Top 5 smartphones for mobile gaming in 2025

Devices
July 8, 2025
  •  
By 
Ashwinee Rvan

Mobile gaming has skyrocketed in popularity in 2025, captivating gamers with stunning graphics and immersive experiences. Choosing the best gaming smartphone is essential for smooth performance, vibrant visuals, and long battery life, ensuring uninterrupted play. Whether you're a casual player or a competitive gamer, finding the perfect phone can elevate your gaming. This article explores the top 5 smartphones for mobile gaming in 2025, featuring expert picks from TechRadar, PCMag, and GamesRadar.

1. ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro

The ROG Phone 9 Pro is built from the ground up for elite mobile gaming. With its ultra-fast refresh rate and precise touch response, it delivers a console-like experience right in your hands. The dedicated gaming mode, built-in shoulder triggers, and immersive sound system make it ideal for competitive titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile.

Key specs:

  • Display: 6.78″ AMOLED, 165 Hz refresh rate
  • Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Battery: 5800 mAh
  • RAM: Up to 24GB
  • Storage: Up to 1TB

Gaming features: The phone includes ultrasonic AirTrigger shoulder buttons, a GameCool 9 thermal system for sustained performance, X-Mode for fine-tuning power, and dual front-facing speakers for immersive audio.

Price: Approximately RM4,999

Get it from RM69/month with 0% interest and RM0 upfront on CelcomDigi's Easy360!

2. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

The Galaxy Z Fold6 brings a new level of versatility to mobile gaming. Its foldable inner display opens up into a nearly tablet-sized screen, perfect for expansive visuals and multitasking during gameplay. Whether you're managing strategy games or diving into fast-paced shooters, the larger screen space gives you an edge.

Key specs:

  • Display: 7.6″ foldable AMOLED (internal), 120 Hz
  • Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Battery: Approx. 4400 mAh
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: Up to 1TB

Gaming features: With Flex Mode support, you can adjust screen angles for a more ergonomic experience, and the expansive display delivers cinematic visuals with minimal input lag, thanks to its high refresh rate.

Price: Approximately RM7,299

Get it from RM121/month with 0% interest and RM0 upfront on CelcomDigi's Easy360!

3. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is built for smooth, high-quality gaming. Its powerful A18 Pro chip delivers fast performance and supports the latest games, while the improved cooling system keeps it from overheating. With a ProMotion display, spatial audio, and haptic feedback, it offers a truly immersive gaming experience.

Key specs:

  • Display: 6.9″ LTPO OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz
  • Processor: A18 Pro chip
  • Battery: All-day battery life
  • Storage: Up to 1TB

Gaming features: It supports MetalFX graphics rendering for console-quality visuals, ProMotion for ultra-smooth frame rates, and spatial audio with haptic feedback to make games feel more lifelike.

Price: Starting at RM5,999

Get it from RM164/month with 0% interest and RM0 upfront on CelcomDigi's Easy360!

4. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is made for gamers who want great visuals and steady performance. Its large AMOLED screen with adaptive refresh rate keeps gameplay sharp and smooth, even in intense scenes. Game Booster improves performance in real time, and the long-lasting battery lets you play for hours. The S Pen also enhances strategy and drawing-based games.

Key specs:

  • Display: 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED, 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh
  • Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Battery: 5000 mAh
  • RAM: Up to 16GB
  • Storage: Up to 1TB

Gaming features: The device includes a Game Booster mode for resource optimisation, advanced thermal control to maintain peak performance, and S Pen compatibility for creative or strategy-focused games.

Price: Starting at RM5,699

Get it from RM102/month with 0% interest and RM0 upfront on CelcomDigi's Easy360!

5. HONOR Magic7 Pro

A 2025 flagship from Honor, the Magic 7 Pro delivers a super-smooth gaming experience, outstanding battery life, and an ultra-sharp display — all wrapped in a sleek, durable design.

Key specs:

  • Display: 6.8″ quad-curved OLED, 1–120 Hz LTPO
  • Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4
  • Battery: 5850mAh
  • RAM & storage: 12 GB + 512 GB or 16 GB RAM + 1TB

Gaming features: The HONORMagic 7 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, AI-enhanced NPU performance booster, high refresh rate OLED screen, and powerful stereo subwoofer speakers create a fluid, immersive gaming experience with sustained frame rates and rich audio.

Price: Approximately RM3,999

Get it from RM56/month with 0% interest and RM0 upfront on CelcomDigi's Easy360!

Level up your play, one phone at a time

Whether you’re grinding through ranked matches, exploring vast open worlds, or just need something snappy for a few rounds of your favourite mobile game, there’s a phone on this list ready to level up your experience. So if you’re serious about gaming on the go, it might be time to upgrade your controller… to a better phone.

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