Playing games on your phone is no longer a limited experience where you can only stay entertained briefly. Mobile games have come a long way in the past 15 years, with titles now rivaling those that come out on computers and gaming consoles. While you can play nearly any iPhone or Android-based game on a smartphone several years old, you won’t have the smoothest experience, to say the least. Games have to be played at lower graphics settings, and you’ll experience a lot of frame rate drops if you have an older phone with a weaker processor. Below is our guide that outlines the five best smartphones to buy for gaming in 2023.
1. iPhone 15 Pro Max
If you’re in search of the very best smartphone to play games, then you cannot go wrong with any of the iPhone 15 devices. For playing online mobile games, you need a fast processor, lots of RAM, a big and bright screen, and good battery life. The iPhones tick all these boxes.
The 15 Pro Max is the best of these devices, as it has a massive 6.7-inch and a display close to 1440p. You also get a very bright screen with a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
The battery may only be 4,400 mAh, but any iPhone user will tell you that on the Pro Max devices, you can easily get 10 to 12 hours of battery life over a day’s usage.
If you want to play games through emulators or streaming services, an iPhone may not be the best option for you. If you’re the kind of gamer who likes to tinker with their phone, an Android device may be more to your liking.
2. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
First off, the S23 Ultra is a great phone for gaming. You get a 6.8-inch screen that has a 1440p resolution and up to 120Hz refresh rate. There’s also the option of getting the device with 8GB or 12GB RAM, depending on how much you care about apps refreshing in the background.
It must be said, though, that Samsung enthusiasts were not too happy with the release of the S23 Ultra, as it was very similar to the S22 Ultra. Despite having a year to develop upgrades, Samsung only made cosmetic changes to its device lineup.
Ultimately, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the S23 Ultra will breeze through any game, even at higher detail levels.
3. OnePlus 10T
Much as they do every year, the OnePlus smartphone uses its T line to give its customers a smartphone with the latest processor, a lot of RAM, and high-speed storage for an affordable price. If you’re happy with slightly lower-range cameras than top-tier flagships, you’ll have a blast with the OnePlus 10T.
The device has a 6.7-inch, 394ppi display with a 120Hz refresh rate. You can play all your games at very high frame rates, while the Snapdragon SM8475 8+ Gen 1 processor ensures you can play them at very high graphics settings.
4. ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a custom cooling solution, and a brilliant 6.78-inch 1080p Samsung AMOLED panel, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is a dream device for an Android gamer.
If you want a phone with the most RAM, then you’re in the right place: this device has 16GB added to it. You can open all your apps and games without anything refreshing in the background.
Another advantage to this device is the 6000 mAh battery, which ensures you’ll have at least eight to ten hours of screen time when engaging in general use. Gaming at peak brightness will still give you four to five hours.
5. Motorola Edge+
The Edge+ from Motorola is ideal if you’re on a budget. It’s an affordable smartphone, especially if you’re not looking to spend $1000 on a new device. With a 6.7-inch 1080p screen, the Edge+ offers an enjoyable user experience.
The design showcases curves on every side of the phone, with the goal of the display to make it very comfortable to hold for long periods. Gamers know that when you hold a heavy phone for hours, your hands can tire quickly.
The phone has 8GB of RAM, which should be sufficient for modern games. It’s also got a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, one of the best for platinum games on Android devices. While the Edge+ isn’t as sleek as the Motorola Razr, it is ideal for gamers.
Final Thoughts
Investing in one of the smartphones above can provide you with an excellent gaming experience for many years. Phones released in 2023 are far more powerful than what you could buy in 2018 or 2019. Even if you bought a flagship phone back then, you would expect it to last only briefly. Modern phones, however, have a lot more longevity due to having become stable technology. Spending more on a quality device in 2023 is wise, as they’ll last you four or five years at the very least while giving you gaming experiences you’ll love.
