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Top 5 · Smartphones

Top 5 Best Gaming Phones 2026

Smartphones optimized for gaming.

Updated January 29, 20265 rankedNo paid placements
2ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro - Ranked #2 Gaming Phones
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
Score 9.6 / 10 · Best premium
2
1REDMAGIC 11 Pro - Ranked #1 Gaming Phones
REDMAGIC 11 Pro
Score 9.9 / 10 · Best overall
1
3Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max - Ranked #3 Gaming Phones
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Score 8.8 / 10
3

Full rankings

1
REDMAGIC 11 Pro - Ranked #1 Gaming Phones
Best overall

REDMAGIC 11 Pro

Ultimate gaming machine with Snapdragon 8 Elite, only phone with built-in active cooling fan, 144Hz display, physical shoulder triggers, and up to 24GB RAM at just $649.

Built-in active cooling fan144Hz gaming displayPhysical shoulder triggersMediocre camerasOnly 2 years updates
9.9/ 10
$800at AmazonCheck priceRead full review
2
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro - Ranked #2 Gaming Phones
Best premium

ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro

Premium gaming flagship with smoothest 165Hz display, AirTrigger 9 ultrasonic controls, and best build quality among gaming phones. Last ROG Phone model—a collector's item.

165Hz smoothest displayAirTrigger 9 controlsBest gaming phone build$1,099 premium priceLast ROG Phone model
9.6/ 10
$1295at AmazonCheck priceRead full review
3
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max - Ranked #3 Gaming Phones

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Best for Apple ecosystem gamers with A19 Pro sustained performance, console-quality games (RE Village, AC Mirage), and Apple Arcade. MagSafe controller attachment is seamless.

Best-in-class video recording4K 120fps smooth captureZero shutter lag$1,199+ premium price12GB RAM less than Android
8.8/ 10
$1339at AmazonCheck priceRead full review
4
OnePlus 15R - Ranked #4 Gaming Phones
Best value

OnePlus 15R

Value gaming champion with Snapdragon 8 Elite, highest 165Hz refresh rate, and 25+ hours battery at just $599. 100W charging means minimal downtime.

165Hz highest refresh rateSnapdragon 8 Elite flagship100W fastest chargingNo telephoto cameraGaming features limited
8.6/ 10
$699at AmazonCheck priceRead full review
5
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra - Ranked #5 Gaming Phones

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

All-rounder gaming flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite 'Made for Galaxy' overclock, 6.9" display, Game Booster, and S Pen for strategy games. Premium all-around, not just gaming.

200MP highest resolution sensor8K 30fps videoS Pen built-in$1,299 premium priceLarge and heavy
8.5/ 10
$960at AmazonCheck priceRead full review
Side by side

How they scored

ProductPerformance · 35%Display · 25%Cooling · 20%Gaming Features · 10%Battery Life · 10%ScorePrice
1REDMAGIC 11 Pro
1010101099.9$800
2ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
101091089.6$1295
3Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
1098698.8$1339
4OnePlus 15R
91075108.6$699
5Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
998788.5$960

How we ranked them

Look for cooling and displays.

Gaming rankings prioritize sustained performance, display quality, cooling efficiency, and gaming-specific features. We test with demanding titles like Genshin Impact and emulators.

Performance

Processing

35%
Display

Refresh rate

25%
Cooling

Thermal

20%
Gaming Features

Triggers

10%
Battery Life

Endurance

10%
Learn more about how we test

Questions, answered

Dedicated gaming phone or flagship?
Dedicated (REDMAGIC, ROG) for hardcore gamers wanting physical triggers and active cooling. Mainstream flagships (iPhone, Samsung) if gaming is one use case among many—they offer better cameras and software support.
Is 144Hz vs 165Hz noticeable?
Barely. Most games cap at 120fps anyway. The difference between 60Hz and 120Hz is dramatic; between 144Hz and 165Hz is marginal. Focus on sustained frame rates rather than peak refresh.
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