In the world of gaming, every advantage counts. Online gaming is not confined to PCs and laptops anymore. It’s all about playing on the go. Now with mobile phones getting smarter, they are also designed specifically to cater to the discerning needs of gaming enthusiasts and creators. With advanced processors, high-refresh-rate displays, and optimized cooling systems, these phones offer a level of performance that can elevate gaming experiences to new heights.
But gaming phones aren’t just about gameplay; they’re also powerful tools for content creation. From streaming live gameplay to editing videos and creating captivating content, these devices are a game-changer for creators in the gaming community. In this era of technological marvels, gaming phones have emerged as indispensable companion for those who demand nothing but the best from their gaming and content-creation endeavours.
Also Read: The Best Camera Phones For Creators: Enhance Your Content
With the rise of Xbox Cloud gaming services, smaller screens are becoming an even bigger business, which means there are plenty of gaming phones out there for gaming enthusiasts to choose from. We have created a list of the best gaming phones that we deem fit for gaming content creators:
Red Magic 8s Pro
While there are a few differences between the Red Magic 8S Pro and the earlier 8 Pro, minor improvements to the hardware without a price increase mean this is the best gaming phone you can buy today. There are some drawbacks, but the powerful hardware packed into this stylish phone can handle any game on the Play Store at a surprisingly affordable price. While this does mean sacrifices (you won’t be taking Instragram-worthy selfies with the blurry front camera), those looking for a dedicated gaming phone certainly won’t be disappointed.
A 120Hz screen means you can get the most out of Android games with high framerate support, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset keeps the FPS smooth. The Game Space app is still a useful launcher for your games; you can tweak framerate, fan speeds, and performance settings with a few taps while in-game. Add a hefty 6000mAh battery alongside 65W fast charging, and you’ll have the perfect gaming companion that’ll last all day. The Red Magic 8S Pro comes with a built-in cooling fan and heat sink, making it an all-out gaming powerhouse.
What’s also exciting is that the smartest gaming phone comes in a Bumblebee edition.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Personalized gaming mode
- Powerful hardware can handle any game
- Same performance as phones twice the price
Cons
- Very average cameras
- Buggy software
- No Google Pay support
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
It should come as no surprise that one of the best premium Android flagships is also one of the best gaming phones around. Sporting the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as the RedMagic 8 Pro, Samsung’s top phone – the Galaxy S23 Ultra ends up beating the RedMagic with its robust One UI software, especially with its full-featured Game Booster suite with plentiful recording and streaming options.
Yes, it’s expensive but you get what you pay for with an excellent high-frame rate OLED screen and 6.8-inch display. Not only can the device tear through any Android game, but those games will also look great on the screen, which is what gaming phones are all about. Plus, Samsung was one of the first to offer inline sound recording paired with its video recorder — so streamers, YouTubers, and the press at large, can easily record the games they play along with the native sound playing.
Also considered to be the most versatile camera system in the world right now, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a 200MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide that doubles as a macro lens, and two zoom lenses covering a 3X and 10X focal length. Making it the most apt choice for a gaming content creator who gets the best of both worlds.
Pros
- High refresh rate screen perfect for gaming
- Large battery for long gaming sessions
- Screen recording with inline sound
- Great ‘enhanced digital photography’ skills
Cons
- Expensive
- Slower charging, as 45W is rare to reach
Black Shark 5 Pro
The Black Shark 5 Pro is the latest gaming smartphone from Xiaomi, offering a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, physical pop-out triggers for gaming, and lots of cooling layers to keep games running smoothly. Unfortunately, there’s no fan; everything is cooled passively, so the phone may feel hot when used, though this doesn’t impact performance.
The price-to-performance ratio of the Black Shark 5 Pro is excellent. It’s no cheap device by any means, but there’s little sense of inflated costs here. Plus, for a device to truly be considered the best gaming phone overall it needs to function just as well as an actual smartphone as it does a gaming machine. That’s where the camera of the Black Shark 5 Pro comes in.
From the outstanding performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip to the split storage system, Xiaomi has positioned the Black Shark 5 Pro as an all-in-one powerhouse. It’s rare to find a gaming phone offering such top-line specs and performance while still carrying a decent set of lenses in its corner. Yes, you are making some smartphone sacrifices – the lack of wireless charging being the biggest here – however this is still an everyday device with the battery to back it up.
Load up some games, though, and you’ll really see the Black Shark 5 Pro shine. Everything is smooth and crisp on that gorgeous OLED display, and with physical pop-up trigger buttons to keep all your movements precise and snappy as well. Few phones offer these physical clickers these days, opting for the more svelt touch-capacitive buttons along the top.
Pros
- Pop-up physical triggers for gaming
- 120W fast charging
- 144hz screen that doesn’t auto-adjust, is actually static
Cons
- Battery life stinks
- No headphone jack
- Cameras leave a lot to be desired
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
Asus’s latest entry on the ROG Phone line is the seventh iteration and the most polished to date. The design retains, offering an uncluttered screen that supports blazing framerates, shoulder touch buttons, and top-of-the-line specs to easily chew through any game you throw at it. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset runs this show, offering some incredible performance and the cooling to back it up.
Pair that with a gorgeous screen with a resolution that sits at 2448 x 1080 and a beastly set of front-firing speakers. Everything is crisp and snappy thanks to the AMOLED display running at 165Hz, meanwhile, the touch-sensitive triggers make sure you’re taking every shot with excellent precision. The Armoury Crate software neatly pulls all your games together while also serving as a hub for performance settings, framerate limits, and screen recordings.
These features galore do leave the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate at a lofty price point but it’s worth it if you’re happy to invest in a high-end device. However, there is one flaw, the charging USB-C port to the bottom of the phone is off-centre. That means you won’t be able to use the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate with the majority of mobile controllers which often connect directly via this USB-C port. Bluetooth gamepads won’t be affected but if you’re looking to use something like the Razer Kishi V2, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Pros
- Excellent AMOLED display and powerful audio
- Touch-sensitive triggers feel great
- Armoury Crate software is just right
- Better camera than average gaming phones
Cons
- Bezels and thicker form factor feel outdated
- Off-centre USB-C port means controllers are limited
- Expensive buy
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
The iPhone has struggled to truly be recognised as one of the best gaming phones in its lifetime, but with Apple Arcade and its own gaming network in Game Center, it has stepped up to be a part of the gaming world. Last year’s iPhone 13 Pro was the first real movement towards integrating that gaming focus into the smartphone’s hardware, with a 120Hz display, boosted processor, and enhanced battery.
The iPhone 14 Plus gives you the big-screen immersive experience which is well worth investing in if you’re sticking with Apple’s ecosystem. Combine that with excellent performance and a battery life that can potentially see you through a couple of days and this is the best iPhone for gaming yet. This larger model manages to boost battery life by around 26%.
Yes, you’re dropping some of the more polished features available further up the product range. There’s no Dynamic Island and the camera array is comprised of just two lenses. However, that camera system is supported by a larger sensor which means better low-light shots and better colors to boot. It makes for the perfect content creation tool.
Pros
- Only $100 more than the base model
- Vibrant, immersive display
- Long-lasting battery life
- Super comfortable and lightweight
Cons
- Limited to a 60Hz refresh rate
We hope this guide helps you with all the necessary information to make an informed choice on which smartphone to invest in and upgrade your content game!
