Best Gaming Smartphones in 2024: Top Picks for Mobile Gamers..

Mobile gaming has become a rage in the last few years and hence, smartphone makers have launched powerful gaming-focused phones that serve the purpose without putting too much strain on pockets. Specifically tailored for gamers, these handsets offer fast performance, high-resolution screens with a high refresh rate, good battery life, and other features. While premium phones like iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23 5G come with powerful processors that can tackle games very well, iQoo, OnePlus and Realme have also launched gaming-centric phones in mid-range segments.

The gaming experience is defined by how much power your phone has, how detailed and bright the display is as well as how fast it refreshes. Besides, battery life and charging speed also do matter a lot. It is recommended to look at the chipset/performance figures, the display specs and the battery life length when picking your gaming phone.

Now you know all the key factors that make a good gaming phone. Here are all the gaming smartphones that you can buy in India right now.

Display: 7.6-inch inner display and 6.2-inch cover display | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 256/512/1,024GB

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G is over a year old but it remains one of the nicest foldable smartphones to buy even today. With a highly capable Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset under the hood, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 can handle multitasking loads with ease. With its Windows-like taskbar offering quick access to apps on the main 7.6-inch 120Hz high resolution AMOLED display, you can deal with up to four apps at once and be a multitasking God. The main display even hides the 4-megapixel video call camera. The 6.2-inch 120Hz cover display is best suited for the outdoors and you have a 4,400mAh battery keeping the phone powered up all day. The triple rear camera system comprising a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom offers versatility and great photography capabilities. You even get support for Samsung’s Galaxy S Pen Pro for stylus inputs. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 has already received the Android 13 update and is on its way to get the latest Android 14 update.

Users’ review: Users have loved its form factor and the expansive display. They also liked its performance.

Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR | Processor: Apple A17 Pro chip | Storage: 128/256/512GB

Apple’s flagship iPhone 15 Pro Max is also one of the best camera smartphones for low-light photography. A revised 48-megapixel camera sensor takes in more light and better images exposure. Moreover, Apple’s SmartHDR 5 allows for brighter and clearer images even during adverse lighting conditions. You also get an improved ultra-wide camera and a 3x telephoto camera that help you get newer perspectives. Apple’s tuning leans more towards natural image tuning and hence, those interested in getting DSLR-like photos will be happy to use the iPhone 15 Pro’s camera system.

Users’ review: Customers like the performance, charging, battery life, appearance and camera of the cellular phone. They mention that it works flawlessly, has super fast charging and the battery life is awesome.

Display: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 256/512GB

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has been one of the best camera smartphones to have launched this year and today, you can get a good deal on it. For almost INR 1 lakh, you get a brilliant 200-megapixel Samsung tuned main camera that takes amazing photos and videos in low light conditions. Samsung’s HDR processing is a notch above the competition and if you are in a creative mood, you can use its 3x and 10x zoom cameras to get the desired angles and framing around your subject. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is a brilliantly tuned chipset to back the phone’s image processing and the 5,000mAh battery ensures you can easily last an entire day while busy at clicking photos. Not to forget, the 6.8-inch QuadHD+ AMOLED display is one of the best in its segment.

Users’ review: Users have liked the camera, and premium build quality of the phone as well as its compact form factor. They said that the camera is at the next level, the display is world class, and the performance is top notch.

Display: 6.74-inch, FHD+ AMOLED | Processors: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | RAM: 8/16GB | Storage: 128/256GB

If you’re not in the mood to spend a hefty amount but want a phone that can offer stable and lag-free gaming sessions, then the OnePlus 11R could be one of the best bets. Priced at Rs. 44,999 for the 16GB RAM and 256GB storage model, the smartphone is a super-fast smartphone. It runs on the old yet powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset featuring OnePlus’ OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13. The chipset is said to provide good thermal efficiency and stable performance to run any game. The phone sports a 6.74-inch AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate.

Users’ review: Customers like the performance, display, appearance and smoothness of the cellular phone. They mention that it has a clear display, the processor is very efficient and the ultra speed charging is stunning.

Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ | SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | RAM: 8/16GB | Storage: 128/256GB

The iQoo 11 is about to be phased out but that doesn’t make it a bad phone by any means. Based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the iQOO 11 continues to be one of the fastest Android gaming smartphones you can buy. The phone also gets gaming-centric features to enhance your experience. The handset gets a dedicated Game Space where you can find the games you have installed along with the data of your gaming sessions. It has a very fast refresh rate of 144Hz on its 2K AMOLED display. The theme continues in the charging department, wherein the 120W wired charging system fills up the 5000mAh battery in under 20 minutes. That’s fast by all means.

Users’ review: Customers like the charging speed, performance and battery life of the cellular phone. They mention that the processor is drastically improved and that there is no touch latency at all.

Display: 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED | SoC: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 | RAM: 8/12GB | Storage: 128/256GB

If you are a regular gamer and don't want to put strain on your pocket, then the OnePlus Nord 3 is worth consideration. Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Chipset. It is a flagship-grade chipset based on a 4 nm fabrication process. The device is also claimed to get a HyperTouch Engine providing 1000Hz touch response rate for a fast-gaming experience. It is currently listed on Amazon at Rs. 33,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model.

Users’ review: Customers like the charging speed and performance of the cellular phone. They mention that it's one of the fastest Android phones, works fantastic for even hardcore games, and has a sleek and premium design. Customers are also satisfied with the camera quality, and display.

Cons:

7. iQoo Neo 7 Pro 5G

Display: 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED | SoC: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 | RAM: 8/12GB | Storage: 128/256GB

The iQoo Neo 7 pro has the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset which is claimed to offer powerful performance during gaming. On the top of this, the device also gets an independent Gaming Chip that is said to enhance FPS as well as sharpens display with Game Display Enhancement and reduces power consumption. The smartphone also has gaming centric features like motion control, gyroscope enhancement, 4D game vibration, and more to elevate the gaming experience.

Users’ review: Customers like the gaming, performance, and display of the cellular phone. They mention it's good for gaming, provides a power-packed performance, has a stunning display, and charges super fast. They are also happy with the camera quality.

While 4GB is the minimum for standard phones, gaming phones should have at least 8GB, and preferably 12GB of RAM.

The latest Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 2, Apple A17 Pro Bionic, or Dimensity 9000 Plus are all great processors that can handle even the most demanding tasks.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has the fastest A17 Pro chipset. However, if you are looking for an Android phone then the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best gaming smartphone that you buy in India.