With over two billion mobile gamers across the world, it's no wonder that people are clamouring for the best gaming phones they can get their itchy trigger fingers on. There's a massive influx of gorgeous, graphically-demanding titles being developed for the latest and greatest smartphones too. So, no self-respecting mobile gamer should be without a phone that can truly do these games justice.
But with mountains of phone brands to choose from and an endless ocean of jargon - finding the perfect phone for you and your budget is far from simple. What's more - knowing precisely what to spend and whether you're truly getting good value for your money isn't always clear. You have RAM, software, and screen responsiveness to consider. A budget smartphone might look pretty, but does it have what it takes to run your favourite MOBA titles?
We've selected our favourite gaming phones of the year, carefully considering true hardware capabilities, overall look and feel and of course - value. We've put together a guide and answered some of your questions, so you'll know what to go for. There is something of a divide, as always, between those who like the best Android smartphones and those who prefer Apple's iOS. The preference here is down to you.
Best gaming phones of 2023 at a glance:
Best overall gaming phone: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Mobile Phone - View at Amazon
Best budget gaming phone: OPPO Find X5 Pro 5G - Smartphone - View at Amazon
Best Apple phone for gaming: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (128 GB) - View at Amazon
Best gaming phone under £200: Motorola G62 5G - Midnight Grey - View at Amazon
So, from some of the most popular brands and models, such as the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, to highly capable phones under £300, you're in for some of the greatest smartphones ever made. With our expert pick of the best gaming phones of the year, you'll be able to experience mobile games the way they were meant to be played.
Best overall gaming phone
Description
Easily one of the best phones of the year, let alone our favourite gaming phone of 2023, the Samsung S23 Ultra is a flagship phone, through and through.
Bursting with incredible hardware, it's hard to begin talking about what makes the Samsung S23 Ultra so brilliant. From its 512GB storage to its phenomenal 12GB of RAM and the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 - gaming is quicker than quick, and when paired with a 120Hz WQHD+ display, it's out of this world. Hack, slash and shoot through the latest next-generation mobile games with ease, and experience them the way they were truly meant to be played.
And what's more - with the Samsung S23 Ultra's impeccable stylus, you can comfortably relax and tap away at enthralling multiplayer card games such as the ever-popular Hearthstone.
And for those interested in the very best smartphone cameras right now, Samsung's S23 Ultra has a simply mesmerising 200MP camera which has to be seen to be believed, this is one flagship gaming phone you can't afford to miss out on, even at its price point.
Pros
- One of the most powerful smartphones ever made
- Excellent hardware
- Gorgeous display
- Phenomenal camera
Cons
- Might be too large for some users
Best budget gaming phone
Description
A phone brand that you may not be as familiar with that is taking the world by storm with its competitively priced ultra-powerful hardware, the OPPO Find X5 Pro is something of a miracle at its price.
With specs comparable to Samsung's flagship phones (and far exceeding the specs of even the latest iPhones in regards to gaming capabilities), the OPPO Find X5 Pro is nothing short of excellent for gaming.
A 1440p QHD AMOLED, 12GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset running at 120Hz, all for less than £1,000 simply shouldn't be possible, and yet we have the Find X5 Pro. Gaming with this cutting-edge phone is crisp, and immediately responsive - with startup times reduced to seconds and gameplay feeling seamless and satisfying.
Our gripes with the phone, however, arise when regarding its design - which is the OPPO Find X5 Pro's largest setback. Don't get us wrong, the design itself isn't particularly offensive, but it isn't unique either - it's a very standard-looking smartphone - which is absolutely fine if aesthetics don't particularly bother you.
Pros
- Excellent hardware
- Fantastic gaming capabilities
- Phenomenal performance
- Great value
Cons
- Somewhat dull design
Best Apple phone for gaming
Description
It wouldn't be a roundup of the best phones of the year without regarding Apple's latest iPhone 14 Pro Max smartphone. Brimming with excellent cutting-edge tech, from the brilliant Apple A16 Bionic chipset to its phenomenal 50MP camera, Apple hasn't reinvented the wheel when it comes to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it's certainly perfected it.
Out of any and all modern smartphones, none really compete with Apple in terms of its user experience. Applications and haptics on the iPhone 14 Pro Max look and feel sensational, and only when trying the competition do you truly realise what you're missing. As for gaming, there's a silky, buttery smooth responsiveness to the iPhone 14 Pro Max (despite its slightly lack-lustre 6GB of RAM) that keeps us coming back for more.
As we discuss in our hands-on iPhone 14 Pro Max review, the latest generation of Apple phones brings to the table Instantaneous app access and a rapid 120Hz refresh rate, all on a 2.8K OLED screen that leaves us lost for words, there is nothing quite like experiencing your favourite mobile games than with this flagship Apple phone.
Read our full iPhone 14 Pro Max review
Pros
- Stunning design
- Ultra-reliable battery life
- Great Apple OS
Cons
- Low RAM even compared to budget phones
Best gaming phone under £200
Description
For a fraction of the cost of flagship smartphones with some minor performance setbacks, the Motorola G62 smartphone is one of the best phones for under £200 available this year. Combining great value with some seriously impressive hardware - even with 5G support, there's certainly no doubt that the Motorola G62 is more than worth its small price tag.
With 4GB of RAM and a mid-range Snapdragon 480+, we're not saying that the Motorola G62 is going to break records for gaming performance, but it certainly does offer undeniably solid gameplay. Get gaming on MOBAs, explore thousands of mini-games and keep yourself occupied for hours with its solid battery life, the Motorola Moto G62 is simply brilliant at its price.
Pros
- Excellent value gaming phone
- Solid performance
- Good camera
Cons
- Not as powerful as high-end phones
- Weaker camera
Best OnePlus gaming phone
Description
Yet another seriously powerful phone, but at a significantly cheaper price point than our other picks, the One Plus 10 Pro is another perfect option for gaming on the go without completely breaking the bank.
With some flawless ultra-low latency and super thin bezels, gaming on the go with the OnePlus 10 Pro is an absolute dream. Not to mention the sheer amount of RAM this phone has, with 256 GB of storage, as mobile gaming grows and brings even greater competition to the gaming market, the OnePlus is certain to be future-proofed for a long while.
If you’re looking for an affordable gaming smartphone that isn’t overly expensive with a good camera, sound and visual capabilities, then look no further.
Pros
- Powerful hardware for gaming
- Well-designed with exceptional hardware
- Phenomenal all-round performance
Cons
- The camera is decent but not exceptional
Best folding gaming phone
Description
Certainly a controversial pick, yet a worthy one, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is most definitely the largest smartphone on our list (if you can even call it a smartphone due to its sheer size). Powerful, stunning and innovative, if you’re after a smartphone that truly breaks the mould, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 might just be for you.
If, like me, you prefer to game on the biggest screen possible yet still would like the convenience of fitting the device in your pocket, the Fold 4 provides this incredibly well with its groundbreaking folding AMOLED screen. The emergence of the Galaxy Fold line is a seriously incredible advancement in smartphone tech, and it's wonderful to see some innovation from the conventional modern smartphone slab format.
Delving into PUBG or Call of Duty: Warzone has never been so enthralling thanks to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4's exceptional combination of cutting-edge folding technology and breakneck 120Hz refresh rate speeds that give you a gaming experience unlike any other.
Pros
- Phenomenally large screen
- Perfect for gaming on the go
- Some of the best hardware in a smartphone
Cons
- Weaker camera than Samsung Galaxy flagship
Best gaming phones of 2023: Buyer's guide
Where to start when choosing a gaming phone
Out of hundreds of phone brands, there really isn't a definitive champion of gaming smartphones. Most phones are simply designed to be powerful, and gaming is a second thought, but many modern phones are so powerful, that gaming is an absolute breeze to them.
Brands such as Apple and Samsung absolutely crush gaming in general, with great all-round performance that's a simple click away. But lesser-known but still popular brands such as OPPO, Motorola, and OnePlus absolutely hold their own in the gaming sphere.
Consider the games you like and match the specifications
There are a multitude of factors that make a phone great for gaming. Generally, it's preferable to have a screen on the larger side with a sharp image. Bigger screens mean better visibility and therefore better user performance. But of course, it's best to read up on the games you like the most and make sure your chosen gaming phone can meet or exceed those specs.
Most importantly, you need to look at RAM and the chipset. Sufficient RAM is crucial for running a game well. Most smartphone games require very little RAM. PUBG Mobile, for example only requires 2 GB. Yet, as we see mobile gamer audiences growing, games will undoubtedly become more demanding over time.
Your chipset contains all the crucial components, the GPU and CPU, so keep an eye on the chipset generation and its processing capabilities as this generally equates to greater overall performance.
Best gaming phones of 2023: FAQs
What's the best phone for gaming?
As we mentioned above, we think that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Mobile Phone is the go-to answer for most gamers looking for great performance. If you're on a tighter budget, the OPPO Find X5 Pro 5G delivers the best bang for your gaming buck.
How do I improve my phone's gaming performance?
With many modern smartphones, you can adjust the refresh rate via your phone's settings which should dramatically improve your overall gaming experience. You should also try and keep your smartphone clutter-free; closing tabs and clearing notifications should marginally improve performance. On occasion, the performance of online games can be improved by using a gaming VPN.
What's the most popular mobile game?
Of course, this changes all the time, but as of now, Player Unknown's Battle Grounds Mobile is the biggest mobile game with over 70 million downloads globally, just above Pokemon GO, which still remains incredibly popular.