Top Gaming Phones of 2025: What to Buy

While nearly every modern smartphone can run games, certain features set exceptional gaming phones apart from the rest. At the core of any top-tier gaming phone is a powerful processor capable of handling the most demanding games without breaking a sweat. However, it's not just about raw power; sustained performance is crucial. You want a phone that maintains peak performance over long gaming sessions without overheating or throttling. Ample memory and storage are also essential, allowing for seamless multitasking and ample space for games. Some gaming phones, like the RedMagic 10 Pro, even include specialized gaming features such as additional shoulder buttons and enhanced touch sampling rates.

The display is another critical component. A large, vibrant screen with a high refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay and clear visuals. A bigger screen also means your thumbs cover less of the display, improving the touch control experience. With these key elements in mind, let's explore the top phones that excel in mobile gaming.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Phones:

Best overall### RedMagic 10 Pro

11See it at AmazonSee it at RedMagic### Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

2See it at Amazon### iPhone 16 Pro Max

2See it at Best Buy### iPhone SE (2022)

0See it at Apple### OnePlus 12

2See it at Amazon### Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

4See it at Amazon### OnePlus 12R

1See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at OnePlusCheck out our guide to the best phone controllers for accessory options.

Contributions by Georgie Peru and Danielle Abraham

RedMagic 10 Pro – Photos

10 Images

1. RedMagic 10 Pro

Best Gaming Phone

Best overall### RedMagic 10 Pro

11The RedMagic 10 Pro combines exceptional performance with extreme sustain in a wonderful package. See it at AmazonSee it at RedMagic

Product Specifications

• Screen: 6.85-inch OLED, 1216x2688, 431 ppi, 144Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
• Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide, 50-Megapixel Ultrawide, 2-Megapixel Macro, 16-Megapixel Selfie
• Battery: 7,050mAh
• Weight: 229g (0.5lb)

PROS

• Excellent gaming performance
• Great display

CONS

• Underwhelming cameras
• Shorter software support

Gaming demands a lot from a phone, and the RedMagic 10 Pro rises to the challenge. It features an actively cooled Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which I found to be incredibly effective during my review. This chip performs exceptionally well in phones like the Asus ROG Phone 9 and OnePlus 13, but the RedMagic 10 Pro's cooling fan enhances its performance for extended gaming sessions. It consistently topped performance benchmarks and excelled in sustain. The phone's massive 7,050mAh battery further supports long gaming sessions.

The RedMagic 10 Pro also includes gaming-specific enhancements such as two shoulder buttons, allowing for more intuitive control mapping. The display boasts a fast touch-sampling rate for quick input detection, and features like supersampling and frame interpolation enhance visual clarity and smoothness.

Aesthetically, the RedMagic 10 Pro is stylish without being over the top. It offers various designs, including transparent backs that showcase its internal components. The 6.85-inch display with minimal bezels and a hidden selfie camera provides an uninterrupted gaming experience. The AMOLED panel delivers a 144Hz refresh rate, high peak brightness, and sharp visuals.

Despite its commanding performance, the RedMagic 10 Pro is competitively priced at $649, significantly less than rivals like the Asus ROG Phone 9 at $999.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Photos

5 Images

2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best iPhone Alternative for Gaming

### Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

2Enjoy a massive 6.8" AMOLED screen on a phone packing a processor with enough brawn to run multiple apps, edit videos, game, and power the stunning cameras. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 6.8 inches
• Rear cameras: 4
• Front cameras: 1
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 (third generation)
• Battery life: 5,000mAh
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
• Starting price: $1,299.99

PROS

• Incredible performance
• Exceptional camera system

CONS

• Titanium makes the device big and heavy

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out with its robust titanium chassis, stunning display, powerful processors, AI tools, and professional-grade cameras. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, with an 8-core CPU and a GPU featuring 1,536 shading units, paired with 12GB of RAM, ensures it can handle the most intensive games at top settings without lag. The Game Booster mode optimizes performance for an enhanced gaming experience.

The 6.8" AMOLED display achieves a peak brightness of nearly 2,600 nits, ensuring visibility in any environment. With a 1440p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, the screen offers crisp, smooth visuals. The adaptive refresh rate feature helps conserve battery life by adjusting based on your activity.

While not as fast as the RedMagic 10 Pro, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers solid speed alongside long-term support, excellent cameras, and superior design quality, making it a compelling alternative to the iPhone for gaming.

3. iPhone 16 Pro Max

Best iPhone for Gaming

### iPhone 16 Pro Max

2Running on an A18 Pro chip, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is ready to tackle anything you throw its way, gaming included. See it at Best Buy

Product Specifications

• Screen: 6.9-inch OLED, 1320x2868, 460 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: A18 Pro
• Camera: 48-Megapixel Wide, 48-Megapixel Ultrawide, 12-Megapixel Telephoto, 12-Megapixel Selfie
• Battery: 4,685mAh
• Weight: 227g (0.5lb)

PROS

• Power performance
• Long-term support
• Great design

CONS

• High comparative price

My review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max confirms its prowess in gaming, thanks to the A18 Pro chip, which boasts an extra graphics core compared to the A18 chip in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. This enhancement significantly boosts performance for graphics-intensive applications like games. Additionally, its 6.9-inch display offers a spacious canvas for immersive gameplay.

Beyond gaming, the iPhone 16 Pro Max excels in design with its titanium frame and glass construction, making it a visual delight. Its camera system delivers stunning photos and advanced zoom capabilities, and it supports high-resolution video recording in Dolby Vision with slow-motion features.

Apple's push into premium gaming is evident with titles like Assassin's Creed Mirage and Resident Evil available on iOS, enhancing the platform's gaming appeal.

iPhone SE (2022) – Photos

6 Images

4. iPhone SE (2022)

Best Budget iPhone for Gaming

### iPhone SE (2022)

0Get Apple iOS on the cheap with this phone running on an A15 Bionic chip, but be prepared for a lackluster screen. See it at Apple

Product Specifications

• Screen: 4.7-inch LCD, 750x1334, 326ppi, 60Hz refresh rate
• Processor: A15 Bionic
• Camera: 12-Megapixel Wide | 7-Megapixel Selfie
• Battery: 2,018mAh
• Weight: 144g (0.32lb)

PROS

• Great value for money
• Thin and lightweight

CONS

• Screen is a little too small

The third-generation iPhone SE offers a robust gaming experience at a budget-friendly price of $429, powered by the A15 Bionic chip. Its iOS platform provides access to a wide array of games, including those in Apple Arcade.

However, the 4.7-inch screen with thick bezels may feel cramped. If screen real estate is a concern, consider pairing it with a phone controller to maximize visibility. The limited 64GB storage can be expanded to 256GB, and cloud gaming supported by 5G connectivity helps mitigate storage constraints.

See our guide to the best cheap smartphones.

OnePlus 12 – Photos

8 Images

5. OnePlus 12

Best Everyday Phone for Mobile Gaming

### OnePlus 12

2With a powerful processor, a large AMOLED display, and a refined design, this mid-range flagship is a true gem. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications

• Screen: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1440x3168, 510 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide | 48-Megapixel Ultra-wide | 64-Megapixel Telephoto | 32-Megapixel Selfie
• Battery: 5,400mAh
• Weight: 220g (0.49lb)

PROS

• Solid battery life
• Great performance

CONS

• Limited features

The OnePlus 12, starting at $800, offers a compelling blend of performance and value, challenging flagship phones from Samsung and Apple. Its sleek design, respectable cameras, and user-friendly software make it an excellent choice for everyday use, yet it packs a punch for gaming with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.

The 6.82-inch AMOLED display delivers stunning visuals with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits and an adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz for smooth gameplay and battery efficiency. The OnePlus 12 can run demanding games like Genshin Impact at nearly 60fps on max settings, though it may get hot under heavy load.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Photos

6 Images

6. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

Best Foldable Gaming Phone

### Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

4The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is an incredibly fast and gorgeous smartphone, held back only by the weird aspect ratio when unfolded. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications

• Screen: 7.6-inch 2160 x 1856 AMOLED (Main); 6.2-inch 968 x 2376 AMOLED (Cover)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• Camera: 50MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide, 10MP front
• Battery: 4400mAh
• Weight: 239g (0.52 lb)

PROS

• Stunning displays, inside and out
• Extremely powerful

CONS

• Aspect ratios can be weird

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 enhances the gaming experience with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which boosts performance by up to 22%. This upgrade makes it easier to handle demanding games like Zenless Zone Zero and Wuthering Waves, ensuring smooth gameplay and detailed visuals.

The internal 7.6-inch AMOLED screen offers a 2160x1856 resolution for vivid colors and high contrast. The external 6.2-inch screen provides an alternative for gaming in an ultra-wide aspect ratio. Beyond gaming, the Z Fold 6 functions as a versatile device, doubling as a small tablet for multitasking and featuring a powerful camera system. Despite its high cost, it's backed by Samsung's long-term software support.

OnePlus 12R – Photos

7 Images

7. OnePlus 12R

Best Budget Android for Gaming

### OnePlus 12R

1A big, flashy display and potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip are the heart and blood of this value-focused Android phone. See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at OnePlus

Product Specifications

• Screen: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1264x2780, 450 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
• Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide, 8-Megapixel Ultrawide, 2-Megapixel Macro, 16-Megapixel Selfie
• Battery: 5,500mAh
• Weight: 207g (0.46lb)

PROS

• Large, vibrant display
• Strong battery life
• Good main camera

CONS

• No wireless charging
• Only IP64 water and dust resistance

The OnePlus 12R offers top-tier qualities at a budget-friendly price of $499, making it a great value for gaming enthusiasts. Its 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 1264x2780 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate provides a stunning platform for gaming, easily outperforming the iPhone SE in display quality.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, the OnePlus 12R delivers ample performance for most games. Its 5,500mAh battery supports extended gaming sessions. While the camera system may be less advanced than that of the OnePlus 12, it does not impact the phone's gaming capabilities, making the OnePlus 12R an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers.

What to Look for in a Gaming Phone

Choosing the right gaming phone involves focusing on specific features that enhance the gaming experience. While regular smartphones prioritize battery life and cameras, gaming phones emphasize processors and displays.

Processors are crucial for gaming. The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is ideal for Android phones, offering powerful processing cores and strong graphics. For budget options, earlier chipsets like the Snapdragon 888 or 8 Gen 1/2 still provide ample power. For iPhones, the latest A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro models delivers top performance, though previous generations like the A15 Bionic in the iPhone SE (2022) offer great value.

Displays should be a step above standard smartphone screens. Look for refresh rates higher than 60Hz, ideally 90Hz or 120Hz for smoother gameplay. Some gaming phones offer variable refresh rates for power efficiency. Faster touch sampling rates and additional shoulder buttons can also enhance the gaming interface.

We'll continue to update this list as new gaming phones hit the market, ensuring you stay informed about the latest and greatest options.

Gaming Handhelds vs. Gaming Phones

Choosing between a gaming phone and a gaming handheld depends on your lifestyle, game preferences, and desired gaming experience.

Gaming phones are highly portable and multifunctional, offering all the features of a typical smartphone, including cameras and navigation. They often include cooling solutions and physical triggers for enhanced gameplay. For those who prefer physical controls, a phone controller can be a great accessory.

Gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch are larger but still portable. They are primarily designed for gaming, offering responsive controls and buttons. These devices provide access to platform-exclusive games, with the Steam Deck acting as a handheld PC for your Steam library.

Mobile gaming on Android and iOS continues to expand, with cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass improving the experience. However, gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck offer more powerful hardware, though with shorter battery life. Gaming phones typically have better battery life for all-day use, though gaming can reduce this significantly.

Cost is another factor; gaming phones can be expensive, with top models ranging from $700 to over $1,000. Gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch are more affordable, starting at $400.

Ultimately, if you seek a versatile device that handles gaming alongside other functions, a gaming phone is ideal. If you prioritize a dedicated gaming experience with platform-exclusive titles, a gaming handheld might be the better choice.