Best gaming phone 2020: the top 10 mobile game performers
When it comes to gaming potential, the finest gaming phones can compete with tablets and, in some cases, even portable consoles like the Nintendo Switch, so if you’re a gamer, it’s worth having a phone that can keep up.
Choosing such a phone usually entails selecting one with a large, high-resolution screen, a fast refresh rate, and plenty of power, as well as, ideally, a long battery life so that your gaming isn’t disrupted by the need to charge. So these are all things to check for when purchasing.
Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the iPhone 13 Pro Max fit those boxes, thus they’re included in the list. Other phones, on the other hand, go even further and are developed exclusively for gaming.
We’re talking about phones like the Asus ROG Phone 5 and Lenovo Legion Phone Duel, which have shoulder triggers, customized gaming settings, improved vibration, and superior cooling.
At the top of this list, we’ve highlighted the finest phones expressly made for gaming, and then there’s a separate area below that for typical smartphones that also excel at gaming. Also, we’ll be updating this article on a regular basis, so come back soon to see what’s new.
After you’ve chosen your phone, we’ve got you covered with our lists of the best iPhone games, best free iPhone games, best Android games, and best free Android games, all of which are updated on a regular basis.
Best gaming phones 2021
1. Asus ROG Phone 5
The best gaming phone that appeals to non-gamers too
Specifications
Front camera: 24MP
The Asus ROG Phone 5 is a fantastic gaming phone that builds on the success of the Asus ROG Phone 3.
Its strengths include class-leading power from a Snapdragon 888 chipset paired with up to 16GB of RAM, as well as a screen with a refresh rate of 144Hz and a touch sampling rate of 300Hz – both of which are higher than other phones and which we found useful to gaming.
That screen is also quite large, and it’s accompanied by twin front-facing speakers that are among the best on the market.
The Asus ROG Phone 5 also includes a large 6,000mAh battery, allowing you to play for extended periods of time, and with 65W charging, you won’t be out of action for long.
2. Lenovo Legion Phone Duel
The best gaming phone for speedy charging
Specifications
Front camera: 20MP
The Legion Phone Duel, Lenovo’s first gaming phone, combines amazing gaming-specific capabilities with other top specs and features.
The phone supports 90W rapid charging and features a pop-up camera that keeps the screen intact. It also has a powerful processor and software that is designed to work in landscape mode. All of these factors combine to make it an excellent gaming environment.
Our difficulties with the phone have no bearing on its gaming abilities, though the phone’s exorbitant price, software troubles, and weak camera may sway some users.
This is a good pick if you’re searching for one of the greatest gaming phones right now; if you’re looking for a wonderful smartphone that can also play games, this is a solid choice, though you should check out the others on this list first.
3. Nubia Red Magic 5G
The best gaming phone for buyers on a budget
Specifications
Front camera: 8MP
The Nubia Red Magic 5G features the world’s first 144Hz smartphone screen, which is great for gaming thanks to its silky smooth refresh rate. We also noticed that the show was quite bright and colorful.
However, that isn’t the only feature that makes it excellent for gaming. In fact, it’s built expressly for gaming, with shoulder triggers for added control, a fan and liquid cooling system to keep the handset cool under duress, a dedicated ‘Game Space’ to tailor your gaming experience, and a ‘4D Shock’ feature that adds vibration to games.
At the time of writing, neither of these features, nor the 144Hz display, are supported by many games, but if game developers adopt them, this phone might be severely future-proofed.