Update: We last updated this article on October 10, 2025, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and iPhone 17 Pro Max
Finding the best gaming phone is like trying to explain to your parents why you can’t pause an online game. Jokes apart, navigating through the digital minefield of bizarre options out there as you just look for a gaming phone that can handle all your games without going bankrupt. Decoding the hype beneath all those fancy RGBs, technical jargon, and confusing processor names is a challenge in itself. We have shortlisted the best gaming phones out there so you can pick one based on your budget and use case without selling your kidney.
Table of Contents
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Gaming Phone
Here are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing a gaming phone:
- Processor: As games become more graphically intensive and demanding than before, you should pick a phone with the latest flagship chipset. Phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Apple A19 Pro, or the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (we compare all three here) can handle any game out there. Even if you opt for last year’s flagship chipset like the Snapdragon 8 Elite, you won’t be missing out on performance much. This is the most important consideration when buying a good processor that can ensure consistent frame rates and help you get the best graphics out there.
- Display: Another aspect worth considering is the display of the phone. A flat display might not be the most visually appealing, but it’s the one best suited for gaming. A curved or curved screen might seem lucrative, but it can lead to accidental touches, which might ruin your gaming experience. Make sure to also check other display parameters such as the refresh rate, touch sampling rate, panel type, and resolution. A higher refresh rate, such as 120Hz, will ultimately result in a smoother gaming experience. Similarly, a display with a faster touch sampling rate will ensure that it can register your touch inputs quicker, so it can execute those commands faster. While a bigger display might offer an immersive experience, it isn’t ideal for those with smaller hands or those looking for a compact phone, so choose your phone’s size wisely.
- Cooling System: Just like a good sports car needs great aerodynamics, a gaming phone requires an efficient thermal management system. As phones become more powerful, they generate more heat, resulting in performance throttling. A good thermal management system ensures that the phone does not get uncomfortably warm or drastically sees performance drops during intense gaming sessions. Most phones have a vapour or graphite cooling chamber, with some like the Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro opting for a dedicated cooling fan.
- Battery: A gaming phone is only useful if it can last until the end of your gaming sessions. If you play all day, then you should opt for phones with a massive battery. With OEMs opting for newer technologies like Silicon Carbon, phones now have bigger and denser batteries, often up to 6000 mAh, without affecting their thickness or bulk.
- Charging Speed: The bigger the battery, the longer it will take to charge. While Apple and Samsung have been stuck at 45W charging for years, most Chinese manufacturers offer 80W-100W charging speeds. This means you can fully charge your device within an hour.
- Software and Gaming Features: Just like a sports car needs a skilled driver to make the most out of it, a gaming phone needs to have great software underneath it. In today’s age, software optimization is equally important as hardware. Apart from the basic choice of going with Android or iOS, you need to consider things like long-term software updates, gaming features, and optimization. If your phone gets at least 4-5 years of support, you don’t have to worry about it becoming outdated anytime soon. Similarly, having useful and not gimmicky gaming and AI features can enhance your overall experience.
- Price to Performance Ratio: Last but not least, you need to consider the gaming phone’s price. Consider the price-to-performance ratio of the smartphone. While a flagship phone will offer the fancy bells and whistles, it might not be the best value for money. So you need to find the phone that offers the best balance between price and performance without a lot of compromises.
Best Overall Gaming Phone: ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: Up to 24 GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: Up to 1 TB UFS 4.0
- Display: 6.78” E6 AMOLED, up to 185 Hz refresh rate, 720 Hz touch sampling rate
- Battery: 5800 mAh, 65W HyperCharge, 15W wireless charging
- Main Camera: 50 MP
- Front Camera: 32 MP
- Water/Dust Resistance: IP68
- Special Features: AirTriggers, advanced cooling system, AniMe Vision display, 2 USB-C ports
- Price: Starting at $1,199.99
Why We Recommend It
Want the ultimate gaming phone that offers the best performance possible? The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is the one for you. Powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it has an advanced cooling system with a massive graphite cooling chamber, and there is also an AeroActive Cooler X Pro for sustained gaming performance. You can configure it with up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage.
Who Should Buy It:
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is made for all the hardcore gamers out there who to control every aspect of their games. With dedicated AirTriggers for gaming and AI features with ASUS Armoury Crate, you can be at the top of your game every time. To complete the game aesthetics, there’s an AniMe Vision display on the back with 648 customizable mini LEDs that can be personalized with various patterns. ASUS’s wide range of accessories includes the ROG Chill case for cooling and the ROG Tessen mobile controller.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
If you care about software experience then the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro isn’t for you. The two years of OS updates are average considering the price of the phone. Another disappointment is the camera of the phone as it is average at best and cannot compete with other flagships in this price range. If you don’t care about software and cameras much, the ROG Phone 9 Pro can be a decent option.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ Super smooth 185Hz refresh rate | ❌ Average camera |
| ✅ Pressure-sensitive AirTriggers | ❌Only 2 years of OS updates |
| ✅ Latest Snapdragon 8 Elite | |
| ✅ Dedicated AI gaming features | |
| ✅ 5,800mAh battery | |
| ✅ 2 USB-C ports with passthrough charging support |
Also Read:
Most Unique Gaming Phone: Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: Up to 24GB
- Storage: Up to 1TB
- Display: 6.85″ AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 7050mAh
- Main Camera: 50MP
- Front Camera: 16MP
- Special Features: Built-in cooling fan, gaming software, touch triggers
- Price: Starting at $749
Why We Recommend It:
Perhaps the most unique and rather interesting alternative to the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is the Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro. Just like its crazy looks, it has equally mind-boggling specifications to match. You get a massive 6.85-inch Full-HD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate. But what sets this display apart is the under-display front-facing camera, which, combined with the thin bezels, results in an immersive viewing experience.
Who Should Buy It:
If you are a hardcore gamer who wants the best sustained performance, the Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro is the one for you. There’s a proprietary ICE-X cooling system with liquid metal for thermal conductivity. Oh, and there’s a built-in fan running at 23,000 RPM with RGB to ensure sustained peak performance. To ensure that your gaming sessions never end, there’s a massive 7,050mAh battery with 100W fast charging. The best part? It’s significantly cheaper than other gaming phones like the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
Those looking for a clean software experience and prefer a polished software experience should skip this one. The experience isn’t the best as most of the text is in Chinese and the translated text isn’t the best. Also, the cameras aren’t the sharpest out there and you only get 1 OS updates which makes it hard to justify.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor | ❌ Software isn’t even close to the competition |
| ✅ Cool transparent design | ❌ Translation issues in UI, as some things are still in Chinese |
| ✅ Massive display with under-display cameras | ❌ Mediocre cameras |
| ✅ Dedicated cooling fan for peak sustained performance | ❌ .Only 1 OS update promised |
| ✅ Touch triggers similar to ROG Phone 9 Pro | |
| ✅ Superfast 100W charging | |
| ✅ Huge 7,050mAh battery |
Best Foldable Gaming Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite for Galaxy
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Display: 8″ Inner AMOLED (120Hz), 6.3″ Outer AMOLED (120Hz)
- Battery: 4400 mAh
- Main Rear Camera: 50MP
- Front Camera: 10MP (Outer), 4MP (Inner)
- Special Features: Foldable screen, multi-window support, S Pen support
- Price: Starting at $1,599.99 (256GB)
Why We Recommend It:
If you want the thinnest and most powerful foldable, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the one for you. Not only do you get the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, but it also features a versatile software experience. You also get a larger 8-inch inner display, which is perfect for those multiplayer games. For reference, it’s the same size as an iPad mini. If you want to enjoy your games on a bigger screen, the Z Fold 7 is the one to buy. The thinner and lighter design means it is pocketable and easily slides into your pocket.
Who Should Buy It:
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is ideal for those who want a middle ground between a tablet and a smartphone. With a powerful processor, a lightweight design, and a decent battery size. It has a bigger screen than the Z Fold 6, so you can enjoy games like BGMI, Monopoly, or Candy Crush with your friends. Given the flexible nature of Android, the Z Fold 7 can even emulate PC titles without breaking a sweat. You can even attach a controller and play PC games with emulator on it.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
If things like battery life and durability are your top priority, then the Z Fold 7 isn’t for you. It’s a thin and lightweight form factor that can result in thermal throttling. Also, the fact that many games aren’t optimized to take advantage of the foldable’s inner screen and its high price tag make it a rather niche device.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | ❌ Thermal issues due to thin and lightweight design |
| ✅ Massive screen, bigger than any phone available | ❌Battery backup is average |
| ✅ Galaxy AI features with 7 years of updates | ❌ Crease is noticeable and can interrupt your gaming experience |
| ✅ Thin and lightweight similar to regular phones | ❌ Not all games are optimized for the square aspect ratio |
Best Samsung Phone for Gaming: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Display: 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- Battery: 5000 mAh, 45W charging
- Main Camera: 200MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
- Water/Dust Resistance: IP68
- Special Features: Powerful AI features, versatile cameras, S Pen support (reduced functionality)
- Price: Starting at $1,299
Why We Recommend It:
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the reigning king of Android and the jack of all trades. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, it’s a custom version of the processor with higher clock speeds. This makes it the most powerful Samsung phone you can buy right now. The 6.9-inch QHD+ display is perfect for gaming due to its flat nature. The bezels are thinner than before, and you get rounded corners, which makes it slightly ergonomic.
Who Should Buy It
Casual gamers who want an all-rounder smartphone with good cameras and vibrant display. The larger vapor cooling chamber should also help in heat management, ensuring your enemies get warm on the battlefield, but your hands don’t. Thanks to Samsung’s ProScaler technology, you can upscale older games to take advantage of the Quad HD+ screen. You also get the S-Pen built-in, unlike the Z Fold 6, so you can also annotate or draw things on the go. While the 5,000mAh battery is the same as last year, the efficiency gains with the 8 Elite make it last longer than before.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy has a higher frequency compared to its standard variant, the S25 Ultra isn’t a pure performance oriented device per se. The sustained peak performance is average despite the additon of a dedicated cooling chamber. If you are looking for the best peak performance, consider a gaming phone with active or passive cooling capabiltiies.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | ❌ Not many changes over the S24 Ultra |
| ✅ S-Pen built-in | ❌ No Silicon Carbon battery |
| ✅ Versatile quad camera setup | |
| ✅ 7 years of OS updates |
Best iPhone for Gaming: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Processor: Apple A18 Pro
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Display: 6.9″ Super Retina XDR, 120Hz ProMotion
- Battery: Approximately 4685 mAh (unofficial), up to 29 hours of video playback
- Main Camera: 48 MP
- Front Camera: 12 MP
- Water/Dust Resistance: IP68
- Special Features: Optimized iOS ecosystem, excellent video features, AAA games support
- Price: Starting at $1,199
Why We Recommend It:
The iPhone 17 Pro Max finally brings that one feature that gamers have been clamouring for: vapour cooling chamber. For years, Apple has relied on software optimization for heat management leading to complaints from users about throttling and heating issues. But with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the new vapour cooling chamber should help you run those console games like Resident Evil Village and AC Mirage with ease. With a a new design, powerful processor and updated cameras, it’s a iPhone that’s worthy of the Pro moniker.
Who Should Buy It:
This is the iPhone that serious gamers within the Apple ecosystem have been waiting for. It is the ideal upgrade for any user who loves the polish and power of iOS but has been frustrated by the heating issues of previous models during intense gaming sessions. The promise of dramatically improved thermal endurance makes this the definitive iPhone for playing console-quality AAA titles without compromise, finally allowing the A-series chip to perform closer to its full potential for extended periods.he best part? Most games on iPhone are optimized really well, so you can enjoy Genshin Impact at 120 FPS, which you simply can’t on Android.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
The flashy colors and updated design might not appeal to everyone. Furthermore, the lack of a dedicated gaming mode or extensive gaming features might disappoint some. Gamers on a strict budget will find its premium price tag prohibitive. Furthermore, users who require the absolute software flexibility of Android for tasks like advanced emulation, file management, or deep UI customization will still find the iOS ecosystem to be restrictive.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ Powerful A19 Pro | ❌ Too bulky and hefty design |
| ✅ AAA games like AC: Mirage and Resident Evil Village | ❌ No Silicon Carbon battery |
| ✅ Next level game optimization-Genshin Impact at 120 FPS | |
| ✅ Large vapour cooling chamber | |
| ✅ Longest battery on an iPhone | |
| ✅ Biggest screen on a iPhone |
Also Read:
Best Flagship Killer Phone: OnePlus 13
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB UFS 4.0
- Display: 6.82-inch 2K ProXDR, 120Hz LTPO
- Battery: 6,000 mAh, 80W SUPERVOOC charging, 50W wireless
- Main Camera: 50MP
- Front Camera: 32MP
- Water/Dust Resistance: IP68+IP69
- Special Features: Hyperboost Game Engine, Alert Slider, Vapour Cooling Chamber
- Price: $829.99
Why We Recommend It:
Want the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite without paying “Ultra” level money? The OnePlus 13 has got your back. It has a massive 6.82-inch 2K screen perfect for lining up all those headshots. Furthermore, it has 16GB of RAM and a well-tuned 8 Elite that even beats the A18 Pro in benchmarks. There’s also Frame Interpolation, so you can even run unsupported games at 120 FPS without a noticeable increase in latency. OnePlus claims the 13 has the dual vapour cooling chamber, which the company claims is its largest yet.
Who Should Buy It:
The OnePlus 13 is the ultimate Android smartphone for gamers who don’t wish to spend flagship grade money. Apart from the processor, the rest of the phone holds up pretty well, too. You get a capable 50MP triple camera setup with 3x zoom and Hasselblad-tuned colors. With 4 years of OS updates and a premium vegan leather finish, it comes close to premium flagships out there. Other features include an IR Blaster, NFC, an IP68+IP69 rating, and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Powering the phone is a massive 6,000mAh silicon carbon battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
The OnePlus 13 might not be ideal for those who demand the absolute highest graphical fidelity at all times. While OnePlus suite of gaming features are robust, OxygenOS can be finicky at times. Another potential trade off are the cameras which don’t quite match upto Samsungs and Apples of the world.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Skip |
|---|---|
| ✅ Latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor | ❌ Slower charging speed in the US compared to the global variant |
| ✅ Premium vegan leather finish | ❌ Qi-2 charging requires a third-party case |
| ✅ 50MP triple cameras with a telephoto lens | ❌ Curved display might not appeal to everyone |
| ✅ Massive 6,000mAh battery | |
| ✅ IP68+IP69 ratings | |
| ✅ Large vapour cooling chamber |
Best Budget Gaming Phone: OnePlus 13R
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB UFS 4.0
- Display: 6.78-inch 1.5K ProXDR, 1-120 Hz dynamic refresh rate
- Battery: 6,000 mAh, 55W SUPERVOOC charging (up to 80W supported)
- Main Camera: 50MP
- Front Camera: 16MP
- Water/Dust Resistance: IP65
- Special Features: Hyperboost Game Engine, Alert Slider
- Price: $599.99
Why We Recommend It:
Last but not least is the OnePlus 13R, which offers the best price-to-performance ratio. It uses last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the same processor as the Z Fold 6, for one-third of its price. Also, unlike the more expensive OnePlus 13, you get a completely flat 6.78-inch display, making it ideal for playing games. There is a massive 9925mm two-layer vapour cooling chamber to dissipate heat. It’s the best phone for mid-range Android gamers.
Who Should Buy It:
The OnePlus 15R is a perfect option for gamers on a strict budget. It’s HyperBoost gaming modes can reduce latency, manage temperature, and also show real-time FPS. And yes, there’s UFS 4.0 storage this time (IFYKYK) with 12GB of RAM as standard. With support for 120 FPS in BGMI and Aqua Touch, you can even use the phone with wet fingers. OxygenOS 15 is pretty refined and one of the smoothest software skins out there. The 6,000mAh battery is just the icing on top, and there’s 80W fast charging support. Overall, if you want the best bang for your buck, the OnePlus 13R is the best gaming phone you can purchase.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It:
If features like wireless charging, flagship grade cameras or the latest processor are on the top of your priority list, you should skip the OnePlus 13R. While Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still a powerful chipset, those who want the cutting edge performance might find phones with 8 Elite or 8 Elite Gen 5 more attractive.
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Skip |
|---|---|
| ✅Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor | ❌ No wireless charging |
| ✅ Flat display with 120Hz refresh rate | ❌Lithium-ion instead of a silicon-carbon battery |
| ✅ Massive 6,000mAh battery | |
| ✅ 80W SUPERVOOC charging | |
| ✅ Telephoto lens |
Specs Table of All Gaming Phones
| Feature | OnePlus 13R | ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | OnePlus 13 |
| Lowest Price (USD) | $549.99 | $1,199.99 | $1,199 | $1,299 | $799 | $1,999 | $849.99 |
| Operating System | Android 15 | Android 15 | iOS 19 | Android 15 | Android 15 | Android 15 | Android 15 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM (Base) | 12GB | 16GB | 12GB | 12GB | 12GB | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage (Base) | 256GB | 512GB | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB |
| Display Size | 6.78″ | 6.78″ | 6.9″ | 6.9″ | 6.8″ | 7.6″ (Inner) / 6.5″ (Outer) | 6.82″ |
| Display Refresh Rate | 120Hz | Up to 165Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Battery Capacity | 6000 mAh | 5800 mAh | 4823 mAh | 5000 mAh | 6500 mAh | 4400 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Main Rear Camera | 50MP | 50MP | 48MP | 200MP | 50MP | 50MP | 50MP |
| Special Gaming Features | Hyperboost Game Engine | AirTriggers, Advanced Cooling, AniMe Vision, Gaming Modes | Optimized iOS ecosystem | Game Booster Mode | Built-in cooling fan, Gaming Modes, Touch Triggers | Foldable screen, Multi-window support | Game Frame Interpolation, Large Vapour Cooling Chamber |
