Find the best gaming phone in 2026

What makes a great gaming phone:

  1. Powerful Processor - Latest Snapdragon or A-series chip
  2. High Refresh Display - 120Hz or higher for smooth gameplay
  3. Cooling System - Sustained performance during long sessions
  4. Large Battery - Extended gaming without charging

Best phones under $300 for gaming

Best Pick

Motorola PB0T0003US

80.7 Gaming Score
6.6" Snapdragon® 7s Gen 2 50MP 8GB RAM 256GB 5000mAh
Why we recommend this

Its IP68 water resistance and 5000mAh battery with 68W wired charging provide excellent durability and all-day power. The 6.6-inch 144Hz AMOLED display offers a smooth, responsive experience for its price segment. This phone is best for business users and travelers who prioritize rugged reliability and fast charging over top-tier camera performance.

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Price $250
Motorola Motorola Edge cellphone

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Samsung SM-A176UZKAXAA

77.4 Gaming Score
6.7" Exynos 1330 50MP 4GB RAM 128GB 5000mAh
Why we recommend this

Its 5000mAh battery delivers excellent longevity, supported by 25W Super Fast Charging. The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate provides a smooth, vibrant viewing experience for its price. This phone is best for budget-conscious users who prioritize long battery life and a quality screen for media consumption.

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Samsung Galaxy A17 cellphone
Price $180

Google GA03725-US

72.1 Gaming Score
6.1" Tensor 12MP 6GB RAM 128GB 4410mAh
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the Google Tensor processor, which powers advanced AI photography features like Magic Eraser on its 12.2MP dual-camera system. It offers a compact 6.1-inch OLED display and IP67 water resistance in a lightweight 178g body, making it highly portable. This phone is best for users who prioritize a clean Android experience with smart, computational photography in a durable, mid-sized form factor.

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Apple iPhone 13

65.3 Gaming Score
6.1" Apple A15 Bionic 4GB RAM 128GB 3240mAh
Why we recommend this

Its standout A15 Bionic chip delivers excellent performance and efficiency, paired with a bright 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. The IP68 water resistance and compact, durable build offer strong everyday reliability. This phone is best for users prioritizing a powerful, pocketable device for general use and mobile gaming over top-tier photography.

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Best phones under $600 for gaming

Best Pick

Google GA09604-US

97.1 Gaming Score
6.3" Tensor G4 48MP 8GB RAM 128GB 4300mAh
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a camera system that excels in low light and group photos, supported by Google AI for unique features like Nano Banana. The phone offers exceptional long-term value with 7 years of software updates and a 30+ hour battery life, all in a durable, unlocked design. This device is best for budget-conscious users who prioritize long-term software support and AI-enhanced photography over raw gaming performance.

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Price $499
Google Pixel 10a cellphone

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Motorola PB6V0014US

87.9 Gaming Score
6.7" Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform 50MP 8GB RAM 1024GB 5000mAh
Why we recommend this

With its 3000-nit AMOLED display and IP68 water resistance, this phone excels in extreme outdoor visibility and rugged durability. The combination of a 5000mAh battery with 68W wired charging and a full 1TB of storage provides exceptional utility for heavy daily use. It's best for field workers and business users who need a reliable, high-visibility device that can withstand demanding environments.

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Motorola Moto G cellphone
Price $350

Samsung SM-A366ULGAXAA

82.7 Gaming Score
6.7" Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 50MP 6GB RAM 128GB 5000mAh
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1900-nit peak brightness, paired with a durable IP67 rating. The phone delivers strong value with its 5000mAh battery supporting 45W wired charging and a promise of six years of OS updates. This device is best for budget-conscious users who prioritize a high-quality screen, long-term software support, and reliable all-day battery life.

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Apple iPhone 15 Pro

80.2 Gaming Score
6.1" Apple A17 Pro 8GB RAM 512GB 3274mAh
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the Apple A17 Pro chip paired with a 120Hz Super Retina XDR OLED display, delivering smooth performance and a peak brightness of 2000 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The phone's compact titanium build and Ceramic Shield front offer a premium, durable feel that's easy to handle. It's best for mobile gamers and users who prioritize a powerful, pocketable device with flagship performance over top-tier photography.

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Best phones under $900 for gaming

Best Pick

Samsung SM-S731UZKAXAA

94.2 Gaming Score
6.7" Exynos 2400 50MP 8GB RAM 128GB 4900mAh
Why we recommend this

Its 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display reaches a sharp 1900 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate, supported by a durable Armor Aluminum frame. It delivers strong performance for its class with the Exynos 2400 chip and a large 4900mAh battery for all-day use. This phone is best for budget-conscious users who want a premium Samsung display and Galaxy AI features without the flagship price.

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Price $650
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE cellphone

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Google GA09899-US

87.4 Gaming Score
6.3" 3.78 GHz 50MP 16GB RAM 256GB 4870mAh
Why we recommend this

Its standout 3,300-nit Super Actua display and Google Tensor G5 chip deliver exceptional outdoor visibility and advanced AI features for photo editing. The 16GB of RAM and 50MP triple-camera system enable pro-level multitasking and creative image manipulation, like generating videos from text descriptions. This phone is best for mobile photographers and creators who prioritize a compact, bright screen and want to experiment heavily with on-device AI for images and videos.

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Google Google Pixel 10 cellphone
Price $849

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

81.5 Gaming Score
6.7" Apple A17 Pro 8GB RAM 1024GB 4441mAh
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the Apple A17 Pro chip paired with a 6.7-inch 120Hz ProMotion display, delivering exceptional performance for demanding mobile games. The titanium build and IP68 rating contribute to a premium, durable feel that sets it apart. This phone is best for mobile gamers and power users who prioritize raw processing speed and a high-refresh-rate screen over top-tier photography.

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8849 Tank 3 Pro 18GB RAM+512GB ROM 100 Lumens

57.5 Gaming Score
6.8" Octa-Core 200MP 18GB RAM 512GB
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a massive 23800mAh battery, enabling multi-day use and supporting a unique built-in camping light. The phone pairs this with a 120Hz display and 18GB of RAM for smooth performance. It's best for outdoor enthusiasts who need a durable, long-lasting device with niche features like a flashlight for camping.

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Best phones under $1200 for gaming

Best Pick

Samsung SM-S942UZKFXAA

92.8 Gaming Score
6.3" Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy 50MP 12GB RAM 512GB 4300mAh
Why we recommend this

Its 6.3-inch OLED display with 2600 nits of brightness and the overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip deliver top-tier performance in a notably lightweight 164g body. The extensive Galaxy AI suite, including Photo Assist for generative editing and Now Nudge for contextual suggestions, provides unique software-driven capabilities. This phone is best for power users who prioritize a compact, flagship-grade device for mobile gaming and on-the-go creative photo editing.

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Price $1,100
Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 cellphone

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OnePlus 5011116281

87.2 Gaming Score
6.8" 8 Elite Gen 5 50MP 0 512GB 7300mAh
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the massive 7,300 mAh battery, paired with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor for flagship power and endurance. The phone also delivers a versatile triple 50MP camera system and a smooth 165Hz AMOLED display. This device is best for power users and travelers who prioritize multi-day battery life and high-performance multitasking over compact size.

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OnePlus OnePlus 15 cellphone
Price $1,000

Google GA09877-US

70.6 Gaming Score
6.8" 50MP 16GB RAM 512GB
Why we recommend this

Its standout 3,300-nit Super Actua display and Google Tensor G5 chip enable unparalleled AI features like live visual analysis with Gemini. The 16GB of RAM and triple 48MP+ camera system provide pro-level performance for on-device creative tasks and computational photography. This phone is best for users who prioritize cutting-edge AI tools and a brilliant screen for outdoor use over maximizing battery endurance.

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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

57.6 Gaming Score
6.9" Apple A18 Pro 48MP 0 512GB
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the Apple A18 Pro chip paired with a versatile triple 48MP camera system, enabling high-quality 8K video capture. The large 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Dolby Vision support provides an excellent media viewing experience. This phone is best for mobile photographers and videographers who prioritize camera versatility and processing power over extended battery life.

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Apple iPhone 16 PRO MAX cellphone
Price $1,099

Premium phones for gaming

Best Pick

Samsung SM-S948UZKAXAA

100 Gaming Score
6.9" Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy 200MP 12GB RAM 256GB 5000mAh
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the world's first built-in Privacy Display, which can automatically obscure your screen from side views. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, enabling top-tier performance for mobile gaming and AI-powered photo editing tools. This device is best for power users who prioritize both high-end gaming performance and advanced, on-device privacy controls for sensitive apps.

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Price $1,300
Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 cellphone

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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

58 Gaming Score
6.9" Apple A18 Pro 48MP 0 1024GB
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the Apple A18 Pro chip paired with a 48MP triple-camera system, enabling high-quality 8K video capture. The large 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Ceramic Shield glass offers excellent durability and visual clarity. This phone is best for mobile photographers and videographers who prioritize professional-grade camera hardware and processing power, despite its noted battery life limitations.

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Apple iPhone 16 PRO MAX cellphone
Price $1,299

VERTU Meta Raspberry Red

51.4 Gaming Score
6.7" A5 64MP 16GB RAM 1024GB
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the dual-OS design, allowing a one-click switch between a standard luxury interface and a secure Web3.0 operating system for decentralized identity management. The device is defined by its expertly handcrafted build using materials like genuine leather and a comprehensive one-year global concierge service. This phone is best for high-net-worth individuals who prioritize exclusive services, encrypted communications, and early access to Web3.0 functionality over raw performance specs.

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Sony Xperia 1 IV 5G Gaming Edition BLACK 6.5" 4K

45.6 Gaming Score
6.5" 16GB RAM 512GB
Why we recommend this

Its 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR support provides exceptional visual clarity and smoothness for mobile content. The generous 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, combined with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, offer strong performance for demanding tasks. This phone is best for mobile gamers and users who prioritize a high-resolution, color-accurate screen for media consumption and gaming.

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