Are you looking for the best Android phone for gaming? In 2021, the word of the year is “convenience.” Gone are the days when you needed an entire setup for gaming. Despite the massive trends surrounding consoles like the PS5, the gaming masses continue to flock to mobile gaming. And for a good reason. Most people own a smartphone.
Whether it’s Apple or Android, there are a dozen amazing options to consider. Not to mention, multiple free-to-play games are available that are an easy attraction for players. So, what are the factors you should consider? How do you find the best mobile phone for gaming?
Features to look for in the best Android phones for gaming
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Display
Displays aren’t just important for aesthetic value. Having a bigger display has value for gaming devices because your gaming controls and display screen are the same. Some phones offer the option to set up dual screens, which many gamers prefer. The issue with that though, are occasional input issues, which can lead to lagging or your game being unresponsive.
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Processor
The worst issue gamers face with heavy games is lagging. Having a certain amount of processing power is necessary if you intend to use it for gaming. So having a device with an octa-core processor is the bare minimum when it comes to the best mobile phones for gaming.
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Memory
Never underestimate the importance of memory. A huge mistake users make is prioritizing display and battery power at the expense of everything else. Take a look at the phone’s ROM and RAM numbers before you buy it. If you want to play a game with heavier graphics and enjoy it, you’ll need a device with a high ROM.
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Battery
How much battery power you need depends on what games you intend on playing. Heavier games will drain your power within a few hours. And if you get the wrong device, you’ll find yourself in a circle of torment. Generally, a 4000 mAh battery is the ballpark you need to aim for. With that, you’ll want a fast charger that works at maximum capacity.
When you’re looking into mobile phones to buy, these factors may seem self-explanatory. These days, there are so many options; it’s easy to get confused. So when you’re looking for the best hardware with the latest software that delivers a complete, immersive gaming experience, you’ll come across numerous options. Here are a few of the best mobile phones for gaming on the market to help you choose.
3 Best Android phones for gaming
Certain types of phones are specific to gaming. But this list will deal more with the mainstream android phones that you can use regularly and for gaming, just off of the strength of their specifications.
1. Asus ROG Phone II
Display
The hardware design for this model is sleek, angular, and clean with the distinctive RoG logo. Unlike previous models, the Asus ROG Phone II has a far better display. This was a gripe users had with the older version, which used QHD resolution. But the ROG II has a 120 Hz AMOLED display, which is a definite plus in a gaming phone.
Processor
When it comes to the best mobile phone for gaming, processing power plays a huge role. And one of the reasons why the Asus ROG Phone II ranks high up on this list is its 7nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus CPU. Forget facing any issues with lagging or delays. With this phone, you’re guaranteed a smooth performance with even heavier games.
Memory
That isn’t where the fantastic benefits of this phone stop. With a RAM capacity of 12GB and 512GB UFS 3.0 storage, this model’s high memory capacity makes it a good option for gamers. While internal storage capacity begins from 128 GB with specific configurations, you can increase the value to 1TB.
Battery
At 6000 mAh, the Asus ROG Phone II has a spectacular battery life, making it a top contender among the best Android phones for gaming. Because when you’re in the middle of a game, in a competitive mode, your phone dying is the worst thing that can happen and completely disrupt your flow.
Cons
Despite its great features, this model is relatively expensive. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t provide value for money because it does deliver top-of-the-line features in every arena. But if you’re shopping on a budget, this may not be for you. It also doesn’t come with a wireless charging option or microSD support.
2. Razer Phone 2
When it comes to gaming devices Razer is a brand that shines through, leaps and bounds ahead of its competitors. The Razer Phone 2 is the second mobile gaming device they have put out. It’s cheaper than the first version and offers a lot of great specifications.
Display
The hardware for this phone is blocky and overall heavier looking, which is a change from its competitors that have sleeker devices. You’ll either love it or hate it. But regardless of how you feel about the form, the display has much to offer, with its QHD 120 Hz IPS display and HDR support. And if you aren’t up to date on the tech specifications that basically means the Razer Phone 2 gives you the best visuals for high res games and a fully immersive experience.
Processor
If you were impressed with the Asus ROG Phone II you’re definitely going to like the Razer Phone 2. It’s processing power is what pushes it to the top of the list for best mobile phones for gaming. With 10nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Plus CPU you’ll never have to worry about lagging in your games. Once you buy it you can keep updating it with the latest games and trust that they’ll run smoothly in-house.
Memory
The Razer Phone 2 has an 8GB RAM and 64GB storage which is a little low for in-built. But that’s not a huge issue with android phones because it’s easy to add memory cards to reach whatever limit you want to reach.
Extras
Looking at the phone the first thing you see is the forehead and chin aspect on the front side. These aren’t just for show either. The speakers on this model make this one of the best mobile phones for gaming, are the highlight for this phone and pack a powerful punch. And when you’re gaming, having high-quality sound is the smoothest way to immerse yourself fully in the experience.
Cons
It’s a relatively older phone, having come out in 2018 so the company may release a newer model. But its age is why you get so many amazing features for a lower price point. It also has bad camera quality and isn’t really suited for use outside of gaming. So if you’re looking for a regular phone the Razer Phone 2 is mediocre at best. But if you want a gaming device it is the best Android phone for gaming.
3. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8
The best thing about the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is the lengths the company has gone to push the limit on hardware power while keeping prices reasonable.
Display
Despite all the efforts made to keep the phone low priced, nothing about the hardware looks cheap. The device is sleek and two-toned, with a slick sheen and a large screen. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 comes with a 1080p IPS display and a high caliber for color accuracy. It’s all these smaller things that come together to give you an immersive gaming experience. Definitely a contender for best Android phone for gaming 2021.
That said, despite the quality display, it isn’t AMOLED, so the contrast isn’t up to that level. If you’re used to AMOLED devices, then you should take this into consideration. Otherwise, you won’t notice a difference.
Processor
The Snapdragon 655 processor is what you want in a CPU and leaps ahead of the processing power you’ll find in other phones in the same price range. If you’re shopping on a budget, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is definitely what you want.
Memory
That brings us to memory and RAM. And the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 offers a lot of range in this arena. So you have five models:
- 32GB storage with 3GB RAM
- 64GB storage with 4 GB RAM
- 64GB storage with 6 GB RAM
- 128GB storage with 4 GB RAM
- 128GB storage with 6 GB RAM
When we talk about the best mobile phone for gaming, a huge part of that deals with the type of games you want to play. With this device, you get to choose what you need. Overall, we’d suggest the 64 GB storage 4 GB RAM option for the widest variety of games. The 32 GB is definitely cheaper, but it can get cramped if you try and run too many games.
Cons
Is this the best gaming device in the world with the highest specs possible? No. But if you’re shopping on a budget, then this device is miles ahead of its competitors and the one you want.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best Android phone for gaming, you need to start by clarifying your needs. What are the specs you need? What is your budget? Depending on your answer to those two questions, you can pick whichever model best fits your requirements.
