These are the 4 best gaming phones in 2024
Whether you are a casual gamer or a hardcore gamer, modern smartphones are well equipped to meet your expectations. With powerful processors, stunning displays and advanced cooling systems, there’s an option for everyone. So let’s take a look at the best phones for mobile gaming.
1 Asus ROG 8 Pro phone
ROG Phone 8 Pro is specially designed for gaming. With it, you get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, up to 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. These specs are powerful enough to run any latest mobile game. The phone also has a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate for eye-catching colors.
More importantly, the ROG Phone 8 Pro fully charges in less than an hour, and its 5,500mAh battery lasts for several hours of gaming on a single charge.
You also get two customizable air triggers located on the side of the phone that you can configure for in-game controls. If that’s not enough, you can purchase the ROG Tessen plug-in controller, which turns your phone into a pocket-sized gaming console.
Overheating and thermal throttling are common concerns when gaming on smartphones. ROG Phone 8 Pro offers two cooling solutions to help manage temperatures. As standard, the phone is passively cooled with a large vapor chamber and graphite foil for heat dissipation.
However, the phone may still heat up during prolonged gaming. For those looking to further minimize thermal throttling, you have the option to actively cool it with the AeroActive Cooler X, which attaches to the back of the phone. The ROG Phone 8 Pro launched for $1,199, but you can find a better deal on Amazon.
2 ZTE Nubia RedMagic 8S Pro
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The RedMagic 9S Pro is an excellent value-for-money alternative to the ROG Phone 8 Pro, which features the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor but clocked at 3.4GHz. Depending on your budget, you can choose between 12GB and 16GB of RAM. The display is a 6.8-inch AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and minimal bezels, and you also get launch buttons on the side of the phone.
The phone comes with a vapor chamber cooling plate and a built-in fan that spins at 22,000 rpm. Despite this, the phone can still get warm during extended games, and if you want to further cool the device, you can get a dedicated external fan that attaches to the back of the device. The phone costs $649 on the RedMagic website.
Overall, the phone offers solid specs for its price. However, the block structure of the Redmagic 9S Pro design may not be to everyone’s taste, as the phone’s sharper edges could make it harder to hold onto for longer gaming sessions.
3 iPhone 16 Pro Max
The phones we have discussed so far are designed specifically for gaming. However, if you’re looking for an incredible all-round smartphone that also excels at gaming, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an excellent choice. The phone has a 6.9-inch 120Hz OLED display and is powered by the A18 Pro, the fastest chip you’ll find in a flagship smartphone in 2024. You can run any game at maximum graphics settings, provided the phone stays cool.
However, it’s important to note that while the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers plenty of raw power, it may not be the best choice for hardcore gaming. The phone usually heats up after a few minutes of heavy gaming and the processor starts to throttle, then the screen goes dark until it cools down. If that doesn’t bother you and you’re looking for a phone for casual gaming, then you’re in for a treat.
4 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Galaxy S24 Ultra we reviewed features top-notch specs and a stunning design, all while offering the ability to enjoy gaming sessions on the go. Thanks to the 6.8-inch AMOLED display with minimal bezels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, everything on the screen is immersive and smooth.
With its own Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 12GB of RAM, this phone is more than capable of handling anything you throw at it, be it PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile.
However, just like the iPhone 16 Pro Max, you may notice that the phone heats up during prolonged use. You could get one of the best smartphone controllers to hold your device so you don’t feel the heat. Although it launched with a starting price of $1,299, you can get it for much less on Amazon.
If mobile gaming is your top priority, these are your best options from 2024. The ROG Phone 8 Pro and RedMagic 9S Pro have better cooling systems than the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra for longer gaming sessions. However, they fall short in other departments such as camera quality and software.