Nowadays, we spend a large part of our daily lives with a smartphone at hand. These portable computers are basically useful for everything. Aside from the basic use of making calls, chatting on social media, and taking pictures, smartphones are now great for entertainment. Maybe you don’t want to sit in front of the TV, but you want to enjoy a good TV show or movie or listen to some good music straight from your mobile device. Smartphones have become great multimedia devices, and it’s hard to choose the best one these days. If you’re an avid media lover and a moderate gamer, in this article we present some of the top 10 smartphones you can get in 2023 for media consumption and gaming.
The Top 10 Smartphones of 2023 – For Multimedia and Gaming
In 2023 we already have a good set of smartphones to build a top 10 list with the best devices for enjoying music, videos, and some moderate gaming. If you’re looking for a good option for entertainment, we’ll try to cover you with this article. Keep in mind that we’re not just looking at brute hardware. Sure, that helps with gaming, but there are a lot of other factors to consider if you want to get a device that will serve you well with long hours of content. Processor, battery, and software should also be considered. To make things easier, I will break them down into categories of the best devices – flagships, flagship killers, mid-range phones, and low-end devices.
I will not go into some technical aspects of these phones like cameras and other stuff. I will focus on what is important for multimedia consumption and average gaming.
Last but not least, keep in mind that this list is made up of our best picks. Your favorite device may be missing. Don’t be shy and feel free to mention it in the comments section. Without further ado, let’s dive into the top 10 smartphones of 2023 for media and gaming.
The Flagship Squad
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
I’ll start this list with one obvious choice, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – heir of the Galaxy Note series throne, is one of the best devices for those who want to enjoy media content. The device brings a gorgeous 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 3,088 x 1,440 Quad HD+ resolution. It also boasts a 120 Hz Dynamic Refresh rate, 1,200 nits of brightness, and 1,750 nits of peak brightness. The display can output HDR 10+ content without any hassle, the colors are vivid and accurate. This awesome display will be perfect for your Movies, Shows and for watching videos on YouTube or other Streaming Services.
The device also runs basically every game on the Google Play Store thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy. This chipset is also beyond the competition thanks to a slight overclock on its Prime core. It’s one of the fastest devices on Android, and you will be able to enjoy all games and emulators available. Even the recently-released Yuzu should run well on this powerhouse.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra runs Android 13 OS with One UI 5.1. It draws power from a huge 5,000 mAh battery complete with 45W charging. That juice will allow you to perfectly enjoy your multimedia in gaming content for long hours without any issues.
With all those qualities, the Samsung Galaxy S23 earns a place in our Top 10 Smartphones Of 2023 For Media and Gaming list. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is not a cheap device. Its price can reach €1,100 depending on the country or region.
In my humble opinion, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is hard to beat. It has a gorgeous display, a powerful chipset, and a huge battery. To make things even better, it’s a beast for productivity. So you can take a break from taking your notes with the S Pen to dive into the multimedia and gaming capabilities of this device. Upon serious research, I came to the conclusion that this is one of the best devices. Obviously, your opinion may differ.
OnePlus 11
The next device in the list of Top 10 Smartphones of 2023 for Media and Gaming is the OnePlus 11. The device competes in the same category of flagships as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, you will probably be able to find it for less and it has similar specifications. Also, some users may prefer the OxygenOS 13 OS that runs on this device thanks to its versatility.
As OnePlus’ flagship for 2023, the OnePlus 11 brings the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with up to 16 GB of RAM. Thanks to this performance you can enjoy every game on Play Store without running on issues. The jaw-dropping amount of RAM in the highest variant also means you can have a lot of tasks opened at the same time. The device can run demanding games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Mobile, and PUBG. It will also run Android emulators meaning you have a portable console at the palm of your hand.
In terms of multimedia, the OnePlus 11 brings a 6.7-inch LTPO3 Fluid AMOLED screen with Quad HD+ (3,216 x 1,440) resolution. The panel has 1B colors, Dolby Vision rating, HDR10+, and up to 1,300 nits of peak brightness. The display has a smooth refresh rate of 120 Hz.
In addition to the excellent display for entertainment, the OnePlus 11 also boasts Stereo Speakers. That means you have an immersive experience for both media consumption and gaming on this device. It also boasts a 5,000 mAh battery that charges fast with 100W charging. It’s 80W charging if you live in the US.
The OnePlus 11 also costs less than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra which makes it a great option for those who want to enter the 2023 flagship market. It costs approximately $630, but the price varies by country and region.
The Flagship Killers – Top 10 Smartphones for Media and Gaming
Realme GT3
Next on our list, we have the Realme GT3 – a flagship-killer smartphone based on the Realme GT Neo5. It’s a more affordable smartphone compared to the other devices above. Despite this, it’s also an excellent option for lovers of multimedia and gamers.
The Realme GT3 packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 which still figures as one of the best chipsets of 2023. The device can easily run games from the most basic to the heaviest. It will take a few years until this chipset becomes “deprecated” in terms of performance. So this is still a great option for gamers.
For media consumption, the GT3 packs a 6.74-inch AMOLED screen with a 144 Hz refresh rate. The refresh rate is higher than most of the flagships in the market with 120Hz. The panel is also crisp and vivid thanks to the 2,772 x 1,240 pixels. This is what the Chinese brands usually call a 1.5K display. The phone also has Stereo Speakers for an immersive audio experience.
One notable feature of this device is the IR Blaster. It’s great for those watching TV shows who don’t know where the remote controller is. You can also control other devices in your home or workplace through the IR blaster. It’s a nice extra that can fit multiple needs.
One of the most notable aspects of this phone is the 4,600 mAh battery with 240W fast charging. This battery should provide you with hours of usage and content. However, if you happen to draw all the juice, it can be completely replenished in just a few minutes.
The Realme GT3 costs about €610 depending on the market.
POCO F5 Pro
Another device to join our Top 10 Smartphones for Media and Gaming is the recently-unveiled POCO F5 Pro. The device is a rebadged Redmi K60 with an excellent set of specifications. These specs fit perfectly on most needs. If you want a device for heavy gaming, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will serve you well. The phone comes in variants with 8 GB and 12 GB RAM, providing enough capabilities for multi-tasking.
The POCO F5 Pro also brings a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 1,400 nits of peak brightness. It boasts a “3K” display with 3,200 x 1,440 pixels of resolution. The POCO F5 Pro also brings stereo speakers. The handset draws power from a huge 5,160 mAh battery with 67W fast charging and 30W wireless charging. The phone runs on MIUI 14 with Android 13 as the underlying operating system.
As usual in the POCO F5 series, the POCO F5 Pro is a great flagship killer that will fit all needs of demanding users and players. The difference is that it costs less than conventional flagships with an average pricing of $469 depending on the variant.
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Mid-range Party – Top 10 Smartphones for Media and Gaming
POCO X5 Pro
Also from POCO, we have the POCO X5 Pro. The device that has the Redmi Note 12 Speed as a base is also a great offering for media and gaming. Taking the specs into consideration and the mid-range price, this device should still serve you well in gaming and will certainly be great for enjoying music and videos.
The POCO X5 Pro packs an AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ support. The phone has a 6.67-inch diagonal with 2,400 x 1,080 pixels of resolution. Considering this is a mid-range phone, the display is excellent for media and even gaming. The phone also brings stereo speakers and has a 3.5 mm audio jack, which is not common on flagship phones.
The POCO X5 Pro draws power from a 5,000 mAh battery complete with 67W fast charging. That should be enough to provide hours of content without any hassle. You may be able to watch hours and hours of videos without needing to charge. If that happens, the 67W charging promises a full cycle charge in 45 minutes.
Under the hood, the POCO X5 Pro packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+. That chipset should provide decent performance for games. The basic ones will run without any hassle. However, you may need to tweak the settings on the most demanding ones. I believe it should also do well on some emulators, but again, you will need to tweak the settings on emulators of advanced consoles like Citra or Yuzu.
The Poco X5 Pro can be found at an average of $ 279.00 which makes it an unbeatable champion if you don’t have much to pay but wants to enjoy media and gaming. If you’re looking for a decent mid-range with great gaming capabilities this is the device for you. I’ve played with a Poco X5 Pro for a few days and the device did not make me miss my OnePlus 10 Pro for much longer. I was able to watch Netflix through the day and play a few sessions of PUBG Mobile, and also enjoy some of my Retro Emulators.
Redmi Note 12T Pro
Next in the list of Top 10 Smartphones for Media and Gaming, I’ll pick the Redmi Note 12T Pro. This device is fresh on our radar, after all, it was launched one day ago. It serves as a direct sequel for the Redmi Note 11T Pro and is yet another device to join the Redmi Note 12 series.
The Redmi Note 12T Pro continues the tradition of this series with an IPS LCD screen. However, just like its predecessor, the Redmi Note 12T Pro probably has one of the best IPS LCD screens in the market. It has a Full HD+ resolution and refreshes at 144 Hz. It’s not common to find mid-range phones with that refresh rate. It means your content will be smoother than on conventional displays with 120Hz. The phone also brings Stereo Speakers and a 3.5 mm audio jack for an immersive experience.
The Redmi Note 12T Pro brings the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC. It’s powerful with 4 x ARM Cortex-A78 cores and a Mali-G610 MC6 GPU. You should enjoy most of the games in the Play Store without any issues.
Prepare to enjoy hours of content with a huge 5,080 mAh battery. It charges with the company’s popular 67W charging system. On the software front, we have MIUI 14 with Android 13.
Samsung Galaxy M54
The next device on our list is the Samsung Galaxy M54 handset. This device certainly hits the market as a champion when we look at its capabilities for multimedia.
The Galaxy M54 packs a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ Display with a Full HD+ resolution of 2,400 x 1,080 pixels. The panel refreshes smoothly at 120 Hz. Under the hood, we have Samsung’s Exynos 1,380 chipset. It’s a great chipset that should not disappoint on overall tasks. It will also run games with good quality. However, the Exynos may not be the best in terms of compatibility with emulators. But this usually only fare well on Snapdragon chipsets.
One of this device’s most appealing aspects in on its huge 6,000 mAh battery. That is a die-hard battery that will provide you with hours of content without any issues. Maybe you will be able to enjoy an entire season of your favorite show with this battery. Its charging is not the best at 25W. However, that can be bypassed if you put it to charge while you sleep.
The Samsung Galaxy M54 sells for about €190, making it one of the best and most affordable options for media and gaming in 2023.
Motorola Edge 40
Another device to join our list is the Motorola Edge 40. The recently released device brings one of the best displays for enjoying media. It has a 6.55-inch P-OLED screen with Full HD+ resolution, 1200 nits of peak brightness, HDR 10+ support, and up to 144 Hz refresh rate. The phone also has stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience.
Under the hood, the Motorola Edge 40 brings a MediaTek Dimensity 8020 chipset. It’s a mid-range chipset but that can still provide enjoyable gaming sessions thanks to the Mali-G77 MC9 GPU. The Motorola Edge 40 draws power from a 4,400 mAh battery with 68W wired charging.
The device costs about £529.99 in the UK, but in the US its price on Amazon currently is set at $830. We assume there are better options in the US, but in Europe and UK, the Motorola Edge 40 is a good option in the mid-range segment. The specifications make it a viable phone among the Top 10 Smartphones for Media and Gaming.
Low-End Champion
Redmi Note 12 4G
Finding a “gaming” device in the low-end category is not the easiest of the tasks. When it comes to media consumption this is still possible. Through our search, we’ve found the Redmi Note 12 4G as one of the best offerings that combine both aspects. It will offer decent gaming and the media capabilities will be among the greatest. It has just a single loudspeaker but comes with a 3.5 mm audio jack for fitting your favorite headset.
The Redmi Note 12 4G packs a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 1,200 nits of brightness. That’s one of th best displays for this category. Under the hood, we have the Snapdragon 685 which is not the fastest chipset for gaming. It will run casual games and retro emulators without any issues. But you will need to tweak the settings if you try to run the most demanding games. Heavy emulators shouldn’t fare well in this chipset.
The Redmi Note 12 4G has a huge 5,000 mAh battery for hours of multimedia consumption. The gorgeous display and the battery make this one of the best offerings in the budget segment. The device costs about $149.
The Best iOS smartphone for Media and Gaming
iPhone 14 Pro Max
The last device of our Top 10 Smartphones for Media and Gaming is rather obvious. Perhaps you don’t like Android and iOS is your operating system of choice. If that is the case, then the iPhone 14 Pro Max stands as the best offering.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max brings a gorgeous LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED (that’s a mouthful name for OLED) display. It has a 6.7-inch diagonal and 2,792 x 1,290 pixels of resolution. The panel is huge and the Dynamic Island is less intrusive than the notch that plagued past iPhone releases. It’s a gorgeous display for watching your favorite shows, and the device is also excellent for music listening.
The performance is the best you can get on iOS with the Apple A16 Bionic chipset. The Apple GPU can run any game available on the App Store without any issue. The iPhone 14 Pro Max draws power from a 4,323 mAh battery. The capacity is inferior to the average on Android flagships, but with the optimization iOS provides, the phone delivers hours and hours of usage. It supports 15W wireless MagSafe Charging and 7.5W wireless Qi charging.
This device costs about $1,199 but is the best you get in terms of media and gaming on iPhones.
Conclusion – Top 10 Smartphones For Media and Gaming
I hope you enjoyed the list of the Top 10 Smartphones for Media and Gaming. These phones are among the best offerings we have for watching video content or listening to music. As a plus, they are also great options for gaming although none of these are considered “gaming smartphones”. Feel free to add your personal choice in the comments section below.
Disclaimer: This article is based on specs’ evaluation and comparison. It’s not biased with a preference for brands but takes the hardware and price into consideration.
