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Mobile gaming is huge. Whether it’s Sudoku or Fortnite or Candy Crush, more people are playing games on their phone than ever before.
A recent study from Research and Markets suggests that this year the global gaming industry is worth US$138.63 billion.
With a market that size, it’s no wonder that there are specialised phones to take advantage of the broad spectrum of great mobile games out there.
To help you find the best gaming phone in Australia, we’ve done extensive research into the most recommended devices in the category.
We have a more thorough breakdown of our approach below, but for now please find our list of the best gaming phones available in Australia.
These are the best gaming phones in Australia right now:
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Recommended by 70% of review sites
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by Apple’s A17 Pro chip, which boasts a pro-class GPU is up to 20 per cent faster and features a new 6-core design that increases peak performance and energy efficiency.
It’s so good, Apple has managed to get console-level games playing on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, including hardware-accelerated ray tracing for mind-blowing graphics and AAA titles like Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 4, DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage all available on the App Store.
Coupled with impressive cameras, fantastic iOS upgrades and Apple Arcade games, this is a great option for gamers.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 256GB Titanium(Black/Grey/Violet/Yellow) (Unlocked) AU Hall of Fame
Recommended by 50% of review sites
Like its predecessor, we scored the Galaxy S24 Ultra 10/10 in our review. It’s an exceptionally versatile phone, offering a stunning screen, great camera, exceptional battery life and plenty of processing power.
Those features also help it stand out as one of the best gaming phones in Australia right now.
Specifically on the gaming front, Samsung offers the free Game Launcher app bundled on the device, which automatically bundles all your gaming apps in one place, making it easy to start playing.
There’s also a Game Booster feature, which offers easy access to key elements of your phone while playing, like taking a screen recording of your gaming experience.
Nubia RedMagic 8S Pro
Recommended by 30% of review sites
Nubia’s RedMagic brand may not have a huge presence in Australia, but it’s easy enough to pick up online, and so it makes the cut for this list.
While the RedMagic 8 Pro sits a bit lower in the list, the 8S Pro offers an overclocked version of the SnapDragon 8 Gen 2 processor, making it better on the gaming front.
In all other aspects, the phones are nearly identical, with a gorgeous 6.8-inch 120Hz FHD+ AMOLED screen, 6,000mAh battery and mappable controls.
The cameras aren’t the best, but you’ll be too busy gaming to really be disappointed.
How we chose the best gaming phone in Australia
Review sites – including this one – are subjective by nature. Everybody has a different opinion of what is best.
So to try and counter the fact that every best guide on the internet has a different opinion of what is best, we approached our list by combining the results of some of the top sites recommending gaming phones on the market today.
To determine this list, we followed the same journey most consumers would follow: we went to Google.
We searched for “Best gaming phone” and identified 10 of the top results. It’s important to note that Google results can change often. The full list of sites we referenced is outlined below:
- Trusted Reviews
- Tom’s Guide
- TechRadar
- GamesRadar
- Tech Advisor
- IGN
- Android Authority
- Pocket Tactics
- T3
- Pocket Lint
We listed out all of the gaming phones listed on each site, tidying up any slight differences in spelling for consistency.
We calculated how often each product was mentioned across those 10 guides. The more frequently a product is mentioned, the more agreement there is between experts reviewing these products.
We set a minimum of three mentions across all 10 guides to be eligible for inclusion here.
Before we created this page we took some time to remove products that are either unavailable, or difficult to find in Australia.
We also leveraged our own experience with products to ensure that we wouldn’t be recommending any product that doesn’t deliver
What to look for when choosing the best gaming phone
Whether you’re after one of the models listed above or something completely different, the decision factors you need to consider when buying a new gaming phone is the same.
Performance
Gaming phones should have powerful processors and sufficient RAM to be able to handle demanding games.
Look for phones with high-performance chipsets like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 or Apple’s A15 Bionic, coupled with at least 6 GB of RAM to handle the most demanding games.
Display
A large, high-quality display is essential for the best gaming experience.
Opt for a phone with a sizeable screen, preferably 6 inches or larger, and a high resolution (Full HD or higher).
Additionally, look for features like a high refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz) for smoother gameplay and low touch latency for faster response times.
Battery Life
Gaming can be power-intensive, so a phone with a long-lasting battery is crucial.
Look for devices with a battery capacity of at least 4,000mAh or higher. Additionally, features like fast charging and optimisation for power efficiency will help you stay playing for longer.
Cooling System
Intensive gaming can generate a significant amount of heat, potentially affecting performance.
Phones with efficient cooling mechanisms, such as vapour chambers, heat pipes, or liquid cooling, can ensure sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.
Storage
Games can be large in size, so ample storage is essential.
Opt for phones with a minimum of 128GB of internal storage, and consider devices that offer expandable storage via microSD cards for additional flexibility.
Audio
Immersive audio enhances the gaming experience. Look for phones with dual front-facing speakers or stereo speakers for better sound quality.
While not all games offer it, devices with support for high-quality audio codecs like Dolby Atmos or Hi-Res audio can offer a more premium audio experience.
If you have a really great gaming headset, look for a phone with a 3.5mm headphone jack as well.
Software Features
Some gaming phones offer specialised software features to enhance gameplay.
These dedicated gaming modes or software optimisations can enhance performance, block notifications during gameplay, or provide additional customisation options for gaming.
Connectivity
A stable and fast internet connection is crucial for online gaming. Look for phones with support for the latest Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6 or higher) and 5G connectivity for smooth online gameplay.
Build Quality and Ergonomics
Consider the build quality and ergonomics of the phone, as a comfortable grip and durable construction can enhance the gaming experience.
Additionally, features like dedicated gaming buttons or customisable controls can be beneficial for certain games.
Price
Gaming phones often come with premium features, so it’s essential to find a balance between performance and cost.
Determine your requirements and find a device that fits your budget while meeting your gaming needs.
Update history
- 16 May 2023 – First Published.
- 17 August 2023 – Updated the number of recommendations for products. Removed the OnePlus 10 Pro. Added ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate and OnePlus 11.
- 8 December 2023 – Updated the number of recommendations for products. Removed ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate and Black Shark 5 Pro. Added Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Numbia RedMagic 8S Pro.
- 12 March 2024 – Updated recommendation count. Added Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Removed Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Poco F4 GT, OnePlus 11, RedMagic 8 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
