Mobile devices have become extremely powerful thanks to advancements in CPU and GPU technology. The latest mobile SoCs from Snapdragon are incredibly efficient, and they can not only breeze through regular day-to-day tasks but also deliver excellent gaming performance on the go. Because of this, the industry has become bigger than ever and is expected to grow even more in the coming years. Modern smartphones are basically handheld computers. Naturally, with all this power, gaming on the go has reached new levels as well, with console-level games coming to mobile phones. In the current market, a slew of powerful Android phones can deliver high-performance gaming.
As efficient as the new Snapdragon chips inside modern Android phones are, users don’t necessarily need the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen3 SoC to have a great gaming experience. Android phones that are even a generation or two older can deliver a solid gaming experience at a relatively lower cost. Of course, the number of hours people spend gaming on their Android phone and the types of games that they play will determine the quality of the gaming experience, which is why there are a few factors to consider before investing in an Android phone for gaming in 2024. More on that later.
Updated on June 6, 2024 by Vineet Washington: 2024 has been a year of maturity for the smartphone space, with every manufacturer rounding off their latest flagships. An alternative to the OnePlus 10T has been mentioned - OnePlus 10 Pro - as it can now be found in the sub-$400 range at some retailers and comes with better specifications than the OnePlus 10T.
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Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Brand
- Asus
- SoC
- Snapdragon 8 Gen3
- Display
- 6.78" FHD+ (2400x1080 pixels) SAMSUNG Flexible AMOLED
- RAM
- 16GB, 24GB
- Storage
- 512GB, 1TB
- Battery
- 5,500 mAh
The ROG Phone 8 Pro is Asus's latest and greatest Android gaming smartphone offering. It packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 processor which, accompanied by up to 25 GB of RAM, delivers an unmatched gaming experience. The AirTrigger shoulder buttons return with this generation of ROG phones and so does the headphone jack as well as the two USB Type-C ports. There is also a customizable display at the back of the ROG Phone 8.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Ports
- 2x USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Operating System
- Android 14
- Front camera
- 32MP (73 - 90-degree FOV)
- Weight
- 225g
- Main Camera
- Sony IMX890 50MP
- Wide-Angle Camera
- 13 MP 120° Ultrawide-angle
- Telephoto
- 32MP 3X optical zoom
- GPU
- Adreno 750
- Smooth and lag-free gaming experience
- Impressive battery life
- Intelligent software optimizations
- Expensive
- Rear design may not be for everyone
While the previous ROG Phones had designs that stood out a bit too much, the latest series has taken a different route by combining extreme performance with a more subtle design. It now looks closer to a standard Android smartphone, even outside of those sweaty gaming sessions.
Coming to the specifications, the ROG Phone 8 Pro brings the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 beast of a processor with the Adreno 750 GPU, 16 GB + 512 GB or 24 GB + 1 TB models, and a 6.78-inch Samsung AMOLED display that boasts up to 2500 nits peak brightness. The display supports a maximum of 165 Hz refresh rate which can conditionally scale down to 1 Hz thanks to the LTPO tech. Backing all this tech is a 5,500 mAh battery that supports Quick Charge 5.0. While this is not the largest battery you can find on an Android phone, it is among the largest.
The ROG Phone 8 Pro is not known for its camera performance, but it is known for the dedicated gaming features that have been implemented to allow hardcore gamers to take full advantage of the phone's power. There are AirTriggers that act as capacitive shoulder buttons, mimicking the triggers of a controller. To keep things cool, Asus uses a combination of graphite sheets, a rapid-cooling conductor, boron nitride, and a vapor chamber in a device that is only 8.9mm thick and weighs 225 grams. The top-tier model also ships with an AeroActive Cooler X accessory that attaches to the back of the phone and takes cooling to the next level.
Another feature that makes the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro the best Android phone for gaming is the secondary USB Type-C port located at the side (at the bottom when playing in landscape mode) for easy access to charging while gaming. Since the Pro and non-Pro models are functionally the same, find out more about the XSense AI software and more in TheBestWarGames’s in-depth review of the ROG Phone 8.
Nubia Redmagic 9 Pro
- Brand
- REDMAGIC
- SoC
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Display
- 6.8 inch AMOLED 400 PPI display
- RAM
- 12GB/16GB
- Storage
- 256GB/512GB
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro offers the internals of a flagship with significant aesthetic upgrades, a massive battery, and a price tag that makes it worth considering over the competition for gamers and enthusiasts looking for a new device this year.
With Gorilla Glass 5 protecting the front screen in addition to extensive gaming-centric cooling options including a dedicated vapor chamber and a turbo fan on offer, the REDMAGIC can win both, performance and durability tests with ease, making it a force to be reckoned with going into 2024.
- Battery
- 6500 mAh battery
- Operating System
- Redmagic OS 9 (Android 14)
- Weight
- 229g
- Front camera
- 16MP
- Rear camera
- 50MP+50MP
- No camera bump
- Built-in fan in a slim body
- Impressive battery life
- Sophisticated vapor chamber cooling system
- Edges may be too sharp for some
Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro, while looking more gamer-esque than the ROG Phone, has a sleek flat rear panel with no camera bump. The Sleet variant looks relatively standard, while the Snowfall and Cyclone variants have unique design elements on the back.
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Featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 chip with up to 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512 GB storage, the Redmagic 9 Pro can deliver top-tier gaming performance. To cool all this hardware, the company has gone with its ICE 13 multidimensional cooling system that includes a tiny 22,000 RPM built-in fan and a large vapor chamber. While the ROG Phone 8 Pro has an added fan accessory, the Redmagic 9 Pro incorporates the fan within the phone without compromising on size and weight. The phone is just 8.9mm thick and weighs 229 grams.
At the front, there is a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with 1600 nits peak brightness, 120 Hz refresh rate, and a 960 Hz touch sampling rate for a buttery smooth touch experience. The Nubia Redmagic 9 Pro also features shoulder trigger buttons and fully customizable RGB lighting. Even though gamers will not be doing a lot of photography and videography, Nubia has included two 50MP cameras with an optical anti-shake system, but don't expect Google Pixel or iPhone-level shots with this camera system.
All this is backed by a massive 6500 mAh battery that supports 80W fast charging, so you can really savor your gaming sessions. This is the largest battery in any mainstream Android phone. Plus, thanks to fast charging, it can be topped up in just 35 minutes.
OnePlus 10T
- Brand
- OnePlus
- SoC
- Snapdragon SM8475 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
- Display
- 6.7'', 394 PPI display, 120Hz
- RAM
- 8/12/16GB variants
- Storage
- 128G/256G
The OnePlus 10T is an excellent budget-tier device that doubles as pretty much an excellent gaming phone thanks to its powerful Gen 1 Snapdragon SoC, an exceptional 120Hz AMOLED display, and excellent battery life. The phone also has fast charging, 8 gigabytes of RAM, and 128 gigabytes of fast storage. For those that cameras are important, this smartphone comes with three separate cameras for great images.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Battery
- Li-Po 4800 mAh
- Operating System
- Android 12 with OxygenOS 13, upgradeable to Android 13 (Dec 2022)
- Weight
- 204g
- Front camera
- 16 MP
- Rear camera
- 50 MP + 8MP + 2MP
- Upgradable to Android 14
- Super fast charging at 125W
- Average camera performance
Now a couple of generations old, the OnePlus 10T presents a mid-range option that is still very capable when it comes to gaming. It is a more standard-looking phone compared to the likes of ROG and Redmagic phones. Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen1 SoC and up to 16 GB of RAM, the OnePlus 10T can handle any and all games without breaking a sweat. While it does not have those sought-after gamer aesthetics (since that was not its main intended use case), you can still expect an enjoyable and stable gaming experience, be it casual or competitive games.
While there are no shoulder buttons or dual USB Type-C ports, there is a Cryo-velocity vapor cooling system for better thermals while gaming. Furthermore, what the OnePlus 10T brings to the table is a 120 Hz Fluid AMOLED display with a 360 Hz touch response rate and a 203-gram sleek construction, making it comfortable to hold in portrait and landscape mode. The cherry on top is the rapid charging up to 125W, which means when the 4800 mAh battery runs out, the phone can be charged quickly while continuing gaming at the same time.
The OnePlus 10T comes with stereo speakers and a slew of sensors like accelerometer, gyroscope, and flick-detect sensor to improve its usability and functionality. At a sub-$400 price point, it is the perfect phone for gaming. If you want a slightly bigger battery, better cameras, better display, and wireless charging - and are willing to spend some extra cash - check out the OnePlus 10 Pro which can be found for under $400 as well when on sale.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G Smartphone
- Brand
- Motorola
- SoC
- Snapdragon 6 Gen1
- Display
- 6.6" FHD+
- RAM
- 6 GB
- Storage
- 128 GB
The Motorola Moto G Stylus features a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor. This processor enables 5G connectivity and fast performance. The phone has a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, perfect for mobile gaming with fluid motion. Dolby Atmos technology backs the display for multidimensional sound. The device also has a 50MP camera system that utilizes Ultra Pixel technology.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Battery
- 5000 mAh
- Operating System
- Android 13
- Front camera
- 16MP (f/2.45, 1.0µm)
- Rear camera
- 50MP (f/1.88, 2.0µm), 8MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm) Ultrawide, Macro Vision, Depth
- Dimensions
- 162.83x73.77x9.19mm
- Weight
- 202g
- Micro SD card support
- Yes
- Stylus
- Yes
- Stylus included
- 120 Hz refresh rate display
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Only 6 GB + 128 GB model options available
Other than the built-in stylus, there are no extra bells and whistles with the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G, and it’s not like a stylus will improve the gaming experience. It is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen1 processor, which is sufficient for casual gaming and even playing some more demanding titles. It is an older generation SoC but can easily drive your day-to-day tasks and perform fairly well under heavier operations.
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It comes with 6 GB of RAM and is one of the few phones that offers expandable storage via microSD (up to 2 TB). The 6.6-inch display delivers a 120 Hz refresh rate in games that support it. It also has an LTPS display to get better battery life, though not as efficient as an LTPO display. Speaking of battery, it is backed by a 5000 mAh battery that supports up to 20W charging, which is not the fastest, but that’s the compromise one must make with a relatively cheap phone.
Another uncommon feature about the Moto G Stylus 5G is that it retains the 3.5mm headphone jack like the much more expensive ROG Phone 8 Pro. This provides two main advantages. Gamers can use their headset of choice if they are not going the wireless earbuds route, and the phone can be charged via USB Type-C while the headset is being used without having to attach a dongle.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Brand
- Samsung
- SoC
- Snapdragon 8 Gen3
- Display
- 6.8-inch
- RAM
- 12 GB
- Storage
- 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a beast of a phone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 SoC. It is packed to the brim with features like the included S Pen, four rear cameras without a camera bump, and a massive 6.8-inch display. On both the front and the back, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with Gorilla Glass and around the sides is a Titanium frame for a more premium feel.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Battery
- 5000 mAh
- Operating System
- OneUI 6.1 based on Android 14
- Front camera
- 12 MP
- Dimensions
- 162.3x79x8.6mm
- Weight
- 232g
- Charge speed
- 45W
- IP Rating
- IP68
- Main Camera
- 200 MP
- Wide-Angle Camera
- 12 MP with 120 degree FOV
- Telephoto
- 50 MP with 5x optical zoom, 10 MP with 3x optical zoom
- Large super bright display
- Bigger vapor chamber for better cooling
- Expensive
If budget is of no concern and gamers want a phone that can do both gaming and productivity, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra should do the job. It is a premium offering that delivers amazing performance thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen3 SoC and a beautiful 6.8-inch AMOLED display that can reach 2600 nits of peak brightness. With the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung has doubled the size of the vapor chamber for better cooling, which leads to longer gaming sessions without having to put the phone down.
The combination of the high refresh rate screen, vapor chamber cooling, and the large 5000 mAh battery, make the Galaxy S24 Ultra a premium gaming smartphone. It can and will run any game thrown at it and will do so at the highest visual settings. The large size and manageable weight make it ergonomic to hold in landscape mode with both hands and still have a lot of screen real estate. Even though it is not designed with gaming as a top priority, the phone can deliver excellent gaming performance while still looking like a regular smartphone and excelling in those areas as well.
On top of that, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has arguably the best camera system on the market that can take photos and videos that match the latest Pixel or iPhone models. You also get an S Pen in tow which conveniently slots inside the phone. While the S Pen will not do anything for gaming, it is a good add-on for taking notes or using shortcuts in the camera app.
OnePlus Open
- Brand
- OnePlus
- SoC
- Snapdragon 8 Gen2
- Display
- 7.82" 120 Hz Flexi-fluid AMOLED, 6.31" 120 Hz Super Fluid AMOLED
- RAM
- 16 GB
- Storage
- 512 GB
The OnePlus Open is the company's first attempt at a folding phone, but it seems to have done a great job. The Open comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen2 processor that can run all modern graphics-intensive games without any issues. It features a large 7.82-inch internal display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It also houses a 4805 mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Battery
- 4805 mAh
- Operating System
- OxygenOS 13.2 based on Android 13
- Front camera
- 20MP on primary display, 32MP on cover screen
- Weight
- 239g
- Colors
- Voyager Black, Emerald Dusk
- Charge speed
- 67W
- Main Camera
- 48MP
- Wide-Angle Camera
- 48MP
- Telephoto
- 64MP with 120x zoom
- Massive high refresh rate screen
- Easy multi-tasking
- Robust hinge mechanism
- Expensive
- First generation foldable from OnePlus
When it comes to folding phones, OnePlus is the new kid on the block. That’s not to say that the phone is lacking by any means. In fact, OnePlus has learned from its competitors and delivered a refined and prominent first gen product. The Open is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen2 processor just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 but is lighter, has a larger and sharper display, and a bigger battery. Not to forget, it costs less than the Z Fold 5.
In its folded form, there is a 6.31-inch 120 Hz Super Fluid AMOLED display. Opening the device reveals a 7.82-inch Flexi-fluid AMOLED display also clocked at 120 Hz sporting a 2K resolution. The massive screen offers an immersive gaming experience that is complemented by the slim form factor and light weight of just 239 grams. With 16GB RAM, gaming as well as multi-tasking is not a problem for the OnePlus Open. The 4805 mAh battery coupled with cross-channel thermal conductivity will keep the phone running consistently for hours, after which it can be charged to 100% in under 45 minutes.
While there are no dedicated gaming features in the OnePlus Open, its size, SoC, battery life, and high-quality display are more than capable of delivering an immersive gaming experience that outclasses other folding phones.
Asus Zenfone 10
- Brand
- Asus
- SoC
- Snapdragon 8 Gen2
- Display
- 5.9-inch 144 Hz
- RAM
- 8 GB, 16 GB
- Storage
- 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Battery
- 4300 mAh
The Asus Zenfone 10 is the perfect blend of simple design and powerful internals. The phone runs the Snapdragon 8 Gen2 SoC with up to 16GB of RAM, which means it can run all modern games without breaking a sweat. It is a compact phone with a 5.9-inch display that supports up to 144 Hz refresh rate. While it may not have the edge-to-edge display of other bigger phones, the Zenfone 10 is one of the few one-handed use phones.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Operating System
- Android 13
- Front camera
- 32MP
- Weight
- 172g
- Charge speed
- 30W
- Main Camera
- 50MP Sony IMX766
- Wide-Angle Camera
- 13MP 120 degree FOV
- Compact and lightweight form factor
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Multiple color options
- Might be too small for some
- No telephoto camera
Phones have reached their peak when it comes to screen size, and that form factor is not the most comfortable for people with smaller hands. This is where the Zenfone 10 from Asus comes in, as it packs great performance in a compact and lightweight form factor. It features a 5.9-inch 144 Hz Samsung AMOLED display, which makes it perfect for one-handed use. It is also plenty bright at 1100 nits peak, though outdoors you may feel the need for an even brighter display. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen2 SoC and up to 16 GB of RAM, the Zenfone 10 can and will run any game thrown at it.
There are dual stereo speakers and Asus has managed to fit a 3.5mm headphone jack into this compact phone. It sports a 4300 mAh battery that supports fast 30W wired charging as well as 15W wireless charging. Compared to other bigger phones on the market, the Zenfone 10 has relatively large bezels around the display and only two cameras on the back. It is also IP68 water-resistant.
Those interested in using their phones without a cover or a clear cover would be pleased to know that the Zenfone 10 comes in five fun colors with a matte finish. Furthermore, this could be the last Zenfone lineup device with this compact form factor, as the newer Zenfone 11 Ultra has a massive 6.78-inch display. It is still possible that the company will release a standard version of the Zenfone 11 that retains the compact form factor, but till then, the Zenfone 10 is the best option.
How To Find The Right Android Phone For Gaming
Types of Games
There are three main broad categories of mobile games: casual, hardcore, and esports. Most of the casual games are less stressful on the SoC and will run perfectly well on all modern Android phones across different budgets, though the more gaming-focused and more expensive phones can deliver consistent performance. Similarly, more intensive games such as Genshin Impact, PUBG, Call of Duty: Mobile, Life is Strange, and others, will perform better on Android phones with the latest SoCs and dedicated gaming features. The Snapdragon 8 Gen3 chips are the latest in the lineup, but the older Gen2 and even Gen1 chips are very capable for gaming. Budget-focused shoppers can opt for the Snapdragon 7 series or even the Snapdragon 6 series of chips.
Battery Life and Charging
Gaming on a smartphone can be quite taxing on the battery. Of course, it depends on the type of game and the duration of the gaming session, but more intensive games will drain the battery much quicker, and getting a low battery notification during a gaming session is the worst. There are a few battery kings when it comes to the best Android phones for gaming and different manufacturers have different tactics to maximize battery life on their phones.
However, when users reach their phone’s low battery mode, the ability to recharge the battery quickly is also key. Most modern phones, including mid-range offerings, offer fast charging speeds. Outside of gaming, having wireless charging is a neat add-on, and in some cases, even budget-friendly phones have support for wireless charging. It should be noted that rapid charging takes a toll on battery health and longevity, so manufacturers have started splitting the battery packs into two for better thermal performance.
Features
There is a fine line between feature and gimmick. The best Android phones for gaming are the ones that implement gaming-related features that improve the gaming experience. One such useful feature that some dedicated gaming phones such as the Asus ROG Phone 8/ 8 Pro and Nubia Redmagic 9 Pro offer is shoulder buttons that act as extra inputs for all kinds of games. The trigger-button-like feel is most helpful in shooters and racing games.
Features like a high refresh rate screen and HDR support are only useful when the games support them, and there are not too many that do. However, a high refresh rate makes the overall phone experience smooth and responsive. Similarly, high peak brightness levels are only useful sometimes in the gaming realm. Keep in mind that the more “feature-rich” a phone is, the more expensive it will be.
The cooling tech can also be considered gimmicky if it fails to keep the device cool. The Redmagic 9 Pro comes with a built-in fan which, fortunately, keeps the device relatively cool or can bring the temperature down faster.
Budget
The Android phone market has great performers on all budgets. Once the budget is finalized, one can start looking at the feature set. Sticking with one brand will limit the available options and, in a lot of cases, brands that are not that popular produce phones that offer significantly better value than the phones by the popular brands. If budget is not an issue, the ROG Phone 8 Pro or the Nubia Redmagic 9 Pro will offer the best Android gaming experience. For budget-focused shoppers, the OnePlus 10T and the Moto G Stylus 5G are great starting options.
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FAQ
Q: Which Snapdragon processor is best for gaming?
The latest generation Snapdragon 8 (Gen3) is the best processor in a mobile phone for gaming in the current market. However, gaming does not need the latest and greatest chip as most games can run perfectly fine on older generation Snapdragon SoCs like the Gen2 and Gen1, and even the Snapdragon 7 series.
Q: Which phone is better for gaming: Samsung or Apple?
Both Samsung and Apple offer smartphones that are great for gaming. The latest Samsung phone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a massive sharp display for an immersive gaming experience. The latest Apple offering, iPhone 15 Pro Max, comes with console-level performance thanks to the new chip. However, both are dependent on the types of games available on the Google Play Store and App Store respectively, while most popular titles are available on both platforms and neither of the two phones should have any problem running those games.
Q: What is the fastest phone for gaming?
The ROG Phone 8 Pro and the Nubia Redmagic 9 Pro are the fastest Android phones for gaming. The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are the fastest Apple phones for gaming.