The best gaming phones

Whether you’re fabulous at Fortnite or you’re great at Grimvalor, nothing beats having a phone that can seamlessly and smoothly keep up with the action. Smartphones built for immersive gaming have grown in numbers over the last five years, and plenty of gamers have realised that you don’t need an Xbox or Wii to experience high-quality speed, graphics and audio.

Here’s our top picks of the best gaming phones available – so get ready, Player One.

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G

The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G knows how to work hard to keep you playing hard. Experience console-quality game play wherever you go with the 6.9-inch dynamic 120Hz display, and a long-lasting, fast charging battery - so it won’t be game over until you decide. Get the best gaming experience possible with super-fast 5G speeds delivered by the Exynos 990 processor for reduced lag and load times. That’s not all - mobile gaming doesn’t have to feel like gaming on a phone anymore. You can now hook up your Xbox controller to your Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, because it was designed to work with Xbox Game Pass. The upgraded cooling system and intelligent processor supports you if you’re playing for hours and gives you the real-time competitive edge you need - whatever the game. Xbox controller sold separately.

Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G

If you’re racing in Forza Horizon 4, you never settle for second place - so why do it with your smartphone? With the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G, gaming becomes a more vivid and totally immersive experience. The high-definition 6.7-inch Infinity-O Display (powered by a 4,300mAh Super Fast Charging battery) is built for gamers. 5G connectivity gives you more of what you love – better speeds and less lag, for a big advantage. The Galaxy Note20 5G is also designed to work with Xbox Game Pass, so just plug in your Xbox controller to play. Plus, if you’re playing for hours, the upgraded cooling system and intelligent processor stabilises battery life and protects your phone from overheating. Xbox controller sold separately.

iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone 11 Pro Max comes with a custom‑built A13 Bionic chip with a focus on machine learning across the entire chip, enabling experiences that aren’t found on any other smartphone. 64‑bit Fusion architecture ensures performance cores process complex tasks are faster than ever, while custom efficiency cores handle everyday tasks - helping to deliver a huge leap in battery life. The Apple-designed GPU is up to 20% faster and uses up to 40% less power, perfect for high‑performance gaming and the latest AR experiences - and the 8‑core, Apple‑designed Neural Engine is up to 20% faster and uses up to 15% less power. Plus, with up to 5 more hours of battery life and up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with fast charge, you can keep going - and gaming - for longer.

All iPhone customers can now get a one month free subscription to Apple Arcade, where you can enjoy unlimited access to over 100 ad-free games.

Samsung Galaxy S20 series

The Samsung S20 range - made up of the Galaxy S20 5G, S20+ 5G and S20 Ultra 5G – is a terrific trio of premium phones where the latest technology is expertly paired with the speed and power of 5G. The S20 Ultra 5G’s huge 16GB of RAM combined with an Exynos 990 processor makes for an unbeatable gaming experience on its 6.9-inch Infinity-O Display. The S20+ 5G and S20 5G have slightly smaller Infinity-O screens - 6.7-inch and 6.2-inch respectively - but they also come with powerful Exynos 990 processors and 12GB of RAM. All three phones come with AKG stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos sound for an immersive gaming experience, as well as long-lasting batteries, fast charging, and wireless powershare if your gaming buddies find themselves running low on juice mid-game.

Samsung Galaxy A90 5G

A neat, stylish phone with a powerful Octa-core processor for highly-responsive graphics and 5G capability for ultra-fast speeds, the Galaxy A90 5G is perfect for dedicated gamers. The A90 5G’s sharp, clear Infinity-U Display gives you all the room you need to take on the action on a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED screen - and it’s built to minimise distractions, as the proximity sensor, light sensor and fingerprint scanner are hidden below the edge-to-edge display. There’s plenty of storage - 128GB internal and up to 512GB external - so you'll have plenty of space to download and save the games you love. Stream faster, game with less lag, and revel in unbelievably rich graphics - all powered by a 4,500mAh battery with super-fast charging technology.

motorola g8 power

If you’re after a truly immersive gaming experience, the motorola g8 power’s 6.4-inch ultra wide HD+ Max Vision display with 19:9 aspect ratio gives you a movie-style experience.Its Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 665 Octa-core processor boosts your gaming performance, enabling faster, more responsive online gaming and improved security. If you’re switching between apps and multitasking, the 4GB of RAM means you can run multiple apps at once and multitask seamlessly. Download and save your games with 64GB of internal storage and get up to three days of battery life on a single charge thanks to the motorola g8 power's mighty 5000mAh battery, so you can do the things you want without worrying about recharging.

Gaming on 5G

Playing your favourite games on a 5G phone is a truly unique experience - get ready for superfast streaming, downloading, and immediate responsiveness with reliable, seamless data (5G coverage and 5G data plan needed). 5G is around 10 times faster than 4G, and through increased speeds, streaming and cloud gaming, playing games will be a totally immersive experience like never before - whether you’re at home or on the go. From virtual reality gaming to multiplayer games with massively improved connections, everything’s set to change.

Claim a pair of Sony headphones worth £220

Sony Xperia 1 II

Gaming should be fast, responsive and packed with crystal-clear details - and that’s where the Sony Xperia 1 II comes into its own. It’s packed with the latest cutting-edge technology and 5G connectivity into a sleek, sophisticated phone which is able to power through the busiest days. Enjoy unrestricted action on the 21:9 CinemaWide™ 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display, and even when you’re moving fast, motion blur reduction technology minimises in-between frame lag for superb image quality. Call of Duty fans can an enjoy an optimised gaming experience through Sony’s collaboration with Qualcomm® Snapdragon Elite Gaming™ and a wider field of view on the 21:9 display. You can even connect the Xperia 1 II with a PlayStation® DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller for gaming on-the-go and to unlock PS Remote Play functionality. Switch to performance mode to maximise touch response speed and frame rate, then select battery life mode to extend playtime. Plus, if your phone is plugged in to charge while you’re gaming, the Xperia 1 II cleverly keeps your battery at a constant level, rather than charging it, to prevent overheating.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G

Improving on its predecessor in every way, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G is ready to show gamers what they’ve been missing. When folded, it fits neatly into a small bag or pocket, but it unfolds to reveal a stunning, high-resolution 7.6-inch Infinity-O Display crafted with Samsung’s bespoke Ultra Thin Glass. Enjoy an ultra-smooth viewing experience with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which intuitively drops to save battery for when it’s needed most. The new hinge technology with flex mode allows you to lock the phone into different angles to suit your gaming experience - perfect for playing at home or on the go. Open three app windows at once, and let the 12GB of RAM do the heavy lifting if you’re into intense multitasking - game, stream and broadcast with ease. The 256GB of built-in storage can hold all of your must-have games, and the 4,500mAh battery will let you game on all day, wherever you are.

Huawei P40 Pro 5G

Feel the need for speed? You won’t be disappointed by the P40 Pro 5G. Experience almost-total fluidity and responsiveness with the Kirin 990 5G chipset, outstanding graphics performance, and clear, sharp image processing powered by the upgraded ISP. There’s also advanced AI capability in the dual core NPU. The Quad-Curve Overflow 6.58-inch high-definition OLED screen optimises image frames without sapping power - and the 90Hz refresh rate means you’ll be able to experience 90 fps when you’re gaming. Plus, you don’t need to worry about overheating, as the unique SuperCool system conducts heat away. In terms of battery power, the innovative CPU architecture ensures high power efficiency and the AI allocation mechanism makes better use of the hardworking 4200mAh battery.

Huawei P30 Pro New Edition

Game without distractions and experience total immersion on the 6.47-inch OLED Dewdrop display with a double 3D curved glass body which sits comfortably in the hand. The P30 Pro New Edition is powered by a superfast Kirin 980 chipset with strong performance and lower power consumption, and comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of memory storage – no more lagging, or having to decide which games to save. Multi-window functionality means you can move easily and quickly between apps, and you can even respond to messages in a floating window without leaving your game, so you can stay focused. Sounds come to life thanks to Huawei’s Acoustic Display Technology, which projects sound from the vibrations in the display to your ear. The long-lasting 4200mAh battery with intelligent power-saving technology will keep you going all day, and you can even fast charge your phone to 70% power in 30 minutes.

moto g 5G plus

Like any true gamer knows, there’s always a surprise competitor waiting around the corner – and the moto g 5G plus has entered the arena to become one of the best phones for gaming. Motorola introduces the moto g 5G plus – designed to work on both 4G and 5G networks. Built for more bandwidth and less load time, the 5G-optimised Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 processor ensures you get an unbeatable experience in everything you do, from watching a video to playing games. When you’re not being catapulted into the action through the 6.7-inch CinemaVision Full HD+ display and experiencing supreme visuals and gameplay, make the most of actual reality. Capture the colour and character of your surroundings with four cameras, including an ultra-wide lens, 48-megapixel main sensor and Quad Pixel technology - making it Motorola’s sharpest camera yet. Experience the best in your day-to-day life or on your latest online quest.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G

The Galaxy Z Flip 5G is a smartphone that understands how to capture every nuance and exciting moment of your gaming experience. Thanks to its innovative Infinity Flex Display made of bonded, tissue-thin layers, it’s almost 50% thinner than previous Galaxy displays. Offering a truly uninterrupted view, the full glass screen of the 6.7-inch AMOLED display wraps smoothly from edge to edge, giving you the full picture every time. There’s no home button - just a tiny camera dot - so there’s nothing to interrupt your flow. The supercharged 5G connectivity provides a superior gaming experience with minimal lag, less load time and higher quality streaming.

Find your perfect match

Want to find out more? Here are the phones we’d recommend for unbeatable gaming.

If you’re an existing Vodafone customer, you can enjoy a 15% discount on selected additional devices and plans - log in to your My Vodafone account to apply the discount.

Save £96

Samsung
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G

Unleash your creative side with the 108MP rear camera, watch films and play games in comfort on the 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display, and boost productivity with the improved S Pen and full Microsoft Office integration.

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G

Save £192

Samsung
Galaxy Note20 5G

Take superb pictures on the 12MP rear camera including Live focus with bokeh filters, record video in 8K at 30fps, and enjoy an immersive gaming experience on the 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display.

Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G

Samsung
Galaxy Z Flip 5G

Game, browse and stream in comfort on the 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen with a super-thin Infinity Flex Display, take fantastic photos on the dual 12-megapixel rear camera and use live editing for a new way to share, chat and live stream.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G