting, including things like touch sampling rate, display refresh rate, notifications, audio settings, and more.
The only downside to this phone is its price. You need to cough up $1,399 to get it, and for that kind of money you can buy a PS5 (if you can find one) with a extra controller and a couple of games. But then again, the Xperia 1 V is also a phone, and a camera, and a computer - you know, your daily personal communicator. Your choice.
I know what you're thinking - a compact gaming phone? But hear me out! The Zenfone 10 not only has the latest Snapdragon processor but it also comes with a 4,300 mAh battery, and that 1080p screen means less pixels to be pushed. It's a legitimate gaming phone that shouldn't be overlooked. Especially for people who like compact phones. There's also a new 144Hz display refresh rate mode, reserved for gaming, so this little fellow has taken things into ROG territory!
The phone also features the Game Genie software, taken straight from the ROG dedicated gaming phones of the company. The small gem is absolutely capable of delivering those frames per second even in the most demanding scenarios. Yes, the screen is on the smaller side but for some people half an inch is not a deal breaker.
The Black Shark 5 Pro is another take on the dedicated gaming phone, and it does a lot of (gaming) things really well. From the mechanical shoulder buttons (essential in any gaming phone) to the pressure sensitive areas on the display - it's all tailored to give you maximum gaming comfort and efficiency.
The battery is pretty chunky, and the fast charging is insane with up to 120W of juice filling the said battery in just 15 minutes! The phone is no slouch when it comes to pure hardware performance either - courtesy of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. It's also fair to say that you can get a more "basic" Snapdragon 870 version that will cost you only $549, which is an insane deal.
Although it's not out yet, expected to be released in Europe at around €799, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 already impresses. Likely to challenge the ROG Phone 6 and even replace it as our favorite gaming phone of 2021, the Legion Phone Duel 2 sports a large 6.92-inch 144Hz AMOLED display, the Snapdragon 888 processor and up to 18GB of RAM.
Like the ROG 6, the Legion Phone Dual 2 too has AirTrigger-like touch sensitive, mappable sensors that can be used as shoulder buttons, but it also has some extra party tricks. For example, its two 2,750 mAh batteries can be "Turbo" charged not just via a single USB Type-C port, but via its two ports at the same time. This way the phone can fully charge at 90W for just 30 minutes.
The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 also has a pop-up "facecam" to be used while streaming gameplay, two built-in cooling fans and dual front-facing speakers.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best for Samsung users
8.2
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Good
Refined design, titan frame, flat screen
Excellent camera, good improvements
Screen has great brightness range, reduced reflections
12 GB RAM at base level
AI features are limited right now, but not a gimmick
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung's newest flagship smartphone and as such, it sports some of the best specs you can get on an Android phone right now. It's not about the S Pen this time, although it's a nice bonus. This phone is a powerhouse!
It features a flat screen now, which is a needed improvement and one that will please gamers, as there's no image distortion toward the edges. The new anti-glare coating is also top-notch, we tested it in real-life scenarios and indeed, there's less glare under direct sunlight and other direct sources of light.
Other than that, it's the usual high-end stuff. You're getting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and 2,600-nit 120Hz LTPO display. Nothing to complain about. The battery is a hefty 5,000 mAh cell, so you won't run out of juice during prolonged gaming sessions. And you can use this flagship as a normal phone, snap amazing photos, use it for productivity with the S Pen.
If you're leaning towards iOS gaming and the Apple Arcade subscription service, the most powerful phone for gaming from Apple you can get right now is the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The recently announced flagship has it all - new hardware gimmicks, a fast refresh rate display, the Dynamic Isle feature to enhance further your gaming experience and a titanium frame that makes it lighter and more comfortable during prolonged gaming sessions.
Its high performance thanks to the latest and greatest A17 Pro chipset will crush any games at their highest settings without breaking a sweat, while its solid battery life will ensure that you'll be comfortable playing for hours on end without needing to recharge. It also sports the largest display ever put on an iPhone, and if you enjoy other activities beyond gaming, the state-of-the-art tetraprism zoom lens will allow you to snap 5X optical zoom pictures with great quality.].
Note to Fortnite gamers: Fortnite is currently unavailable on iOS, so you may be better off buying an Android phone.
If you're ready to go to the next level with your smartphone gaming, there is nothing like playing mobile games on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. It's a candy bar-shaped phone when you need it to fit in your pocket, but it can unfold into an extremely powerful tablet when it's time for play.
Games like PUBG play fantastic on it, plus its stereo speakers are superb in volume and richness. The phone feels great in the hands and is easy to game on, not too large or unwieldy as a tablet might be. Any game looks gorgeous on the Z Fold 5's large, foldable, smooth 120 Hz AMOLED display. The battery life is really solid on this last generation, and there's also stylus support for any strategy games that require precision.
The Note 20 Ultra is not just a huge, powerful smartphone that will deliver amazing 3D gaming experiences, but thanks to its included S Pen stylus, it's arguably the best phone to pick for casual gaming also.
For example, playing card games or chess with the S Pen can be a joy, much more convenient than using your finger. So for all-around versatility and a huge, almost 7-inch display, you can't go wrong with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, for any kinds of games.
Choosing the best phone for mobile gaming depends on several factors, and your preferences may vary depending on the type of games you play and your budget. Here are some key considerations to help you make an informed decision:
Performance. Look for a phone with a powerful processor (CPU) and a high-quality graphics processing unit (GPU). Flagship models from popular manufacturers often feature the latest and most powerful components. Check out various benchmarks, including gaming ones, to see if the phone can handle the latest games without overheating and throttling.
RAM and Storage. More RAM allows for smoother multitasking and better performance, while ample storage space ensures you can download and store multiple large games. Aim for at least 8GB of RAM and consider 256GB or more of internal storage. While a microSD card can be an advantage, internal storage is faster and it will result in smoother gaming experience if your games are on the phone and not on a microSD card.
Display. A high-resolution and responsive display is crucial for an immersive gaming experience. Look for phones a high refresh rate (120Hz or 144Hz) This can make gaming animations smoother, and you will be more competitive in fast-paced games. Check out the touch response times of the display, the lower, the better.
Battery Life. Gaming can be demanding on a phone's battery. A phone with a large battery capacity will provide longer gaming sessions. Additionally, some phones come with fast-charging, which can be useful for quickly replenishing your battery.
Cooling. Intense gaming sessions can generate a lot of heat. Phones with effective cooling systems, such as external cooling fans or advanced heat dissipation technologies, can help prevent performance throttling and maintain consistent gaming performance.
Gaming Features. Some phones come with dedicated gaming modes or features like trigger buttons, customizable settings, and enhanced haptic feedback. Check if the phone you're interested in has any gaming-specific features that appeal to you.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! The best gaming phones on the market. It's a bit niche list but we assure you, if you can live with the flashy aesthetics, and the extra weight, these devices can give you so much in return. They're true flagships that can take your average Galaxy or iPhone with ease.
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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