The mobile gaming world has exploded in 2025. With increasingly demanding games, smartphones are no longer just phones they’re full-blown pocket consoles. Here’s the definitive ranking of the best phones for gaming in 2025, from the least powerful to the absolute beasts.
Level 1: Budget Phones
• Samsung Galaxy A50
• Poco X6 Pro
Perfect for light games (like Subway Surfers, Clash Royale…), these models hit their limits quickly when handling more graphically intensive titles. Their modest GPUs and limited RAM can’t handle games like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact in high quality.
Level 2: Optimized Mid Range
• Poco F6
This model stands out with its excellent price to performance ratio. It handles most modern games at medium/high settings with stable performance. Ideal for regular gamers who aren’t necessarily hardcore.
Level 3: Versatile Flagships
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
• Xiaomi 15
• Sony Xperia 1 VII
These are true powerhouses: Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, AMOLED 120/144 Hz displays, enhanced cooling, strong battery life… Perfect for both gaming and multimedia/photo use.
Level 4: Affordable Gaming Powerhouses
• RedMagic 10S Pro
• RedMagic 9 Pro
• Black Shark 5 Pro
Designed purely for gaming: 165 Hz displays, built-in triggers, active cooling systems, 5,000+ mAh batteries. They’re cheaper than standard flagships but better optimized for gaming.
Level 5: High-End Gaming Tier
• Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
This is the benchmark: up to 24 GB RAM, Snapdragon 8 Elite, dedicated gaming accessories, 165 Hz AMOLED screen, vapor chamber cooling, and external fan. It has virtually no rival at this tier.
Level 6: The Absolute Peak of Power
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
These beasts hit over 2 million points on AnTuTu. They run all games at ultra settings with ray tracing enabled, while recording, streaming, and multitasking with no noticeable overheating.