2024's top gaming iPhones: Affordable Apple phones
Which gaming iPhone is the best? There is no one answer since there are several iPhone versions to pick from and Apple iPhone phones retain their worth for years after they are released.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is no longer the largest and greatest iPhone due to the recent release of the iPhone 15 range, but its A16 processor and high refresh rate screen ensure that gaming looks fluid. If you're on a tight budget, the best mobile phone providers still sell earlier models of phones, such as the iPhone SE and iPhone 13, for less money than the top iPhone series.
We'll assist you in selecting the ideal iPhone for gaming for your requirements. We can provide you with a large screen, the greatest sound quality, an excellent performance, or anything in between on a tight budget.
Although not designed with gamers in mind, like the Asus ROG Phone 7, iPhones are still among of the greatest gaming phones available. After selecting a new model, you may test its capabilities with our selection of Apple Arcade games and protect it with our guide to the best phone cases.
Right now, these are the top iPhones for gaming that are available:- iPhone 14 Pro Max – best overall
- iPhone 14 – balanced price and performance
- iPhone SE – budget choice
1. The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Overall, the greatest iPhone for gaming.
Specs of the iPhone 14 Pro Max:<| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic |
| Display | 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED (1290 x 2796) |
| Storage | 128GB-1TB |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Battery | Li-Ion 4323 mAh |
- Uses the speedy and impressive A16 bionic chip
- Beautiful 6.7-inch super retina XDR screen
- Expensive
- Struggles a bit if you play for extended periods
Want just the greatest of the best? That option for you is the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Even though it costs a lot more than the competitors, you really do get what you pay for in this case.
With a high pixel density, a variable refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, and a new Dynamic Island cutout at the top, the display is enormous at 6.7 inches. Additionally, it enables HDR, a significantly greater maximum brightness, and a much better contrast ratio. When you combine it with an amazing battery life of around 29 hours, you get a powerful gaming phone.
It is the greatest iPhone for gaming, even if you ignore its gorgeous stainless steel and textured matte glass look, as well as many other nice features like that absurd three-camera arrangement.
2. Apple iPad 14
Performance and pricing are best balanced with the best gaming iPhone.
Features of the iPhone 14:<| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Display | 6.1‑inch 60Hz all‑screen OLED display (2532 x 1170) |
| Storage | 128GB – 512GB |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Battery | Li-Ion 3279 mAh |
- Decent battery life
- Great OLED screen
- Only 60Hz
- Lacks the A16 Bionic chip
The majority of dedicated iPhone gamers should get the iPhone 14, which is the greatest iPhone for gaming overall. The iPhone 14 model is around two-thirds the price of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but since it has almost all of the important features, it's the wise person's pick even if we rank the iPhone 14 Pro Max at the top of our recommendation because of its exceptional performance.
Your gorgeous OLED display screen is still there, which enhances the best iPhone games. seem to be at their best. Even while it doesn't have the Pro Max's 29-hour battery life, it still has a good amount of battery life between charges—roughly 20 hours.
This is without a doubt the best gaming iPhone if you have the cash to pay and don't mind sacrificing the most opulent features. It also comes in a plethora of elegant hues. Good day, Yellow iPhone 14...
3. The iPhone SE
The cheapest iPhone for playing games.
Specs for the iPhone SE:| Chipset | A15 Bionic |
| Display | 4.7-inch 60Hz widescreen LCD display (1334 x 750) |
| Storage | 64GB – 256GB |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Battery | Li-Ion 1624 mAh |
- Cheap for an iPhone
- 5G connection
- No OLED screen
- Lower RAM and storage space
Larger doesn't necessarily mean better, as the iPhone SE demonstrates. It is the least expensive iPhone available, but it also has an upgraded A15 processor. It is intended to provide the same processing power as an iPhone 13.
The cost in kind? A home button, no Face ID unlocking, and a smaller screen are a few of the features.However, the screen could be the lone deal-breaker. It's really quite little.
Nevertheless, it's a really good phone, and if you want to get your hands on the amazing A15 for the least amount of money, this is the iPhone for you.
How we choose the best iPhone for gaming
These standards helped us decide which phones should be on this list and how to rank them while we were compiling it:
- Recency: When looking at gaming phones, you should only consider those which are actively still being supported by their manufacturers. Those which don’t run the risk of becoming incompatible with the best mobile games.
- Battery life: Enjoy a nice long gaming sesh? You’re going to want something with a decent battery life. We’re not going to recommend you seven year old iPhone 7 that only lasts six hours on its diminished battery – only recent models that can offer a battery life of around 20 hours or more.
- Pricing: Obviously, iPhones are expensive, but they are also home to some pretty cool exclusive games. For those without a huge budget, we wanted to include a cheaper option (the SE) so you’d still be able to play those iOS games.
- Screen quality: To really make your games pop, you’ll want a nice big OLED screen, and we have focused on models that feature that, though we also included a cheaper LCD option for budget shoppers.
- RAM: The better the RAM, the more smoothly your iPhone will run your games. We recommend 6GB for the best performance, though you’ll still get by on the 2GB of the iPhone SE. We wouldn’t want to recommend anything with less.
To learn more, see our how we test page. See our FAQs below if you have any further questions:
Which iPhone is the finest for playing games?
Right now, the greatest iPhone for gaming is the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It will eventually succeed since, of course, the newest models will always perform better than their predecessors, but for the time being, it's a wise decision.
Is it possible to play games on an iPhone?
Naturally. In fact, a complete service is built around it. Get a sense of the variety of games available on the platform by reading our list of every Apple Arcade game.
What makes iPhone gamers favor it?
Because so many games are well suited for iOS software, Apple's devices are the favored platform for many gamers. Additionally, they are strong gadgets that can run some very amazing games.
Where can I locate the greatest offers on iPhones?
If you're looking for an excellent price on an iPhone, check out these retailers:
Here are a few more specific savings for you:
Do you want to hold off on purchasing a new phone till after the iPhone 15 release date? Find out more about Apple's next major release by reading our iPhone 15 leaks article.Oh, and don't forget to check out our list of the best Android phone for games here if you're looking to replace your iPhone with the best Android phone.