Samsung phones are good at pretty much everything. Most of the best Samsung gaming phones come with powerful processors and generous amounts of RAM, with dazzlingly vibrant and large screens perfect for playing the latest games. However, if you are a serious gamer, you may want to know which are the best Samsung phones for gaming. That is why we have listed the cream of the crop for you in this article.
This list includes the best Samsung phone for gaming overall, as well as the number two and options in other price ranges.
Best Samsung Gaming Phones
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G – Samsung Gaming Phone
OS: Android 11 (One UI 3.1) | Screen size: 6.8 inches | Resolution: 3200 × 1440 | Refresh rate: 120Hz | CPU: Snapdragon 888 (US) / Exynos 2100 (Global) | RAM: 12 / 16GB | Storage space: 128/256/512 GB | Battery: 5,000 mAh | Rear camera: 108 MP + 10 MP + 10 MP + 12 MP | Front camera: 40 MP | Weight: 229 grams | Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm
The Samsung S21 Ultra is Samsung’s latest flagship, with a ton of tweaks and upgrades from last year’s model, making it one of the best Samsung gaming phones you can buy right now. With the Snapdragon 888 SoC, it guarantees the best performance in the latest mobile games. The smartphone comes with 12 GB of RAM in the base model, which means that apps are quickly loaded from the memory.
The stunning 6.8-inch AMOLED display has minimal bezels for an immersive viewing experience. The 120Hz refresh rate should make apps and games feel smoother and smoother, while the 1440p resolution should make even the smallest details look crisp. The variable refresh rate screen also helps to reduce battery consumption.
The 5,000 mAh battery in the S21 Ultra is ideal for extended gaming, especially as the beastly interior and screen consume a lot of power. It supports both wired and 15W wireless power options. It comes with the latest UFS 3.1 storage specification which makes it faster to download and launch apps and games. However, the SD card slot for expandable storage of last year’s model has been removed.
Connectivity on the S21 Ultra is what you would expect from a flagship in 2021. WiFi 6th, mmWave 5G and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure you get the fastest possible speeds for lower latency in games like online shooters and your download times.
The S21 Ultra 5G is the best Samsung gaming phone on the market right now. Launched for $ 100 less than last year’s model, it’s the best choice for those on a budget to spend on a high-quality, no-compromise gaming smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
Operating System: Android 10 (OneUi 2.5) | Screen size: 6.9 inches | Resolution: 3088 × 1440 | Refresh rate: 120Hz | CPU: Snapdragon 865+ (US) / Exynos 990 (Global) | RAM: 12 GB | Storage space: 128/256/512 GB | Battery: 4,500 mAh | Rear camera: 108 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP | Front camera: 10 MP | Weight: 208 grams | Dimensions: 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm
The latest flagship in the Samsung range, the Note 20 Ultra continues the legacy of the versatile Note range and is, for anyone with deep pockets, one of the best smartphones and best Samsung gaming phone out there. The powerful Snapdragon 865+ can easily handle the latest mobile games, while the 12 GB of RAM provides faster game loading times.
Add to that the hefty 6.9-inch AMOLED QHD screen, which is excellent for playing slow games in the adventure genre, for example. If you’re into action shooters, the 120Hz refresh rate will help you out and allow for faster and more intense gameplay, although at FHD due to Samsung’s limitations. The phone also features UFS 3.0, which allows you to download and load games much faster, and a microSD card slot for expandability.
The 4,500 mAh battery, while large, may not last as long as other smartphones, but it supports 25W fast charging for fast charging. Network connectivity also includes WiFi 6 and 5G for next-generation connectivity, so you can seamlessly stream games on your smartphone in the future. No headphone jack also means you need a dongle or Bluetooth earphones.
Samsung’s OneUI 2, an Android 10 skin, while not perfect for gaming, shouldn’t be much of a hindrance. Samsung’s store also includes games such as Fortnite for easier installation compared to other Android phones. The S-pen has no in-game benefits, but it can help if you also use your smartphone for productivity tasks.
The Note 20 Ultra makes for a reliable gaming smartphone, but it’s pricey for its features. Unless you’re using the S Pen, the S20 Ultra offers the same features but better battery performance at a lower price. Also avoid the variant with the Exynos processor, as it performs worse and costs the same.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 ULTRA
OS: Android 10 (one user interface 2) | Screen size: 6.9 inches | Resolution: 3200 x 1440 | Refresh rate: 120 Hz | CPU: Snapdragon 865 (US), Exynos 990 (International) | RAM: 12 GB | Storage space: 128 GB | Battery: 5,000 mAh | Rear camera: 108 MP + 48 MP + 12 MP + 0.3 MP | Front camera: 40 MP | Weight: 220 grams | Dimensions: 166.9 x 76 x 8.8 mm
The S20 Ultra is Samsung’s latest flagship in Samsung’s S-series of premium smartphones. Packed with the powerful Snapdragon 865, this phone is sure to adapt to any game you throw at your leisure. In addition to power, the fast 120Hz AMOLED WQHD display ensures smooth gaming, but keep in mind that the screen shrinks to 120Hz FHD resolution. The touch response speed of 240 Hz provides an almost negligible touch latency, allowing you to react much faster. The huge 6.9-inch screens provide a larger viewing area in games.
The 5,000 mAh battery is needed to power the large screen for long gaming sessions and can be charged with support for 45W fast charging. The 12 GB RAM in combination with UFS 3.0 storage should ensure fast charging times for your games. , And the added benefit of With expandable storage, you can add an SD card if your phone is running out of space. The additional WiFi 6 support is great if you plan on streaming games, and for fast connectivity on the go, you can upgrade to 5G for $ 100. We recommend the S20 Ultra if you want the best possible experience Samsung gaming phone can provide. especially with the large screens, but you have to consider the $ 1200 price tag.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S20
OS: Android 10 (one user interface 2) | Screen size: 6.2 inches | Resolution: 3200 x 1440 | Refresh rate: 120 Hz | CPU: Snapdragon 865 (US), Exynos 990 (International) | RAM: 8 GB | Storage space: 128 GB | Battery: 4000 mAh | Rear camera: 12 MP + 64 MP + 12 MP | Front camera: 10 MP | Weight: 163 grams | Dimensions: 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm
The S20 is the base model of Samsung’s S20 line. It retains many of the features of the S20 Ultra, such as the 120Hz screen and Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 SoC, giving you the same performance and smooth gaming as the Ultra. The S20 has a smaller 6.2-inch screen, great colors, and deep blacks. The phone has a 4000 mAh battery which gives you a decent amount of playtime given the smaller screen and the support for 25W fast charging will charge your battery quite quickly. In terms of cameras, the S20 uses a triple camera system with excellent image and video quality with exceptional low-light shooting.
The 8 GB RAM allows for fast loading times and multitasking, while the UFS 3.0 storage allows for faster data transfers and the benefit of an SD card slot for expandability. The S20 is also 163 grams and 7.8mm thick, making it quite ergonomic to use compared to the S20 Ultra. WiFi 6 and optional 5G support make it great again if you’re looking for streaming games in the future.
The S20 is a great Samsung gaming phone option if you are looking for a compact smartphone that fits your gaming needs while offering a complete package. Plus, the $ 1000 price tag for the 5G model makes it a great option over the S20 Ultra if you’re comfortable with the smaller screen size.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
OS: Android 11 (One UI 3.1) | Screen size: 6.2 inches | Resolution: 2400 × 1080 | Refresh rate: 120 Hz | CPU: Snapdragon 888 (US) / Exynos 2100 (Global) | RAM: 8 GB | Storage space: 128/256 GB | Battery: 4000 mAh | Rear camera: 12 MP + 64 MP + 12 MP | Front camera: 10 MP | Weight: 171 grams | Dimensions: 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm
The S21 5G is the most affordable member of Samsung’s recently launched S21 line. While some may consider it more of a mid-range smartphone due to features that Samsung left out, it still has powerful internal parts and a fast screen, making it a great gaming phone. The S21 has a 5nm Snapdragon 888 processor, which can be found in the latest flagships. The SoC in combination with 8 GB of RAM should load games quickly and allow lag-free play.
The 6.2-inch AMOLED screen is compact by today’s standards and has a refresh rate of 120 Hz for a smooth gaming experience and animations such as scrolling. While the FHD display has deteriorated from last year, the difference it makes to gaming should be minimal, with improved performance and battery life being the benefits of the lower resolution.
The fast UFS 3.1 storage should load apps and games quickly, although there is no SD card slot for expandable memory. The 4000 mAh battery has to provide a daily charge and recharges quickly via a fast wired charge of 25 W. Samsung has also omitted the included charger to keep costs down. The smartphone supports a range of connectivity options such as WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and mmWave 5G for fast downloads and low latency when playing multiplayer games online.
At $ 800, the S21 5G is certainly a good Samsung gaming phone. Powerful internal components and fast display ensure the best performance. However, the plastic back and lower screen resolution make it expensive compared to the competition.
Samsung Galaxy A51
OS: Android 10 (one user interface 2) | Screen size: 6.5 inches | Resolution: 2400 x 1080 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | CPU: Exynos 9611 | RAM: 4/6/8 GB | Storage space: 64/128 GB | Battery: 4000 mAh | Rear camera: 48 MP + 12 MP + 5 MP + 5 MP | Front camera: 32 MP | Weight: 172 grams | Dimensions: 158.5 x 73.6 x 7.9 mm
The Galaxy A51 is Samsung’s foray into the mid-range smartphone segment and offers features such as an excellent screen and a hefty battery, although performance is not up to par. The Exynos 9611 compares best to the Snapdragon 712, although it still lags in efficiency and performance.
The 4 GB RAM in the base model should be strictly avoided as this is a mid-range option and the performance hit is not worth the money saved. The 6.5-inch AMOLED display offers excellent color reproduction and inky black thanks to Samsung panels, although unfortunately there is no support for high refresh rates. UFS 2.0 storage, now quite outdated, will take a long time to load apps and games. The phone also offers expandable storage for those who often run out of space in lower storage options.
The 4,000 mAh battery lasts a day, but if you use your smartphone often you should expect a lot less given the inefficient chipset. A 15W adapter, lower than the more standard 18W chargers used in today’s smartphones, will charge your phone, albeit slowly. The latest One UI 2 is pre-installed and you can expect software updates for several years.
The Galaxy A51 is an excellent mid-range Samsung phone that doubles as a gaming smartphone with a hefty battery, which might not last very long thanks to the Exynos processor. However, the vibrant screen still offers a viewing experience for a price of just $ 392.
Samsung Galaxy A71
OS: Android 10 (one user interface 2) | Screen size: 6.7 inches | Resolution: 2400 x 1080 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | CPU: Snapdragon 730 | RAM: 6/8 GB | Storage space: 128 GB | Battery: 4,500 mAh | Rear camera: 64 MP + 12 MP + 5 MP + 5 MP | Front camera: 32 MP | Weight: 179 grams | Dimensions: 163.6 x 76 x 7.7 mm
Samsung’s budget offering, the Galaxy A71, is a great option if you’re looking for a decent gaming phone in a complete package. The Snapdragon 730 on the inside can play well, although not to the degree of flagships. The standard FHD Super AMOLED display lacks a high refresh rate, but is much better than the other offerings in this price range in terms of image quality and should perform well in gaming and content consumption. This is one of the budget Samsung gaming phones you can buy.
The 6.7-inch screen, with a small camera cutout and thin bezels, allows you to play in a wider area. It comes with 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage, which may not be that fast, but it offers plenty of space for all your games along with the ability to expand the capacity via the microSD card slot. The 6 or 8 GB of RAM is sufficient for your multitasking needs and is standard on smartphones in this range. The camera system is also excellent and shares many features with the S20 series, providing unparalleled low-light photography in this price range.
It comes with One UI 2 with Android 10 and offers Samsung’s unique gaming and productivity features, although you can find many identical apps. The additional headphone jack is also useful for use with headphones while gaming and watching videos. The 4,500 mAh battery easily handles tasks that require a lot of energy, and the fast charge of 25 W can quickly recharge you in no time.
The Galaxy A71 is a great versatile Samsung smartphone that turns out to be great for gaming. At $ 350, it offers great value and is a recommendation if you want a capable Samsung gaming phone with good cameras and a better screen.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G
Operating System: Android 10 (OneUi 2.5) | Screen size: 6.7 inches | Resolution: 2400 × 1080 | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | CPU: Snapdragon 865+ (US) / Exynos 990 (Global) | RAM: 8 GB | Storage space: 128/256 GB | Battery: 4300 mAh | Rear camera: 12 MP + 64 MP + 12 MP | Front camera: 10 MP | Weight: 194 grams | Dimensions: 161.6 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm
The Note 20, a more toned-down version of the Ultra variant, turns out to be quite expensive for the features it brings, but it’s the right choice for those looking to use it as a productivity device alongside gaming.
The inside of the Snapdragon 865+ is exclusive to the Note 20 series for Samsung phones and offers a significant amount of gaming power. With 8 GB of RAM, a standard for most smartphones, you can load games quickly in combination with the fast UFS 3.0 storage, which also ensures faster download and installation speeds.
The 6.7-inch FHD AMOLED panel doesn’t have the bells and whistles of high resolution or fast refresh rate, but it shows vibrant colors and is the best screen compared to most smartphones. The 4,300 mAh battery should easily last all day or a few gaming sessions as the screen won’t consume much. Thanks to the 25W fast charging, you can also quickly charge your phone when the battery is empty.
As for connectivity, you get WiFi 6.5G and Bluetooth 5.0. With streaming services like GeForce gaining popularity, these technologies may soon allow you to play PC games on your smartphone, providing a good level of protection for the future. The missing 3.5mm audio jack means you’ll have to make do with a Bluetooth dongle or headphones.
OneUI 2, while resource-intensive, shouldn’t slow you down much, but it does offer features that can come in handy, such as the option to download games like Fortnite natively from the Samsung store. The mask is also great for productivity tasks such as taking notes with the S Pen and more.
The Note 20 5G is a decent gaming package, but at $ 800 it doesn’t make sense to run it on smartphones like the S20 5G, which offers a better screen and is built for a small price difference. However, if you’re sure you need the S pen, that’s a great deal considering the specs. Again, the International variant of the Note 20 with the Exynos 990 is not worth the price for its performance.
Which Exynos processor is best for gaming?
In the United States, the vast majority of new Samsung phones come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. These are rated as some of the fastest processors you can find in any type of smartphone, making them ideal for gaming. However, outside of the US, most Samsung phones use an Exynos processor. In contrast, cheaper Samsung phones also come with an Exynos processor in the United States.
Exynos chips are made in-house by Samsung, and while they’re not quite as fast as Snapdragons, high-quality Exynos drives do a good job of powering phones. When it comes to gaming, you’ll generally want to target a phone with the latest Exynos processor, currently the Exynos 2100.
This particular chip is carried by the S21 series outside of the United States, and the main reason it’s the fastest is that it uses transistors that are 5nm (nanometers) wide, instead of 7nm or more. This means it can pack more transistors than other chips, which in turn means it can perform calculations faster.
In other words, when looking for phones, always try to choose a device with a chip with the smallest transistor size (everything is the same). In the future, we will eventually witness a jump from 5nm to 3nm and so on.
What You Should Pay Attention To With A Good Samsung Gaming Phone
Chipset
The first factor is the SoC or System on Chip. The SoC will significantly determine the quality and fluidity of your game. Samsung phones come with two types of processors depending on their market. The US market is seeing the Snapdragon processor in use, while other markets are dealing with Samsung’s own Exynos processor line. Exynos chips have recently come under fire for being less efficient and powerful than their Snapdragon counterparts while costing the same. If you live in an area where the Exynos chip is sold, it’s best to avoid it altogether.
Screen
The next factor is the screen. Samsung produces one of the best displays on the market with excellent color reproduction and ink-black colors thanks to AMOLED technology. When it comes to gaming, the latest Samsung smartphones use high refresh rate displays that allow you to react faster in games like Fortnite, while at the same time making the smartphone look smoother and more agile. Most panels also support HDR and high brightness levels, which makes images look better. A larger screen would also help display more content for games like Clash of Clans.
Memory
The RAM in the smartphone is also essential as more RAM means games load faster and eliminates lag while using the system. It does this by saving open games and applications to memory when you exit them, so you can easily start where you left off.
Battery life
Finally, a crucial aspect is battery life. Gaming, a workload that drains a lot of resources, will drain your phone’s battery before you know it. High-resolution and refresh rate displays will also be important factors, making larger batteries and fast charging decisive. Make sure your smartphone supports fast charging if you want to fast charge it between game sessions.
Final Thoughts – Samsung Gaming Phone
While there are many viable options outside of Samsung’s range, these are the best options right now if you are specifically looking for the best Samsung gaming phone. All of these phones offer great performance for their price, so you can use this guide to help you choose the right Samsung gaming phone based on your mobile needs and available budget.
