If you love playing mobile games, you need a phone that can handle the most demanding titles without breaking a sweat. A good gaming phone should have a powerful processor, a large and high-resolution screen with a high refresh rate, a long-lasting battery, and some extra features that enhance your gaming experience.
But with so many phones on the market, how do you choose the best one for your needs? In this article, we will help you find the best gaming phone in 2023 by reviewing the top 10 models based on their performance, display, battery life, and gaming features. We will also give you some tips on what to look for in a gaming phone and answer some frequently asked questions.
What to look for in a gaming phone
Before we dive into the reviews of the best gaming phones in 2023, let's first go over some of the key factors that you should consider when buying a gaming phone.
Performance
The performance of a gaming phone depends largely on its processor (or chipset) and its memory (or RAM). A faster processor can run more complex games smoothly and efficiently, while more memory can store more data and allow you to switch between apps quickly.
The most common processors for Android phones are from Qualcomm's Snapdragon series or MediaTek's Dimensity series. For iPhones, Apple uses its own A-series chips. Generally speaking, the higher the number of the processor, the newer and more powerful it is. For example, the Snapdragon 888+ is faster than the Snapdragon 888, which is faster than the Snapdragon 865+.
The amount of memory varies from phone to phone, but usually ranges from 4GB to 16GB or more. More memory means you can run more apps and games at the same time without lagging or crashing. However, memory is not the only factor that affects multitasking performance. The software optimization and user interface of the phone also play a role.
Display
The display of a gaming phone is where you see all the action and enjoy the graphics and animations of your favorite games. A good display should have a large size, a high resolution, and a high refresh rate.
The size of the display determines how much screen space you have to play with. A larger display can show more details and make controls easier to use. However, a larger display also means a larger and heavier phone, which may not be comfortable to hold or fit in your pocket.
The resolution of the display measures how many pixels are on the screen. A higher resolution means sharper and clearer images. However, a higher resolution also consumes more battery power and may not be noticeable on smaller screens. The most common resolutions for phones are HD (1280 x 720), Full HD (1920 x 1080), Quad HD (2560 x 1440), and Ultra HD (3840 x 2160).
The refresh rate of the display measures how many times per second the screen updates its image. A higher refresh rate means smoother and more responsive gameplay. However, a higher refresh rate also consumes more battery power and may not be supported by all games. The standard refresh rate for phones is 60Hz, but some gaming phones offer higher rates such as 90Hz, 120Hz, or even 144Hz.
Battery life
The battery life of a gaming phone determines how long you can play without needing to recharge. A good battery life depends on several factors such as the capacity of the battery, the power consumption of the processor and display, the software optimization of the phone, and the usage habits of the user.
The capacity of the battery is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). A higher capacity means more stored energy and longer battery life. However, a higher capacity also means a larger and heavier battery, which may affect the design and weight of the phone.
The power consumption of the processor and display depends on how fast and how bright they are. A faster processor and a higher resolution or refresh rate display consume more power and drain the battery faster. However, some phones have features that allow you to adjust the performance and display settings to save battery life.
The software optimization of the phone depends on how well the operating system and the user interface manage the power usage of the phone. Some phones have features that optimize the battery life by reducing background activity, limiting notifications, or turning off some sensors.
The usage habits of the user depend on how often and how long you use your phone for gaming or other activities. The more you use your phone, the faster the battery drains. However, some phones have features that extend the battery life by using low-power modes, adaptive brightness, or dark themes.
Gaming features
The gaming features of a gaming phone are those that enhance your gaming experience by adding some extra functionality or convenience. Some of these features are:
- Shoulder triggers: These are physical buttons on the sides of the phone that act as additional controls for gaming. They can be used to perform actions such as shooting, jumping, or aiming without blocking the screen or using touch gestures.
- Cooling system: This is a mechanism that prevents the phone from overheating during intensive gaming sessions. It can be a fan, a heat pipe, a liquid cooling chamber, or a combination of these. Some phones also come with external cooling accessories that attach to the back of the phone.
- Gaming mode: This is a software feature that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings.
- Gaming accessories: These are external devices that connect to the phone to improve your gaming experience. They can be controllers, keyboards, mice, headphones, speakers, stands, cases, or chargers.
The top 10 gaming phones in 2023
Now that you know what to look for in a gaming phone, let's take a look at the top 10 models that we have selected based on their performance, display, battery life, and gaming features. We have also included their pros and cons, prices, and links to buy them online.
1. Asus ROG Phone 6D - The ultimate gaming phone
Specifications
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9000+
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2448 pixels, 144Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Rear camera: 50MP + 13MP + 5MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- Gaming features: Shoulder triggers, cooling system, gaming mode, gaming accessories
The Asus ROG Phone 6D is the ultimate gaming phone that offers everything you need for an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. It has a powerful processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, a massive battery that can last for hours of gaming without needing to recharge, and a plethora of gaming features that enhance your gaming experience.
The ROG Phone 6D has shoulder triggers that act as additional controls for gaming. They are pressure-sensitive and customizable, allowing you to perform different actions with different levels of force. The phone also has a cooling system that consists of a fan, a heat pipe, and a liquid cooling chamber that prevent the phone from overheating during intensive gaming sessions. The phone also comes with an external cooling accessory that attaches to the back of the phone and provides extra cooling and extra ports.
The ROG Phone 6D has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings. The phone also supports several gaming accessories such as controllers, keyboards, mice, headphones, speakers, stands, cases, or chargers that connect to the phone via USB-C ports or wireless connections.
The ROG Phone 6D is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with RGB lighting effects that can be customized to match your mood or game. It has a triple rear camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality.
It has an in-display fingerprint scanner that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack that can connect to any wired headphones. It has a dual SIM slot that can support two different networks. It runs on Android 12 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The ROG Phone 6D is the ultimate gaming phone that offers everything you need for an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. It is also one of the most expensive gaming phones on the market, costing around $1,200. However, if you are looking for the best of the best, this is the phone for you.
Pros:
- Powerful performance
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Massive battery
- Plenty of gaming features
- Sleek design with RGB lighting effects
- Triple rear camera system
- Dual stereo speakers
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Dual SIM slot
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Not available in the US
2. Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro - The best value gaming phone
.webp)
Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+
- Memory: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Rear camera: 64MP + 13MP + 5MP
- Front camera: 20MP
- Gaming features: Shoulder triggers, cooling system, gaming mode, gaming accessories
The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro is the best value gaming phone that offers a lot of features for a reasonable price. It has a powerful processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, a decent battery that can last for hours of gaming with fast charging support, and a lot of gaming features that enhance your gaming experience.
The Black Shark 5 Pro has shoulder triggers that act as additional controls for gaming. They are magnetic and detachable, allowing you to attach or remove them as you wish. They are also pressure-sensitive and customizable, allowing you to perform different actions with different levels of force. The phone also has a cooling system that consists of a fan and a liquid cooling chamber that prevent the phone from overheating during intensive gaming sessions.
The Black Shark 5 Pro has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings. The phone also supports several gaming accessories such as controllers, keyboards, mice, headphones, speakers, stands, cases, or chargers that connect to the phone via USB-C ports or wireless connections.
The Black Shark 5 Pro is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with RGB lighting effects that can be customized to match your mood or game. It has a triple rear camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. It has an in-display fingerprint scanner that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has a dual SIM slot that can support two different networks. It runs on Android 11 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The Black Shark 5 Pro is the best value gaming phone that offers a lot of features for a reasonable price. It costs around $700, which is much cheaper than some of the other gaming phones on this list. However, it also has some drawbacks such as a smaller battery capacity, a lower display resolution and refresh rate, and limited availability in some regions.
Pros:
- Powerful performance
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Decent battery with fast charging support
- A lot of gaming features
- Sleek design with RGB lighting effects
- Triple rear camera system
- Dual stereo speakers
- Dual SIM slot
Cons:
- Smaller battery capacity
- Lower display resolution and refresh rate
- Limited availability in some regions
3. Asus ROG Phone 5 - The best gaming phone for battery life
.webp)
Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2448 pixels, 144Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Rear camera: 64MP + 13MP + 5MP
- Front camera: 24MP
- Gaming features: Shoulder triggers, cooling system, gaming mode, gaming accessories
The Asus ROG Phone 5 is the best gaming phone for battery life that offers a massive battery that can last for hours of gaming without needing to recharge. It also has a powerful processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, and a lot of gaming features that enhance your gaming experience.
The ROG Phone 5 has shoulder triggers that act as additional controls for gaming. They are pressure-sensitive and customizable, allowing you to perform different actions with different levels of force. The phone also has a cooling system that consists of a fan, a heat pipe, and a liquid cooling chamber that prevent the phone from overheating during intensive gaming sessions. The phone also comes with an external cooling accessory that attaches to the back of the phone and provides extra cooling and extra ports.
The ROG Phone 5 has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings. The phone also supports several gaming accessories such as controllers, keyboards, mice, headphones, speakers, stands, cases, or chargers that connect to the phone via USB-C ports or wireless connections.
The ROG Phone 5 is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with RGB lighting effects that can be customized to match your mood or game. It has a triple rear camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. It has an in-display fingerprint scanner that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has a dual SIM slot that can support two different networks. It runs on Android 11 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The ROG Phone 5 is the best gaming phone for battery life that offers a massive battery that can last for hours of gaming without needing to recharge. It is also one of the most expensive gaming phones on the market, costing around $1,100. However, if you are looking for a gaming phone that can keep up with your gaming sessions without running out of juice, this is the phone for you.
Pros:
- Powerful performance
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Massive battery
- A lot of gaming features
- Sleek design with RGB lighting effects
- Triple rear camera system
- Dual stereo speakers
- Dual SIM slot
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Not available in the US
4. Nubia Red Magic 7 - The best gaming phone for cooling
.webp)
Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+
- Memory: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 6.8-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 165Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 5,050mAh
- Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Gaming features: Shoulder triggers, cooling system, gaming mode, gaming accessories
The Nubia Red Magic 7 is the best gaming phone for cooling that offers a superior cooling system that keeps the phone cool and stable during intensive gaming sessions. It also has a powerful processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, and a decent battery that can last for hours of gaming with fast charging support.
The Red Magic 7 has shoulder triggers that act as additional controls for gaming. They are touch-sensitive and customizable, allowing you to perform different actions with different gestures. The phone also has a cooling system that consists of a fan, a heat pipe, a vapor chamber, and a graphene sheet that prevent the phone from overheating during intensive gaming sessions. The phone also comes with an external cooling accessory that attaches to the back of the phone and provides extra cooling and extra ports.
The Red Magic 7 has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings. The phone also supports several gaming accessories such as controllers, keyboards, mice, headphones, speakers, stands, cases, or chargers that connect to the phone via USB-C ports or wireless connections.
The Red Magic 7 is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with RGB lighting effects that can be customized to match your mood or game. It has a triple rear camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. It has an in-display fingerprint scanner that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has a dual SIM slot that can support two different networks. It runs on Android 11 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The Red Magic 7 is the best gaming phone for cooling that offers a superior cooling system that keeps the phone cool and stable during intensive gaming sessions. It costs around $800, which is reasonable for a gaming phone with such features. However, it also has some drawbacks such as a lower display resolution, a smaller battery capacity, and limited availability in some regions.
Pros:
- Powerful performance
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Superior cooling system
- A lot of gaming features
- Sleek design with RGB lighting effects
- Triple rear camera system
- Dual stereo speakers
- Dual SIM slot
Cons:
- Lower display resolution
- Smaller battery capacity
- Limited availability in some regions
5. Sony Xperia 1 IV - The best gaming phone for software
Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+
- Memory: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 6.5-inch OLED, 1644 x 3840 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP + TOF
- Front camera: 8MP
- Gaming features: Gaming mode
The Sony Xperia 1 IV is the best gaming phone for software that offers a smooth and intuitive user interface that enhances your gaming experience. It also has a powerful processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, and a decent battery that can last for hours of gaming with fast charging support.
The Xperia 1 IV does not have any physical gaming features such as shoulder triggers or cooling system. However, it has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings.
The Xperia 1 IV is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with an elegant glass back and metal frame. It has a quad rear camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. It has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has a dual SIM slot that can support two different networks. It runs on Android 11 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The Xperia 1 IV is the best gaming phone for software that offers a smooth and intuitive user interface that enhances your gaming experience. It costs around $1,000, which is expensive for a gaming phone without any physical gaming features. However, if you are looking for a gaming phone that offers a premium software experience, this is the phone for you.
Pros:
- Powerful performance
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Smooth and intuitive user interface
- Sleek design with elegant glass back and metal frame
- Quad rear camera system
- Dual stereo speakers
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
- Dual SIM slot
Cons:
- Expensive
- No physical gaming features
- Small front-facing camera
6. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max - The best gaming iPhone
.webp)
Specifications
- Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
- Memory: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
- Display: 6.7-inch OLED, 1284 x 2778 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 4,352mAh
- Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP + TOF
- Front camera: 12MP
- Gaming features: Gaming mode
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is the best gaming iPhone that offers a powerful processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, and a decent battery that can last for hours of gaming with fast charging and wireless charging support
The iPhone 14 Pro Max does not have any physical gaming features such as shoulder triggers or cooling system. However, it has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with a premium glass back and stainless steel frame. It has a quad rear camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. It has a Face ID system that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has an eSIM slot that can support one network. It runs on iOS 15 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the best gaming iPhone that offers a powerful processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, and a decent battery that can last for hours of gaming with fast charging and wireless charging support. It costs around $1,100, which is expensive for a gaming phone without any physical gaming features. However, if you are looking for a gaming phone that offers a premium software experience and access to exclusive iOS games, this is the phone for you.
Pros:
- Powerful performance
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Smooth and intuitive user interface
- Sleek design with premium glass back and stainless steel frame
- Quad rear camera system
- Dual stereo speakers
- Face ID system
- Wireless charging support
Cons:
- Expensive
- No physical gaming features
- No headphone jack
- No microSD slot
- No dual SIM slot
7. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - The best gaming phone overall
Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ / Exynos 2200
- Memory: 12GB/16GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
- Display: 6.8-inch AMOLED, 1440 x 3200 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear camera: 108MP + 12MP + 10MP + 10MP + TOF
- Front camera: 40MP
- Gaming features: Gaming mode
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best gaming phone overall that offers a balanced combination of performance, display, battery life, and gaming features. It has a powerful processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, and a decent battery that can last for hours of gaming with fast charging and wireless charging support.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra does not have any physical gaming features such as shoulder triggers or cooling system. However, it has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with a premium glass back and metal frame. It has a penta rear camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. It has an in-display fingerprint scanner that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has an eSIM slot and a microSD slot that can support one network and expand the storage. It runs on Android 12 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best gaming phone overall that offers a balanced combination of performance, display, battery life, and gaming features. It costs around $1,200, which is expensive for a gaming phone without any physical gaming features. However, if you are looking for a gaming phone that offers a premium software experience and access to a wide range of Android games, this is the phone for you.
Pros:
- Powerful performance
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Decent battery with fast charging and wireless charging support
- Smooth and intuitive user interface
- Sleek design with premium glass back and metal frame
- Penta rear camera system
- Dual stereo speakers
- MicroSD slot
Cons:
- Expensive
- No physical gaming features
- No headphone jack
- No dual SIM slot
8. OnePlus 11 - The best performance value gaming phone
.webp)
Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+
- Memory: 8GB/12GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB
- Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED, 1440 x 3216 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Rear camera: 50MP + 48MP + 8MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Gaming features: Gaming mode
The OnePlus 11 is the best performance value gaming phone that offers a high-end processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently for a relatively low price. It also has a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, and a decent battery that can last for hours of gaming with fast charging support.
The OnePlus 11 does not have any physical gaming features such as shoulder triggers or cooling system. However, it has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings.
The OnePlus 11 is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with a premium glass back and metal frame. It has a quad rear camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. It has an in-display fingerprint scanner that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has an eSIM slot and a microSD slot that can support one network and expand the storage. It runs on Android 12 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The OnePlus 11 is the best performance value gaming phone that offers a high-end processor that can run any game smoothly and efficiently for a relatively low price. It costs around $800, which is cheaper than some of the other gaming phones with similar features. However, it also has some drawbacks such as a smaller battery capacity, no wireless charging support, no headphone jack, and no dual SIM slot.
Pros:
- High-end performance
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Smooth and intuitive user interface
- Sleek design with premium glass back and metal frame
- Quad rear camera system
- Dual stereo speakers
- MicroSD slot
Cons:
- Smaller battery capacity
- No wireless charging support
- No headphone jack
- No dual SIM slot
9. POCO F4 GT - The best budget gaming phone
.webp)
Specifications
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1200
- Memory: 6GB/8GB/12GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB
- Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 5,065mAh
- Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Gaming features: Shoulder triggers, cooling system, gaming mode
The POCO F4 GT is the best budget gaming phone that offers a lot of features for a very low price. It has a decent processor that can run most games smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, and a decent battery that can last for hours of gaming with fast charging support.
The POCO F4 GT has shoulder triggers that act as additional controls for gaming. They are magnetic and detachable, allowing you to attach or remove them as you wish. They are also touch-sensitive and customizable, allowing you to perform different actions with different gestures. The phone also has a cooling system that consists of a fan and a vapor chamber that prevent the phone from overheating during intensive gaming sessions.
The POCO F4 GT has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings.
The POCO F4 GT is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with RGB lighting effects that can be customized to match your mood or game. It has a triple rear camera system that can capture decent photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. It has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has a dual SIM slot that can support two different networks. It runs on Android 11 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The POCO F4 GT is the best budget gaming phone that offers a lot of features for a very low price. It costs around $400, which is much cheaper than most of the other gaming phones on this list. However, it also has some drawbacks such as a lower display resolution, a lower performance, a lower camera quality, and limited availability in some regions.
Pros:
- Very low price
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Decent battery with fast charging support
- A lot of gaming features
- Sleek design with RGB lighting effects
- Dual stereo speakers
- Dual SIM slot
Cons:
- Lower display resolution
- Lower performance
- Lower camera quality
- Limited availability in some regions
10. Motorola Edge Plus (2023) - The best value gaming phone overall
.webp)
Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Memory: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 6.7-inch OLED, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear camera: 108MP + 16MP + 8MP + TOF
- Front camera: 25MP
- Gaming features: Gaming mode
The Motorola Edge Plus (2023) is the best value gaming phone overall that offers a lot of features for a reasonable price. It has a decent processor that can run most games smoothly and efficiently, a large and high-resolution display that supports a high refresh rate for smooth and responsive gameplay, and a decent battery that can last for hours of gaming with fast charging and wireless charging support.
The Motorola Edge Plus (2023) does not have any physical gaming features such as shoulder triggers or cooling system. However, it has a gaming mode that optimizes the phone for gaming by boosting the performance, blocking notifications, enhancing the audio and visual effects, or customizing the settings. You can also access a game library that shows you all your installed games and their settings.
The Motorola Edge Plus (2023) is not only a great gaming phone but also a great smartphone in general. It has a sleek design with a curved glass back and metal frame. It has a quad rear camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. It has a front-facing camera that can take selfies or make video calls. It has dual stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound quality. It has an in-display fingerprint scanner that can unlock the phone securely and quickly. It has an eSIM slot and a microSD slot that can support one network and expand the storage. It runs on Android 11 with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to your liking.
The Motorola Edge Plus (2023) is the best value gaming phone overall that offers a lot of features for a reasonable price. It costs around $700, which is cheaper than some of the other gaming phones with similar features. However, it also has some drawbacks such as a lower display resolution, a lower performance, a lower refresh rate, and a curved display that may cause mis-touches.
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- Large and high-resolution display with high refresh rate
- Decent battery with fast charging and wireless charging support
- Smooth and intuitive user interface
- Sleek design with curved glass back and metal frame
- Quad rear camera system
- Dual stereo speakers
- MicroSD slot
Cons:
- Lower display resolution
- Lower performance
- Lower refresh rate
- Curved display may cause mis-touches
Conclusion
In this article, we have reviewed the top 10 gaming phones in 2023 based on their performance, display, battery life, and gaming features. We have also given you some tips on what to look for in a gaming phone and answered some frequently asked questions.
The best gaming phone for you depends on your personal preferences, budget, and availability. However, based on our research and analysis, we recommend the following phones for different categories:
- The ultimate gaming phone: Asus ROG Phone 6D
- The best value gaming phone: Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro
- The best gaming phone for battery life: Asus ROG Phone 5
- The best gaming phone for cooling: Nubia Red Magic 7
- The best gaming phone for software: Sony Xperia 1 IV
- The best gaming iPhone: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
- The best gaming phone overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- The best performance value gaming phone: OnePlus 11
- The best budget gaming phone: POCO F4 GT
- The best value gaming phone overall: Motorola Edge Plus (2023)
We hope this article has helped you find the best gaming phone in 2023 for your needs. Happy gaming!
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between a gaming phone and a regular phone?
A gaming phone is a phone that is specifically designed or optimized for gaming. It usually has a more powerful processor, a larger and higher-resolution display with a higher refresh rate, a longer-lasting battery, and some extra features that enhance the gaming experience such as shoulder triggers, cooling system, or gaming mode. A regular phone is a phone that is not specifically designed or optimized for gaming. It may still be able to run some games, but it may not offer the same level of performance, display quality, battery life, or gaming features as a gaming phone.
Q: Do I need a gaming phone to play mobile games?
No, you do not need a gaming phone to play mobile games. You can still play mobile games on any smartphone that meets the minimum requirements of the games. However, if you want to enjoy the best possible gaming experience on your phone, you may want to consider getting a gaming phone that can offer better performance, display quality, battery life, and gaming features.
Q: How do I choose the best gaming phone for me?
To choose the best gaming phone for you, you need to consider several factors such as your personal preferences, budget, and availability. You also need to compare different models based on their performance, display, battery life, and gaming features. You can use this article as a guide to help you find the best gaming phone in 2023 for your needs.
Q: How do I optimize my gaming phone for gaming?
To optimize your gaming phone for gaming, you can use some of the following tips:
- Use the gaming mode or game library feature of your phone to boost the performance, block notifications, enhance the audio and visual effects, or customize the settings of your games.
- Adjust the performance and display settings of your phone to save battery life or improve the graphics quality of your games.
- Use the shoulder triggers or external controllers to improve your control and accuracy in your games.
- Use the cooling system or external cooling accessories to prevent your phone from overheating during intensive gaming sessions.
- Use headphones or speakers to enjoy better sound quality in your games.
- Use a stand or case to hold your phone comfortably and securely while gaming.
Q: What are some of the best mobile games to play on a gaming phone?
Some of the best mobile games to play on a gaming phone are:
- Call of Duty Mobile: A first-person shooter game that offers various modes such as multiplayer, battle royale, zombies, and more.
- Genshin Impact: An open-world role-playing game that features stunning graphics, engaging combat, and diverse characters.
- PUBG Mobile: A battle royale game that pits 100 players against each other in a shrinking map until one remains.
- Asphalt 9: Legends: A racing game that lets you drive over 50 cars across various tracks and modes.
- Fortnite: A battle royale game that combines shooting, building, and survival elements.
- League of Legends: Wild Rift: A multiplayer online battle arena game that lets you team up with other players and compete in 5v5 matches.
- Minecraft: A sandbox game that lets you create and explore infinite worlds using blocks.
- Among Us: A social deduction game that lets you play as crewmates or impostors in a spaceship.
- Candy Crush Saga: A casual puzzle game that lets you match candies and complete levels.
- Pokemon Go: An augmented reality game that lets you catch and battle Pokemon in the real world.
