Increasingly, the future of gaming seems to be mobile. The most-downloaded game in the world is PUBG Mobile, which hints that mobile game developers could be pivoting to create handheld adaptations of the world’s most popular eSports games. More and more gaming developers are pivoting toward mobile options. Meanwhile, more mobile phone manufacturers are shifting to prioritize hardware and software that will create an unbeatable gaming experience. Compared to other phones, Android gaming phones should prioritize high refresh rates, high resolution, and have long-lasting batteries.
The most important is a high refresh rate. Even for non-gamers, refresh rates can be incredibly important. For example, as sports betting becomes more popular in the US, more punters are looking to wager on sports. Many punters choose to apply offers like Michigan free bets for live betting features.
This means fans might be betting live on in-game options, which can stall in even the best apps if a phone’s refresh rate isn’t sufficient. Clearly, similar concerns for gamers are incredibly important; in some cases, a slow refresh rate can lead to costly mistakes that can lower a gamer’s rating or even cost them a win.
But high refresh rates are one of the costliest features in gaming phones, which makes features like resolution and battery power even more important. Looking for the best gaming device from Android? Keep reading below for top options.
Affordability: Nubia Red Magic 5G
Though diehard PC gamers might find a 144hz refresh rate lacking, the Nubia Red Magic was the first mobile screen in the world with a 144hz refresh rate. Clearly, developers had gaming in mind when creating this product.
Aside from a solid refresh rate, the Nubia Red has hardware that cools the phone for long stretches of gaming. There are 4D shock features to elevate the games and make them feel more realistic, as well as a gaming center built into the phone that makes organizing titles easy.
On-The-Go Gaming: Lenovo Legion Phone Duel
With a double-screen, the Lenovo Legion is already a dream for gamers who want great resolution and extra screen space. However, the phone is also ideal for gamers who like to jump into a round on-the-go. The phone has stellar charging speed with 90W capabilities.
Additionally, the Lenovo Legion has a quality refresh rate, which means it can process resolution and screen refreshes at a rate perfect for gamers. The only catch is that they’ll pay extra for the gaming-specific hardware and software considerations.
No Expense Spared: Asus ROG Phone 5
The select few may be looking for Android products that deliver on gaming capabilities and the standard smartphone fare, from camera power to speakers to application customization. In this case, the Asus ROG will go the distance (and cost a pretty penny, like the Lenovo above).
With 16GB of RAM and a 144hz refresh rate (and a sampling rate of 300hz), this smartphone packs a bunch that some PCs might not be able to keep up with. Coupled with the Asus’s massive battery and charge rate of 65W, there’s no option more robust for mobile gamers.
A Tight Budget: Xiaomi Black Shark 3
Most gamers won’t have access to the Lenovo Legion or the Asus ROG—or even the Nubia Red Magic. As mentioned above, these products have been painstakingly designed with gaming in mind, which makes them highly specialized.
The Xiaomi Black Shark has seen some criticism for its hardware; the phone is larger than others and has LED lights that haven’t endeared everyone. However, the phone’s features are incredibly robust for its price, which includes a refresh rate of 90hz and low-light settings that make gaming in various locations more comfortable.
Aside from the phone’s refresh rate and its lighting settings, the Xiaomi Black Shark is a great starter phone for gamers because of its long-lasting battery and suitable RAM. For those new to mobile gaming, resolution and refresh rates will have to come in second to endurance and storage.