In the fast-paced world of mobile gaming, having the right device can make all the difference. The best gaming phones of 2024 offer powerful processors, ample RAM, and high-quality displays with high refresh rates, taking your gaming experience to the next level. With the emergence of cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud, gaming on smaller screens has become more immersive, making gaming phones a hot commodity.
These gaming smartphones are good for playing online games like Dream League Soccer, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Genshin Impact, Fortnite, Clash Royale, eFootball 2024 Mobile, etc. The phones also perform incredibly on offline games like Asphalt 9: Legends, Minecraft, The Room Series, Stardew Valley, Monument Valley 2, etc.
Let’s explore the top contenders in the gaming phone arena, catering to various budgets and preferences.
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro stands out as the pinnacle of gaming phones, boasting cutting-edge components packed into a sleek chassis. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, this device offers unparalleled in-game performance.
The addition of touch triggers and an Aero Active cooler elevates the gaming experience further. With a stunning AMOLED display running at a massive 165Hz, every gaming session is a visual delight. Despite its hefty price tag, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s blend of performance, features, and design makes it the top choice for avid gamers.
The Asus ROG phone 8 Pro is the best phone to play PUBG, Genshin Impart, Call of Duty and other high graphic games on Android.
For those seeking exceptional performance without breaking the bank, the RedMagic 8S Pro is the perfect choice. Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a vibrant AMOLED display, this device delivers smooth gaming experiences at a fraction of the cost. Despite its similarities to its predecessor, the 8S Pro offers great value with its impressive performance and sleek design. With features like capacitive touch pads and a dedicated game launcher, it caters to the needs of gaming enthusiasts on a budget.
The RedMagic 8S Pro is another gaming phone option that boasts several features to enhance your mobile gaming experience.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the latest and greatest iPhone released by Apple in September 2023. It boasts several improvements over its predecessor, including a powerful A17 Bionic chip, a versatile quad-camera system, and a durable titanium design.
Comfort is paramount during long gaming sessions, and the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate delivers in spades. Featuring a curved back design and top-tier components, this device prioritizes ergonomics without compromising on performance. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset ensures smooth gameplay, while the AMOLED display and front-firing speakers enhance the immersive experience. Despite its premium price, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate offers unparalleled comfort and performance for serious gamers.
The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is a powerhouse gaming phone designed to provide the best possible performance for mobile gamers.
Precision controls can make or break gaming experiences, and the Black Shark 5 Pro excels in this aspect. With physical pop-up triggers and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, this device offers extreme performance and responsiveness. The OLED display and impressive camera system further enhance the gaming experience. While it lacks features like wireless charging, the Black Shark 5 Pro’s focus on control and performance makes it a top choice for gamers who demand precision and speed.
The Black Shark 5 Pro is a gaming phone manufactured by Xiaomi. It is a powerful phone with features designed to enhance the mobile gaming experience.
Keep in mind that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is not specifically designed as a gaming phone and might lack some of the specialized features found in phones like the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro or the RedMagic 8S Pro. However, it can still be a very capable gaming phone due to its powerful specs and high-quality display.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a high-end smartphone that caters to a wide range of users, but it possesses some features that make it appealing to gamers as well.
The Samsung Galaxy A50 proves that gaming prowess doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Offering solid performance and a near-fullscreen display, this budget-friendly device holds its own against pricier competitors. While it may not match the performance of high-end gaming phones, the A50 provides a smooth gaming experience for casual gamers. With its versatile camera system and IP68 water resistance, it offers excellent value for money, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious gamers.
Released in February 2019, the Samsung Galaxy A50 is a mid-range smartphone that may not be considered a gaming phone by today’s standards.
The Samsung Galaxy A50 is a decent option for everyday use and for those on a smaller budget. It can handle some casual gaming. However, if you are a serious gamer, you might want to consider a phone with more powerful specs, such as the ones mentioned earlier.
These gaming smartphones are good for playing online games like Dream League Soccer, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Genshin Impact, Fortnite, Clash Royale, eFootball 2024 Mobile, etc. The phones also perform incredibly on offline games like Asphalt 9: Legends, Minecraft, The Room Series, Stardew Valley, Monument Valley 2, etc.
Let’s explore the top contenders in the gaming phone arena, catering to various budgets and preferences.
1. ASUS ROG PHONE 8 PRO (BEST GAMING PHONE OVERALL)
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro stands out as the pinnacle of gaming phones, boasting cutting-edge components packed into a sleek chassis. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, this device offers unparalleled in-game performance.
The addition of touch triggers and an Aero Active cooler elevates the gaming experience further. With a stunning AMOLED display running at a massive 165Hz, every gaming session is a visual delight. Despite its hefty price tag, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s blend of performance, features, and design makes it the top choice for avid gamers.
The Asus ROG phone 8 Pro is the best phone to play PUBG, Genshin Impart, Call of Duty and other high graphic games on Android.
Key Features:
- High-performance processor: It comes with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which is currently one of the most powerful mobile processors available.
- Fast RAM and Storage: The phone offers up to 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and rapid loading times in games.
- Speedy Display: The 6.78-inch AMOLED display has a 165Hz refresh rate and a 720Hz touch sampling rate, delivering ultra-smooth visuals and responsive touch controls for games.
- Advanced Cooling: The ROG Phone 8 Pro features a redesigned cooling system to prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions.
- Long-lasting Battery: The 5500mAh battery with 65W fast charging keeps you powered up during long gaming marathons.
- Console-like Controls: The phone can be paired with optional accessories like a gamepad for a console-like gaming experience.
- Gaming Software: Asus’s ROG UI provides additional features specifically designed for gamers, such as performance profiles and X Mode to unleash the phone’s full potential.
2. NUBIA REDMAGIC 8S PRO (BEST VALUE GAMING PHONE)
For those seeking exceptional performance without breaking the bank, the RedMagic 8S Pro is the perfect choice. Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a vibrant AMOLED display, this device delivers smooth gaming experiences at a fraction of the cost. Despite its similarities to its predecessor, the 8S Pro offers great value with its impressive performance and sleek design. With features like capacitive touch pads and a dedicated game launcher, it caters to the needs of gaming enthusiasts on a budget.
The RedMagic 8S Pro is another gaming phone option that boasts several features to enhance your mobile gaming experience.
Key Features:
- Powerful Processor: It is equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, offering top-of-the-line performance for demanding games.
- High RAM and Storage: The phone comes in variants with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring smooth gameplay and fast loading times.
- Smooth Display: The 6.8-inch AMOLED display features a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid visuals and a 360Hz touch sampling rate for quick and responsive in-game controls.
- Active Cooling System: The RedMagic 8S Pro incorporates a built-in fan with an ICE 10.0 cooling system to manage heat effectively during intense gaming sessions.
- Large Battery: The phone packs a 6000mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging, keeping you powered up for extended gaming sessions.
- Gaming Software: Red Magic OS 8.0 built on top of Android 13 offers features designed for gamers, including game mode, performance profiles, and a shoulder button trigger for added control.
3. IPHONE 15 PRO MAX (PREMIUM PHONE)
iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerful and feature-rich smartphone that is perfect for gamers, photographers, and anyone who needs a top-of-the-line phone. However, it also comes with a hefty price tag.The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the latest and greatest iPhone released by Apple in September 2023. It boasts several improvements over its predecessor, including a powerful A17 Bionic chip, a versatile quad-camera system, and a durable titanium design.
Key Features:
- A17 Bionic Chip: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by the A17 Bionic chip, which is Apple’s most powerful chip yet. This chip delivers incredible performance for gaming, editing photos and videos, and running demanding apps.
- Super Retina XDR Display: The 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display features a sharp OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals and an immersive viewing experience.
- Pro Camera System: The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a quad-camera system on the back, consisting of a new 48-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a LiDAR scanner for depth sensing. This camera system can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition.
- Titanium Design: The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a durable titanium design that is lighter than stainless steel but just as strong. The phone is also splash, water, and dust resistant.
- Customizable Action Button: A new feature on the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the customizable action button on the side of the phone. This button can be programmed to perform different actions, such as launching your camera app, taking a screenshot, or opening your favorite game.
- Battery Life: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is said to have improved battery life compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
4. ASUS ROG PHONE 7 ULTIMATE: (MOST COMFORTABLE GAMING PHONE)
Comfort is paramount during long gaming sessions, and the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate delivers in spades. Featuring a curved back design and top-tier components, this device prioritizes ergonomics without compromising on performance. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset ensures smooth gameplay, while the AMOLED display and front-firing speakers enhance the immersive experience. Despite its premium price, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate offers unparalleled comfort and performance for serious gamers.
The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is a powerhouse gaming phone designed to provide the best possible performance for mobile gamers.
Key Features
- High-performance processor: It comes with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, which is currently one of the most powerful mobile processors available. This ensures smooth and lag-free gameplay even in the most demanding games.
- Fast RAM and Storage: The phone offers up to 16 GB of 8533 Mbps LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 ROM, ensuring smooth multitasking and rapid loading times in games. With this much RAM, you can run multiple apps and games in the background without any performance issues.
- Speedy Display: The 6.78-inch AMOLED display has a 165Hz refresh rate and a 720Hz touch sampling rate. The high refresh rate display delivers ultra-smooth visuals, while the fast touch sampling rate ensures that your touch inputs are registered quickly and accurately in games.
- Advanced Cooling: The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate features a redesigned cooling system, the Matrix Liquid Cooling System Plus, to prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions. This cooling system helps to keep the phone cool and maintain its peak performance.
- Long-lasting Battery: The 6000mAh battery with 65W fast charging keeps you powered up during long gaming marathons. You can play games for hours on end without having to worry about your phone running out of battery.
- Console-like Controls: The phone can be paired with optional accessories like the ROG Kunai gamepad for a console-like gaming experience. This gamepad provides you with physical buttons and triggers for more precise control in games.
- Gaming Software: Asus’s ROG UI provides additional features specifically designed for gamers, such as performance profiles and X Mode to unleash the phone’s full potential. X Mode allows you to overclock the processor and GPU for even better performance in games.
- Price: $1,100 on Amazon. Full Specs.
Precision controls can make or break gaming experiences, and the Black Shark 5 Pro excels in this aspect. With physical pop-up triggers and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, this device offers extreme performance and responsiveness. The OLED display and impressive camera system further enhance the gaming experience. While it lacks features like wireless charging, the Black Shark 5 Pro’s focus on control and performance makes it a top choice for gamers who demand precision and speed.
The Black Shark 5 Pro is a gaming phone manufactured by Xiaomi. It is a powerful phone with features designed to enhance the mobile gaming experience.
Key Features:
- High-performance processor: It comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, one of the most powerful mobile processors available at the time of its release. This ensures smooth and lag-free gameplay even in the most demanding games.
- Fast RAM and Storage: The phone offers up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and rapid loading times in games.
- Speedy Display: The 6.67-inch AMOLED display has a 144Hz refresh rate and a 720Hz touch sampling rate. The high refresh rate display delivers ultra-smooth visuals, while the fast touch sampling rate ensures that your touch inputs are registered quickly and accurately in games.
- Anti-G Dual VC Liquid Cooling System: The Black Shark 5 Pro uses a liquid cooling system to prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions. This cooling system helps to keep the phone cool and maintain its peak performance.
- Magnetic Pop-up Triggers: The phone has built-in magnetic pop-up triggers that can be used for gaming. These triggers provide you with a console-like gaming experience and can be customized for different games.
- Master Tuned Audio: The Black Shark 5 Pro features a pair of high-quality speakers and supports Dolby Atmos for an immersive audio experience.
- 120W Hyper Charge: The phone supports 120W fast charging, which can fully charge the battery in 15 minutes according to the manufacturer. Full specs.
6. SAMSUNG GALAXY S24 ULTRA (HIGH-END SAMSUNG PHONE)
Keep in mind that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is not specifically designed as a gaming phone and might lack some of the specialized features found in phones like the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro or the RedMagic 8S Pro. However, it can still be a very capable gaming phone due to its powerful specs and high-quality display.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a high-end smartphone that caters to a wide range of users, but it possesses some features that make it appealing to gamers as well.
KEY FEATURES:
- Powerful Processor: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, one of the most powerful mobile processors available, offering excellent performance for games.
- High RAM and Storage: It comes with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and fast loading times in games.
- Fast Display: The 6.8-inch AMOLED display boasts a 1440 x 3120 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering crisp visuals and smooth gameplay.
- Improved Touch Response: The display also has a fast touch sampling rate for more responsive in-game controls.
- Long-lasting Battery: The 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging keeps you going during long gaming sessions.
- Samsung Galaxy AI: While not exclusive to gaming, the Galaxy AI feature can potentially help gamers by optimizing settings or automating tasks within games. See the full specs.
7. SAMSUNG GALAXY A50 (BEST BUDGET GAMING PHONE)
The Samsung Galaxy A50 proves that gaming prowess doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Offering solid performance and a near-fullscreen display, this budget-friendly device holds its own against pricier competitors. While it may not match the performance of high-end gaming phones, the A50 provides a smooth gaming experience for casual gamers. With its versatile camera system and IP68 water resistance, it offers excellent value for money, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious gamers.
Released in February 2019, the Samsung Galaxy A50 is a mid-range smartphone that may not be considered a gaming phone by today’s standards.
The Samsung Galaxy A50 is a decent option for everyday use and for those on a smaller budget. It can handle some casual gaming. However, if you are a serious gamer, you might want to consider a phone with more powerful specs, such as the ones mentioned earlier.
Key Features
- Display: 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels.
- Processor: Exynos 7884 octa-core processor.
- RAM: 4GB or 6GB of RAM.
- Storage: 64GB or 128GB of storage.
- Camera: Triple-lens rear camera system with a 25MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 5MP depth sensor.
- Battery: 4000mAh battery with 15W fast charging. The complete specs.