Let me introduce to you my ten choices of the best smartphones for gaming, created especially for gamers that love casual gaming and hardcore gamers on the go. Some have unique designs, and some look like everyday smartphones, but these are unique because of the hardware included and can handle complex apps such as mobile games. So if you are looking for a gaming smartphone and don’t know where to start, check these 10 best smartphones that are made exclusively for games.
Honor View 20
| Display | 6.4-inch FHD, 1080 x 2310 |
| Processor | HiSilicon Kirin 980 |
| Operating system | Android 9 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM |
| Internal storage | 256GB |
| Battery | 4000mAh |
| Main Camera | 48 MP (wide) |
| Front camera | 25 MP (wide) |
Here we have the Honor View 20 from Huawei. It’s a mid-range smartphone with one of the most innovative designs and one of the best smartphones for games. It comes with Kirin 980 chipset, with a large 6.4-inch screen, 8GB RAM, 256GB internal storage, and a 4000mAh battery. Don’t be fooled by this one. Firstly, with a 1080p resolution, the Honor View 20 can run the latest game releases such as PUBG and Fortnite pretty well at up to 60fps. Next, there’s a pretty good cooling system inside to prevent it from heating up during those long gaming sessions. Thirdly, it comes with a battery pack to optimize battery life, and lastly, it includes plenty of internal storage and good system memory. It’s safe to say that the Honor View 20 has the power to runs mobile games smoothly, with a large enough screen, good hardware spec, and trendy design. It’s available at an affordable price so check it out here.
Razer Phone 2
| Display | 5.7-inch HD+, 1440 x 2560px |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 |
| Operating system | Android 8.1 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM |
| Internal storage | 64GB/128GB |
| Battery | 4000mAh |
| Primary camera | Dual; 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12 MP, f/2.6 |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
Next comes the Razer Phone 2 another great and one of the best smartphones for games. If you want one purely for gaming, then this one is a great option. It also includes a dual-camera set at the back with a single selfie cam, that takes decent pictures. Under the hood, the Razer Phone 2 comes with a Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB RAM, 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, and a 4000mAh battery. For this one, the screen is smaller but comes with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1440p resolution. The more display technology, the better the screen quality. It also has a large battery that supports wireless charging. It’s waterproof, great sound quality, a good processor and a decent camera set. Overall, Razer Phone 2 is one of the best smartphones for games but its design is not very innovative and it’s really expensive. But with a good display with a higher refresh rate, good gaming performance and a large battery, you get what you pay for.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
| Display | 6.2-inch HD+, 1440 x 2560 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 |
| Operating system | Android |
| Memory | 6GB RAM |
| Internal storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 3500mAh |
| Primary camera | Dual: 12 MP (f/1.5) + 12 MP (f/2.4) |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP (f/1.7) |
If you want an older but cheaper, plays games well, was 2018’s top-range and best smartphone for games, then look no further than the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus. Inside is a Snapdragon 845 processor with 6GB of RAM, options of up to 256GB internal storage, and a 3500mAh battery. It includes a 6.4-inch display, with a 24MP dual-camera and an 8MP single-selfie cam in front. The S9 Plus was a great phone back in its release year, and yet now it still packs a punch. This includes a good performance processor and a good quality display with a 1440p resolution. The battery may be smaller yet still delivers a decent battery life. Hardware spec rivals with the latest phones of today and are good enough to support the latest gaming apps. Overall, a good old smartphone that can still be a good phone and a great phone for gaming. If you want to check out the latest Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, click to see my review.
Sony Xperia XZ2
| Display | 5.7-inch FHD, 1080 x 2160 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 |
| Operating system | Android |
| Memory | 6GB of RAM |
| Internal storage | 64GB |
| Battery | 3180mAh |
| Primary camera | 19 MP, f/2.0 (wide) |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
If you fancy yourself a gaming smartphone that features great sound quality and features similar to a console, then this is one of the best smartphones for games you can get. Introducing the Sony Xperia XZ2. This smartphone phone comes with a Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and a 3180mAh battery. Overall, the phone has included features to optimize your gaming experience similar to a console. It has dual-shock and can be used as a second screen for console gaming as well. It retails as the cheaper of gaming smartphones.
Apple iPhone XS Max
| Display | 6.5-inch HD+, 1242 x 2688px |
| Processor | Apple A12 Hexa-core |
| Operating system | iOS |
| Memory | 4GB of RAM |
| Internal storage | 256GB |
| Battery | 3174mAh |
| Primary camera | Dual camera, 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12 MP, f/2.4 (telephoto) |
| Selfie camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
Here we have an iPhone that is a great smartphone for gaming. Introducing the Apple iPhone XS Max. Under the hood, we have an Apple A12 processor, 4GB of system memory, 256GB internal storage and a 3174mAh battery. With gaming, games like Fortnite run pretty well on the smartphone. It does heat up after long gaming sessions but it maintains frame rate, optimizing gameplay and gaming graphics. Overall, the low system memory may seem a factor, unlike other competitors, yet it maintains a good system and gaming performance.
ASUS ROG Phone
| Display | 6-inch FHD, 1080 x 2160px |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 |
| Operating system | Android 8.1 |
| Memory | 8GB of RAM |
| Internal storage | 128GB |
| Battery | 4000mAh |
| Primary camera | Dual, 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide) |
Next is another smartphone for gamers. It’s from the famous gaming brand ASUS. I give you the ASUS ROG Phone. This one has an interesting design, that comes with apps that can help optimize gaming accordingly. This one comes with a Snapdragon 845, with 8GB phone memory, 128GB internal storage, and a 4000mAh battery. Overall, the smartphone has been regarded as one of the elite gaming smartphones competing with Razer Phone 2. It is one of the most powerful gaming smartphones in the market thanks to the hardware specs, so hardcore gamers will enjoy using this one.
Xiaomi Black Shark 2
| Display | 6.4-inch FHD, 1080 x 2340px |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| Operating system | Android 9.0 |
| Memory | 6/8GB of RAM |
| Storage | 128GB storage |
| Battery | 4000mAh |
| Primary camera | Dual, 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide) + 12 MP, f/2.2, (telephoto), 2x optical zoom |
| Selfie camera | 20 MP, f/2.0 |
The Xiaomi Black Shark 2 gaming smartphone comes with a Snapdragon 855, with 8GB phone memory, 128 GB internal storage, and a 4000mAh battery. The phone is well-known for its long battery life, good overall phone performance, features and accessories, unique design, and cheaper price. Sadly though, it’s only available in certain countries especially in Europe and in Asia. If you manage to find one, get it. It’s competing with one of the best.
Google Pixel 3 XL
| Display | 6.4-inch FHD, 1080 x 2340px |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 |
| Operating system | Android 9.0 |
| Memory | 8GB of RAM |
| Storage | 128 GB storage |
| Battery | 3430mAh |
| Primary camera | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide) |
| Selfie camera | Dual, 8 MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 8 MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) |
Here we have the Google Pixel 3XL smartphone, which comes with a Snapdragon 845, 128GB internal storage, 8GB phone memory, and battery power of 3430 mAh. Gaming on this gaming smartphone is great. The graphics look good and the gameplay works well with the phone’s hardware. Its price may be high but you get what you pay for.
Apple iPhone XR
| Display | 6.1-inch HD, 828 x 1792px |
| Processor | Apple A12 |
| Operating system | iOS 12 |
| Memory | 3GB of RAM |
| Internal storage | 128GB |
| Battery | 2942 mAh |
| Primary camera | 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide) |
| Selfie camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 (standard) |
Looking for a cheaper iPhone that has the hardware specs to support games? Then here we have the Apple iPhone XR smartphone. It is cheaper, comes with the choice of six colors: Black, Blue, White, Yellow, Coral, and Red, and 3 models to choose from. Inside we have the Apple A12 processor, with 3GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, and battery power of 2942 mAh. This is not an elite gaming phone, but it’s passable. With a refresh rate of 60Hz, decent gameplay and good-looking graphics, it sure can pass as a good phone for gaming.
Nokia 6.1
| Display | 5.5-inch FHD, 1080 x 1920px |
| Processor | Snapdragon 630 |
| Operating system | Android 8.0 |
| Memory | 3GB of RAM |
| Internal storage | 32GB (microSD, up to 256GB) |
| Battery | 3000mAh |
| Primary camera | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
The Nokia 6.1 is known as Nokia’s budget gaming smartphone. It comes with a Snapdragon 630 processor, 3GB phone memory, 32GB of internal storage, and 3000mAh. Sadly, the internal storage is low, phone memory is low but the battery life is decent. It’s like a normal smartphone and you may get away with casual gaming. If you are not so concerned about getting the latest and greatest technology from a gaming phone and are happy with a simple budget gaming smartphone, then the Nokia 6.1 is for you.
Closing Off
So there you have it, the ten best smartphones for gaming. I hope this post has helped you out or made you consider getting a gaming smartphone. If you do decide on getting one, think of these listed here. Thanks for reading up on my post, hope you enjoy it. What are you waiting for? Make a choice, click to find out more, and get yourself a gaming smartphone. You won’t be disappointed. Any questions or comments, please like them below. Thank you for reading my post. See you next time.
