Best Gaming Phone in 2023
Despite the PC Guide name, we’ll be the first to admit that phones have an increasingly important role to play in the gaming space. With a veritable trove of games, many ported over from their PC or console roots, and close to 3 billion players worldwide, the mobile space is arguably one of the most exciting in gaming.
If you’re tempted to take the leap or want to upgrade a tired, lagging device, then there are more options than ever, from dedicated gaming devices to premium phones courtesy of the biggest names in the mobile space.
As with most consumer products, the tricky part is settling on a phone that will suit your needs. Indeed, not all phones are fit to deliver a good gaming experience, while others offer console-grade gaming with crisp, smooth visuals. To that end, in today’s guide, we’ll be walking through the best gaming phone options out there.
Products at a Glance
Best Gaming Phone in 2023
- Made specifically for gaming
- Top specs
- Gaming performance
- Battery life
- Lacks everyday use features
- High price
- Top specifications
- Excellent gaming performance
- Affordable price
- Liquid cooling
- Only 90 Hz refresh rate
- Divise design
- Non-gaming features aren’t the best
- Access to rich library of iOS games and Apple Arcade
- Gaming performance
- Stunning OLED display
- Top-tier everyday use features
- Price premium
- 60 Hz refresh rate
- Small storage as standard
- 120 Hz refresh rate
- Well-tuned Android ecosystem
- Snapdragon 888 chip
- Price
- Small Storage
- Lower price than other premium phones
- 120 Hz refresh ever at high resolutions
- Great display
- Slightly outdone by Apple and Samsung for everyday use
Our Verdict
Oozing with raw power, buttery-smooth performance, and exceptional battery life, our go-to gaming phone has to be the Asus ROG Phone 3. As the best dedicated gaming phone currently available, this is one for the serious gamer, with a price tag to match.
The Black Shark 3 Gaming Phone is an equally commendable device geared towards the most demanding mobile games. Packed with high-tier hardware and capable of delivering fantastic gaming performance, it is a worthy runner-up with a more wallet-friendly price.
For Apple loyalists or those who intend to make the most of Apple Arcade, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is an everyday use powerhouse doubling as a beastly gaming phone. Expect to pay a premium for the pleasure, though. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus comes out on top as a best of both worlds Android phone.
Finally, for those put off by exorbitant prices, we have the OnePlus 8 Pro. It delivers top-notch gaming and a premium phone experience at a price that’s easier to stomach without cutting any corners in terms of specifications.
We’ll now wrap up our guide to the best gaming phones, which we hope has shed some light on what’s currently out there. Feel free to hit us up in the comments section with any burning questions or concerns, and we’ll be sure to respond.