By Not everyone spends enough time at home to regularly use a gaming console. Carrying a laptop with you is also not ideal. That’s why many consumers are considering the best phones for gaming in 2024. Such devices have at their disposal a powerful processor, a large amount of memory and a high-frequency display. Side triggers wouldn’t hurt either, although this item is no longer mandatory. Let’s take a look at the top gaming smartphones.
- What characteristics are important for a gaming smartphone?
- POCO F4 GT
- POCO F5
- Black Shark 5 Pro
- ASUS ROG Phone 6
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Nubia Red Magic 8 Pro
- ASUS ROG Phone 7
- ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
- What additional accessories can you buy for a gaming smartphone?
What characteristics are important for a gaming smartphone?
Almost any modern device is capable of running one or another application. It’s more difficult with games. Regular 2D puzzles work even on low-end devices. But 3D games require completely different hardware. Even if they run on an inexpensive device, it will be with a very low frame rate and low graphics settings. That’s why the top phones for gaming in 2024 include only models with not the most affordable price tags. They are created on the basis of a flagship processor, each copy of which costs the manufacturer $50 or more. Usually the first or second generation Snapdragon 8 is chosen, but sometimes MediaTek products are used for the sake of savings.
At least 8 GB of RAM must be hidden under the body of a gaming smartphone. Only this volume will be enough for any game, and will also be enough to instantly switch from one application to another. As for built-in storage, buyers usually look towards at least 128 GB. Another distinctive feature of a gaming device is its screen. It should not only have a high resolution, but also a refresh rate of 120 or even 144 Hz. And the polling frequency of the sensor layer is often even higher. Some gaming smartphones can also boast side triggers, making control more comfortable. Also, an advanced vibration system is often introduced into such devices. The most expensive models also have an LED back panel that can display logos and various inscriptions. Finally, there are devices that support external cooling. It saves you during long periods of gaming, when the processor gets too hot, causing its operating frequency to begin to decrease, which leads to serious drops in FPS.
POCO F4 GT
The best gaming phones of 2024 not only include models with astronomical price tags, but also the relatively affordable POCO F4 GT . It was created on the basis of Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The AMOLED display located on the front panel is ready to update the image 120 times per second. There are no problems when launching applications, since there is room for 8 GB of RAM under the case.
At the beginning of its history, POCO was a sub-brand of Xiaomi. These two companies are still actively cooperating. An example of this is fast charging – POCO smartphones use technology developed by Xiaomi. However, as of 2020, POCO is considered a separate manufacturer. Almost like for some time now, Honor has nothing to do with Huawei.
What makes the POCO F4 GT stand out is its extremely fast charging speed. The network adapter can be turned off after 20 minutes! As for the operating time, the 4700 mAh battery allows you to play for about three hours. Or even a little longer if you decide to lower the graphics level. The device can only upset you with its cameras. They turned out to be average, especially when it comes to auxiliary modules.
Advantages:
- Very fast charging
- Top processor
- Wonderful display
- Wi-Fi 802.11ax supported
- Built-in liquid cooling system
Flaws:
- Not the best cameras
- The fingerprint sensor is located on the side
POCO F5
One of the most inexpensive gaming smartphones. Especially if we talk about the version that includes only 8 GB of RAM. This model uses a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor, which explains its not the highest price. There are 256 GB of internal memory for storing games and other data.
The smartphone still lacks stars from the sky. What the buyer will least like is a set of cameras that includes modules with a resolution of 64, 8 and 2 megapixels. The main one is capable of 4K video shooting. Among the gaming features, we can only note support for the Wi-Fi 802.11ax standard, thanks to which the ping is reduced to a minimum value. You can also play on this device with wired headphones, which allows you to forget about sound delay. The picture is displayed on a 120 Hz AMOLED display.
Advantages:
- There is a 3.5 mm audio jack
- Good performance
- Great screen
- Optimal amount of RAM
- Fast Wi-Fi
- Not very high price
Flaws:
- No moisture protection
- Not the best cameras
Black Shark 5 Pro
One of the most popular gaming smartphones. The device will please you with its design and characteristics. Gamers will love the retractable triggers, which allow you to touch the display as little as possible. The graphics are also a delight, since they are powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and the Adreno 730 accelerator built into it. Launching games and applications occurs instantly, because the device has 12 GB of RAM. Some projects run at 144 Hz. And this is noticeable, since a similar parameter is supported by the AMOLED display located on the front panel.
Black Shark is a sub-brand owned by Xiaomi. Only gaming smartphones are produced under it. The devices have an atypical design, some of them have side triggers, and they also use special stereo speakers and vibration motors.
The device, which was included in the top smartphones for games in 2024, can be used for other purposes. For example, for high-quality video and photography. To do this, he received three cameras, the resolution of which is 108, 13 and 5 megapixels. The top processor provides 4K video recording at 60 frames/s. It’s nice, especially if you remember the price tag of the smartphone. The gadget also has everything in order with wireless modules, which even includes Wi-Fi 802.11ax.
The manufacturer tried to reduce the weight of the device to an adequate 220 g. Unfortunately, he did this, among other things, by reducing the battery capacity, which amounted to 4650 mAh. Three to four hours of play is the maximum you can expect. But you definitely won’t have to charge the device for a long time, since it comes with a 120-watt AC adapter.
Pros:
- Fast Wi-Fi
- 144Hz display
- Unique design
- Lots of memory
- Very fast charging
- Good cameras
Minuses:
- Lack of moisture protection
- Gets very hot
- Not the most capacious battery
ASUS ROG Phone 6
A unique smartphone that has a small area with LEDs on the back panel. The device will also appeal to those who previously regularly experienced operating system slowdowns. Even the basic version of the device includes 12 GB of RAM. And there is also a more expensive one, which has 16 GB of RAM under the body!
The Taiwanese company ASUS was founded in 1989. For the most part, it specializes in mid-budget and high-end computer equipment. PC owners are familiar with its motherboards, sound cards, cases and video cards. In 2006, she founded the sub-brand Republic of Gamers, under which gaming equipment is produced. In particular, it is he who is involved in the naming of gaming smartphones. And ASUS has not produced any others for some time now.
Ranked in the top 10 phones for gaming in 2024, the device is based on Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This is a flagship processor that can easily handle heavy games. The smartphone produces high-quality sound, even low frequencies are felt well. And this is due to the built-in stereo speakers! If you use wireless headphones, the capabilities of a modern Bluetooth module come into play. It’s also difficult to make any complaints about the picture, because an AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 165 Hz is responsible for its display. The backlight brightness is quite high. The fingerprint scanner is located at the bottom of the display.
The smartphone turned out to be heavy. The scales under it show 239 g. And it is by no means called thin. No wonder, because there is a massive cooling system inside. The manufacturer also introduced two USB Type-C connectors. It also retains the 3.5mm audio jack. Ultrasonic triggers are intended for players, which can be configured in a proprietary application. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. Nothing bad can be said about the built-in cameras, the resolution of which is 50, 13 and 5 megapixels. However, they still don’t make a camera phone out of this device.
Autonomous operation of the device is ensured by a battery with a capacity of 6000 mAh. Its special design allows you to play for a long time – at least four hours. And if you are doing something else, you will only need the network adapter closer to night. Charging time is 45 minutes.
Advantages:
- Two USB ports
- Can connect wired headphones
- High performance
- Large amount of RAM
- Wonderful display
- There are game triggers
- Great sound and vibration
Flaws:
- No moisture protection
- Large size and weight
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
An excellent choice for those who have long subscribed to all sorts of “Apple” services. The games contained in Apple Arcade perform well on this smartphone. The volume of its permanent memory varies from 128 GB to 1 TB. The processor uses its own powerful solution, which can run any mobile game at a frequency of up to 120 Hz, supported by a 6.7-inch OLED display. The picture on the screen is clearly visible even on the street, when there is not a cloud in the sky.
The device is completely protected from water. On its back panel there are three cameras with different focal lengths. Wi-Fi 802.11ax support helps in online games. If you have an appropriate router, you can expect minimal ping. The only serious drawback of the smartphone is the connector used for charging – it’s Lightning. Also, not everyone will like the 240g weight. All this makes the iPhone 14 Pro Max not the best phone for gaming in 2024, but it’s definitely close to that status.
Pros:
- High performance
- Fast Wi-Fi
- Many memory options
- Great cameras
- Bright display
Minuses:
- No specific gaming features
- High price
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
This smartphone is mainly bought for its cameras. Not surprising, since this is one of the few models that is ready to offer 10x optical zoom. Another feature of the device is the smart stylus. What’s important is that you don’t need to look for a compartment in the case – the corresponding compartment is right in the case.
A gamer will also appreciate the smartphone. Flagship status indicates the presence of a powerful processor inside. Indeed, it features the fresh Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The Adreno 740 graphics will also please you. The amount of RAM has been increased to 12 GB. As for the built-in storage, the buyer can expect from 256 GB to 1 TB. In short, there will definitely not be enough space for games.
The device can be used in any conditions, as evidenced by the water protection class IP68. The device must also withstand a fall from a fairly high height, because its display is covered with Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The screen of the device that made it to the top gaming phones in 2024 also evokes extremely positive emotions. Its resolution has been increased to 3088×1440 pixels. The refresh rate varies depending on the task at hand, with a maximum of 120 Hz. It’s difficult to make any complaints about the brightness of the backlight.
The device received support for Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 802.11ax. Inside it hides a 5000 mAh battery. But while many competitors can also boast of very fast charging, the owner of the Galaxy S23 Ultra has maximum access to only a 45-watt AC adapter, which also needs to be purchased separately.
Advantages:
- Great cameras
- Great display
- Comes with a stylus
- Powerful processor
- Fast wireless connection
- Large memory capacity
Flaws:
- No charger included
- Not the fastest charging
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
If we talk about the most expensive devices included in the ranking of the best gaming smartphones of 2024, then we cannot ignore the latest model from Apple. Several large games were released specifically for it, ported from home game consoles. For example, you can already play the new Assassin’s Creed on this device! But you shouldn’t expect maximum comfort. Gamers note that at maximum graphics settings, the processor quickly overheats, after which severe slowdowns begin. If you lower these same settings, the picture turns out worse than on the Nintendo Switch. In short, the company from Cupertino still has work to do – a more sophisticated cooling system is expected to appear in future models. For now, only the operating time deserves positive feedback. A fully charged battery provides 4-7 hours of gaming, depending on how advanced the project is.
The front panel of the device houses a 6.7-inch display created using OLED technology. The refresh rate can reach 120Hz. The device received three cameras, for which it is most often purchased. Nothing bad can be said about the wireless modules. The smartphone also received a USB Type-C connector. Until now, Apple has only used it in tablets and laptops.
The device is based on the Apple A17 Pro processor. Experts note that this is one of the most powerful mobile chipsets. This is why many people prefer to buy an Apple smartphone for gaming. But you need to remember that not all projects are available on this platform. For example, due to the lawsuit between Epic Games and Apple, you won’t be able to play the insanely popular Fortnite on iOS.
Pros:
- Amazing cameras
- Very powerful processor
- Good sound quality
- Fast wireless connection
- Great screen
Minuses:
- High price
- Large size and weight
Nubia Red Magic 8 Pro
American sanctions have left their mark on ZTE. Now this company is trying not to popularize its brand. Instead, smartphones are sold under the Nubia sub-brand. These are mostly relatively inexpensive models. But there are also devices in the company’s assortment that are required to be included in any top phone for gaming in 2024. For example, this is Red Magic 8 Pro. While competitors have a so-called chin under the display, nothing similar is observed here – the width of the frame is the same on all sides. AMOLED technology was used to make the screen; the refresh rate was brought to the usual 120 Hz. The resolution is 2480×1116 pixels.
Under the body of the smartphone lies a powerful eight-core Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Leading Version processor. With it, the vast majority of games run with maximum graphics settings. This is also helped by RAM, the volume of which reaches 12 GB. The battery thanks to the 4-nanometer process technology used to make the chipset. It greatly reduces power consumption under load. As a result, two 3000 mAh batteries are enough for four to five hours of play. It’s just a pity that the manufacturer failed to implement the fastest charging possible. But a 65-watt network adapter is not bad at all. With it, you will have to keep your smartphone connected to charging for no longer than an hour.
It’s not without reason that the device is among the best smartphones for gaming in 2024. Firstly, it has a futuristic design that will not leave any gamer indifferent. Secondly, on one of its side ends there are triggers that allow you to perform certain actions in mobile games. Thirdly, it has a well-thought-out cooling system, which allows you to expect modest heating. And the Chinese manufacturer has increased the touch sampling frequency to 960 Hz. This is especially noticeable in online games, when the connection to the router is via Wi-Fi 802.11be.
Every few years a new version of Wi-Fi is developed. This results in increased throughput and reduced range. The last factor is combated by increasing the signal transmission power. Already, Wi-Fi 802.11ac capabilities were enough for online viewing of 4K video. Later, the Wi-Fi 802.11ax standard was invented, which was even more pleasing with its speed. And now routers supporting Wi-Fi 802.11be, operating in the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz frequency ranges, are gradually appearing. Such devices can theoretically transfer data at speeds of up to 30 Gbit/s.
People buy this smartphone not only for its gaming capabilities. People like the screen’s behavior in the sun, because the backlight brightness has been increased to 1300 nits. The device can also be used as a loud MP3 player – its stereo speakers are so good. But its main feature is the main camera, which has a 50-megapixel resolution and excellent shooting quality in low light. It’s just a pity that the same cannot be said about the auxiliary modules.
Advantages:
- High power
- Large memory capacity
- Loud stereo speakers
- Great display
- Latest wireless modules
- There is a 3.5 mm audio jack
- Long autonomy
Flaws:
- Not the fastest charging
- High price
ASUS ROG Phone 7
The top gaming smartphones of 2024 introduced you to a variety of devices. And you noticed that about half of them cost astronomical money. However, there are models with better value for money. One of them is the ASUS ROG Phone 7. It comes in several variants with RAM ranging from 8GB to a whopping 16GB. The device boasts a modern design that will appeal most to gamers. On the front panel there is a huge AMOLED screen. Its refresh rate has been increased to 165 Hz. The player doesn’t need anything more. Everything is fine with the device and with the polling frequency of the touch layer.
The weight of the smartphone is 239 g. On its rear panel there are three cameras, the resolution of which is 50, 13 and 5 megapixels. They do not provide optical zoom; additional capabilities include only ultra-wide-angle and macro photography. The processor uses the second generation of the top-end Snapdragon 8. Its power is more than enough for video shooting at a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels.
In online games, support for the Wi-Fi 802.11ax standard is useful. Bluetooth 5.3 facilitates listening to sound in maximum quality. If you’re worried about latency or don’t have an expensive headset, the 3.5mm audio jack will come to the rescue. The gaming smartphone itself also sounds great. The vibration didn’t disappoint either. Autonomous operation of the device is ensured by a battery with a capacity of 6000 mAh. Its charging is carried out via the USB Type-C connector, the process takes no more than half an hour. There is also one more connector on the case. This is a proprietary connector used to connect a proprietary cooling system. You may really need it, because after an hour and a half to two hours of playing, the smartphone gets very hot. Other features of the device include the AirTrigger side keys, which make it easier to control games.
Advantages:
- Large memory capacity
- Top processor
- Gorgeous display
- High quality sound
- Fast wireless modules
- There are triggers
- Has a separate audio jack
Flaws:
- Increased heating
- Large size and weight
ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
The best phone for gaming in 2024. Yes, this gaming device turned out to be very expensive, especially if you are considering the version with the largest amount of memory. But you definitely won’t regret buying it. The device is made in white color, and on its back panel there are not only three cameras, but also a 2-inch display. There is also a folding compartment under which the copper cooling system is hidden. Opening it is necessary during long games, when the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor requires cooling. A separate accessory with a fan is also included with the smartphone. In case you want to play not only for a long time, but also with maximum graphics settings.
There is an AMOLED screen on the front panel of the device. Its resolution is standard, 2448×1080 pixels. But the manufacturer has increased the refresh rate, it reaches 165 Hz. The smartphone itself turned out to be large and heavy, the scales under it will show 246 g. But inside there was room for a battery with a capacity of 6000 mAh. With it you don’t have to worry about playing time. The only pity is that the charging power does not exceed 65 W.
Since the manufacturer did not need to reduce the thickness of the device, it did not get rid of the 3.5 mm audio jack. If you’ve switched from gaming to listening to music, you don’t have to be afraid to use wireless headphones – the device supports Bluetooth 5.3 and top digital codecs. Some will be even more pleased with Wi-Fi 802.11be – a standard that is still not supported by every router. As for the cameras, the auxiliary modules are not impressive. The main one has a 50-megapixel resolution and is capable of 8K video shooting.
Advantages:
- There is a second screen
- Very powerful processor
- 16 GB RAM
- Modern wireless modules
- There is a separate audio jack
- Good chipset cooling
- Triggers present
- High-quality sound and vibration
Flaws:
- Modest moisture protection
- Large size and weight
- No optical zoom
What additional accessories can you buy for a gaming smartphone?
It just so happens that the best gaming phones in 2024 cost a pretty penny. I really wouldn’t want to break the screen of such a device. Therefore, most often a case is purchased in addition to the device. And if your choice is Samsung or Apple products, then there is a high probability that you will also need a charger.
When it comes to gaming accessories, the only thing that comes to mind is a mobile gamepad. It will definitely be needed by those whose smartphone does not have triggers. The controller greatly simplifies control; in many games, virtual buttons will no longer be displayed on the screen, blocking what is happening. The gamepad will also provide you with more powerful vibration. The smartphone is usually attached to its top, but sometimes it is literally inserted into the center of the accessory. Many models are universal. This means that with their help you can play not only on a smartphone, but also on a computer or even some consoles.
Some devices allow you to connect an external cooling system. But we do not recommend purchasing it. Soon you will get tired of using it. Firstly, it is much easier and faster to lower the graphics settings, which will immediately lead to less heat generation. Secondly, such an accessory is very noisy. And playing with it becomes less comfortable, since the weight and dimensions of the entire set increase significantly.
