The best gaming smartphones of 2018

Smartphones are getting faster, more capable, more powerful. This means that the games you can play become more advanced. Sure, they haven't reached the Play Station and Xbox standards, but they've definitely come a long way from AngryBirds.

If you are seriously interested in mobile games, then you need to understand which mobile phone is best for you. Especially for gamers and power users, we have highlighted 10 phones that will provide a good start to your gaming phone search.

1. Smartphone RAZER

Technical specifications:

Weight: 197 grams
Dimensions: 158.5 x 77.7 x 8mm
Operating system: Android 7.1.1
Screen diagonal: 5.7 inches
Screen resolution: 1440 x 2560 pixels
Processor: Snapdragon 835
RAM: 8 GB
Built-in memory: 64 GB
Battery capacity: 4000mAh
Main camera: 12MP f / 1.8 + 12MP f / 2.6
Front camera: 8MP f / 2.0

Pros: 120Hz refresh rate, improved front speaker
Minuses: not the best photo / video camera

Given Razer's origins in the gaming market, you would certainly expect the manufacturer to know what gamers want from it, and it won't disappoint you: the smartphone is packed full of all sorts of specs you might need while gaming. At the same time, it is a smartphone for general use.

Users are impressed by the 5.7-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate, which means you shouldn't miss a beat. Fast-moving games look very fluid on it as it works in collaboration with the GPU to make sure everything is in sync. 8GB of RAM and a Snapdragon processor should be able to reproduce whatever you download to your phone.

Dolby Atmos sound technology, THX-certified speaker and Game Booster tune system performance to maximize battery life. This is great for gamers. Some buyers are impressed by the 12MP + 12MP dual lens of the main photo / video camera. When it comes to mobile gaming essentials, the Razer phone fits the bill.

2. Smartphone OnePlus 6

Technical specifications:

Weight: 177 grams
Dimensions: 155.7x75.4x7.8 mm
Operating system: Android 8.1
Screen diagonal: 6.28 inches
Screen resolution: 1080 x 2280 pixels
Processor: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 8 GB
Built-in memory: 64/128/256 GB
Battery capacity: 3300mAh
Main camera: 16MP f / 1.7 + 20MP f / 1.7
Front camera: 16MP f / 2.0

Pros: has good performance, large display
Minuses: you can't drop it in the sink

Large, crisp, bright screen? Check it out. Lots of energy under the hull? Check it out. Very competitive price? Check it out. Whether you want to play or do something else, the OnePlus 6 is an impressive proposition. It will serve you for a long time. At the moment, it is difficult to find anything better in terms of cost.

With the combination of processor and 8GB of RAM, you're unlikely to find the best specs on a phone this year. The demand for Android and tests have shown that OnePlus 6 is a force to be reckoned with. If you plan on loading this phone with advanced games, everything should go well.

We also love its 6.28-inch display, which will shine no matter what you're doing. As part of the trial version of Android P, you can install timely updates in the future, while small drawbacks in the form of a lack of wireless charging and IP rating are unlikely to interfere with gamers.

3. ASUS ROG PHONE smartphone

Technical specifications:

Weight: 200 grams
Dimensions: 158.5 x 76.2 x 8.6mm
Operating system: Android 8.1
Screen diagonal: 6 inches
Screen resolution: 1080 x 2160 pixels
Processor: Snapdragon 845
The amount of RAM: 8 GB.
Built-in memory: 128/512 GB
Battery capacity: 4000mA / h
Main Photo / Video Camera: 12MP + 8MP
Front photo / video camera: 8MP

Pros: X Mode for managing game resources, an unrivaled combination of characteristics
Minuses: difficult to fit in your pocket

There is no doubt that ASUS ROG laptops are the very best for gamers. But what about the smartphone of the same name? Again, we have to rate it positively as it includes some great, even by 2018 standards, features and apps specifically geared towards gamers.

The developer's solution for cooling the device's case, for example, so you can take full advantage of the Snapdragon 845 processor and RAM, as well as the charging and audio ports located on the side of the device, will help to easily keep it in horizontal mode. Also in the device panel there are advanced ultra-sensitive Air Trigger sensors, allowing you to easily monitor the actions in the game.

This device is equipped with a six-inch screen with a frequency of 90Hz, so games will be played perfectly. For all its power, the smartphone is the thinnest and lightest, but it is one of the best for gamers.

4. Smartphone SAMSUNG GALAXY S9 PLUS

Technical specifications:

Weight: 189 grams
Dimensions: 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm
Operating system: Android 8.0
Screen diagonal: 6.2 inches
Screen resolution: 1440 x 2960 pixels
Processor: Exynos 9810 or Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6 GB
Built-in memory: 64/128/258 GB
Battery capacity: 3500mAh
Main camera: 12MP f / 1.5-2.4 + 12MP f / 2.4
Front camera: 8MP f / 1.7

Pros: one of the best displays, versatile phone
Minuses: not very cheap

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is a great phone. The 6.2-inch display is the best with minimal bezels and an elongated 18.5: 9 aspect ratio, making it great for any game.

Even though it was one of the first flagships of 2018 to come to light, the S9 Plus still offers a lot of power to keep things running smoothly. You'll get an Exynos 9810 or Snapdragon 845 processor along with 6GB of RAM and 64GB, 128GB or 256GB of storage for all your games.

Even when you're not playing, the Galaxy S9 Plus offers plenty of options, with a fantastic 12MP dual-lens camera on the back that captures good low-light shots, wireless charging, full IP68 water and dust resistance, and an Android version. "Samsung Experience", which is constantly being improved.

5. Smartphone HONOR PLAY

Technical specifications:

Weight: 176 grams
Dimensions: 157.9 x 74.3 x 7.5mm
Operating system: Android 8.1
Screen diagonal: 6.3 inches
Screen resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels
Processor: Kirin 970
RAM: 6 GB
Built-in memory: 64 GB
Battery capacity: 3750mAh
Main camera: 16MP f / 2.2 + 2MP f / 2.4
Front camera: 16MP f / 2.0

Pros: large display for gaming, advanced GPU Turbo technology
Minuses: 64 GB internal storage

Not wanting to be left out, Honor has the Honor Play, a 6.3-inch smartphone that runs on its own processor and comes with 6GB of RAM, depending on the configuration chosen. It's not as popular as some of the other phones we've reviewed so far, but it remains more capable of handling high-quality mobile games.

Honor promises GPU Turbo mode to maintain smooth frame rates under any load (we don't know exactly how it works, but it sounds good), as well as "4D" effects. It can be said that it is more modern than the usual vibration that you get from the phone while holding it in your hands.

As for other specs, you have 64GB of storage, as well as the ability to install a microSD card and a dual-lens main camera - although the main 16MP lens is accompanied by just a 2MP one, so you might not get the biggest one. landscape or wildlife shots.However, since you have the skill to play, the Honor Play is a dedicated gaming phone that won't let you down.

6. HUAWEI P20 PRO

Technical specifications:

Weight: 180 grams
Dimensions: 155 x 73.9 x 7.8mm
Operating system: Android 8.1
Screen diagonal: 6.1 inches
Screen resolution: 1080 x 2240 pixels
Processor: Kirin 970
RAM: 6 GB
Battery capacity: 4000mAh
Main camera: 40MP f / 1.8 + 20MP f / 1.6 + 8MP f / 2.4
Front camera: 24MP f / 2.0

Pros: strong internal components, beautiful appearance
Minuses: software has its quirks

We can't say much about this smartphone in terms of its specific suitability for gaming: it's really good, with a great screen and enough power to deal with any game you want to download and run on it. Despite the large 6.1-inch display, the lack of any borders means it's not overly bulky, especially when you're using it in landscape mode for gaming.

The P20 Pro has a Kirin 970 processor from Huawei, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage (no memory card slot). We love the volume of the stereo speakers, the glass and aluminum chassis, and the beautiful design, even with the operating system installed.

Summing up, it can be noted that the smartphone has a triple lens camera - an innovation that can be used on other phones in the near future. When you are not playing, you can take high quality photos with a camera consisting of 3 lenses - 40MP + 20MP + 8MP. The battery capacity must withstand a large number of shots and passing game levels.

7. SONY XPERIA XZ2

Technical specifications:

Weight: 198 grams
Dimensions: 153 x 72 x 11.1mm
Operating system: Android 8.0
Screen diagonal: 5.7 inches
Screen resolution: 1080 x 2160 pixels
Processor: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6 GB
Built-in memory: 64 GB
Battery capacity: 4000mAh
Main camera: 19MP f / 2.0
Front camera: 5MP f / 2.2

Pros: impressive quality and design, best visual and sound effects
Minuses: not the sharpest screen resolution

The Sony Xperia XZ2 has certainly impressed us. It's a great phone, whether you're using it for gaming or not, with a 5.7-inch screen, a top-tier Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB of RAM, and a 19MP rear camera that leverages Sony's digital expertise. photos. Even if the smartphone will not be used for games, it will not let you down.

He's really powerful. The HDR display makes it the most suitable for on-the-go gaming. The time between battery charges - thanks to the 3,180 mAh battery - is also a definite plus. The Sony Xperia XZ2 runs Android 8.0 Oreo and we hope it gets an OS update soon, which means you won't have any problems playing new games.

Built-in X-Reality Dynamic Contrast Enhancer keeps games vibrant on screen, while the new Dynamic Vibration that gamers will love gives you more subtle tactile feedback.

8.HTC U12 +

Technical specifications:

Weight: 188 grams
Dimensions: 156.6 x 73.9 x 8.7 mm
Operating system: Android 8.0
Screen diagonal: 6 inches
Screen resolution: 1440 x 2880 pixels
Processor: Snapdragon 845
RAM: 6 GB
Built-in memory: 64/128 GB
Battery capacity: 3500mAh
Main camera: 12MP f / 1.8 + 16MP f / 2.6
Front camera: 8MP f / 2.0

Pros: Big power of internal functions, sound reproduction is better than most smartphones
Minuses: Android shell can be used for other work

HTC smartphones may not have the recognition they deserve, but the HTC U12 + is another great phone that has a lot to offer gamers as well as smartphone users in general. Let's start with the crisp 6-inch screen, which is one of the strengths of the phone and will render images perfectly no matter what game you're running.

The high quality BoomSound speakers used in the HTC U12 will make your games feel as well as fantastic. Don't be afraid to turn up the volume on this phone, because the audio system is capable of reproducing the loudest sounds. Meanwhile, a processor and 6GB of RAM means your games will always have the performance they deserve, no matter the amount of on-screen activity.

As a user of an HTC smartphone that can be upgraded to Android P, you also understand that HTC U12 + will always have the latest version of Google's mobile OS to keep your smartphone running smoothly and games. An additional 12MP + 16MP dual-lens camera, IP68 waterproof and dustproof technology, and an increase in storage capacity up to 128GB are indisputable advantages of this model.

9. MOTO Z2 FORCE

Technical specifications:

Weight: 143 grams
Dimensions: 155.8 x 76 x 6.1 mm
Operating system: Android 7.1.1
Screen diagonal: 5.5 inches
Screen resolution: 1440 x 2560 pixels
Processor: Snapdragon 835
RAM: 6 GB
Built-in memory: 64/128 GB
Battery capacity: 2730mAh
Main camera: 12MP f / 2.0 + 12MP f / 2.0
Front camera: 5MP f / 2.2

Pros: the power you need, one of the more affordable smartphones
Minuses: short battery life

The Moto Z2 Force is worth considering as a gaming phone, although it isn't the most powerful and doesn't come with the largest screen. The strengths of this model are a durable case, tempered glass on the screen and an Android shell. It will also likely cost less than the other phones on this list.

In terms of phone specs, you'll notice the Snapdragon 835 chipset paired with 6GB of RAM, followed by either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage (you'll probably need more storage if you're installing a lot of games). The 5.5-inch screen is large enough for you to see what is happening, but at the same time, the smartphone is comfortable to hold in your hand.

It doesn't have the specs specifically for games, but that doesn't matter - any game you want to install from the Play Store will run well. Don't forget about Moto mods that add extra battery power, or a louder speaker or projector to display games on an empty wall.

10. IPHONE XR

Technical specifications:

Weight: 194 grams
Dimensions: 150.9 x 75.7 x 7.7 mm
Operating system: iOS 11.1.1
Screen diagonal: 6.1 inches
Screen resolution: 828 x 1792 pixels
Processor: Apple A12 Bionic
RAM: 3 GB
Built-in memory: 64/256 GB
Main camera: 12MP f / 1.8 + 12MP f / 2.4
Front camera: 7MP f / 2.2

Pros: fast hardware and software, best games
Minuses: high price

We haven't forgotten about Apple, and while the iPhone XR sits at the bottom of the list, that doesn't mean it's the last in the gaming phone hierarchy. Under the case is an Apple A12 Bionic processor and 3GB of RAM. This means that any games and applications downloaded to the smartphone should run smoothly.

As an iPhone owner, you get the benefit of the smooth, reliable operation of iOS. Games appear on both iOS and Android, but many first appear on iOS. Also, you get good guarantees that new updates will be installed faster than on Android. Launching the latest mobile operating system is a long way to go to keep your games fast and stable in the future.

The iPhone XR also boasts a fantastic 6.1-inch screen that's bright, crisp, and game-ready. What's more, you can choose from a variety of accessories for each iPhone, such as an attractive case to carry your phone or a game controller for a slot.