The Best Budget Gaming Smartphones in 2024: Modern high-end games are resource-intensive, demanding significant processing power, graphical capabilities, and memory that only sophisticated smartphones can offer. However, these advanced features on phones come at a cost —high price tags.
But what if you could get the engaging and immersive gaming experience you desire without breaking the bank? What if you could get a smartphone that can handle most high-end games well, offers good gaming performance, and is still quite affordable?
Fortunately, there are several phones on the market that provide top-tier gaming capabilities at a lower price point. Let’s explore some of the best options available.
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G was first released on March 24, 2023. It has been over a year since then, and it is still one of the most sought-after mobile gaming smartphones today. With its MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset, high-performance octa-core CPU configuration, Mali-G68 MC4 graphics processing unit, and whopping 256GB memory, the device can comfortably handle most high-end mobile games.
One of this phone’s best gaming-suited features is its 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Whether you’re playing demanding games like Arena of Valor, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty, or less intensive ones like Doodle Jump, Minecraft, or even online slots, the Galaxy A34 5G delivers smooth and vibrant visuals. You can read more about the best real-money slots here.
The Galaxy A34 5G is surprisingly affordable, despite its impressive features and capabilities. It is typically priced around $250, with slight variations depending on the specific model. Given its performance and value, it’s worth considering if you’re looking for a budget-friendly gaming phone.
Specs
- Operating System: Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1
- Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2×2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Mali-G68 MC4
- Display Size: 6.6 Inches
- RAM: 4GB–8GB RAM
- Internal Memory: 128GB–256GB
- Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh
- Price: $229.99 – $295.99
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro 5G
The Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro 5G is another good option for a limited budget. With just about $250, you get a mobile gaming device with a massive 120Hz refresh rate, a fast Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, and other incredible features that make gaming with this device seamless.
One impressive aspect of the Poco X5 Pro is its aesthetic design. Specifically, its relatively evenly spaced bezel screen is a feature primarily used in sophisticated and expensive devices.
Specs
- Operating System: Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 for POCO
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (1×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78, 3×2.2 GHz Cortex-A78, & 4×1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Adreno 642L
- Display Size: 16.7 Inches
- RAM: 6GB–8GB RAM
- Internal Memory: 128GB–256GB
- Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh
- Price: $195 – $304
OnePlus 10T 5G
The OnePlus 10T 5G is another incredible budget gaming smartphone in terms of performance. The device boasts 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, so you can stock it up with all your favorite games without worrying about running out of space. You don’t also have to worry about performance, as its incredible Snapdragon 8+ chip and 120 Hz refresh rate ensure that the game runs perfectly without lagging.
The only downside of this device is its relatively limited 4800 mAh battery capacity. However, it balances this out with a high-speed charge. Its chipset is also engineered to be energy efficient, so the power doesn’t drain quickly.
Specs
- Operating System: Android 12, OxygenOS 13
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (1×3.19 GHz Cortex-X2, 3×2.75 GHz Cortex-A710, & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
- GPU: Adreno 730
- Display Size: 6.7 Inches
- RAM: 8GB–16GB RAM
- Internal Memory: 128GB–256GB
- Battery Capacity: 4800 mAh
- Price: $215 – $365
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
If you’re a gamer on a budget, the regular Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 would ordinarily be a solid choice. However, for a significantly better experience, you should consider the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro.
Priced between $219 and $285, the Pro version offers a range of enhancements that make it an excellent gaming phone for its cost. It runs on Android 12 with MIUI 13, powered by a better MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset, which ensures smooth and efficient performance. Improved RAM and memory options provide ample space and speed for gaming.
One standout feature of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is the Game Turbo mode, which lets you tweak graphics settings to ensure the best performance for each game.
Specs
- Operating System: Android 12, MIUI 13
- Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2×2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Mali-G68 MC4
- Display Size: 6.67 Inches
- RAM: 6GB–12GB RAM
- Internal Memory: 128GB–256GB
- Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh
- Price: $219 – $285
OnePlus 7 Pro
The OnePlus 7 Pro is another standout option for budget gamers, thanks to its powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset and impressive QHD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Despite not being the latest model, its advanced hardware and smooth interface make it a strong competitor in the budget gaming segment.
Although it runs on Android 9.0, it is upgradable to Android 12. It features an octa-core CPU and an Adreno 640 GPU, providing the necessary power for demanding games. The 6.67-inch fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ display ensures vibrant visuals, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Specs
- Operating System: Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 485, & 4×1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
- GPU: Adreno 640
- Display Size: 6.67 Inches
- RAM: 6GB–12GB RAM
- Internal Memory: 128GB–256GB
- Battery Capacity: 4000 mAh
- Price: $200 – $400
Conclusion
Choosing a budget gaming smartphone doesn’t mean compromising on performance or features. Whether you need powerful processors, ample RAM, or impressive displays, the devices above have got you covered. They offer smooth and immersive gameplay, ensuring you enjoy a high-end gaming experience without breaking the bank.
