Mobile gaming has been around for a long time, but it is only recently that we have been able to play games on our phones with console-level graphics. As phone processors and screens got more advanced, so did the quality of the mobile games. Of course, this meant that we needed more powerful phones than ever, which is why some of the best gaming phones we covered here may just be flagship models of the big companies.
This is why you will see many familiar names here like Samsung Galaxy S20 and iPhone 11 Pro, but if you want the best mobile phone for gaming, we also included the top gaming-specific phones in the market too, like Black Shark 2 Pro, Razer Phone 2, and Nubia Red Magic 5G.
While researching and testing these gaming phones, we took the most important features that gamers would want in their phones into consideration: raw power, battery life, screen resolution, refresh rate, gaming accessories, and software. It is important to note that each phone we listed here will excel in different areas and none of them is perfect in all means, so you will have to choose depending on your needs. Without further ado, let’s get into the top 10 gaming phones you can buy in 2020.
| Sl. No. | Phone | Screen | Processor | RAM | Storage |
| 1 | Asus ROG Phone 2 | 6.59-inch 2340 x 1080 120Hz | Snapdragon 855 Plus | 12GB | 512GB/1TB |
| 2 | Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus | 6.7-inch 3200 x 1440 120Hz | Snapdragon 865 / Exynos 990 | 8GB/12GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB |
| 3 | iPhone 11 Pro | 5.8-inch 2436 x 1125 60Hz | A13 Bionic chip | 4GB | 64GB/256GB/512GB |
| 4 | OnePlus 8 Pro | 6.78-inch 3168 x 1440 120Hz | Snapdragon 865 | 8GB/12GB | 128GB/256GB |
| 5 | Xiaomi Black Shark 2 Pro | 6.39-inch 2340 x 1080 60Hz | Snapdragon 855+ | 8GB/12GB | 128GB/256GB |
| 6 | Razer Phone 2 | 5.72-inch 2560×1440 120Hz | Snapdragon 845 | 6GB/8GB | 64GB/128GB |
| 7 | Nubia Red Magic 5G | 6.65-inch 2340 x 1080 144Hz | Snapdragon 865 | 8GB/12GB | 128GB/256GB |
| 8 | Huawei P30 Pro | 6.47-inch 2340 x 1080 60Hz | Kirin 980 | 6GB/8GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB |
| 9 | Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus | 6.4-inch 3040 x 1440 120Hz | Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820 | 8/12GB | 128GB/512GB/1TB |
| 10 | Sony Xperia 1 | 6.5-inch 3840 x 1644 60Hz | Snapdragon 855 | 6GB | 64GB/128GB |
Asus ROG Phone 2 is the closest you can get to a handheld gaming console with a phone. With its 120 Hz refresh rate, 6,000mAh battery, Snapdragon 855 Plus CPU and 12 GB RAM, it is easily one of the best gaming phones of 2020.
Along with its powerful specs, it also features a 3.5mm audio port for your gaming headphones, Air Triggers that act as shoulder buttons while gaming, and storage options that range from 128 GB to 1 TB. Asus ROG Phone 2 also comes with an AeroActive Cooler II fan that cools down your phone while gaming.
Samsung’s brand-new flagship phone is finally here and it is a beast in every front. It has the Snapdragon 865/Exynos 990 chipset and 12 GB RAM, so it won’t slow down any time soon. On top of this, it has a screen resolution of 3,200 x 1,440 pixels and boasts a butter-smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, which ensures top-notch image quality all around. Plus, its 4,500mAh battery ensures long gaming sessions.
While it is not a phone that’s made specifically for gamers, its sheer amount of power is nearly unmatched. This is important as power is the most important feature you need in a gaming phone, which makes Galaxy S20 Plus one of the best phones for gaming.
iPhone 11 Pro is the middle child of Apple’s new generation, but any one of the iPhone 11s (Base model/Pro/Pro Max) can be a great phone for gaming. Apple’s new A13 Bionic chip is the crucial part here as it makes the iPhone even faster than before, both on gaming and other tasks.
iPhone 11 Pro’s 4 GB RAM, 3,046mAh battery, and 2,436 x 1,125 screen resolution also work in tandem with Apple’s extremely well-optimized software. The result is one of the fastest phones for gaming you can get in 2020. On top of this, getting an iPhone 11 will also give you access to great exclusive games on App Store and Apple Arcade.
OnePlus 8 is an upgrade from OnePlus 7 from every perspective. It features the latest Snapdragon 865 chipset with up to 12GB RAM. These powerful features are powered by a huge 4,510mAh battery and displayed on a 3,168 x 1,440 screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. So, in terms of gaming power, there is more than you need.
On top of all these top-end features of a flagship phone, it also supports the brand-new 5G, so you are set for the future. Plus, on the off-chance that you run out of battery while gaming, OnePlus 8 Pro supports fast charging along with wireless charging.
Xiaomi’s Black Shark gaming phones are cheaper options for those that are looking for a powerful gaming handset, and the Black Shark 2 Pro holds the most value at the moment. For just $500, you get a high-end gaming performance with Snapdragon 855+ processor, 8-12 GB RAM, and 4,000mAh battery.
Its looks also reflect its gaming capabilities with its sleek design. Plus, its gaming accessories are perfect for those that want to get serious in the mobile gaming business. These include a gamepad for better control in games and a clip-on charger that lets you charge your phone more comfortably while playing.
Razer Phone 2 does what Razer does best: give gamers what they want and more. Though Razer Phone 2 is a bit more outdated than the other gaming phones we covered here, this also drove its price down, and it’s still a beast of a phone.
Inside this elegant black handset are Snapdragon 845 chipset, 8GB RAM, excellent speakers, and 4,000mAh battery which are more than enough for every mobile game out now. Also, you will be seeing those games on a lightning-fast 120Hz screen.
As a phone aimed at gamers, Nubia Red Magic 5G steps forth by being the first phone to feature a 144Hz refresh rate screen. While there aren’t many mobile games that support this now, it is obvious that 144Hz is the future.
On top of this, Red Magic 5G features the top-end Snapdragon 865 CPU and 8-12 GB RAM for top performance. It also has shoulder triggers to use on games and a Game Space feature to further customize your gaming sessions. Plus, its 5G support and 4,500mAh battery both ensure that you won’t lag or run out of battery while gaming.
Huawei’s last phone to include support for Google apps (like the crucial Google Play Store) is P30 Pro, which hit the markets back in 2019 but it still holds up very well. Games look amazing on its large 6.47-inch screen, and the 4,200mAh battery gives you more than enough time to enjoy your games.
Its Kirin 980 chipset and 6-8GB RAM are not getting old soon, so you can still take advantage of this high-value phone if you are looking for a great mobile gaming experience.
If the brand-new Galaxy S20 is just over your budget but you still want a powerful Android gaming phone under $1000, you can still go for the 2019’s Galaxy S10 Plus. Its Snapdragon 855 chip and 8-12GB RAM are unlikely to get old soon.
Its screen is still one of the sharpest in the market with 3,040 x 1,440 resolution and the HDR10+ support means that games and movies will look astonishing on it. Plus, its storage can go up to a whopping 1 TB, so you can install as many games as you like.
10. Sony Xperia 1
While Sony’s Xperia line of phones hasn’t changed much in terms of appearance in the last few years, the same cannot be said about their features. Xperia phones have been getting stronger and better, and Xperia 1 is one of the latest culminations of that.
On top of its strong Snapdragon 855 CPU and 6 GB RAM, one of the striking features of Sony Xperia 1 is its 6.5-inch 21:9 screen, which has a 4K resolution. Add HDR support and Dolby Atmos surround sound technology to those features and you are golden for long and immersive gaming sessions.
And here they are, our picks for the top 10 mobile phones for gaming in 2020. We tried our best to include phones from every major manufacturer for most budgets. From the industry leaders’ flagship models such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus and iPhone 11 to cheaper options like Xiaomi Black Shark 2 Pro and Sony Xperia 1, we believe everyone can find what they are looking for here.
Of course, there are many more mobile phones out there than these 10, so if you want to do your own research, set your budget first. Then, decide whether gaming will be your main priority because gaming phones often fall short in other aspects like camera quality. Still, you need a lot of power to play the best mobile games on your phone, so look for mobile phones with the latest chipsets and +6 GB RAM.
Then, look at the screen refresh rates of the phones. While 60Hz is still great for most games, higher refresh rates let you see way more frames per second, which makes the gameplay much smoother. The rest of the features are up to your preferences.
We hope that this guide helped you choose a gaming phone. Have fun playing games on the go and don’t forget your charger.
