What Android phone is best for gaming?

Mobile gaming has exploded in popularity in recent years. According to Mordor Intelligence, the mobile gaming market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.7% from 2022 to 2027 as more people play games on their smartphones. This growth in the mobile gaming market has also led to greater performance demands, as hardcore gamers expect top-tier hardware to run graphics-intensive games smoothly.

For hardcore mobile gamers who want the ultimate gaming experience on a phone, it’s important to choose a device with a high-end display, fast processor, plenty of RAM and storage, long battery life, and effective cooling. The ideal “gaming phone” needs to pack top-tier specs in order to handle the most demanding mobile games without compromise.

Display

One of the most important aspects of choosing an Android phone for gaming is the display. You’ll want a phone with a high resolution display for crisp, detailed graphics and a high refresh rate for smooth, lag-free gameplay. Most modern Android phones have a display resolution of 1920 x 1080 or higher, with many flagship models now offering 1440p or 4K resolution displays.

However, resolution isn’t everything. You’ll also want to consider the refresh rate, which determines how many frames per second the display can show. While 60Hz has been the standard for years, many gaming phones now offer displays with 90Hz or even 144Hz refresh rates. This allows for much smoother graphics and controls.

For example, the Asus ROG Phone 5 has a 6.78″ 2448 x 1080 AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, delivering an extremely responsive gaming experience. In comparison, the Google Pixel 6 has a 6.4″ 1080p OLED display but only a 90Hz refresh rate. While still excellent, fast-paced games like first-person shooters may show slightly more motion blur on the Pixel.

Overall, look for a phone with at least a 1080p resolution and 90Hz+ refresh rate for optimal gaming performance. Avoid phones with lower resolution 720p displays or 60Hz refresh rates if you want the best graphics and response time.

Processor

A fast processor is crucial for good gaming performance on a mobile device. Powerful processors allow games to run smoothly without lag or frame rate drops, even with advanced graphics and gameplay features. When comparing mobile processors, benchmarks like Geekbench and AnTuTu can provide objective measurements of speed and capability.

High-end chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Exynos 2200, and Apple A15 Bionic score very well in benchmarks and handle demanding games without issues. Mid-range processors like the Snapdragon 778G and MediaTek Dimensity 900 also offer solid performance for most games. Older and lower-tier chipsets often struggle with stability and frame rates in graphics-intensive games.

For the best Android gaming phone, a flagship processor like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is recommended. It outperforms the Exynos 2200 in benchmarks and provides smooth gameplay with advanced features enabled. The A15 Bionic still beats both in benchmarks, but it is limited to iPhone models. Avoid phones with low-end chipsets like the Snapdragon 480, as they will limit gaming capabilities and performance.

RAM – The Fuel for Smooth Gaming Performance

When it comes to gaming on Android phones, RAM (Random Access Memory) plays a crucial role in delivering smooth performance. RAM is essentially the short-term memory of the phone that allows you to multitask and quickly switch between apps. The more RAM you have, the more apps and games your phone can keep running in the background without lag or stutter.

According to Android Authority, most modern Android phones come with at least 4GB of RAM ^[1]. While 4GB is decent for casual gaming and daily usage, it may not be enough for running the latest graphically intensive games at their highest settings. This is where having 6GB or 8GB of RAM makes a noticeable difference.

With 6-8GB RAM, you’ll be able to effortlessly switch between several heavyweight games and apps without waiting for them to reload. Top gaming phones like the ROG Phone 6 Pro come with up to 18GB of RAM to deliver ultimate multitasking performance ^[2]. However, 8-12GB seems to be the sweet spot for most high-end Android gaming phones in 2023.

Storage

Fast internal storage improves load times for games. Phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra with Samsung’s latest UFS 4.0 storage can achieve read speeds up to 4200MB/s, nearly double that of the previous generation UFS 3.1 storage. This results in much faster load times compared to phones using slower eMMC 5.1 storage chips.

More onboard storage also allows you to keep more large game files installed on your phone. Top gaming phones now offer up to 1TB of internal storage. The ROG Phone 6 Pro, for example, is available with up to 1TB of UFS 3.1 storage. This allows you to keep dozens of GB-sized games installed for quick access rather than needing to re-download them each time you want to play.

Battery Life

Gaming drains batteries fast, so a large battery capacity is essential for an Android gaming phone. The Lenovo Legion Y90 has a massive 5,600 mAh battery, while the RedMagic 9 Pro has an even larger 6,500 mAh battery. This translates to over 2 days of battery life for gaming – setting a new standard compared to other phones. The Legion Y90 can charge at 90W, reaching 50% in just 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the RedMagic 9 Pro supports 165W charging to get a full charge in just 27 minutes. So both phones combine very large batteries with extremely fast charging, which is essential for power users and mobile gamers.

Cooling

Gaming causes phones to heat up. Proper cooling is critical for maintaining performance and preventing throttling. High-end gaming phones utilize various methods to keep temperatures down during intensive gameplay sessions.

Vapor chamber cooling is a popular cooling solution found in gaming phones like the ROG Phone and Red Magic lineup. It uses a thin chamber filled with liquid that evaporates and condenses to dissipate heat. This allows for effective cooling across the entire phone.

Some phones also incorporate active cooling fans that provide direct airflow over internal components. The Black Shark and Red Magic phones have built-in fans that can be toggled on to maximize cooling power. Fans help push hot air out and bring cooler air in.

Advanced heat pipe designs with copper tubing are used to transfer heat away from the processor and other components that generate the most heat. More heat pipes spread across the phone’s internals enable better cooling.

Thermal throttling limits phone performance to prevent overheating. Gaming phones with robust cooling can sustain peak speeds for longer gaming sessions without throttling.

Controls

One of the main drawbacks of mobile gaming is the lack of physical controls. Relying on touchscreen controls on the glass surface of your phone can be frustrating, especially for complex games that require precise directional input. While casual games like Candy Crush are fine with tap and swipe gestures, more intense 3D action games like Fortnite demand proper console-style controls.

Luckily, there are several accessories and controllers designed specifically for mobile gaming. Companies like Razer and SteelSeries make high quality Bluetooth controllers with joysticks and action buttons that connect wirelessly to your phone. These controllers provide a similar feel and control scheme as Xbox or PlayStation controllers. Popular options like the Razer Kishi and SteelSeries Stratus XL clamp your phone securely in place while giving you proper physical controls on both sides of the screen.

For an even more console-like experience, phone mounting accessories like the MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip allow you to attach an Xbox Wireless Controller to your phone. This gives you the same exact controller you’d use on an Xbox console or PC. While the initial investment is higher, it provides unmatched quality and compatibility with Xbox games.

Whichever control method you choose, using a proper physical gamepad with joysticks and buttons takes mobile gaming to the next level and allows you to fully experience complex games the way they were meant to be played.

Audio

Quality speakers provide an immersive sound experience which enhances gameplay. Look for phones with stereo speakers that produce loud, clear audio with good bass. Top options like the Razer Phone 2 feature front-facing speakers with Dolby Atmos surround sound for rich, multidimensional audio (1).

A good microphone facilitates communication with teammates in multiplayer games. Noise cancellation helps filter out background sounds so your voice comes through clearly. Some gaming phones have mics designed specifically for gaming, like the dual mic system on the Black Shark 2 (2). Testing mics before purchase is recommended.

(1) https://www.razer.com/gaming-phones/razer-phone-2

(2) https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_black_shark_2-review-1958.php

Conclusion:

When choosing an Android phone for gaming, there are several key factors to consider. The display needs to be large, high resolution, and have a high refresh rate for smooth graphics. The processor should be a top-tier chip that can handle intensive games without lag or throttling. At least 8GB of RAM is recommended to allow for multitasking between apps and games. Storage space is less critical but having 128GB or more ensures you can install multiple large game titles. Battery life has to be sufficient, so look for at least a 4,000 mAh capacity. Cooling is also important to prevent the phone from getting too hot during extended gaming sessions.

For most gamers, I’d recommend the OnePlus 9 Pro or ASUS ROG Phone 5 as the best Android phones for gaming in 2022. Both offer excellent performance from their Snapdragon 888 processors and ample RAM. They also have high refresh rate AMOLED displays, large batteries, and extra features like shoulder triggers and advanced cooling. The ROG Phone 5 is more expensive but optimized specifically for gaming. The OnePlus 9 Pro offers nearly as good performance for hundreds less. Those on a budget should consider the Poco X3 Pro or Realme GT Neo 2 as more affordable options with very capable gaming prowess.