Playing smartphone games has come a long way in the past five to ten years. Even though mobile games have been around since cell phones first emerged, the quality and depth of these experiences are much better than in the past. When you load up a top-tier smartphone game on your new Android device or iPhone, you will notice sharp and lifelike graphics and fast frame rates. To get the best experience while playing mobile games, you should invest in a smartphone with a processor that is ideal for gaming. This guide ranks the four best Android mobile processors for smartphone gaming in 2024.
1. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the newest chip from Qualcomm, the primary manufacturer of smartphone chips for Android devices. If you are an avid fan of mobile games and you enjoy playing on the highest settings, then you should invest in a phone with the 8 Gen 2 chip.
The advantage of this chip comes from its 4nm fabrication, which ensures support for ray tracing in games. You can even get access to the fastest 5G speeds in your area, which ensures you get a great gaming experience when you are on the go and unable to use Wi-Fi.
The AI engine within the chip also works to optimize its battery and cellular speed, ensuring that you are not wasting battery life throughout the day.
2. MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus
The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus is a flagship chip that you will see in many of the top-selling and performing Android phones in Asia. The advantage of using the Dimensity 9000 Plus is that you can access 5G speeds, great graphics settings, and tremendous battery life.
Ask any mobile gamer, and they will tell you that even turning down game settings is bearable so long as you have a decent battery life. If you cannot run your favorite game for more than two hours before your battery dies, then you won’t be as appreciative of the great graphics on your favorite games.
There are no such compromises if your phone has the Dimensity 9000 Plus. You get a great playing experience and top-of-the-line battery life.
3. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
When Qualcomm came out with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, many Android smartphone users felt the company was on a downward trajectory. They delivered minimal graphical improvements compared to the previous generation, while battery life and heat were serious issues for the chip.
Luckily, the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 saved Qualcomm and ensured that gaming on Android phones was very much viable, even on a budget. The 8 Plus Gen 1 chip will be found on affordable smartphones in 2023, ensuring a great experience without spending $1,000 on a new smartphone.
The advantage of this chip over the others in the review is that you get incredible efficiency. If you are smart with how you use your phone, you can easily play games and get seven to eight hours of screen time during a 16-18 hour period.
4. Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2
The Snap 7 Plus Gen 2 from Qualcomm is another solid option if you want to play games but are on a very serious budget. While the chip is now a few years old in 2024, you will still get outstanding performance out of devices that have this built into their architecture.
Say you are not constantly downloading the latest games on your phone but prefer to play older games. Say you prioritize battery life over having all the settings turned up too high. If those sentences describe your smartphone gaming habits, then you will have a lot of fun with the Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2 chip.
Honorable Mention: Apple A16 Bionic (For iPhone Users)
Even if you are an avid user of Android phones, you may want to consider the offerings from Apple. The A16 Bionic chip is one of the best in the world for gaming, as you can play on the highest settings without worrying about frame rates dropping during a game.
Whether you get the smaller or larger iPhone or you go with the Pro version, you will have a great gaming experience on this platform. The top games are all present; you may find them even better optimized than their Android versions.
The downside is that you would have to change platforms, which can be a significant undertaking for people who have become accustomed to Android phones.
The smartphone that you buy has a significant impact on how much you enjoy playing mobile games. If you invest in a phone with a low-tier graphics processor, you may notice newer games stuttering and needing better graphics. If you want to play games for several hours on your phone each day and care about having a smooth experience, buy a smartphone with one of the processors we have listed above. A phone with one of these chips will perform admirably on the gaming front for at least a few years.
