Gaming is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. In particular, we have seen a rapid increase in the number of mobile gamers and mobile esports athletes over the past few years. This fact justifies the massive demand for excellently performing gaming smartphones.
There are numerous gaming phone options on the market. But not all brands and smartphone models live up to the claims made in advertisements and promotions. Gamers, on the other hand, should be able to choose the best one that satisfies certain requirements.
Before deciding on a gaming phone, you should consider the processor or chip set, display size, refresh rate, touch latency, battery life, charging speed, and other metrics. To make this task easier, we have filtered out some of the prime options currently available on the market.
List of the top 6 best gaming smartphones in 2023
The following list includes specifications that gamers should focus on and a brief explanation of why they should think about buying these smartphones.
ASUS ROG Phone 6D Ultimate – Mighty and durable gaming phone
Key specifications
| OS | Android 12 |
| Display | 6.78-inch, 2448 x 1080, AMOLED |
| Refresh rate | 165Hz (fastest) |
| Chipset/Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ |
| RAM | 16GB (LPDDR5X) |
| Battery | 6000mAh |
| Charging | 65-Watt |
| Weight | 247g |
Asus ROG phones are renowned for being incredibly powerful and tailored for gaming. The Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate, one of the brand’s most recent products, has drawn interest from die-hard gamers.
The new ASUS ROG gaming smartphone comes with a powerful battery with an equivalent capacity of 6000 mAh. If gamers still feel that the battery life is insufficient, there is a 65-watt fast charger inside the box.
The display refresh rate of a gaming phone is one of the major determinants of user preference. With a very fast refresh rate of 165 Hz, this phone also meets this criterion.
Amazingly, the brand has added MediaTek’s latest revolutionary chipset, the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, to the 6D Ultimate. This processor is currently one of the top releases on the market. Pretty obviously, you will feel more stability with it than you expected. Notably, the faster LPDDR5X 16GB RAM provides smooth performance even while playing heavy games like Genshin Impact, COD Mobile, Fortnite, etc.
Without a doubt, this smartphone is ideal for Android gamers and can be a better alternative to ROG’s previously popular ROG Phone 6 Pro. However, switching to the 6D Ultimate is not recommended for those who already own the ROG Phone 6 Pro, as it is also capable of providing an excellent gaming experience.
Reasons to buy for gaming
- MediaTek’s most advanced processor – better than Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in many aspects.
- Very high refresh rate.
- LPDDR5X is the latest RAM technology, providing faster and smoother experience.
- Monster battery capacity with high speed charging support.
- Good sound quality and decent camera.
Reasons to avoid
- Very expensive.
- The weight is slightly higher than that of the ROG Phone 6 Pro.
Visit the official ROG Phone 6D Ultimate page.
Vivo IQOO 9T – Budget-friendly yet impressive gaming phone
Key specifications
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Display | 6.78-inch, 2400 x 1080, AMOLED |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 + Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8/12GB (LPDDR5) |
| Battery | Li-Po 4700 mAh |
| Charging | Fast charging 120W |
| Weight | 206g |
The Vivo IQOO 9T is the best gaming smartphone for those on a tight budget. This phone comes with everything you need to play games smoothly.
IQOO 9T is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which is arguably the toughest rival of MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000+, which powers the previously mentioned ROG Phone. Surprisingly, the phone is very inexpensive in comparison to ROGs and iPhones, despite providing excellent gaming hardware.
This is also a light phone if compared with the two brands and comes with a superfast 120-watt charging adaptor. In advertisements, the brand claims that IQOO 9T charges 50% in 8 minutes and 100% in 20 minutes. If the claims are true, nothing else is needed to entice you toward this piece.
At decent graphics and FPS settings, this smartphone can easily handle heavy games like Genshin Impact, Fortnite, COD Mobile, and PUBG Mobile.
Reasons to buy for gaming
- One of the fastest processors/chipset
- No overheating
- Superfast charging (120-watt)
- Impressive battery life
- Budget-friendly
Reasons to avoid
- No wireless charging support
Visit the official IQOO 9T page.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max – The best iPhone for gaming
Key specifications
| OS | iOS 15 |
| Display | 6.7‑inch, 2778 x 1284, Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Battery | Li-Ion 4352 mAh |
| Charging | 27-watt |
| Weight | 240g |
Since its release in September 2021, Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro Max has been one of the top gaming smartphones, especially in the Apple ecosystem.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a recommended choice for iPhone/iOS users over the 14 Pro Max, as it is notably cheaper while offering almost the same gaming performance. There is no significant reason for gamers to switch to the Max 14, the latest release.
13 Pro Max is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset, which is no doubt a potent chipset in the market. However, the smartphone’s average refresh rate, particularly when used as a gaming smartphone, and its weight may be disadvantageous to gamers.
However, we have seen the performance of Apple’s products, and if you want to stay loyal to the brand, this gaming smartphone is a must-have. You can play even graphically intense games like Minecraft, Genshin Impact, Asphalt 6 Legends, COD Mobile, etc., very fluently.
Reasons to buy for gaming
- Lower budget than iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Outstanding performance
- Loudspeakers
- Fair battery life
Reasons to avoid
- Does not support a very fast charging
- The box does not contain a charger
- The 120Hz refresh rate fluctuates depending on the apps
- A little heavy
Visit the official Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max page.
Black Shark 5 Pro – Best for money
Key specifications
| OS | Android 12 |
| Display | 6.67‑inch, 2400 x 1080, OLED, Always-on screen |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8/12/16GB |
| Battery | Li-Po 4650 mAh |
| Charging | 120-watt/fast charging |
| Weight | 220g |
ially designed for gaming, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro is one of the latest releases on the market. Xiaomi has come up with advanced features and game configuration options from a software perspective. The dedicated application, Shark Space, allows users to manage games and optimize their individual settings quite systematically.
Unlike ordinary smartphones, the Black Shark 5 Pro has an impressive refresh rate of 144 Hz, which provides a smooth display and hence a better experience. The gaming smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which is yet another advanced chipset by Qualcomm.
Gamers have multiple variant options based on RAM and storage capacity. With a gaming-themed design, the always-on-screen feature gives it a fascinating look. Overall, this particular gaming mobile is a best-for-money Android gaming phone.
Gamers can incautiously play heavy games like PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, Genshin Impact, COD Mobile, Free Fire MAX, etc. on this device.
Reasons to buy for gaming
- Bright display
- Packed with useful gaming features
- Superfast 120-watt charging, charges 100% in 15 minutes as per advertisements
- Budget-friendly as compared to its competitors like iPhone and ROGs
- High refresh rate
Reasons to avoid
- Users may find it heated quite often
- Battery life is not that great
- The refresh rate manages both game and the UI
Visit the official Black Shar 5 Pro page.
OnePlus 10T 5G – Gaming smartphone with ultra-fast charging support
Key specifications
| OS | Android 12 |
| Display | 6.7‑inch, 2412 x 1080, Fluid AMOLED |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 + Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8/12/16GB |
| Battery | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Charging | 150-watt (ultra superfast) |
| Weight | 204g |
The OnePlus 10T is another deserving member of this best gaming smartphone list. OnePlus is one of the most popular brands in the world and offers compelling Android phones at reasonable prices.
In addition to its top-notch camera quality and battery life, the OnePlus 10T is a good choice for gaming as well. The clear reason why the device is good for gaming is that it contains Qualcomm’s most advanced chipset, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 + Gen 1.
The smartphone has a phenomenal charging speed as it supports an ultra-fast 150-watt charging adaptor. Furthermore, it is very light, which should attract mobile gamers.
Overall, this is a versatile smartphone that also works well as a gaming device. Many of its specifications match those of the IQOO 9T (mentioned above), and hence reviewers often compare these two gadgets.
Like other gaming mobiles on this list, OnePlus 10T can also ideally run graphic-intense games like Genshin Impact, COD Mobile, PUBG, etc.
Reasons to buy for gaming
- Good camera (a plus point for casual mobile gamers)
- Spectacular charging speed
- Impressive battery life
- Comes with one of the fastest Android chipsets on the market
- Bright display
Reasons to avoid
- Some games may be limited to 60Hz
- No wireless charging
Visit the official OnePlus 10T 5G page.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – The latest iPhone for gaming
Key specifications
| OS | iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 16.0.2 |
| Display | 6.69‑inch, 2796×1290, Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Battery | Li-Ion 4323 mAh |
| Charging | ~27-watt |
| Weight | 240g |
Apple’s latest smartphone, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, can be considered a flagship gaming smartphone with a beast chipset. The phone is unarguably a prime choice for gaming; however, it is placed on the sixth place on this list because we have already added its predecessor, iPhone 13 Pro Max, on this list, which is even better than the 14 Pro Max from some gaming and pricing perspectives.
Since the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is a new release, there aren’t many reviews available on the internet that specify gaming. Don’t worry; this section will give you some hints about how good the iPhone 14 Pro Max is for gaming.
Although iPhones are not in the spotlight when it comes to memory, they do have incredible processors and chipsets that have given them a market monopoly. This new model also includes a powerful chipset and the most recent iOS version. The powerful chipset can handle heavy games like Fortnite, Genshin Impact, and others. As a result, there is no need to be concerned about performance.
Reasons to buy for gaming
- Mind-boggling speed of the chipset
- Excellent FPS
- Best choice if you want to be inside Apple’s ecosystem
Reasons to avoid
- Very expensive
- No fast charging (just 27-watt)
- Gamers may feel it heavy
Visit the official Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max page.
What makes a smartphone best for gaming?
For obvious reasons, not every single smartphone can serve as a gaming device, necessitating you to assess them and ensure that they suit your gaming requirements. Therefore, you should consider the primary features of the phones that support gaming before making a purchasing decision.
Here are some of the features you should be aware of before purchasing a gaming smartphone:
Processor
Unquestionably, the processor is the most crucial part of a smartphone, especially for demanding activities like gaming. There are many phones available today that have decent processors, but if you’re a gamer, you’ll need one made with cutting-edge technology.
MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000+ and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 + Gen 1 are two of the leading chipsets (processors) on the market. Given that these processors may cost you a lot of money, you should also look at your budget and consider their predecessors or other decent options.
RAM
Having more RAM enables you to run even heavy games without any lag. Furthermore, RAM for mobile phones is built using various technologies, the most recent being LPDDR5 and LPDDR5X.
We recommend buying an Android gaming phone with at least 6GB of RAM and an iPhone with at least 4GB of RAM.
Display
The display of a phone plays a vital role in enhancing your gaming experience. A better display will provide you with clear, smooth, and detailed graphics, which eventually improve your performance.
Notably, the refresh rate matters a lot while gaming. As a result, try to get mobile devices with reasonable refresh rates, such as 90 Hz or 120 Hz. That being said, the 60 Hz also does not disappoint.
Battery life
Well, this topic does not need much explanation. Every gamer desires a long battery life, and because gaming is a demanding task, most ordinary smartphones lag in this regard. As a result, look for one with a reasonable battery capacity, such as 4500 mAh, which is nearly the average of all the gaming smartphones on this list except the first, which has 6000 mAh (incredibly powerful).
Storage
Non-technical users often become confused between RAM and storage. In simple words, RAM is the space or storage that the phone uses to store the data currently being processed. In gaming, it helps you run games smoothly.
On the other hand, storage (also called secondary storage) is used to store the entire game, including all files and resources. Thus, having sufficient storage will allow you to install and run even large and heavy games such as Genshin Impact, COD Mobile, Fortnite, etc. without any issues.
Sound quality
Sound quality refers to the sound quality of the phone’s built-in speaker. When using a quality headphone, it may not matter as much; however, when you are not wearing anything like that and are listening to the in-game sounds through the device’s speakers, a high-quality sound is required.
So, if you are selecting a gaming phone physically, make sure you hear good gaming sound or music coming from that device. Otherwise, you can also read the customer reviews about the sound quality if you are making an online purchase.
Cooling system
Gaming is quite a heavy task, and as a result, it generates heat that eventually degrades the performance. Manufacturers use several technologies to cool down the phones, such as vapor chamber cooling, liquid cooling, etc. Make sure the phone you are deciding to make yours has a decent cooling system.
Note: This article is subjective, and some readers may not find their favorite smartphone on this list. Furthermore, this guide is entirely opinion and information-based and should not be taken as a buying guide. Individuals should make their own decisions about a particular option.
