Gaming smartphones You can play a great game on the average Android phone, but there are also devices specially designed for Gaming smartphones. Golobal Tech reviews the range and discusses all smartphones for gamers that are currently available.
Gaming smartphones: our favorites
A gaming smartphone distinguishes itself from a regular phone by focusing on playing games. You can see that in the design and specifications of such a gaming device. The exterior is often a bit more striking and thicker, which is usually because there is a larger battery. Gaming phones usually have the best hardware you can get, so a fast processor and lots of work and storage memory.
To prevent overheating during gaming, a gaming device is often equipped with an advanced cooling system. And where the average Android phone has a screen with a refresh rate of 60Hz, that is often higher with gaming models. A faster refresh rate makes images smoother, which is better for your eyes. Finally, with a gaming phone, you can usually purchase individual accessories that enhance the gaming experience.
Xiaomi Black Shark Helo
Black Shark, a daughter brand of the well-known Xiaomi, came out in 2018 with its first gaming smartphone. The Black Shark, as the phone is simply called, is only released in China and has a large battery and liquid cooling system. Half a year after the release, Black Shark has already announced a new performance in the form of the Black Shark Helo. This device has an improved cooling system and can thus keep the temperature of the processor twelve degrees cooler than the first generation Black Shark.
The Black Shark Helo is the first smartphone with 10 GB of memory; previously 8GB was the maximum. With the Helo, you can also choose from a 6GB or 8GB version. The storage memory is a generous 128 GB or 256 GB. The battery is the same size as that of its predecessor (4000 mAh) and charges via USB-C. Games are shown on a 6-inch OLED screen with full HD resolution. The refresh rate is at 60 Hz as high as on regular smartphones. The Helo runs on Android 8.1 (Oreo).
When purchasing the smartphone you get a controller with an analog joystick that you attach to the side of the device. With the 10 GB version of the Black Shark Hello there are two controllers in the box. Xiaomi is currently only releasing the phone in China. The cheapest version costs about 500 euros when converted and with VAT, while the most expensive version has to pay almost 650 euros.
ASUS ROG Phone
ASUS has been active for years with its Republic of Gamers (ROG) sub-brand, which focuses on gaming. The first ROG gaming smartphones also appeared in September. The device, named ROG Phone, is equipped with a 6-inch OLED display with full HD resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate. Just like other premium gaming phones, the Rog Phone runs on a fast Snapdragon 845 processor with a maximum of 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage memory.
The 4000 mAh battery charges via USB-C. Thanks to ASUS ‘self-developed cooling system, the phone does not get very hot and the battery lasts longer. The software used is Android 8.1 (Oreo). On the front of the phone are two stereo speakers and unlike most gaming smartphones, the ROG Phone has a 3.5 mm connection.
What sets the device apart are the separately available gaming accessories. They turn the smartphone into a handheld console such as the Nintendo Switch. ASUS sells various controllers and docks, among other things. The most special dock has its own screen (which is identical to the telephone’s display), speakers and vibrating motors. There are also accessories to connect the ASUS smartphone to a large screen, so you can play mobile games on your television without delay and in high resolution.
The ROG Phone has a suggested retail price of 899 euros and is available separately or in combination with a subscription in the United States. Also, check our extensive review of the ASUS ROG Phone.
3Razer Phone 2
You may know Razer as a manufacturer of gaming smartphones products for the computer, but nowadays the company also makes smartphones. Two years ago the first model appeared the Razer Phone. The device stood out with its QHD screen with 120 Hz refresh rate, good stereo speakers at the front and powerful hardware. Razer presented its successor, the Razer Phone 2, in mid-October last year.
Little has been done to the design, the 5.7-inch screen and stereo speakers. Razer did provide the device with a faster Snapdragon 845 processor, an improved cooling system and support for wireless charging. The double camera on the back has also been updated and the phone is now watertight. Another addition is the glowing Razer logo on the back of the phone.
Just like its predecessor, the Razer Phone 2 has 8GB of memory, 64GB of storage memory and a 4000 mAh battery with fast charging via USB-C. Unfortunately, with its release, the smartphone still runs on the old Android 8.1 (Oreo) and not on the latest version, 9.0 (Pie). An update will follow ‘early 2019’, says Razer. The loose Razer Phone 2 has been available in the United States since October for just under 600 euros.
Huawei Mate 20X
Simultaneously with the announcement of the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro, Huawei also unveiled the Mate 20X. This device is made for gaming smartphones and has a huge screen of 7.2 inches. The OLED display has a full HD resolution and can also be operated via a stylus.
The Mate 20X is reminiscent of the Mate 20 in terms of design but also has a considerably larger 5000 mAh battery due to the large screen.
Furthermore, the smartphone has 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage memory and the same powerful Kirin 980 processor as the Mate 20 (Pro). Huawei’s GPU Turbo technology improves the graphics performance of popular games while reducing power consumption. New cooling technology keeps the device at an acceptable temperature. Behind the Mate, 20X is a triple camera. The phone runs on Android 9.0 (Pie) with the Huawei EMUI shell.
Huawei later released a controller cover that you slide around the Mate 20X. The gamepad has a number of buttons on the left, so you don’t have to press the screen. Unfortunately, the smartphone is not officially sold in the United States. For the time being, the device is also not available via gray import.
ZTE Nubia Red Magic Mars
Looking for a gaming smartphone that is for sale in the United States and does not break the bank? Then take a look at the Nubia Red Magic Mars. Nubia seems an unknown company but is a sub-brand of the big ZTE. Nubia, in turn, offers various smartphone series, of which the Red Magic line is intended for gamers. You can see that on Mars. The device has a special cooling system, a large 3800 mAh battery and has a real luminous strip on the back.
In addition, the smartphone has separate buttons on the sides that act like a gamepad via feedback. The Red Magic Mars runs on a fast Snapdragon 845 processor, has a 6-inch full-HD display (without a notch) and comes with Android 9.0 (Pie) from the box.
The price tag is interesting. For 399 euros you get the Red Magic Mars with 6GB memory and 64GB storage memory (not expandable). The model with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage space is sold for 449 euros. This makes the ZTE smartphone one of the cheapest gaming devices of the moment.