As mobile gaming continues to grow in popularity, having a smartphone that can handle intensive games has become increasingly important. With the release of new models and upgrades, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest and greatest gaming smartphones.

In this article, we will explore the top smartphones for gaming in 2023, analyzing their performance, display quality, battery life, and overall gaming experience. Whether you’re a casual mobile gamer or an OG dedicated player, this guide will help you find the best gaming smartphone to suit your needs.

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1. Asus ROG 6 Pro – Top-Pick

If you’re a hardcore mobile gamer looking for a device that can handle any game you throw at it, look no further than the ROG Phone 6 Pro. Equipped with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset and a whopping 18GB of RAM, this phone packs a serious punch. Its GameCool 6 heat dissipation system keeps it running smoothly, even during marathon gaming sessions. But the real standout feature here is the 6.78-inch AMOLED screen, with a refresh rate of 165Hz and touch sampling rate of 720Hz. With HDR10+ support, it delivers stunning visuals that bring games to life like never before. And with a massive, 6000mAh battery, you can keep playing all day without worrying about running out of juice.

But make no mistake, this phone isn’t for everyone. It’s specifically designed for gamers who demand the best performance possible from their devices. If that sounds like you, then you won’t find a better smartphone on the market right now. From top to bottom, inside and out, the ROG Phone 6 Pro is a gaming powerhouse that’s sure to impress even the most discerning gamers. So if you want a smartphone that can handle anything you throw at it, look no further than the ROG Phone 6 Pro.

Performance.

Looking for a smartphone that can handle any game you throw at it with ease? The ROG Phone 6 Pro could be just the device you’re after. Powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset and a colossal 18GB of RAM, this smartphone is a serious gaming machine. In addition, the GameCool 6 heat dissipation system ensures that the phone stays cool, even during long gaming sessions.

When it comes to benchmarking, the ROG Phone 6 Pro doesn’t disappoint. Its impressive scores put other dedicated gaming phones firmly in the shade, while the software is highly focused on delivering the best possible gaming experience. When you kick off a gaming session, the phone will slide straight into X Mode in order to optimise its performance by increasing CPU, GPU, and RAM. The result is a phone that feels fast and responsive and delivers an immersive and addictive gaming experience.

Battery.

The ROG Phone 6 Pro boasts a large 6000mAh battery, which is a 20% increase from the standard 5000mAh that is often seen in smartphones. When subjected to half an hour of intense gaming, the battery only lost 6%, while an hour of streaming video only drained 6% as well. The phone comes with a 65W fast-charging brick and cable, which allows for a 0-50% charge in just 17 minutes and a full 0-100% charge in only 40 minutes, surpassing Asus’ official estimate of 42 minutes. The device also offers customization options such as setting a custom charging limit of 80% or 90% and scheduled charging times to preserve battery longevity. Overall, the battery life and fast charging capabilities of the ROG Phone 6 Pro are highly impressive and convenient for gamers on the go.

Specs & Additional Features

• Brand: Asus
• Model: ROG Phone 6 Pro
• Screen Size: 6.78-inch AMOLED screen
• RAM: 18GB
• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
• Storage Capacity: 512GB
• Operating System: Android 12
• Rear Camera: 50MP+13MP
• Front Camera: 12MP
• Resolution: 2488×1080
• Weight: 239 G
• Refresh Rate: 165Hz
• Battery: 6000mAh

Asus ROG 6 Pro is a top pick for hardcore mobile gamers due to its exceptional performance and gaming-focused features. However, it may not be the best choice for non-gamers due to its high price point and lack of focus on other features such as camera quality.

2. Nubia Redmagic 7S Pro – Best Mid-range

The Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro is the ultimate gaming smartphone that boasts a powerful Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, up to 18GB RAM, and a generous storage capacity. Its sleek design, complete with shoulder triggers that give you extra control when gaming, provides an immersive gaming experience that’s hard to resist. However, the phone’s software can be a little tricky to navigate, and some design decisions may seem non-gaming-friendly.

Despite the minor drawbacks, the Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro is an excellent choice for gamers looking for a phone that packs a punch. With a 5000mAh battery and advertised 65W fast charging, you can keep the action going all day long. Its hardware and software features, along with its relatively reserved look, make it a standout option in the world of gaming smartphones. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, the Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro is a smartphone worth considering.

Performance

The Red Magic 7S Pro boasts impressive performance thanks to its actively cooled Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor and up to 18GB of RAM. It performs well in benchmarks and gaming, maintaining consistent performance even under extended strain with its noisy cooling fan and oversized heat dissipation system. Storage options range from 256GB to 1TB, but there is no expandable storage.

However, the Red Magic 5.5 UI is clunky and buggy, with hulking great widgets dominating the home screen that are of no use and precious little space for useful day-to-day apps. The software is also prone to occasional stutters, and the battery settings screen and fingerprint sensor have their issues. Bad translation is also present in some areas, making the user experience feel slap-dash.

Battery.

The Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro comes with a 5000mAh battery, which may be slightly smaller than what is typical for a gaming phone, such as the Asus ROG Phone 6, which has a 6000mAh battery. However, in general use, the 5000mAh battery should be sufficient to last all day with moderate usage.

One issue to note is the slightly buggy 65W charging system, which may inhibit the charging rate until the process is reset. Despite this, the bundled-in 65W charger can charge the phone from 1 to 59% in 15 minutes and up to 93% in 30 minutes, with a full charge taking approximately 35 minutes.

The Red Magic 7S Pro does not support wireless charging, which is typical of gaming phones that prioritize fast charging and robust cooling systems over other features.

Specs & Additional Features

• Brand: Nubia
• Model: Redmagic 7S Pro
• Screen Size: 6.8 inches
• RAM: 18GB
• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
• Storage Capacity: 256GB
• Operating System: Redmagic 5.5
• Rear Camera: 64MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro
• Front Camera: 8MP
• Resolution: 2400×1080
• Weight: 235G
• Refresh Rate: 520Hz
• Battery: 5000mAh

Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro is an excellent choice for gamers who prioritize performance and responsive gaming controls. However, if you prefer a clean software experience, you may find the Red Magic’s UI frustrating to use. The phone also lacks some features commonly found in other gaming phones, such as expandable storage and wireless charging.

3. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – Best Android Option

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a testament to the pinnacle of smartphone technology. With a 200MP camera, it’s capable of taking some of the highest quality images ever seen on a smartphone, whether in bright sunlight or dimly lit conditions. Additionally, the exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset delivers unbeatable performance, making multitasking and running resource-intensive apps a breeze. All-day battery life is also no problem for this device, even at WQHD+ resolution.

Despite its high price tag, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra truly does it all. From the stunning display and top-notch stylus experience to the blisteringly fast performance, this smartphone offers an all-around flagship experience that’s hard to beat. If you’re looking for the very best that Android has to offer, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is definitely worth considering.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a special version of Qualcomm’s latest top-end chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which is exclusive to Samsung devices. It is paired with either 8- or 12GB of RAM and either 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. While benchmarking shows only a slight gain in performance compared to other early 2023 flagships, the phone feels ultra-rapid and responsive in use, thanks in part to the 120Hz refresh rate. The phone also has a surprisingly decent audio experience, with stereo speaker support and Dolby Atmos support for headphones. It ships with Android 13 and Samsung’s latest OneUI 5.1, which is easy to use with a polished Android experience largely free of bloatware. The phone also boasts one of the best Android OS promises around, with 4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates.

Battery.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with a 5000mAh battery that offers comfortable all-day battery life, even when using battery-hungry features like the WQHD+ resolution and always-on display. The phone typically ends the day with around 40% charge, and a full hour of Netflix streaming uses only 7% battery, while half an hour of light gaming uses 5%.

However, the phone’s charging speed is relatively slow compared to some Android competitors, taking 28 minutes to reach 50% charge and 1 hour and 31 minutes for a full charge. This means that while the phone can easily last all day, it will likely still need to be charged overnight.

Specs & Additional Features

• Brand: Samsung
• Model: S23 Ultra
• Screen Size: 6.8 inches
• RAM: 12GB, 8GB
• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
• Storage Capacity: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
• Operating System: Android 13
• Rear Camera: 200MP, 12MP, 10MP, 10MP
• Front Camera: 12MP
• Resolution: 3088×1440
• Weight: 234G
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• Battery: 5000mAh

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is an expensive phone with top-of-the-line features such as a 200MP camera and exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset. It also has all-day battery life and a decent audio experience. However, its charging speed is relatively slow compared to some Android competitors. If you want the very best Android smartphone experience and don’t mind paying a premium, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is definitely worth considering.

4. iPhone 14 Pro Review – Best iOS Option

The iPhone 14 Pro may not be a major upgrade from its predecessor, but it’s still a fantastic smartphone that can hold its own in 2023. With a completely new wide camera, you’ll have more freedom to take stunning shots than ever before. The 48MP megapixel main camera on the back is a game-changer, and the Dynamic Island notch now has more functionality, making it easier to use than ever.

Featuring an A16 Bionic chipset, 6GB RAM, and up to 1TB storage, the iPhone 14 Pro is a powerhouse of a device. With these top-end specs, you’ll be able to run all your favorite apps and games without any lag or slowdown. Whether you’re a professional photographer, a gamer, or a power user, this smartphone is sure to impress with its performance and features. So if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line smartphone in 2023, the iPhone 14 Pro is definitely worth considering.

Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro represents the start of a new innovation cycle for Apple, with a number of upgrades and changes that are sure to become series stalwarts over the next few years. It has the potential to offer something truly new in a year that’s seen only minor updates to many high-end Android phones. So if you want to stay ahead of the curve and experience the latest and greatest in smartphone technology, the iPhone 14 Pro is the way to go.

Performance

Performance is one area where the iPhone 14 Pro shines. With its A16 Bionic chipset and 6GB RAM, this phone is incredibly fast and responsive. Even demanding tasks like video editing and playing Apple Arcade games are a breeze on this device. The phone’s speed is a testament to Apple’s commitment to producing the fastest phones on the market year after year.

In terms of 5G, the iPhone 14 Pro’s capabilities vary depending on the region. UK models come with sub-6 5G, while US models have mmWave support but no physical SIM slot. Despite this difference, the phone’s 5G capabilities are more than adequate for most users. The phone also comes with up to 1TB of storage, giving users plenty of space for photos, videos, and other files. While some iPhone 14 Pro’s features, like Car Crash detection and Emergency SOS via satellite, are unlikely to be used by most people, they are interesting additions that expand what we can expect from a phone.

Battery.

iPhone 14 Pro offers similar endurance to the iPhone 13 Pro, and while battery life has not taken any great strides forward, it is still perfectly acceptable for daily use. With the always-on display enabled, automatic brightness, and hundreds of notifications coming through, the phone can last from an 8 AM alarm to midnight bedtime with about 10-15% left. However, factors such as pushing the screen full-blast with HDR content or pumping the brightness in super-bright conditions can significantly impact battery life.

On busy days with lots of music streaming and gaming, the phone may need to be charged up once at home. The phone does not come with a charger, but a 20w plug paired with the included USB-C to Lightning cable can provide a 50% charge in 32 minutes and a full charge in 99 minutes, which is virtually the same as the iPhone 13 Pro. Wireless charging is also an option, with Apple’s MagSafe charger topping out at 15w and a standard Qi pad maxing out at 7.5w.

Specs & Additional Features

• Brand: iPhone
• Model: 14 Pro
• Screen Size: 6.1 inches
• RAM: 6GB
• Chipset: A16 Bionic Chip
• Storage Capacity: 128 GB
• Operating System: iOS 16
• Rear Camera: 48MP, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP, 12MP
• Front Camera: 12MP
• Resolution: 2556×460
• Weight: 206G
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• Battery: 3200mAh

Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro is a great smartphone with top-of-the-line specs and impressive performance. The new and improved camera system, including the 48MP megapixel main camera, is a highlight, as well as the Dynamic Island notch which adds more functionality and interaction. However, battery life and charging speed could be improved, and the phone may not be a significant upgrade from the previous model for some users.

5. Poco X5 Review – Best Cheap Option

The Poco X5 Pro 5G takes on the mid-range market with some impressive features that rival its more expensive counterparts. Featuring a triple camera system with a high-resolution 108MP snapper, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro camera, the X5 Pro can capture sharp and detailed photos. Coupled with a flagship-quality display boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, 900 nits of brightness, and FHD+ resolution, this smartphone can deliver a visual experience that’s hard to beat.

But what sets the X5 Pro apart is its supercharged battery, boasting an impressive 5,000mAh capacity that lasts all day. And when you need a quick boost, the 67W fast charging capability can get you up and running in no time. While there might be room for improvement, the X5 Pro is undoubtedly a solid mid-ranger that packs a punch for the price.

Performance

Performance is a key aspect of any smartphone, and the Poco X5 Pro packs a mid-range Snapdragon 778G chipset. While it handles everyday tasks well, multitasking can be a bit of a challenge. You might feel like you want more when it comes to performance, but it can hold its own when playing 3D games like Asphalt 9.

However, the sub-par software experience of the Poco X5 Pro might put you off. Even with the latest MIUI 14, the custom skin complicates the Android experience with bloatware pre-installed. On the plus side, the dedicated speakers at the top and bottom of the device produce decent sound quality with some level of depth, and Dolby Atmos support is available when using headphones. Additionally, the X5 Pro offers 5G connectivity, dual-SIM support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC for payments.

Battery.

The Poco X5 Pro features a 5000mAh battery that easily lasts a full day with normal use. It loses about 7% of its charge after an hour of watching Netflix, 3% for half an hour of light gaming, and 7% for half an hour of intense gaming. While it may not have the power efficiency of flagship phones, it is still impressive for its price range. The phone also supports fast charging with Poco’s “turbocharging” technology, which can charge the phone from 0% to 50% in just 24 minutes and to fill in just over an hour. This is faster than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and a huge improvement from the regular X5.

Specs & Additional Features

• Brand: Poco
• Model: 5X Pro
• Screen Size: 6.7 inches AMOLED
• RAM: 6GB, 8GB
• Chipset: Snapdragon 778G
• Storage Capacity: 128GB, 256GB
• Operating System: Android 12
• Rear Camera: 108MP, 8MP, 2MP
• Front Camera: 16MP
• Resolution: 2400×1080
• Weight: 181G
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• Battery: 5000mAh

Overall, the Poco X5 Pro 5G is a solid mid-range option with impressive features that rival more expensive smartphones. It has a high-quality camera and display, excellent battery life, and fast charging capability. However, the software experience could be improved, and the design may not appeal to everyone. The Snapdragon 778G chipset can handle everyday use and light gaming, but may struggle with heavy multitasking. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly phone with good performance and features, the Poco X5 Pro 5G is definitely worth considering.

Final Thought

In conclusion, if you’re an avid gamer, investing in a high-end gaming smartphone can significantly enhance your mobile gaming experience. Whether you prioritize performance, display quality, camera capabilities, or battery life, there is a smartphone out there that can meet your needs. From the ASUS ROG Phone 5 to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, each of the smartphones discussed in this article has its unique advantages and drawbacks. So, choose wisely based on your preferences and budget.

Don’t hesitate to check out this article for more detailed information on the best gaming headsets in 2023. Upgrade your gaming experience on-the-go with the perfect gaming headset!

5 Top High-End Gaming Headsets in 2023