If you want to play games, the Nintendo Switch is the way to go. But if you want to play games on your iPhone, then you have to pick the right one. This article discusses the best iPhone for gaming in 2024 for different kinds of gamers.
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Which iPhone is Best for Gaming?
Want to know if the iPhone is good for playing games? Can you play games on an iPhone 14, 13, or even an iPhone SE if you don’t have a lot of money? Below, you will find a list of the best iPhones for gaming.
The Best iPhone for Gaming 2024
1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro: Best For Hardcore Gamers
Pros ✅ High-performance processors and GPUs ✅ High-refresh rate, large, bright screen ✅ Long battery life ✅ Large maximum storage capacity ✅ Compatible with game cases and game controllers | Cons ❌ Costly ❌ During long sessions, it could be heavy to hold |
- Screen size (in inches): 6.1 OLED
- Screen resolution: 2556 x 1179 (460 pixels/inch); HDR
- Screen refresh rate: up to 120Hz (ProMotion)
- Processor: Apple A17 Pro
- GPU cores: 6
- Battery life: up to 23 hours
- Storage: up to 1TB
- Size (inches): 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32
- Weight (ounces): 6.60
- Game case and game controller support: Yes
You don’t need to look any further if you want top-notch speed and a beautiful screen. Due to its position near the top of the iPhone line, the iPhone 15 Pro has the most powerful processor (the A17 Pro), the best screen, and the best GPU speed. This is the iPhone for you if you want a portable gaming device that can handle any game you throw at it and is as good as a mobile device.
The iPhone is priced between US$999 and $1,499, which is a bit more than a computer, but it’s one of the best smartphones on the market right now. If you add great gaming to a great camera, useful features like Apple Pay and FaceTime, and safety and security features like Face ID, crash recognition, and emergency cell calls, you have an unbeatable package.
The screen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max is 0.6 inches bigger if you want to spend more. Even though it costs $200 more, it’s great.
2. Apple iPhone 13 Pro: Best for Casual Gamers
Pros ✅High-performance processors and GPUs ✅ Large, bright, high-refresh screen ✅ Long battery life ✅ Large maximum storage capacity ✅ Compatible with game controllers and game cases ✅ It is less expensive than the iPhone 15 | Cons ❌ It was released in 2021, so it’s a few years old ❌ Less powerful than the iPhone 15 Pro ❌ It doesn’t have the latest smartphone features (e.g. Dynamic Island) ❌ Heavy for long gaming sessions |
- Screen size (in inches): 6.1 OLED
- Screen resolution: 2532 x 1170 (460 pixels/inch); HDR
- Screen refresh rate: up to 120Hz (ProMotion)
- Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
- GPU cores: 5
- Battery life: up to 22 hours
- Storage: up to 1TB
- Size (inches): 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30
- Weight (ounces): 7.19
It’s likely that you only play games occasionally if you don’t know what a GPU or a AAA game is. That’s fine! By far, the largest group of gamers is casual players. You don’t need to buy a high-end phone if you only play a few games, like word or puzzle games, card games, Candy Crush, RPGs, or first-person shooters.
The iPhone 13 Pro can help with that. These phones have been around for a while, so they’re a good mix of being great for games and being cheaper than the newest ones. Prices start at around $500, which is $400 less than the iPhone 15 Pro. There are different prices for this model because Apple no longer sells it. You have to buy it from other shops. You can expect to pay between $500 and $600.
The iPhone 13 Pro has a great screen, fast speed, and a lot of storage space. It also has all the other great iPhone features and functions that make it a great smartphone. This game is pretty heavy, so playing for a long time might make your hands or arms tired. But most people don’t play for hours on end anyway.
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen): Best for Budget Gamers
Pros ✅ The price is affordable ✅ Good performance ✅ Maximum storage capacity is good ✅ Compatible with game controllers and game cases | Cons ❌ High-performance, high-end games are not recommended ❌ In every category, it lags behind other iPhone models ❌ Low battery life |
- Screen size (inches): 4.7 LCD
- Screen resolution: 1334 x 750 (326 pixels/inch)
- Screen refresh rate: 60 Hz
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- GPU cores: 4
- Battery life: up to 15 hours
- Storage: up to 256GB
- Size (inches): 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29
- Weight (ounces): 5.09
It’s not as good as other iPhone models in every way.
It is not recommended to play high-performance or high-end games.
If price is the main thing that drives your choice as a casual gamer, the iPhone SE (3rd Generation) is a good option. The most important things about this model are all in balance: it’s cheap (starting at $429), good for casual games, and has useful iPhone features.
Since this version of the iPhone SE came out in late 2022, its features are a bit behind those of more current models. The SE is a great choice if you like to play puzzles, card games, and word games like crosswords. The above phones have bigger screens than this one, but its price makes up for that. For gamers on a tight budget, this is a great choice.
Also Read: Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max: Which is better?
iPhones for Gaming Compared
iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone SE (3rd Gen.) | |
---|---|---|---|
Screen Size (inches) | 6.1 | 6.1 | 4.7 |
Screen Type | OLED | OLED | LCD |
Screen Resolution | 2556 x 1179 HDR | 2532 x 1170 HDR | 1334 x 750 |
Screen Refresh Rate | up to 120Hz | up to 120Hz | 60Hz |
Processor | Apple A17 Pro | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic |
GPU Cores | 6 | 5 | 4 |
Game Case Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Game Controller Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life | 23 hours | 22 hours | 15 hours |
Storage | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB | 64GB 128GB 256GB |
Size (inches) | 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 |
Weight (ounces) | 6.60 | 7.19 | 5.09 |
Price | $999-$1499 | ~$500 and up | $429-$579 |