The gaming smartphone fever faded in the last years, but while we don’t see them coming all the time there are still relevant options for those who love playing games on smartphones. Smartphones that are focused in gaming will always exist for those who love playing while on the go. Also, mobile games are evolving constantly, and nowadays it’s even possible to find AAA titles playable on mobile devices. A gaming smartphone, in essence, will bring features that aren’t available in conventional smartphones. These features are things like physical shoulder triggers, haptic engine, advanced cooling solutions to ensure maximum performance and much more. The icing on the cake certainly is the cutting-edge hardware for the best experience.
We’ve just hit the second half of 2024, and we already saw a good chunk of gaming smartphones. In this article, we will list some of the best options available for mobile gaming lovers! If you’re among the mobile game fans, check our Best Gaming Smartphones of 2024 – Summer Edition! It will compromise the gaming smartphones that were most relevant during the first half of 2024.Ch
Choosing the Best Gaming Phone
Selecting the best gaming phone involves evaluating several key factors to ensure it meets your specific needs. First, determine your budget, as gaming phones can vary widely in price. Next, consider the types of games you enjoy playing, as some devices are better equipped to handle graphics-intensive games while others may excel in overall performance. Additionally, think about other uses for your phone, such as photography, streaming, or daily multitasking, to ensure it fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Our team at Pocket Tactics specializes in gaming technology and is here to help you navigate these choices. With our expertise, we can guide you towards the ideal gaming phone that balances performance, functionality, and cost, ensuring you get the most out of your gaming experience.
Best Gaming Smartphones
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro
- Infinix GT 20 Pro
- Galaxy S24 Ultra
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
While gaming laptops often act like powerful desktops, gaming phones must also be great smartphones. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro shows that Asus can make a phone that excels in both areas.
Even though the ROG Phone 8 Pro isn’t the highest scorer in benchmark tests (that title goes to the RedMagic 9 Pro), it’s the best choice for everyday use. It has a simpler design this year but still features a cool LED dot display on the back, which you can customize to show game-related signs to others.
The cameras on the ROG Phone 8 Pro are much better than on previous models and outperform any other gaming phone, including the Red Magic 9 Pro.
One of the best features is its IP68 water resistance, making it more durable than before. You’ll miss the open-vent cooling system from the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, but the trade-off is worth it—you can now safely play games even in the bathtub. The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a fantastic option for gamers who want a reliable smartphone for all their needs.
RedMagic 9 Pro
The RedMagic 9 Pro from Nubia, a ZTE line, has made a significant mark this year by surpassing the Asus ROG Phone in performance, a notable achievement considering the RedMagic 9 Pro is much more affordable. Both phones sit at the top of mobile computing performance, but the RedMagic 9 Pro offers a higher-performance gaming experience for less money.
How does the RedMagic 9 Pro manage this? It cuts some features to keep the cost down. The display, while good, is not the fastest, maxing out at 120Hz. The phone isn’t water-resistant, so you can’t game in wet conditions like you can with the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. It also lacks customizable LED gamer lights, which might be a small sacrifice for the savings.
Despite these compromises, the RedMagic 9 Pro costs hundreds less than the Asus ROG Phone yet edges out its competitor in nearly every performance benchmark test. Both phones use the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, making this performance feat even more impressive.
For gamers looking for high performance without breaking the bank, the RedMagic 9 Pro is an excellent choice. It delivers top-tier gaming capabilities and allows you to save money, leaving the premium extras for those willing to spend more.
Another highlight in the Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro is the huge 6,500 mAh battery, which makes this one of the more durable smartphones in terms of battery juice.
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Infinix GT 20 Pro
The Infinix GT 20 Pro stands as an excellent gaming smartphone with a gorgeous and unique design and very capable hardware. It’s also cheaper than more expensive flagships and brings excellent performance thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate.
Infinix’s device also stands out in comparison to other devices with a 6.78-inch AMOLED Display with 144 Hz refresh rate and 1,300 nits of peak brightness. The device has 2,436 x 1,080 pixels of resolution. Another notable feature is its IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. The Infinix GT 20 Pro also adds in value with a unique set of customizable RGB LEDs on the back. We all know how gamers love RGB colors in their setups, and Infinix did a great job bringing it to the smartphone world.
The Infinix GT 20 Pro also has a capable 108 MP camera with OIS if you want to pause your gaming sessions to capture some nice shots. Moving on, it has Stereo Speakers tuned by JBL for an immersive and deep audio experience.
Other excellent features include USB Type-C port with 45W wired charging, Wi-Fi 6, Under-Display Fingerprint scanner, NFC, IR Blaster and a 32 MP selfie camera. The device has a 5,000 mAh battery keeping the lights on and runs Android 14 straight out of the box.
If you want to play demanding games from Google Play Store, and want a unique smartphone that does not look bulky, then the Infinix GT 20 Pro is a great option.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The next device that stands as one of the best options for gaming is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The device is Samsung’s highest offering and has some of the best hardware features for intensive and demanding game. It may not have some gaming features like adaptive triggers, but it still is one of the best options for Android gaming.
The phone has a 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ with Quad HD+ resolution, Under the hood, it brings the excellent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with up to 12 GB of RAM and 1 TB of Storage. There is an Adreno 750 GPU with 1 GHz of clock speed. The processor can easily handle anything from Play Store. It also a great option for advanced emulation, being capable of running demanding emulators like the one for Nintendo Switch.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a huge 5,000 mAh battery with 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. In this list, the device probably is the one with the longest support for software updates. It has Android 14 OS and will receive 7 years of Android updates.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
We finish the list with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Apple flagship certainly does not look like the gaming powerhouse upon first glance.
There are several reasons the iPhone 15 Pro Max excels at gaming. Many of the best controller accessories, like the Nomad Scuf and the Backbone, were launched for the iPhone first. Additionally, the iPhone offers exclusive access to Apple Arcade, providing a wide range of games for a monthly fee.
Equipped with the A17 Pro processor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most future-proof iPhone available. It’s perfect for playing detailed games like Death Stranding, Resident Evil 4 and will support the latest Apple Intelligence features coming to iOS 18. Apple suggests that those without a Pro model might miss out on these upcoming AI enhancements.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max also boasts excellent battery life, stunning photography capabilities, and a futuristic titanium build. While it is expensive, it is the best iPhone for gaming and ranks among the top gaming phones on the market.
Conclusion
The smartphones about configure our list with some of the best gaming smartphones of 2024 for this Summer. These devices will bring the best experience if you’re aiming at excellent gaming performance. However, if you have other devices in mind, feel free to share your opinion with us in the comments section below.
