IOS Devices and Gaming Performance: Which iPhone Rules the Playing Field?

Nothing beats the Nintendo Switch when you want to game on the go. But if your budget says there’s only room for an iPhone, you’ve got to pick the right one. This article recommends the three best iPhones for three types of gamers.

Our Top Picks

Best for Hardcore Gamers:

Apple iPhone 15 Pro at Amazon $877

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Best for Casual Gamers:

Apple iPhone 13 Pro at Amazon $942

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Best for Budget Gamers:

Apple iPhone SE (3rd Generation) at Amazon $223

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Best for Hardcore Gamers

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

PHOTO: Apple

$877 at Amazon View on Apple View on Verizon

Pro

• High-end processor and GPU performance
• Large, bright, high-refresh screen
• Length battery life
• Large maximum storage capacity
• Compatible with game cases and game controllers

Con

• Expensive

• Could be heavy to hold during long sessions

• Screen size (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

Look no further if you want high-end performance and a dazzling screen. The iPhone 15 Pro is close to the top of the iPhone lineup, which means it offers the most powerful processor of any iPhone (the A17 Pro), the best screen, and the highest GPU performance. If you want a portable gaming device that rivals the experience of a mobile console and can handle any game you throw at it, this is the iPhone for you.

It’s a bit pricey compared to a console (this iPhone ranges from US$999-$1499), but it’s also one of the best smartphones on the market today. Combine great gameplay with a top-notch camera, handy features like Apple Pay and FaceTime, and safety and security options like Face ID, crash detection , and emergency cellular calls, and you’ve got an unbeatable package.

If you want to splurge, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a screen that is 0.6 inches bigger. It’s excellent, although it costs $200 more.

Best for Casual Gamers

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

PHOTO: Apple

$942 at Amazon

Pro

• Powerful processor and GPU performance
• Large, bright, high-refresh screen
• Length battery life
• Large maximum storage capacity
• Compatible with game cases and game controllers
• Less expensive than the iPhone 15

Con

• A few years old (released in 2021)

• Less powerful than the iPhone 15 Pro

• Doesn’t have the latest smartphone features (e.g. Dynamic Island)

• Heavy for long gaming sessions

• Screen size (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

• Game case and game controller support: Yes

You’re probably a casual gamer if you don’t know what a GPU or an AAA game is. And there’s nothing wrong with that! Casual gamers are by far the biggest group of gamers. So, whether you like to play word or puzzle games, do a bit of card playing or candy crushing, or dabble in RPGs or first-person shooters, you don’t need to buy a high-end phone.

That’s where the iPhone 13 Pro comes in. It’s been on the market for a few years now, so it lets you strike a nice balance between an excellent gaming phone and one that costs less than the latest models (prices start around $500, around $400 less than the iPhone 15 Pro). Prices vary as Apple no longer sells this model; you must buy it from third-party stores. Expect to spend around $500-$600.

The iPhone 13 Pro offers a terrific screen, strong performance, and lots of storage—along with all the key iPhone features and functionality that make it an excellent smartphone. It’s a bit heavy, so playing games for a long time may tire your hands or arms, but most casual gamers don’t play for hours anyway.

If you want a phone that’s a bit newer, consider the iPhone 15 (prices start around $799).

Best for Budget Gamers

Apple iPhone SE (3rd Generation)

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PHOTO: Amazon

$223 at Amazon $139 at Walmart $300 at Best Buy

Pro

• Affordable price
• Good performance
• Good maximum storage capacity
• Compatible with game cases and game controllers

Con

• Lags behind other iPhone models in every category

• Not good for high-end, high-performance games

• Battery life on the lower side

• 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

• Game case and game controller support: Yes

If you’re a casual gamer whose decision is primarily motivated by price, consider the iPhone SE (3rd Generation) . This model balances all the key considerations: it’s a suitable device for casual gaming with useful iPhone features, and its price starts at just $429.

This version of the iPhone SE was released in late 2022, so its features are naturally a bit behind other recent models. If your gaming consists of puzzles, card games, and word games like crossword puzzles, the SE is a great pick. Its screen is small compared to the ones listed above, but its price reflects any shortcomings. It’s an excellent option for the budget-conscious gamer.

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