Which is better for gaming, the iPhone or the Samsung?

The Samsung vs. iPhone argument is one that isn't going away. To fight at the top of the market, both manufacturers really step up their software and hardware every year, making it more intense. For example, this year has seen another hotly fought race between the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series and the iPhone 15 Series. We don't think this will change very soon since it has been this way from the beginning of the smartphone age.

We can set everything out for you to determine which brand is superior, even if we are unable to provide a definitive response since it is ultimately a matter of opinion. In this guide, we’re going to look into the components, gaming performance, and services available with various smartphones from each manufacturer, so you can leave with a better understanding of what would fit you best before the debut of the iPhone 16 later this year.

Thus, when we respond, these are our primary points of comparison: Samsung vs. iPhone: Which is superior for gaming?

Chipset

The greatest place to start in the iPhone vs. Samsung debate is with each phone's processing capability. Both manufacturers use some extremely strong chipsets, as you would expect for industry-leading devices, but their approaches are considerably different.

Apple is the producer of its own chipsets. The premium iPhone 15 Pro Max and 15 Pro versions are powered by the most recent generation, the A17 Pro. The A16 Bionic chipset, which powers the 14 Pro Max and 14 Pro, is also used by the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. Both are more than capable of high-end gaming, even with a generation between them, which gives Apple an advantage over rivals.

To be honest, there isn't much of a difference between the A17 Pro and the A16 Bionic. We discovered that the A16 Bionic could run Genshin Impact at an astounding 59 frames per second during tests conducted earlier in the year. The A17 Pro elevates the experience even further, as our iPhone 15 Pro Max review highlights the device's capabilities.

Most mobile gamers may still make good use of the still-relevant iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models as viable substitutes for the newest versions if they'd rather take the green path with refurbished phones or are on a somewhat tighter budget. While the animations aren't nearly as sharp as they are on the more recent iPhones, neither of the phones had any issues running titles like PUBG Mobile or Honkai Star Rail that we've tested.

It's a bit trickier to understand Samsung's choice of chipsets, however, and it depends on your point of view. All three of the S24 series phones in the US, Canada, and China use Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPUs that have been overclocked. The worldwide S24 and S24+ models use Samsung's own Exynos 2400 processor, whereas the Snapdragon is only available in the S24 Ultra in all other territories.

Although it is a competitive chipset, the Exynos 2400 is not nearly as potent as the top Qualcomm rival on the market. It's a very little change, however, and you won't really notice it in regular gameplay. As you would expect from three leading smartphones in 2024, both chipsets have the performance ability to handle games with high graphics settings, like as PUBG Mobile and Honkai Star Rail.

However, if you're searching for a good gaming phone, you don't definitely need the newest Samsung model, much as with the iPhone substitutes. We adore the phone, as you can see from our Samsung Galaxy S23 review, and its gaming performance is still on par with the finest. It's easy to forget that the S23 is still among the top performers you can carry in your pocket even if it's just been out for a year.

At the very top end, the two brands differ: the Samsung S24 Ultra has an even larger vapor chamber than its predecessor to aid in heat dissipation, thus long gaming sessions should not present any issues. It's difficult to compare the S24 Ultra to the new iPhone 15 Pro Max in terms of keeping your smartphone cool since we haven't had a chance to test this. In any case, you ought to have no trouble playing games for a few hours on either, but the Samsung S24 Ultra could simply remain colder for longer.

That's on the extreme end, however, and even if there are changes, they are unquestionably small. That is somewhat true for the priciest phones that both firms sell, but there are more notable distinctions with the entry-level flagship models. And their displays are to blame for it.

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Whichever flagship phone you choose—the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro Max—has an OLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, making it the finest for mobile gaming. Both also make use of LPTO display technology, which allows you to game at 120Hz till your phone runs out of energy if you'd want. This feature reduces refresh rates to protect battery life when you're running low.

It's difficult to compare the iPhone 15 Pro Max and S24 Ultra since only the sharpest eye can distinguish between the two. In addition, we have to contend with subjectivity, as some people inherently choose one over the other because of brand prejudice or a bad experience in the past. With 120Hz refresh rates offered by both high-end phones, gaming will be as smooth as possible on whatever model you choose.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, on the other hand, are limited to 60Hz screens. This is a significant difference for gaming, so Samsung is unquestionably the best option if you're seeking to spend about $800. The displays from the S24 Series are quite beautiful. It's still a close fight if you're wanting to spend $1,000 or more, so continue reading.

Ergonomics

When it comes to ergonomics, the iPhone vs. Samsung debate becomes more nuanced since it depends so much on your own tastes and views. Still, before dropping a lot of money on a new smartphone, it's wise to do your homework. We've included information on the flagship models' designs from each below.

The corner is where the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max's designs diverge the most. The corners of the S24 Ultra are square, whereas those of the iPhone 15 Pro Max are rounded. Since I've been using an iPhone for the last several years, I still find square edges to be a little odd, but this is entirely subjective, so you could like Samsung's squared-off models. In any case, the comfort of both devices in the hand allows for even longer gaming sessions.

The flagship phones at lesser price points, however, are quite comparable. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are circular on the edges, whereas the S24 and S24 Plus have flat tops and bottoms with rounded sides. In my opinion, the whole set of flat sides seems somewhat more pleasant to hold, although this is only a little change that ultimately boils down to personal taste.

Samsung's Z Fold and Z Flip phones provide a somewhat different approach in terms of design. We have yet to see an Apple phone that folds, despite several speculations, and it doesn't seem like we will anytime soon. Thus, there's only one winner in the iPhone vs. Samsung discussion if you're searching for something a bit different from a standard brick phone.

Services

Apple is the obvious leader when it comes to gaming services, even if the majority of the categories we've looked at so far are equally balanced. We at SmartRead love that the Cupertino firm provides something Samsung doesn't: Apple Arcade and the many Apple Arcade games.

Despite the fact that Apple Arcade is an excellent service with new games added each month, the iPhone's incompatibility with APKs is a drawback. Everything must be downloaded via the App Store; jailbreaking your phone is the only way to get around this, and we strongly advise against it. But in 2024, a plethora of emulators have begun to appear on the App Store, undermining one of Samsung's primary selling factors.

Nevertheless, because Samsung uses Android, the ability to get programs from many sources is still quite helpful. This is excellent if you know what you're doing, and you can get a variety of classics up and running in the palm of your hand, as we describe in our iPhone vs. Android guide. But be advised that it's better to stay away from it if you're not sure you're doing it safely. Downloads should only be made from websites you are certain are secure.

However, it's conceivable that the outcome of this head-to-head may change soon. Although the Samsung Gaming Hub is presently exclusive to Samsung smart TVs, there are reports that the business plans to release a smartphone-like product soon. Should this occur, we may need to reconsider how we see gaming services. However, Apple products continue to rule supremely for the time being.

Is the Samsung or iPhone superior for gaming?

Taking all of that into consideration, we return to our initial query: which is better for gaming—the Samsung or the iPhone? Although the choice between the two is rather close, and much depends on personal taste, as of this writing, we think Samsung to be the finest for gaming.Samsung phones are great for mobile gaming since they have competitive performance and typically superior screens.

Nevertheless, Android's adaptability is what makes it our choice for the best gaming phone. You can use your Samsung to play anything from the newest, top-notch mobile game to that PS1 classic that brings back fond memories with a little bit of research. Even while iOS emulators have somewhat raised eyebrows, the Samsung's customizability still prevails in the end.

But this iPhone is by no means a poor decision. Even though there have been reports indicating that Apple Arcade may be having technical difficulties, the game service is still unrivaled for the moment. Furthermore, there is not much of a difference between Samsung and top-tier flagships. Just so you know, until PS1 games are released on the App Store, you will not be playing any of them.

Although Samsung is now ranked as the winner, this might all change in the near future. Though many would argue otherwise, based on what we've seen of the gaming experiences on both, Samsung just barely defeats the Apple device. It really comes down to personal preference since both smartphones are so powerful, but perhaps this has given you a better sense of what to anticipate from both.

Here we have it: an epic game clash between the iPhone and Samsung that will go down in history. Naturally, the best foldable phones also provide a distinct gaming experience; however, Apple does not compete in this area; Samsung does. Thus, have a look at that guide if you're interested in a foldable.

Beyond the iPhone vs. Samsung debate, we also have lists of the top gaming phones () and the finest power banks () to keep them topped up. For alternative platforms, see the best portable gaming consoles, where a plethora of different handheld heroes compete with the Nintendo Switch and the best iPad.