Jamie
“I actually think gaming is amazing for your mental health.” – Asim Chaudhry.
Like in every tech product sector, the many gaming phones on the market come in varying sizes. You can readily find a cheaper gaming phone you can buy within your budget, or prioritize top-tier gaming features over price across the product spectrum.
Whether you want the best iPhone for gaming or the best device for long gaming sessions without any hitches, here’s the post for you.
Check out our list of the best dedicated gaming phones you can buy in 2025. They fall into a relatively broad spectrum based on price and other specifications, but you can’t underestimate their ability to provide one of the best gaming experiences to the average fan.
List of the Best Gaming Phones Right Now
For interested mobile gamers, these are the devices you should be looking to invest in right now.
1. ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro stands out from other gaming phones for offering the biggest power possible in an Android device.
It might not be the gaming phone option for you if you need the best budget gaming phone on the market. But its competitive cameras, high-end performance, and IP68 durability rating seamlessly justify its pricey nature.
Built for gaming from the bottom up, this gaming device features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 24GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. Its capacitive shoulder buttons are mappable for gaming, while its fan accessory clips at its back can readily keep everything running cool.
Another top highlight of the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is its 6.78-inch AMOLED screen, which boasts a crisp resolution of 2,400 by 1,080 pixels and a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz. Thanks to its gaming software layer, this device makes adjusting accompanying settings for the absolute best performance a walk in the park.
2. RedMagic 9S Pro
If gaming is top of your purpose for getting a mobile device and you want to spend way below $1,000, the RedMagic 9S Pro could make a great fit. Thanks to its 6.8-inch bezel-less AMOLED display, RedMagic 9S Pro ensures you catch every stunning detail of gameplay in one view.
Besides a swift screen refresh rate of 120Hz, the device’s 2480×1116 resolution and 1600 nits brightness can readily ensure that nothing gets in the way of your gaming experience.
Moreover, the gadget offers stellar 3D sound effects plus a 1.6cc large chamber and DTS Ultra Certification all alluding to a potentially rare gaming experience for its price.
3. iPhone 16 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a big name in the gaming gadget world for various reasons. It sports a 2,868-by-1,320-pixel display that is sleek and offers a swift refresh rate. You can also count on its long battery life and support for all the latest 5G standards for smooth and fast access to all your activities.
This phone is popular globally for its super gaming performance. In countries like the Philippines, it is used by many gamers. With its impressive battery life and other features, it will be handy for those who want to engage in online sports betting.
As tipster Evelyn Balyton advises, for bettors in the Philippines, after reading review sites to discover the best betting apps Philippines, getting the iPhone 16 Pro Max could be the next best thing to do.
If you’re an Apple device lover or a neutral gamer who needs ideas on choosing the best gaming devices, consider Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max. You can expect access to tons of unique gaming titles in Apple Arcade, all running on an A18 Pro processor that ensures unbeatable performance.
It’s easily the best gaming phone for Apple fans who love playing games. iPhone 16 Pro Max also contains enough horsepower to handle any mobile game without any worries, alongside a broad screen display for maximum view.
4. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is undoubtedly one of the best Android gaming phones to purchase in 2025. Thanks to its 6.9-inch AMOLED display, gamers can enjoy ample gaming space with 3,120-by-1440 pixel quality rendering graphics in the brightest details.
Inside this is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor and 12 GB RAM that offers plenty of power for the biggest mobile games. While a 256 GB storage comes with the basic offer, gamers can request up to 1TB if they want to eliminate all concerns about space.
If you need a versatile Android phone for gaming, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a top choice for excellent performance. Creative gamers can appreciate its built-in S Pen Stylus for taking and drawing notes.
5. Poco X7 Pro
Poco X7 Pro is the best affordable gaming phone in this review. Compared to similar gadgets, this top pick for mobile gamers boasts one of the most powerful processors for gaming, with higher screen resolution and a brighter display for seamless viewing.
Its camera might not be the best, especially for users who prioritize megapixels in a device. However, its entire processing power, loads of storage space, and RAM rating compare fairly with some of the best Android phones for gaming you’ll find at a lower price.
6. Google Pixel 8 Pro
If you’re looking for flagship phones on Android that give you a peek into the future of mobile gaming tech, here’s the place to look.
This device sports the best display with a larger space and brighter resolution than competitors. Even more, its image features enjoy the support of Google’s modern machine learning to transform your mobile gaming experience.
Besides its ambitious camera functions, Google Pixel 8 Pro promises an unprecedented series of major performance upgrades to help you enjoy an increasingly better pastime with friends and foes. It’s not just an AI phone, it’s the best of the best for heavy gaming for longer in its category.
7. OnePlus 12R
Here’s another handy gaming phone offering great gaming features for less than $1000 with flagship-level performance: the OnePlus 12R Android phone. The device prioritizes key features that can definitely boost players’ gaming experiences, like a large 6.78-inch display and a 120Hz refresh rate for swift responses.
Even in direct sunlight, this great phone provides excellent brightness and an immersive visual environment for all gaming categories. What’s more? The game is powered by the Snapdragon 8 elite processor, which makes it great for gaming over a long period.
Conclusion
“Mobile gaming is the largest and fastest-growing opportunity for interactive entertainment…” – Bobby Kotick.
The best gaming phones for 2025 can elevate your app library and gaming sessions to a whole new level and ensure you enjoy extended gaming sessions on mobile.
Beyond flaunting more than top-notch phone features, the best gaming device should sport gaming software that optimizes for performance and cooling across all titles.
It should contain special gaming features like side-button controls that offer more options when gaming.
Many gamers also love to capture footage of their best moments while sharing their gaming sessions with others.
Consequently, the best phone for gaming should also include tools for live streaming over platforms like Twitch. If you’ve been wondering about the best powerful gaming devices for your pastime, you now have more than enough options with the Android and iOS gadgets in this review.
The article is written by Evelyn Balyton
