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If you’re wondering which gaming phones are worth your money, stick around! After we run through each product, I’ll give you my personal take—Would I buy it, or would I skip it? No fluff, just my honest opinion. Let’s get into it!
Watch the video version: The BEST Gaming Phones Of 2025 - How Many Made The Cut?
Motorola Edge Plus (2023)
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers stellar performance, but it gets noticeably warm during gaming sessions even with performance mode enabled. While games like Fortnite and Genshin Impact run at maximum settings, the heating issues make extended gaming sessions uncomfortable. The 6.7-inch pOLED display with 165Hz refresh rate sounds impressive on paper, but other gaming phones offer better gaming features and cooling solutions. The 2-day battery life is impressive, but the lack of gaming-specific features makes it fall short compared to dedicated gaming phones.
Would I buy it?
No. The heating issues and lack of gaming features make it hard to recommend as a gaming phone, despite its solid general performance.
Nubia RedMagic 9S Pro
This beast maintains an incredible 60.32 FPS in Genshin Impact at ultra-high settings for 30 straight minutes, showing practically zero frame drops. The comprehensive cooling system and Diablo Mode allow the phone to achieve AnTuTu scores over 2.32 million points, representing the pinnacle of mobile performance. The Sound Probe feature for FPS games intelligently identifies and displays sound cues on screen, while the dual shoulder triggers with large touch areas and anti-slip glass material enhance gaming control. The 6500mAh battery ensures extended gaming sessions, and the 6.8-inch UDC Pro display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1600 nits peak brightness delivers stunning visuals.
Would I buy it?
Yes. The unmatched gaming performance, innovative gaming features, and excellent thermal management make it a top-tier gaming phone.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
The MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC handles Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile surprisingly well without major slowdowns or stutters. The effective thermal system prevents throttling even during demanding gaming sessions, maintaining consistent performance. The 120Hz display provides smooth gaming visuals, while the price point of $469.99 makes it an incredible value proposition. The phone delivers solid gaming performance that’s hard to distinguish from more expensive models in popular games.
Would I buy it?
Yes. The combination of reliable gaming performance and budget-friendly price point makes it an excellent choice for mobile gamers on a budget.
OnePlus Open
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 16GB RAM powers through games incredibly well, though only BBK-partnered games can fully utilize the 120Hz screens. The large foldable display offers an unique gaming experience, but the device gets warm during extended gaming sessions. The 4805mAh battery provides decent endurance with several hours of gaming and media consumption. While multitasking is fantastic with instant app switching, the high price point and limited game optimization make it a tough sell purely as a gaming device.
Would I buy it?
Maybe. While it offers unique possibilities for mobile gaming on a larger screen, the price premium and limited game optimization make it more suitable for users who want a foldable that can also game well.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
The gaming performance on this beast is mind-blowing – it barely throttles during intense gaming sessions and outperforms even the Galaxy S24 Ultra in benchmarks thanks to its incredible IceLoop cooling system. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 combined with the 120Hz LTPO display delivers buttery smooth graphics with perfect touch response, and the variable refresh rate helps save battery when you’re not gaming. Speaking of battery, the 5000mAh cell holds up amazingly well under heavy gaming loads, beating other Android phones, and when you do run dry, the 90W wired and 80W wireless charging has got your back. The display hits an insane 3,000 nits peak brightness, making it perfectly visible even in direct sunlight while gaming outdoors.
Would I buy it?
Yes – The combination of top-tier gaming performance, advanced cooling, and fast charging makes this phone a mobile gaming powerhouse that doesn’t compromise.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 paired with up to 24GB of RAM absolutely demolishes any game you throw at it, and the 165Hz LTPO display makes everything butter smooth. The AeroActive Cooler X attachment is a game-changer, boosting sustained performance from 92.2% to 98.3% in stress tests, though the phone does get toasty without it. The physical AirTriggers and shoulder buttons give you a genuine gaming advantage, and the dedicated performance mode lets you prioritize networking latency and touch response. Battery life is solid with 4-5 hours of intensive gaming, and the gaming-focused software features like Game Turbo really enhance the experience.
Would I buy it?
Yes – Despite the high price tag, the gaming-specific features and unmatched performance make it the ultimate gaming phone, especially with the cooling attachment.
Oppo Find X6 Pro
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 handles gaming without any lag or overheating issues, but frustratingly, gaming is restricted to 60fps even in titles that support higher refresh rates. The display can switch between FHD+ and QHD+ resolutions with a 120Hz refresh rate, though it’s held back by software limitations. The performance is snappy and responsive during everyday use, and the cooling system manages to keep things running smoothly. The battery life is decent, but there’s nothing particularly special about its gaming capabilities compared to other flagships.
Would I buy it?
Maybe – While it’s a solid performer for casual gaming, the 60fps limitation and lack of gaming-specific features make it hard to recommend as a dedicated gaming phone.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
The phone has been plagued with issues including freezing for up to a minute at a time and camera problems. Performance improvements over the previous generation are minimal, with very little to justify the upgrade. While iOS 18 brings some new features, they don’t significantly impact the gaming experience, and the thermal issues from previous models haven’t been fully resolved. The battery life is inconsistent, with some days performing significantly worse than others for no apparent reason.
Would I buy it?
No – With its ongoing performance issues and lack of gaming-focused features, there are much better options available for mobile gaming.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
The A18 Pro chip delivers impressive gaming performance with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, making games like Resident Evil Village look stunning with console-quality lighting and shadows. While it handles most games smoothly at 60FPS, running Genshin Impact at 120FPS leads to overheating issues and frame drops, suggesting you should stick to 60FPS for the best experience. The phone stays surprisingly cool during normal gaming sessions thanks to iOS 18’s Game Mode, which optimizes performance by limiting background activities. The gaming library is expanding with exclusive console-quality titles like Assassin’s Creed and Death Stranding Director’s Cut, plus it offers native controller support for most games.
Would I buy it?
Maybe – While it delivers excellent gaming performance and exclusive titles, the thermal throttling and lack of gaming-specific features like performance customization hold it back from being a perfect gaming phone.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor handles every mobile game flawlessly, maintaining consistent frame rates even in demanding titles. The massive 6.8-inch QHD+ display with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate makes every gaming session immersive and responsive. The vapor chamber cooling system keeps temperatures in check during extended gaming sessions, preventing thermal throttling. The 5000mAh battery provides hours of uninterrupted gaming, while the 45W fast charging gets you back in action quickly.
Would I buy it?
Yes – The combination of top-tier performance, excellent thermal management, and a stunning display makes it the ultimate gaming powerhouse.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
The folding mechanism creates an awkward grip during gaming sessions, making it uncomfortable for extended play. The crease in the middle of the screen can be distracting when playing games that require precise touch controls. While the large unfolded display seems promising for gaming, many games aren’t optimized for the unusual aspect ratio. The device gets uncomfortably hot during gaming, forcing performance throttling that impacts gameplay smoothness.
Would I buy it?
No – Despite the innovative form factor, the compromises in gaming ergonomics and thermal performance make it a poor choice for serious mobile gaming.
Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2
The side-mounted pop-up camera creates a weak point in the phone’s structure, making it prone to damage during intense gaming sessions. The software is outdated and buggy, causing frequent crashes and compatibility issues with newer games. The charging system tends to overheat during gaming while plugged in, creating potential safety concerns. The company’s poor software support means gaming performance degrades over time with lack of optimization updates.
Would I buy it?
No – The combination of structural concerns, software issues, and poor long-term support make this phone a risky choice for gaming enthusiasts.
Nuu B30 Pro 5G
The MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chip paired with 12GB RAM handles gaming surprisingly well, running most titles smoothly at low to medium settings with 60 FPS. The generous 256GB storage means you’ll have plenty of space for your game library, though there’s no expandable storage option. While lighter games like Mario Kart run perfectly fine without heating issues, you’ll notice occasional stuttering when pushing graphics to high settings. The phone’s performance in everyday tasks is snappy and responsive, with a helpful RAM Booster feature that can borrow up to 6GB extra from storage.
Would I buy it?
Maybe – While it offers decent gaming performance for its budget price of $259, the occasional stuttering on high settings might frustrate serious gamers.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
Despite packing the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the phone gets uncomfortably hot during intensive gaming sessions. The display can reach 144Hz in games, but very few titles actually support this feature, making it somewhat pointless. Gaming performance is inconsistent, with titles like Genshin Impact running smoothly at first but showing noticeable slowdown after extended sessions. The Game Genie software offers useful features like performance modes and real-time stats, but these don’t compensate for the thermal issues.
Would I buy it?
No – The thermal throttling and inconsistent gaming performance make it hard to recommend, especially when there are better options in the same price range.
Honor Magic 6 Pro
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers impressive gaming performance, handling demanding titles like Genshin Impact without stutters or freezes. In benchmark tests, it actually outperformed gaming-focused phones like the ROG Phone 8 Pro in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, scoring 31.34 fps. The phone maintains stable performance under load with a decent 66% stability score in stress tests. The high-performance mode pushes the CPU even further, improving sustained performance with an 81% rating in throttling tests.
Would I buy it?
Maybe – While it offers outstanding gaming performance, the AI picture processing and high price point might be overkill for pure gaming needs.
OnePlus 12
Gaming performance is absolutely stellar, with Genshin Impact running at maxed-out settings and maintaining 60 FPS without any lag or stuttering. The 6.82-inch display with variable refresh rate up to 120Hz makes games look incredibly smooth, while the 4,500-nit peak brightness ensures perfect visibility in any condition. The phone’s High-Performance mode pushes it to the top of benchmark charts, beating both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max in graphics tests. The HyperTouch feature provides excellent precision for competitive gaming, while HyperBoost and HyperRendering ensure consistent performance in titles like Fortnite.
Would I buy it?
Yes – It’s currently the most powerful gaming phone you can get, offering flagship performance and gaming-specific features without compromising on everyday usability.
Sony Xperia 1 V
The 30W charging is embarrassingly slow for a flagship gaming device, making you wait forever between gaming sessions. While it has a 4K display, it’s actually rendering at a lower 2560 x 1096 resolution most of the time, which feels like false advertising. The phone gets warm with little provocation, making extended gaming sessions uncomfortable. The fingerprint sensor is unreliable, which is frustrating when you’re trying to quickly jump into a game.
Would I buy it?
No – The device is overpriced for what it offers and has too many compromises for serious mobile gaming.
RedMagic 9 Pro
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers incredible gaming performance, hitting 60fps in Genshin Impact at max settings without breaking a sweat. The massive 6500mAh battery lets you game for hours, and the built-in cooling fan keeps temperatures manageable even during intense sessions. The 120Hz display has no notch or punch hole thanks to the under-display camera, giving you an uninterrupted gaming view. The physical shoulder triggers and gaming-focused features like Sound Probe make it feel like a true gaming device.
Would I buy it?
Yes – It offers unmatched gaming performance and features at a reasonable price point.
Poco X6 Pro
The MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra delivers flagship-level gaming performance, handling Genshin Impact at high settings with consistent 60fps. The 120Hz display with 2160Hz touch sampling in Game Turbo mode makes gaming incredibly responsive. The stereo speakers provide decent audio for gaming, though they lack some bass. The phone stays relatively cool during gaming, only reaching 40.5°C after 20 minutes of intense gaming.
Would I buy it?
Yes – It offers incredible gaming performance at a budget price point that’s hard to beat.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
The new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip makes this the most powerful gaming phone around, beating even the iPhone 16 Pro Max in CPU performance. The improved cooling system keeps performance consistent during long gaming sessions, scoring an impressive 99.6% in stability tests. The massive 5,800mAh battery ensures you can game for hours without worrying about running out of juice. The phone includes quality-of-life features like wireless charging and IP68 certification, which are rare in gaming phones.
Would I buy it?
Yes – It’s the most complete gaming phone package with unmatched performance and practical features.
Thanks for watching, I hope this video helped you pick the gaming phones for you. If you have any questions, drop a comment below. Links to all of these products mentioned in this video will be in the description.
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