Best smartphones for mobile gaming in 2025 revealed

Mobile gaming is booming, with releases like Genshin Impact 2.0 and Call of Duty: Mobile pushing mobile devices to their limits. After thorough research, five top gaming smartphones have emerged as the best options on the market right now.

Topping the list is the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro. While competitors focus on RGB lighting, ASUS prioritizes durability and performance. Its sleek matte glass body with IP68 protection houses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, clocking up to 4.2 GHz. A unique dual-loop cooling system with graphene membranes prevents overheating even during 8-hour PUBG Mobile marathons. The standout feature is the hybrid interface — switch between a “gaming” mode with FPS widgets and a minimalist Android 15 setup with a single swipe. The 5,800 mAh battery supports 125W fast charging, reaching full capacity in just 19 minutes — a record for flagship models. The price? $929.

In second place is the Nubia RedMagic 10 Pro, featuring a massive 7,050 mAh battery and a built-in turbo fan. In ray tracing tests with Fortnite, the device maintained 120 FPS at a temperature 7°C lower than the ASUS. Touch-sensitive triggers with tactile feedback mimic mechanical button clicks. Its biggest strength? Value for money. Despite costing half as much as a Samsung flagship, it offers 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM. However, the neon-accented design may not suit everyone. Price: $649.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max secures third place, leveraging Apple's ecosystem integration. It connects seamlessly with Apple Vision Pro for AR gameplay streaming. The A18 Pro chip with a 45 TOPS neural engine processes AI mods in real time — like adding your avatar to cutscenes in some games. An upgraded cooling system in the titanium frame prevents throttling, maintaining stable FPS even after 5 hours of Diablo Immortal. The downside? The price. At $1,500 for the base model, you could buy both a RedMagic and a gaming laptop.

In fourth place is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — the flagship for those seeking balance. Its ProScaler technology converts HD content to 4K without lag, making older games look new. The integrated S Pen doubles as a joystick for strategy games like Clash of Clans, offering more precision than taps. The secret weapon is the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. Prices vary depending on the configuration, but the mid-tier model costs around $1,080.

Rounding out the list is the OnePlus 13R — a hidden gem powered by last-gen hardware. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 still handles Genshin Impact on ultra settings, while the 6,000 mAh battery lasts long enough for extended play sessions. The Pro Gamer mode allocates 90% of system resources to the game, shutting down background processes — a feature even ASUS lacks. However, with only 12 GB of RAM and a plastic frame, it’s less premium than others. Price: $599.99.

In 2025, the line between gaming and regular smartphones is disappearing. This year’s trend is versatility — top models perform equally well for streaming, AR games, and video editing. If you want an exclusive gaming experience, go for the ASUS ROG. For innovation at a reasonable price, the RedMagic is the smart choice. And for ecosystem enthusiasts, Apple and Samsung remain the obvious options.