Looking for a phone built for mobile gaming? These are the best gaming phones in 2026, whether you want raw power, smooth display performance or all-day gaming battery.
The S26 Ultra combines a blazing Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 120Hz adaptive display and huge battery life — making it one of the best all-round gaming phones available.
The Poco X6 Pro is the best value gaming phone under £300. It packs a powerful Dimensity 8300 chipset, 120Hz display and large battery at a budget-friendly price.
The OnePlus 12R offers excellent performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 power, a 120Hz display and super-fast charging — all at a mid-range price.
The A19 Pro chip makes the iPhone 17 Pro one of the most powerful phones for gaming, especially console-quality titles hitting iOS first.
| Phone | Chipset | Display | Battery | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite ✅ | 120Hz AMOLED | 5,000mAh | Heavy gamers |
| Poco X6 Pro | Dimensity 8300 | 120Hz AMOLED | 5,000mAh ✅ | Budget gamers |
| OnePlus 12R | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 120Hz ProXDR | 100W charge ✅ | Mid-range gaming |
| iPhone 17 Pro | A19 Pro ✅ | 120Hz ProMotion | Very good | iOS gamers |
Key features for gaming include a powerful chipset, a high refresh rate display (90Hz or 120Hz), large battery and good thermal management.
Both are excellent. Android offers more game variety and hardware choice, while iPhone often gets premium titles first and has the most powerful chips.
The Poco X6 Pro is one of the best value gaming phones, offering strong performance and a 120Hz display under £300.
Yes. 8GB or more RAM is recommended for smooth gaming. 12GB is ideal for heavier titles.