The best phone for gaming has more than one right answer in 2018, and that's good news because talented developers are bringing more 3D games from the consoles straight to your mobile handset, including Fortnite and PUBG Mobile.The best gaming smartphones will not only let you play today's best smartphone games, but theyll ensure you have the best visuals and performance for years to come.
They're future-proofing you for games in 2020, too.To that end, weve looked over the options and selected the best phones for gaming based on the options in their app stores, the power of their components, the quality of their screens, the size of their batteries, their support for VR, and more.You can rest assured, when it comes to smartphone gaming, every phone on this list is ready to deliver a quality experience.1.
iPhone XIt's all about the App StoreRelease date: October 2017 | Weight: 174g | Dimensions: 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7mm | OS: iOS 11 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1125x2436 | CPU: A11 Bionic | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 64/256GB | Battery: 2716mAh | Rear camera: 12MP+12MP | Front camera: 7MPGreat game app ecosystemMaximized OLED screenThe notch can be distractingA very expensive smartphoneEven if Macs arent the best for gaming, Apples iPhones are fantastic for games.
Part of this is due to the love developers show the App Store.
iPhones almost always get the best games first, like Fortnites so-far exclusive iOS launch.
And, the best way to play those games is on a brand new iPhone X.The iPhone X has a slightly bigger battery than the iPhone 8 Plus, which should give it enough power to game for a while.
Plus, the iPhone Xs 5.8-inch OLED display will offer plenty of screen space for games along with incredible contrast ratios.
Theres nothing like OLED for making visuals pop when a scene has a dark and light contrast.1.
iPhone 8 PlusPowerful specs and a big screenRelease date: September 2017 | Weight: 202g | Dimensions: 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5mm | OS: iOS 11 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: A11 Bionic | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 64/256GB | Battery: 2691mAh | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 7MPGreat game app ecosystemLarge 5.5-inch LCD displayLots of bezel makes the phone too bigExpensiveTheres no getting around it: Apple has two amazing phones with big, sharp displays powered by top-of-the-line specs.
The same internals and App Store that earned the iPhone X the top spot on this list earn the iPhone 8 Plus the second spot.The iPhone 8 Plus has a less-showy Full HD display, but in our experience is still great for gaming.
The 5.5-inch screen is plenty spacious.
Apples A11 Bionic CPU and graphics make for a mean gaming experience, and ARkit offers up augmented reality games that give Apples iPhones more to offer gamers.3.
Galaxy S9 and S9 PlusRelease date: March 2018 | Weight: 189g | Dimensions: 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm | OS: Android 8 Oreo | Screen size: 6.2-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2960 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 / Exynos 9810 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Battery: 3,500mAh | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 8MPGiant 5.8- and 6.3-inch screenGame Tools app is actually helpfulBattery not amazingWeve lumped the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus into one spot, because they both offer nearly the same incredible smartphone gaming experience with only a minor difference in screen size.The Snapdragon 845, Adreno 630 graphics, and 4GB of RAM (6GB in the S9 Plus) make both of these phones incredible performers both in game and out.
And, since the market of other Android phones boasting the new Snapdragon 845 hasnt caught up, Samsung easily snags this seat.But, a powerful chipset isnt all that earns the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus its ranking.
The S9 has a plenty large and plenty sharp 1440 X 2960, 5.8-inch display, and the S9 Plus has an even larger 6.2-inch display with the same resolution.
Both are Super AMOLED and support HDR10 for stunning visuals.The new Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus also feature Samsungs Game Tools, which can help with taking screenshots, recording gameplay, and keeping notifications out of the way.
Lets not forget that Samsung also has the impressive Gear VR headsets that offer super sharp virtual reality experiences with the Galaxy S9s and S9 Pluss pixel-dense displays.4.
Sony Xperia XZ2From the makers of PlayStationRelease date: February 2018 | Weight: 198g | Dimensions: 153 x 72 x 11.1mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 5.7-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 4GB | Battery: 3,180mAh | Rear camera: 19MP | Front camera: 5MPBeautiful HDR displayDynamic Vibration SystemDynamic Vibration a gimmickNot easily available in the USAided by a 5.7-inch 1080 x 2160 HDR display and the same Snapdragon 845 chipset powering the latest Galaxy smartphones, Sonys Xperia XZ2 jumps ahead of much of the competition.
This new offering from Sony is simply a great phone, and having the latest Qualcomm system-on-a-chip gives it stunning video game performance.The Xperia XZ2 wont just offering great gaming visuals though.
It has dual front-facing speakers, for a quality stereo experience.
The 3,180mAh battery offers decent gaming battery life as well.
And, for mobile gamers that have a big library, microSD support provides up to 400GB of extra storage.A unique feature that can make mobile gaming on the Xperia XZ2 feel just a little bit more like console gaming is Sonys Dynamic Vibration System.
A little haptic feedback can enhance your game experience, even if its just a minor touch to an already solid offering from Sony.5.
Razer PhoneRelease date: November 2017 | Weight: 197g | Dimensions: 158.5 x 77.7 x 8mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 5.7-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 8GB | Battery: 4,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MPScreen has a 120 Hz refresh rateBig 4,000mAh batteryLast year's Snapdragon 835 chipBig and bulkyThe Razer Phone is an Android device meant for mobile gaming, and it has the specs to prove it.
It runs on a Snapdragon 835, which still offers commendable performance, despite being superseded by the new Snapdragon 845.The Razer Phones mobile gaming bona fides include a 5.7-inch QHD display with a refresh rate of 120Hz for buttery smooth visuals, a behemoth 4,000mAh battery for long playtimes, and some of the best smartphone speakers around for rocking game audio.
There may not have been a smartphone so focused on gaming since the notorious Nokia N-Gage.
Expandable storage via microSD is just a bonus perk.6.
Moto Z2 ForceGaming with a controller modRelease date: August 2017 | Weight: 143g | Dimensions: 155.8 x 76 x 6.1mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 4GB or 6GB | Storage: 64/128GB | Battery: 2,730mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MPTons of fun add-on modsGoogle Daydream-ready VRBattery life is just okayLast year's great specsThe Moto Z2 Force is a curious case.
It has the quality 5.5-inch Quad HD display and the powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset for gaming, but on its own its not the most amazing gaming smartphone.
A somewhat small 2,730mAh battery doesnt give it the long life wed like to see in a gaming phone.
But, it has a trick that others dont.The Moto Z2 Force can snap onto the Moto GamePad mod, which it two analog stick, a D-pad, and a host of other gamer-friendly buttons.
Having physical controls for smartphone games is a double bonus, since they will easier to use while making the screen easier to see (you thumbs wont be covering up your enemies).
The Moto GamePad even has a 3.5mm headphone jack.When it comes to virtual reality, the Moto Z2 Force is ready.
Its certified Google Daydream-ready.
Next to Samsungs Gear VR, the Daydream View delivers some of the best mobile VR available, and the Moto Z2 Force can power that experience.7.
Google Pixel 2 XLRelease date: October 2017 | Weight: 175g | Dimensions: 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 6-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2880 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Battery: 3,520mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MPFront-facing speakersVery little screen bezelNo 3.5mm headphone portScreen has poor viewing anglesGoogles biggest and best smartphone, the Pixel 2 XL, also has what it takes to be a great gaming smartphone.
Its 6-inch display offers plenty of real estate for gaming without having your thumbs cover everything up.
That display is also a 1440 x 2880 pOLED panel, so the visuals will be crisp with excellent contrast.Like many of the other phones on this list, the Pixel 2 XL is running a Snapdragon 835 chipset, which will deliver smooth gaming performance in most mobile games.
Of course, the Pixel 2 XL is also capable of delivering VR content with the Daydream View headset.An added bonus is that the large 3,520mAh battery will make it easy to game on the go, while Googles Project Fi network (which Pixel owners can subscribe to) offers impressive coverage that can help eliminate concerns of losing connection to online games.8.
LG V30LG's best phone for gamingRelease date: September 2017 | Weight: 158g | Dimensions: 151.7 x 75.4 x 7.3mm | OS: Android 7 | Screen size: 6.0-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2880 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64/128GB | Battery: 3300mAh | Rear camera: 16MP+16MP | Front camera: 5MPStreamlined designExcellent audio performanceLast year's great specsSoon to be replacedThe LG V30 is simply an excellent phone.
It has the sharp, large screen and the powerful processor needed to offer a great mobile gaming experience.
Its 6-inch 1440 x 2880 OLED display is much like the Pixel 2 XLs, and it also is Daydream-ready for gamers that want to dive into VR.A 3,300mAh battery offers a bit more game time than a typical smartphone battery.
And, a microSD slot means plenty of room for games if the built-in 64GB of storage isnt enough.
Though this is a great phone, its likely to be replaced soon by the inbound LG G7 ThinQ or, later on, by the LG V35S ThinQ.9.
Asus Zenfone 4 Pro A performer at a better priceRelease date: August 2017 | Weight: 175g | Dimensions: 156.9 x 75.6 x 7.6mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64/128GB | Battery: 3,600mAh | Rear camera: 12MP+16MP | Front camera: 8MPCheaper than most gaming phonesA nice 5.5-inch AMOLED displaySoon to be replaced by the 5ZLast year's great specsThe Asus Zenfone 4 Pro is a high performer with a more appealing price than a lot of the competition on this list.
It only has a Full HD display, but at 5.5-inches, thats plenty pixel dense.
Plus, its an AMOLED display, so visuals will be top notch.The Zenfone 4 Pro is running the same Snapdragon 835 chipset as many other phones on this list, it will perform admirably at Full HD.
Since lower resolutions are easier on the hardware, focus can go into consistently smooth gameplay and better graphics.The big 3,600mAh battery paired with a smaller 5.5-inch AMOLED display are a great formula for long battery life.
And, microSD support means plenty of room for games, movies, or whatever else.
The upcoming Asus Zenfone 5Z with Snapdragon 845 is expected later this year, and is likely to find its way onto this list then.10.
Samsung Galaxy S8Last year's top Android performer at a discountRelease date: April 2017 | Weight: 173g | Dimensions: 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 6.2-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2960 | CPU: Exynos 8895 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,500mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MPCheaper after one year of availabilitySamsung's Game Tools are helpfulLast year's great specsBattery life could be betterThe Samsung Galaxy S8 has pretty much all the same things going for it that the S9 does, except its a little slower and a lot cheaper.
It has the same 1440x2960 Super AMOLED display that never fails to dazzle the eyes.
It has an equally sized 3,000mAh battery.
It also can slot into a Gear VR headset.The big difference is that the Galaxy S8 runs on the older Snapdragon 835 chipset (or Exynos 8895 for most of the world).
Still, the older chipset is plenty capable of high quality mobile gaming.
Like the S9, the Galaxy S8 can also connect to a Samsung DeX Pad for use with a full computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
That might not be mobile gaming, but its certainly a way to win.skhxF9RhghquJuv7GfnCWR.jpg#