Mobile gaming has come a long way, with the latest smartphones delivering the same performance as gaming units. Even affordable models are capable of running popular games at great visuals and frame rates. This detailed guide will help you discover gaming smartphones for every budget, from affordable new phones to premium flagship devices. refurbished gaming phones that can be better than new ones after all at that price level.
Budget Gaming Phones Under $300
Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G: Powerful and Inexpensive
The Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G is a budget smartphone priced at around $270. This phone has a 1.5K resolution AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate that should be good for mobile gaming. The performance of the camera is not good at this price point even if it offers a 200-megapixel camera specification.
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor is responsible for handling popular titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile on the smartphone. With decent frame rates, users can enjoy high graphics settings in Dead Space Remake. However, maximum settings would drop those heavy frames and make the CPU hot.
Get Galaxy S22 Series As Refurbished Flagship Alternative
Even though they are more than three-year-old, the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus can still play games. These devices continue to offer good performance when playing games, clicking pictures, and running smartphone applications. So, they are worth considering by budget gamers who want a proven flagship quality.
Mid-Range Gaming Options: $300-$400
Poco X6 Pro: Gaming-Focused Value
The Poco X6 Pro, made under Xiaomi’s brand, gets the job done in this price category despite average cameras. These aspects of its display quality, processor capabilities, battery life, and build construction are value for money. The 5000 mAh battery supports 67W fast charging and the charger is included which is a plus point.
MediaTek Dimensity 8300 ultra processor is among the best mid-range chipsets and offers great speed for this price. Real world tests show that the device can run Call of Duty Mobile at max graphics and frame rate without compromise for an enjoyable experience.
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Almost Everything
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus has better looks and camera than the Poco X6 Pro. It is slightly less performant in gaming. This phone is for those who’re looking for a phone for personal use and gaming. The phone gives you better display quality, better cameras, and better look at the cost of a few frame rates.
Refurbished iPhone 13: Premium Alternative
A refurbished iPhone 13 in good condition usually costs around $400 and is much better than new Android devices in that range. This device possesses good camera performance, premium quality material construction, and decent battery life despite having a 60Hz display with a big notch. The A15 Bionic has the edge over Dimensity 8300 Ultra, and it will get three to four years of software support.
Performance Gaming Phones: Over $400
Xiaomi 14T: Premium Features
The Xiaomi 14T is a more premium variant of the Poco X6 Pro. Its cameras have been improved, same processor is used, better build materials are feature, display brightness is improved. This all makes this phone a pretty good option.
Poco X7 Pro: Next-Generation Performance
Poco’s Dimensity 8400 and snapdragon 870 coolers work very well and work on several equivalents. The X7 Pro does suffer from poor daylight and soft rack focusing. The 6000mAh battery utilises silicon-carbon technology for better efficiency. This seems to be a big upgrade over the previous model. It makes it a competent gaming-centric option.
iPhone Alternatives
Refurbished iPhone 14 models have better technology than iPhone 13 models. The iPhone 13 Pro has ProMotion display technology, better cameras, and improved processing power. In the refurbished market, both are good value propositions.
Flagship Gaming Experience: $500-$600
OnePlus 12R: Feature-Rich Gaming
The OnePlus 12R is an affordable option that comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor to run demanding games at decent frame rates. The unique Aqua Touch feature lets you operate the screen with wet fingers and in humid conditions. But, that does not mean you can wet your device.
Poco F6 Pro: Gaming Beast
The Poco F6 Pro is now Poco’s flagship gaming phone. Given that the OnePlus 12R uses the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the gaming performance is brilliant for this price. With specifications and design optimized for gaming, it is a good choice for mobile gamers.
iPhone 16 versus iPhone 15 Pro
Although the iPhone 16 can run the latest games at max settings, the refurbished iPhone 15 Pro is often better value. The Pro variant comes with a superior ProMotion screen, Dynamic Island, a titanium body, enhanced cameras, and similar chip speeds. The Pro model also has Apple Intelligence functions, making it a more complete offering.
Premium Gaming Devices: Over $600
Galaxy S24 FE: Solid Performance
The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a 6.7-inch display which is the same as the S24 Plus. The display also comes with a 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness. The Exynos 2400E, which is just a little underclocked variant of the Exynos 2400, is considered good enough for gaming. The company offers seven years of software updates for the device.
Xiaomi 14T Pro: Enhanced Experience
Building on the standard 14T, the Pro has a brighter display, better cameras, more advanced battery tech, and the formidable Dimensity 9300 Plus chip. At this price point, this configuration performs way better than the 8300 Ultra in lower-end parts.
Refurbished S23 Ultra Alternative
A refurbished Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in excellent condition features the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. This device is better than the new mid-range options. Mainly because it is better in display tech, camera, and build quality. Overall, it is a great deal for the money.
Flagship Gaming Excellence: Over $800
iPhone 16: Apple’s Gaming Platform
Even though the display is limited to 60Hz, the iPhone 16 offers impressive performance with the A18 processor. With an 8GB RAM option available in the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Plus versions, it provides the best mobile gaming experience with apple software optimised.
Red Magic 10 Pro: Gaming Beast for Experts
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, currently the fastest Android processor, is installed in the Red Magic 10 Pro that is designed for gaming. It includes a physical cooling fan capable of running at 6000 rpm, a large vapour chamber for heat distribution, and a 6.85-inch screen without a camera cutout for an uninterrupted gaming experience.
The big 7000mAh battery, which offers up to 2 days of battery life, combined with the built-in shoulder triggers eliminates the need for external accessories. This makes it a serious gaming machine.
iPhone 16 Pro Considerations
The 128GB storage iPhone 16 Pro, priced at $999, has tough competition from low-cost alternatives. The main differences from the iPhone 15 Pro involve a camera control button, with little practical improvement justifying the price advantage.
Samsung S25 Ultra: Incremental Upgrade
The S25 Ultra is priced at $1299 and is about 40% faster than the S25. Other developments are minor though. Users may find better-value in-generations alternatives.
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro: Ultimate Gaming Device
The ROG Phone 9 Pro has made the claim of being the ultimate gaming smartphone. It comes with a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and also features a bright high-resolution screen with a 165Hz refresh rate which is almost 3 times a laptop’s refresh rate. With the optional attachable cooling fan, you can game at maximum performance for as long as you want without thermal throttling.
Conclusion
Smartphone gaming 2025 will be able to offer something for every budget. Gaming smartphones are created specifically for playing games on smartphones whereas smartphones are fogging up these gaming devices with similar specifications. Current smartphones can provide excellent gaming experiences for all types of mobile gamers, whether you’re looking for budget capabilities or flagship performance.