What: This article analyzes and offers recommendations for the top gaming phones in 2024 for anyone seeking to buy a new smartphone with gaming in mind.
Why: To help you make the right choice when buying a gaming phone among the countless options available on the market.
Are you tired of lag and poor graphics while playing games on your phone? In 2024, the market will be full of powerful gaming phones that can handle even the most demanding games.
With advancements in processors, GPUs, and display technology, these phones are built to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
In this blog, we will guide you in choosing the top gaming phone for your mobile gaming needs.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Gaming Phone
Before you buy a phone, you need to understand the important features for the best mobile gaming experience. Here are the crucial factors you must consider:.
Type of Game
If you play low end games like chess or Candy Crush, a phone with low specs can be sufficient. But, if you play high end games like Call of Duty or Asphalt, then you need a high end gaming phone.
Performance
The gaming performance of a phone depends on many factors. This includes:
- Type of processor
- GPU
- RAM, and
- Storage speed
The factors can be measured using benchmarking tools like the AnTuTu benchmark.
Display
The display for gaming should have:
- High Refresh rate
- Great Color Accuracy
- Sharp Contrast
- High Brightness
Battery and Charging
For continuous and uninterrupted gaming, you should consider:
- High Capacity Battery
- Fast Charging Speed
Gaming Features
Gaming features on a phone that can be beneficial are:
- Built in gaming modes
- Built in cooling fan
- Game centric design
- Physical Shoulder Triggers
- RGB lighting
Operating System
Between Android and iOS, iOS has games that are fully optimized for Apple devices. And, games on Android are not optimized for a specific phone, which can result in some lag.
Keeping these factors in mind, select the best mobile phone for gaming as per your requirements from the list below.
Top Gaming Phones in 2024
There are many high performance gaming phone options available on the market in 2024. They can be divided into two categories: gaming phones designed for gaming and non-gaming phones ready for gaming.
Among them, we have selected a few of the best gaming phones.
Gaming Phones Designed for Gaming:
Tailored for gamers, gaming phones include rapid charging, high refresh rate displays, and top-notch cooling systems. With built-in gaming triggers and responsive controls, these options will provide a fluid and immersive gaming experience for your gaming needs.
1. ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Plus
The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Plus is a fast charging gaming phone with 165W rapid charging, a high refresh rate display, and an active cooling fan.
It is a top choice for gamers who require fast charging and efficient cooling to keep their phone from overheating during long gaming sessions.
| Specifications | Release Date: November 23, 2023 Weight: 229g Dimensions: 164 x 76.4 x 8.9mm OS: Android 14 Screen size: 6.8-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 RAM: Up to 24GB Storage: Up to 1 TB Battery: 5,500mAh Rear camera: 50MP + 50MP + 2MP; Front camera: 16MP |
| REASONS TO BUY | Flagship-level performance with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and up to 24GB RAM and an excellent 120Hz OLED display for smooth gaming experience Impressive battery life and 165W fast charging Robust gaming features like in-built fan controls and advanced cooling system |
| REASONS TO SKIP | Limited availability of color variants display is not that bright Camera performance may not be best-in-class compared to non-gaming smartphones |
| PRICE | US$ 779 |
2. Asus ROG Phone 8 pro
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro features a high refresh rate 165Hz screen, a gaming-focused design, a powerful processor, and a robust cooling system. It also includes air triggers and a long-lasting battery.
It is a great option for gamers who require high performance, a gaming-focused design, and efficient cooling.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Release date: January 2024 Weight: 225g Dimensions: 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9mm OS: Android 14 Screen size: 6.78-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 RAM: Up to 24GB Storage: Up to 1 TB Battery: 5,500mAh Rear camera: 50MP + 13MP + 32MP; Front camera: 32MP AnTuTu: 1639368 (v9), 2167612 (v10) GeekBench: 6542 (v5), 7178 (v6) GFXBench: 163fps (offscreen 1080p) |
| REASONS TO BUY | Programmable mini led lighting with 341 ledPhysical TriggerAeroactive cooler x5500 mAh battery for long gaming sessionsGreat cameras |
| REASONS TO SKIP | The display is no longer uninterrupted and now has a punch-hole selfie.Slightly downgraded speaker setup compared to older ROG models. |
| PRICE | US$ 1,137 |
3. Xiaomi BlackShark 5 Pro
The Xiaomi BlackShark 5 Pro has a high refresh rate screen, physical tactile triggers, 120W fast charging, and an efficient cooling system.
It is perfect for gamers who require smooth gameplay, quick charging, and reliable cooling to keep the phone from overheating.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Release date: January 2022, April 4 Weight: 220g Dimensions: 163.9 x 76.5 x 9.5mm OS: Android 14 Screen size: 6.67-inch Screen Type : OLED, 1B colors, 144hz Resolution: 1080 x 2400 Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1RAM: Up to 16GB Storage: Up to 512GB (UFS 3.1) Battery: 4650mAh Rear camera: 108MP + 13MP + 5MP; Front camera: 16MP AnTuTu: 876704 (v8), 1007133 (v9) GeekBench: 3665 (v5.1) GFXBench: 82fps (ES 3.1 on screen) |
| REASONS TO BUY | Excellent performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and up to 16GB RAMImpressive 144Hz AMOLED display for smooth gamingeffective cooling system to prevent overheatingResponsive physical triggers for enhanced gaming controlsSleek, gamer-centric design with RGB lighting |
| REASONS TO SKIP | Limited battery life, especially during intensive gaming sessions camera system is decent but not exceptional compared to flagship smartphones Relatively heavy and bulky design may not appeal to all users Software customization options could be more comprehensive |
| PRICE | US$ 599 |
Non-Gaming Flagship Phones:
These phones come with powerful processors, high-quality displays, and long-lasting batteries. It is perfect for both gaming and everyday activities. Even though they aren’t built solely for gaming, they offer great gaming performance.
Here is a look at our top selections.
1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a powerful processor, a highest brightness LTPO AMOLED display, long lasting battery, and an S-Pen. It provides gaming performance comparable to that of a dedicated gaming phone.
It is suitable for individuals who desire a phone with advanced gaming features in a non-game-centric design.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Release date: 2024, January 17 Weight: 232g Dimensions: 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm OS: Android 14, One UI 6.1 Screen size: 6.67-inch Screen Type: AMOLED, 120 Hz Resolution: 1440 x 3120 Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 RAM: Up to 12GB Storage: Up to 1 TB (UFS 4.0) Battery: 5000mah Rear camera: 200MP + 10MP + 50MP + 12MP Front camera: 12MP AnTuTu: 1453497 (v9), 1823822 (v10) GeekBench: 7076 (v6) 3DMark Wild Life: 17931 (offscreen 1440p) |
| REASONS TO BUY | Impressive peak brightness of 2600 nits Enhanced pixel density display Powerful performance with the latest chipset versatile camera system with advanced features Sleek and premium design |
| REASONS TO SKIP | High price point compared to previous models Battery life may not be as impressive as some competitors Potential heating issues during intensive usage may cause the camera to struggle in low-light conditions. |
| PRICE | US$ 1,556 |
2. iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max features the powerful Apple A17 Pro chip, a bright Retina display, and iOS optimization. It is ideal for people seeking an iOS phone which also offers high performance and an immersive gaming experience.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Release date: 2023, September 12 Weight: 221g Dimensions: 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mmOS: iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.5.1 Screen size: 6.7 inches Screen Type : LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz Resolution: 1290 X 2796 pixels Chipset: A17 pro RAM: 8GB Storage: Up to 512GB (UFS 3.1) Battery: 4650mAh Rear camera: 108MP + 13MP + 5MP; Front camera: 16MP AnTuTu: 876704 (v8), 1007133 (v9) GeekBench: 3665 (v5.1) GFXBench: 82fps (ES 3.1 on screen) |
| REASONS TO BUY | Fantastic performance & gamingExcellent photography |
| REASONS TO SKIP | Pricing is very high Charging should be faster |
| PRICE | US$ 1,782 |
Comparison of Gaming and Non-Gaming Phones:
Keeping the factors to consider when buying a gaming phone in mind, here’s a comparison of the phones mentioned above.
| Zte Nubia RedMagic Pro+ | ROG Phone 8 pro | Xiaomi Black Shark 5 pro | Samsung Galaxy s24 Ultra | IPhone 15 Pro Max | |
| Performance | Snapdragon 8 gen 3Antutu (v10): 2020000 | Snapdragon 8 gen 3Antutu (v10): 2167612 | Snapdragon 8 gen 1Antutu (v10):1057100 | Snapdragon 8 gen 3Antutu (v10): 1814869 | Apple A17 pro Antutu (v10): 1545034 |
| Display | AMOLED120hz1600 nits | LTPO AMOLED165hz2500 nits | OLED144hz1300 nits | LTPO AMOLED 120hz 2600 nits | LTPO OLED120hz2000 nits |
| Battery and Charging | 5500mah, charging100% in 16 minutes | 5500mah 65W charging 100% in 39 minutes | 4650mah 120w charging 100% in 25 minutes | 5000mah 45W charging 100% in 65 minutes | 4441 mah27w charging100% in 109 minutes |
| Gaming Features | Gaming modesBuilt-in Cooling FanGaming Triggers | Gaming modesGaming Triggers341 programmable led | Gaming ModesGaming Triggers | ||
| Operating System | Android | Android | Android | Android | iOS |
| Price | US$ 777 | US$ 1,137 | US$ 599 | US$ 1,556 | US$ 1,782 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key features to look for in a gaming phone?
There are many things that need to be considered. This includes the processor, RAM size and speed, display refresh rate, screen size, the cooling system of the phone, and the charging speed of the phone.
Is a high refresh rate important for mobile gaming?
Yes, a high refresh rate is very important for mobile gaming. It provides fluidity while gaming, making the gameplay very smooth.
Can I use gaming phones for everyday tasks?
Yes, gaming phones can be used for everyday tasks, as they are powerful and can handle day-to-day tasks easily.
How do cooling features work on gaming phones?
Cooling on gaming phones depends on active or passive cooling. For active cooling, a small fan is installed inside the phone, whereas for passive cooling, advanced thermal dissipation components and liquid cooling are used inside the phone.
Are there budget-friendly gaming phones available?
Yes, there are many budget-friendly gaming phones on the market that are specially designed for budget gaming in mind. They may not be as powerful as high-end gaming phones, but their features and performance are nearly comparable.
