Best iPhone for games 2025: Apple phones for any budget

Apple's latest flagship model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, unsurprisingly makes its way to this list. It is by far the best gaming iPhone out there right now.

When the tech giant first launched this device, it promised significant performance upgrades on the already impressive iPhone 15 Pro Max, and somehow, it delivered. If you're looking for top-tier performance in all the best iPhone games, and money isn't an object, this is the most obvious option from our list.

Stellar performance is one thing, but thanks to the iPhone 16 Pro Max's vivid OLED panel, games on this Apple handset look fantastic. It doesn't matter whether you're playing demanding games such as Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact, or something as casual as Candy Crush, the colors all pop, and 120Hz refresh rates guarantee ultra-smooth gameplay.

The only real caveat to the iPhone 16 Pro Max is that it's quite expensive. If you've ever picked up an iPhone before, this shouldn't be a massive surprise, but it's worth keeping in mind that while this phone's performance is noticeably better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the older flagship is much more affordable since the arrival of the 16 series. It's also a bit slow to charge, especially compared to some of the best Android phones for gaming. For more of an in-depth look at this pick, see our iPhone 16 Pro Max review.

If you're looking for the best value in an iPhone for gaming, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the choice for you. It also comes with all the same AI features as the newer model, but without the massive price point.

With its A17 Pro chipset, this thing is capable of running AAA games like Death Stranding and Resident Evil Village, demanding mobile titles like Honkai Star Rail and Diablo Immortal, and classic casual titles like Candy Crush and Royal Match. Simply put, if you're getting an iPhone predominantly for play, this is the one you want.

Not only is it an impressive performer, but the 120Hz OLED display on the iPhone 15 Pro Max is stunning, with that high refresh rate offering smooth-as-you-like visuals consistently. Combine all that with generous storage options starting at 256GB and the best battery life we've seen in an Apple smartphone to date, and it's clear to see why we're so enthusiastic about this recommendation.

This device could do with a little more RAM, but Apple isn't the most generous brand in that department. For more details, see our iPhone 15 Pro Max review.

If you're looking to game on the latest Apple tech, the iPhone 16 is a great option to go for. It's more affordable than the premium Pro and Pro Max models but still has a fantastic OLED display, access to all the same iPhone and Apple Arcade games, and enough performance power to run triple-A games like Resident Evil Village and Assassin's Creed Mirage. Not only that, but it's Apple Intelligence-capable, so you can use it to check out Apple's new AI features.

While the iPhone 16 shines when it comes to gaming, it's a more than capable all-rounder for when you're not playing Honkai Star Rail or Pokémon Go. It boasts a top-tier camera setup, including the new Camera Control feature for taking better shots on the go, a customizable Action button, and faster charging than any iPhone before it.

The only real issue with the iPhone 16 when it comes to gaming is that it's not capable of anything above 60Hz refresh rates. This is a bit of a disappointment when you consider that a lot of cheaper Android phones offer 120Hz rates, which make for a much smoother gameplay experience. It's also not a massive upgrade on last year's model, especially if you own an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, but it's worth upgrading to if you own an iPhone 13 or anything older. If you want the full lowdown on this option, check out our iPhone 16 review.

If you're looking for the best mid-range Apple option for gaming, you can't go wrong with the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It might be a little more expensive than other older iPhones, but you get what you pay for here.

The display is huge, at 6.7 inches, with a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, high pixel density, and the new Dynamic Island cutout at the top. It also supports a much higher contrast ratio, HDR, and a much higher maximum brightness. Couple that with an enormous battery life of around 29 hours, and you've got a serious gaming phone.

Setting aside the lovely textured matte glass and stainless steel design, and many other lovely features like that ridiculous three-camera setup, it really is one of the best iPhones for gaming that doesn't cost upwards of $800.

Bigger isn't always better, as the iPhone SE can attest to. Not only is it the cheapest iPhone on the market, but it's also got an upgraded A15 chip inside. That's there to offer the same horsepower as an iPhone 13.

The trade-off? A smaller screen, no Face ID unlocking, and a home button, among other things. The screen could be the only dealbreaker, though. It really is quite tiny. It's an impressive phone nonetheless, and if you want access to the incredible A15 at the lowest possible price, this is the iPhone for you.

While all this is still true, it's also worth pointing out that we're anticipating a new iPhone SE model in 2025, with a souped-up chipset and an OLED display. Both of these changes are sure to make the next SE even more ideal for gaming, and considering we're also expecting the fourth-generation model to retail for less than $500, it might be worth waiting a few months to pick up the latest version.