Features to look for when purchasing a smartphone for gaming

[Written By External Partner]

In the modern world, people are heavily reliant on smartphone devices made by the likes of Apple. From capturing memories to upload to Instagram, to swiping right on dating apps, there are so many things a mobile phone of today can do. Gaming is another preference for many mobile users, especially when you factor in the enhanced releases people can get through these days.

While gaming is understandably popular, not every smartphone device delivers the best gaming features. For instance, some phones don’t possess enough power to handle the biggest games, while other devices contain poor batteries that drain ridiculously quickly. It’s, therefore, important to look for the gaming-related features of certain smartphones. After all, mobile gaming is only going to get bigger and better, making a reliable phone a necessity for gamers.

In order to make sure you snap up a device that is suitable for playing smash-hit releases like PUBG Mobile and charming pixel art-themed masterpieces like Relax Gaming’s slot Banana Town, below are some things to look for when purchasing a smartphone for gaming.

Processor and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is the perfect place to start

Before falling in love with a particular device’s design, it’s worth assessing its processor and GPU. A key component of any mobile phone that’s suitable for gaming, the power of a phone’s processor determines just how ready it is for a gaming marathon. Reliable processors include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and the Apple A17 Bionic, with both being perfect for the biggest and best games out there. In terms of GPU, a powerful option will present games in the best manner possible, with crisp graphics and high frame rates being available through trusted offerings like the Adreno 740 (Snapdragon) and Apple’s custom GPU.

Battery life and charging speed shouldn’t be ignored

The last thing you want is to purchase an expensive Android device only to get it home and for it to die after an hour of gaming. Additionally, it shouldn’t take hours to charge it back up either. As such, look for phones that are 4500mAh or higher and boast 65W or more when it comes to charging.

RAM is another integral feature

If a device you’re mulling over offers poor RAM, such as 6 GB of RAM, then you deserve better. RAM is another element that is crucial to performance, with 12 GB or 16 GB being a preference for many dedicated mobile gamers. Thankfully, most phones of today possess over 8 GB of RAM, but the higher you can get, the better. A phone with low RAM creates a frustrating gaming offering that simply isn’t worth it. Do your research and go with more RAM if possible, and you’ll thank yourself for it later down the line when you’re tucking into a console-quality classic on your phone.

Display is absolutely vital

An obvious factor to consider is that display is absolutely vital when assessing the best phones for you and your gaming needs. If you’re only going to explore console titles, then it’s even more important. Phones with anything less than a refresh rate of 90Hz are worth avoiding, while a touch sampling rate that comes in anywhere below 240Hz probably isn’t for you either. When it comes to resolution, it’s obviously a key aspect of any screen-based product. Many devices contain Full HD+ (1080p) resolution or higher, which will suffice, although Quad HD+ (1440p) is probably the best of the lot.

Other things to consider include storage capacity (minimum 128 GB), audio quality, 5G and wi-fi connectivity, and effective cooling mechanisms, such as vapor chambers or heat pipes.