Top Gaming Smartphones of 2024

Gaming smartphones are getting more ridiculous every passing year. These mean machines pack the best processors to render the best graphics and flaunt the finest cooling systems in the game. While most smartphones can handle basic gaming tasks, these smartphones go the extra mile not just in terms of raw power, but also with their clever software add-ons and optimisations. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best gaming smartphones to come out in 2024.

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iQOO 13

Key Specs

The newly launched iQOO 13 is an absolute beast. It is one of the few smartphones to rock a 144Hz panel, making it ideal for high-end gaming. This 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display can reach 1,800 nits in High Brightness Mode. Under the hood of the device lies the new and powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Also paired with this processor is iQOO’s in-house Supercomputing Chip Q2. These two chipsets work in tandem to deliver ultra-HD graphics that surpass the native image quality. The 6,000mAh battery pack inside the smartphone supports 120W charging. There’s support for Bypass Charging as well.

Pros

• 144Hz refresh rate
• Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
• Bypass charging

Buy on Amazon for Rs 54,999

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Key Specs

Samsung’s ‘everything’ smartphone is an excellent gaming device. It features a 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,600 nits of peak brightness. This display has a 1,400 x 3,120p resolution and a pixel density of 505ppi. Under the hood, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. When we reviewed the device earlier this year, it returned 2,165 (single-core) and 6,416 (multi-core) points in the Geekbench 6 app. The vapour chamber inside the smartphone does a phenomenal job of keeping the internal temperature in check during intense gaming sessions. The S24 Ultra is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery pack and supports 45W wired charging.

Pros

• Smooth display
• High-end processor
• Unique form factor

Buy on Amazon for Rs 1,24,999

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Key Specs

It is no surprise that the top-spec iPhone variant lands on this list. The Apple A18 Pro chipset under the hood of this smartphone is not just an expert in handling AI tasks, but also a beast when it comes to gaming. The new 6-core GPU facilitates enhanced graphics while gaming. The A18 Pro breaks new ground with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, making it twice as fast compared to the A17 Pro chipset. The specialised Game Mode produces sustained frame rates and elevates the responsiveness while using wireless controllers. The 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display has a 120Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for high-fps gaming.

Pros

• Powerful processor
• Game mode
• Smooth display

Buy on Amazon for Rs 1,44,900

Xiaomi 14

Key Specs

Xiaomi’s compact flagship is one of the best gaming smartphones to come out in 2024. The smartphone flaunts a 6.36-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3,000 nits of peak brightness. It is powered by the flagship processor of 2024 – Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. Xiaomi’s IceLoop System manages the internal temperature of the smartphone during high-intensity gaming sessions. It offers 3 times the thermal efficiency compared to a traditional vapour chamber. The 4,610mAh battery pack can easily last a day, even with a healthy dosage of gaming. 90W wired charging support is an added bonus. Check out our Xiaomi 14 review to learn more.

Pros

• Compact form factor
• Flagship processor
• Good cooling system

Buy on Amazon for Rs 49,998

OnePlus 12

Key Specs

One the enthusiast’s choice, OnePlus’ flagship offering has now gained a lot of mainstream support. The good news is that it hasn’t dropped its core gaming performance in favour of flashy gimmicks. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC lies at the heart of the OnePlus 12. The company’s Trinity Engine further bolsters its performance. It also receives OnePlus’ largest VC cooling chamber to date – a 9140 mm² Dual Cryo-velocity VC. The 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display has a 120Hz refresh rate for high-fps gaming. Read our review of the OnePlus 12 to know more about its gaming performance.

Pros

• Large cooling chamber
• Powerful chipset
• 120Hz display

Buy on Amazon for Rs 58,999

iQOO Neo9 Pro

Key Specs

The iQOO Neo9 Pro was one of the best midrange gaming smartphones to come out in 2024. It is powered by last year’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC along with iQOO’s in-house Supercomputing Chip Q1. The result is a rock-solid gaming performance that does not compromise on graphics. The smartphone has a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a stunning 144Hz refresh rate – something that you don’t get to see in midrange smartphones. On top of that, the massive 5,160mAh battery pack supports 120W wired charging. For more details about the gaming performance, check out our review of the iQOO Neo9 Pro.

Pros

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC
• 144Hz refresh rate
• 120W charging

Buy on Amazon for Rs 35,999

Samsung Galaxy S24

Key Specs

The entry-level variant of the Samsung Galaxy S24 is one of the finest gaming smartphones of 2024. We recommend this smartphone to users who are looking for a compact device that can pack a punch. Its 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO 2X display has a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. It is one of the smoothest displays around for gaming. Under the hood, the S24 packs the Exynos 2400 SoC. It runs Android 14-based OneUI 6 out of the box. Samsung has promised 7 major OS upgrades for the smartphone. For more specs and real-world tests, read our review of the Samsung Galaxy S24.

Pros

• Compact form factor
• Smooth display
• 7 major OS upgrades

Buy on Amazon for Rs 67,999

OnePlus Nord 4

Key Specs

OnePlus’ midrange Nord series produces some great smartphones every year. This year’s OnePlus Nord 4 is an excellent gaming device. For starters, it has a 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display that spans 6.74 inches from edge to edge. The smartphone draws power from the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset. The metal build of the smartphone makes heat dissipation quite easy. There’s LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage onboard, facilitating quick speeds. The 5,500mAh battery pack inside the smartphone supports 100W charging. Read our review of the OnePlus Nord 4 to know more.

Pros

• Metal build
• 120Hz display
• Fast charging

Buy on Amazon for Rs 29,999

Poco F6

Key Specs

Xiaomi’s subsidiary brand, Poco, put out one of the best midrange gaming smartphones in 2024. The Poco F6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC, which is one of the finest midrange chipsets for gaming. The smartphone’s Wildboost 3.0 optimisation package uses AI rendering, AI performance scheduling, and AI control to deliver a rock-solid gaming performance. The Poco IceLoop cooling system does a good job of keeping the internal temperature in check. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display has a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,400 nits. Read our Poco F6 review here.

Pros

• Affordable
• AI optimisation
• 120Hz display

Buy on Amazon for Rs 27,999

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

Key Specs

While Nothing did not release a flagship killer this year, its midrange Nothing Phone (2a) Plus received a glowing review from us. The Phone (2a) Plus isn’t just a looker. Backed by the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset, the smartphone delivers a good performance on the gaming front. Its 6.7-inch AMOLED display has a 120Hz refresh rate and can reach up to 1,300 nits of peak brightness. The smartphone comes with Android 14 out of the box with the promise of 3 major OS upgrades. It is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery pack and supports 50W wired charging.

Pros

• Unique design
• Good chipset
• Affordable

Buy for Rs 26,999 on Flipkart

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Final Thoughts

These are our top 10 picks for the best gaming smartphones of 2024. If you’re looking for more affordable options, you may want to check out last year’s iQOO 12. Think there’s a smartphone that deserves to be on this list? Give it a shout-out in the comments!