Choosing a gaming phone has become a challenge in today’s time. Because there are so many options in the market, and every company claims that their phone is perfect for gaming. But what’s the reality? I have used many gaming phones over the past few years, and today I will share my experience with you. This will not be a general guide, but a practical checklist, by following which you can choose the right gaming smartphone.
Table of Contents
1. Processor: The brain that will decide your gaming experience
It is impossible to talk about gaming phones and not discuss the processor. In my experience, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon and MediaTek’s Dimensity series processors perform the best. Phones with chipsets like Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8 Gen 3, 8s Gen 3 (like Poco F6, iQoo Neo 10R) can run high-end games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile without lag.
The MediaTek Dimensity 8350 is also offering quite strong performance now, and it works very well in phones like the Realme P3 Ultra 5G and Infinix GT 30 Pro. If you are on a budget, phones with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 or Dimensity 8200 or Dimensity 8100 can also do the job, but you may have to compromise a bit in games with high graphics.
2. Display: Refresh rate and touch sampling matter
Having a display with a 120Hz or 144Hz refresh rate is very important for gaming. I used the iQoo Neo 10R, which has a 144Hz AMOLED display, and the difference is clearly visible in games like PUBG Mobile. A high refresh rate is important for smooth gameplay.
Apart from this, the touch sampling rate (such as 720Hz) also matters. The Red Magic 8 Pro has 960Hz touch sampling, which prevents input lag during gaming. If you do competitive gaming, then this feature will be very useful for you.
3. Cooling system: Protection from thermal throttling
Many times the phone gets hot after gaming for a long time, and the performance starts dropping. To avoid this, there should be a good cooling system. ASUS ROG Phones have features like Aero-Active Cooler, iQoo gaming phones comes with VC cooling chamber, while Red Magic phones have a built-in fan.
In my test, the iQoo Neo 10R ran Genshin Impact smoothly at 60fps for 1 hour, while some other flagship phones start throttling after 20 minutes. If you are a hardcore gamer, then a phone with active cooling system is the best option and in India you can buy a flagship killer gaming phone under Rs 30,000.
Note: In short, with processor, you must look for cooling unit in gaming phone. So every phone is not a gaming phone, the cooling systme makes it eligible for gaming.
4. Battery life: To last longer gaming sessions
Phones with a battery of 5000mAh or more are ideal for gaming. Phones like POCO F6 5G, iQOO Neo 10R, and Realme P3 Ultra 5G have quite good battery backup, but if you play games continuously for 6-7 hours, then 6000mAh phones can be a better option.
Fast charging is also important. Make sure buy a phone with fast charging options, that minimum supports 33W charger. A fast charges of 33W juice up the phone up to 50% in 15-20 minutes. This feature is very useful for those gamers who do not want to bother with frequent charging.
5. Gaming Special Features: Trigger Buttons, Side-Mounted Charging Port
Some phones have special features for gaming, like the ASUS ROG Phone has aero-trigger buttons, which make gaming control even better. Red Magic phones have shoulder buttons, which are very useful in games like PUBG and Call of Duty.
Another important feature is the side-mounted charging port. ASUS ROG Phone has this feature, so you can play games comfortably even while charging the phone, without the interruption of cables.
6. Software optimization: Game mode and background process management
Apart from hardware, software optimization also improves the gaming experience. Xiaomi and Poco phones have Game Turbo mode, which increases gaming performance by reducing background processes.
But in my experience, dedicated gaming suites like ASUS’s Armoury Crate and Red Magic’s Game Space are the best. These not only optimize performance, but also provide macros and hardware controls.
7. Storage: Choose phones with UFS 3.1 or UFS 4.0
The size of games is now going above 10GB, so fast storage is important. Phones with UFS 3.1 or UFS 4.0 storage load games faster. Gaming smartphones like Realme P3 Ultra has UFS 3.1 and iQOO Neo10 R has UFS 3.1 (128 GB) & UFS 4.1 (256 GB) storage, which reduces loading times significantly.
8. Audio: Stereo speakers and high-resolution audio
Sound also matters a lot in gaming. Phones like the Oneplus, iQoo, and iPhone have dynamic stereo speakers, which make the gaming experience immersive. If you use headphones or earbuds, phones with high-resolution audio support (such as the Sony Xperia 1 V) are better options.
9. Latest OS with 2-3 Years Security Update
Most of the new phones in the Indian market are now coming with Android 15 or Android 16, which is very important in terms of gaming. The new operating system offers features like gaming mode, better battery optimization, and thermal management which enhance the gaming experience.
Phones like Vivo’s iQoo Neo 10R and Realme P3 Ultra 5G come with Android 15 not only offer better performance but also provide regular security updates for next 2-3 years. If you are buying a slightly older model, then phones with Android 14 like iQOO 11 5G or OnePlus 11R are also good options, but if you want a long-lasting experience, then it would be wise to give priority to phones with latest Android OS only.
10. 5G Phone with Latest Connectivity
5G support is no longer a luxury feature in India but has become a necessity. Network providers like Jio and Airtel are rapidly expanding 5G services across the country. In such a situation, buying a phone with 5G support will prove to be a wise investment not only for the present but also for the future. Mid-range phones like iQoo Neo 10R and Realme P3 Ultra 5G also get good 5G support which are better compatible with Indian networks.
5G not only increases download speed but also significantly reduces ping in online gaming, allowing you to enjoy real-time action in games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty. Even if 5G has not arrived in your area right now, it will be available across the country in the next one or two years, so in terms of future-proofing, one should choose a 5G gaming phone.
Conclusion: Which phone is best for you?
If you are a hardcore gamer and budget is not an issue, then phones like the ASUS ROG Phone 9, and Red Magic 10 Pro are the best. In the mid-range, the iQoo Neo 10R, and Realme P3 Ultra 5G are good options. If you want the best performance on a budget, then you can consider POCO F6 5G.
Finally, the most important thing is to test the phone in your hands before buying it. Because gaming phones are not just about specs, but also about feel and comfort and guys last make sure phone has a cooling unit installed. A cooling unit keeps the phone cool, you can play longer game sessions and there would not be any performance downgrade!
So this was my checklist for choosing a best quality gaming phone. If you have any questions, do ask in the comments and don’t forget to share it with others.
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