The competitive landscape of gaming smartphones has intensified with the introduction of new models like the ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Pro and iPhone 16. The RedMagic 10 Pro, in particular, poses a serious challenge to established giants such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Samsung has responded aggressively, launching the Galaxy S25 Ultra in February 2025. This latest addition adds to the variety of options for gamers looking for high-performance devices.
In this article, we will highlight the best gaming smartphones available in 2025 to help you make an informed decision.
Top Gaming Smartphones of 2025
1) ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Pro
Price: $649
The ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Pro emerges as a premier gaming device, boasting the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. It includes sophisticated cooling technology, featuring both a vapor chamber and an active cooling fan, ensuring optimal performance even during prolonged gaming sessions.
| Specifications | Details |
| Display | 6.85-inch AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| OS | Android 15 with Redmagic OS 10 |
| Memory & Storage | 12/16/24GB RAM, up to 1TB |
| Camera | 50+50+2MP rear, 16MP front |
| Battery | 7,050 mAh, 100W fast charging (Global) |
With a robust 7,050 mAh battery, this phone can offer up to three days of light usage, making it a solid choice for gamers. Although gaming might reduce battery life compared to basic usage, it still outperforms many competitors in this category for under $650. However, availability may vary by region.
2) Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Price: $1,299.99
As the latest model in Samsung’s flagship series, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is engineered for gamers. An expanded cooling system has been implemented, featuring a vapor chamber that is 40% larger than its predecessor. This enhancement reduces thermal throttling and bolsters overall performance during intense gaming sessions.
| Specifications | Details |
| Display | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| OS | Android 14 with OneUI 6.1 |
| Memory & Storage | 12GB RAM, up to 1TB |
| Camera | 200+10+50+50MP rear, 12MP front |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh, 45W wired, 15W wireless |
Furthermore, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is thinner and lighter than previous models, with refined corners for enhanced grip, making it a comfortable device for extended gaming sessions.
3) Apple iPhone 16
Price: $799
Priced below $800, the iPhone 16 is an outstanding contender in the gaming phone market. It houses the A18 chipset, which impressively supports even console-level games like Resident Evil Village and Assassin’s Creed Mirage at around 30 FPS.
| Specifications | Details |
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, 60Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A18 |
| OS | iOS 18 |
| Memory & Storage | 8GB RAM, up to 512GB |
| Camera | 48+12MP rear, 12MP front |
| Battery | 3,561 mAh, 29W wired, 25W MagSafe |
Despite the lower frame rate, the A18 chip can seamlessly render mobile games at higher frame rates. Coupled with iOS’s efficiency, the battery life remains commendable even with a smaller capacity.
4) Apple iPhone 16e
Price: $599
For gamers on a budget, the iPhone 16e offers a compelling option, leveraging the A18 chipset while keeping costs down. Although it has one less GPU core than the iPhone 16, performance remains robust for most gaming applications.
| Specifications | Details |
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, 60Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A18 (4-core GPU) |
| OS | iOS 18.3.1 |
| Memory & Storage | 8GB RAM, up to 512GB |
| Camera | 48MP rear, 12MP front |
| Battery | 3,961 mAh, 20W wired, 15W wireless |
Although some reviews may favor the iPhone 16 over the 16e, those focused strictly on gaming with a tight budget will find the latter an unbeatable choice for under $600.
5) OnePlus 13R
Price: $599
The OnePlus 13R stands out as the ideal choice for Android users seeking an affordable gaming smartphone. As the successor to the OnePlus 12R, it features enhancements across the board: display, performance, camera, and battery life.
| Specifications | Details |
| Display | 6.78-inches LTPO4.1 AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| OS | Android 15 with OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory & Storage | Starting from 8GB RAM |
| Camera | 50+50+8MP rear, 16MP front |
| Battery | 6,000 mAh with 80W wired charging |
With a larger battery capacity, the OnePlus 13R is engineered to last longer during gaming or browsing. Improvements in camera capabilities include a new telephoto lens for more versatile photography.
In summary, as we explore the best gaming smartphones of 2025, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 10 Pro emerges as the champion for its unbeatable price-performance ratio. However, if unavailable in your region, the other strong contenders, such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16, are certainly worth considering.
For those on a strict budget, the iPhone 16e and OnePlus 13R offer solid performance without breaking the bank, catering to users’ varying preferences for iOS or Android platforms.