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Best iPhone for games 2025: Apple phones for any budget

Whether you want to play Candy Crush on the couch or PUBG on public transport, these are the best gaming iPhones you can get on the market.

Custom image for 'Best iPhone for games 2025: Apple phones for any budget' article showing the iPhone 16 Pro Max on a yellow background

What’s the best iPhone for games? Well, that’s a complicated question. Apple’s iPhone handsets keep their value for years after their release date, and with plenty of iPhone generations to choose from, there’s no one answer.

It all depends on the type of gaming you’re looking to do and the budget at your disposal when picking out the best gaming phone from Apple. If money is no object and you’re looking to play AAA games, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max are obvious choices, but if you prefer indies and don’t want to spend more than $600, you would be better off looking at a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max or iPhone SE. With that in mind, this guide is here to help you find the best iPhone for gaming for your needs.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 16 Pro Max

The best iPhone for games overall.

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iPhone 16 Pro Max specifications:
Chipset A18 Pro
Display 6.9-inch 120Hz Super Retina XDR OLED (2868 x 1320 pixels
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
RAM 8GB
Battery 4,685 mAh
Reasons to buy
  • Best-in-class performance
  • Beautiful 120Hz OLED
  • Futureproofed hardware
Reasons to avoid
  • Expensive
  • Not a rapid charger

Unsurprisingly, Apple’s latest premium flagship, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, is the best iPhone for gaming by some distance. 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.

iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 15 Pro Max

The best value iPhone for games.

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iPhone 15 Pro Max specifications:
Chipset A17 Pro
Display 6.7‑inch 120Hz OLED display, (2796 x 1290 pixels)
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
RAM 8GB
Battery 4,441 mAh
Reasons to buy
  • Industry-leading performance
  • Stellar display
  • 120Hz refresh rate
Reasons to avoid
  • Expensive
  • Can get hot

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. It 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.

iPhone 16

iPhone 16

The best new iPhone for games.

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iPhone 16 specifications:
Chipset A18
Display 6.1-inch 60Hz Super Retina XDR OLED (1179 x 2556 pixels)
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
RAM 8GB
Battery 3,561 mAh
Reasons to buy
  • Powerful performance
  • Can play triple-A games
  • AI-ready
Reasons to avoid
  • 60Hz refresh rates
  • Not the biggest upgrade

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.

iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 14 Pro Max

The best mid-range iPhone for games.

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iPhone 14 Pro Max specifications:
Chipset Apple A16 Bionic
Display 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED (1290 x 2796 pixels)
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
RAM 6GB
Battery 4,323 mAh
Reasons to buy
  • Reliable performance
  • Fantastic display
  • Cheaper than ever
Reasons to avoid
  • No AI
  • Lacking RAM

If you’re looking for the best mid-range iPhone 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.

iPhone SE

iPhone SE

The best budget iPhone for games.

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iPhone SE specifications:
Chipset A15 Bionic
Display 4.7-inch 60Hz widescreen LCD display (1334 x 750 pixels)
Storage 64GB / 128GB / 256GB
RAM 2GB
Battery 1,624 mAh
Reasons to buy
  • Cheap
  • Decent battery life
  • 5G ready
Reasons to avoid
  • No OLED display
  • Low RAM and storage
  • Not the best performer

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.

How we chose the best gaming iPhone

When creating this list, these were the criteria we used to determine whether or not any particular phone deserved a spot on this list:

  • Recency: When looking at gaming phones, you should only consider those that are actively still being supported by their manufacturers. Those that don’t run the risk of becoming incompatible with the best mobile games.
  • Battery life: Do you enjoy a nice long gaming session? You’re going to want something with a decent battery life. We’re not going to recommend the practically ancient iPhone 7 that only lasts six hours on its diminished battery – only recent models can offer a battery life of around 20 hours or more.
  • Value: 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.

Which is the best iPhone for gaming?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is currently the best iPhone for gaming. Still, if the expensive flagship is just out of your price range, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is still a very impressive alternative, or there’s the base model iPhone 16 for those who prefer a smaller display.

Can you use an iPhone for gaming?

Of course. There’s even a whole service based around it. The Apple Arcade library is massive and grows larger every month. If you’re a serious gamer, you might want to opt for an iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max, as these devices have 120Hz refresh rates, which makes for much smoother gameplay, but the difference is barely noticeable with a lot of casual and indie games.

Which iPhone is the best for gameplay?

As far as we’re concerned, the best iPhone for gameplay is the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with the iPhone 15 in a close second. While the former offers slightly improved performance, the 15 Pro Max is significantly cheaper, so it all depends on your budget. Either way, both devices boast 120Hz OLED displays, so you’re getting both smooth and vivid visuals, with enough firepower in the processor to run even demanding games at high visual settings.

Why do gamers prefer iPhone?

For many gamers, Apple’s devices are a preferred platform, as many games are very well optimized for iOS software. For example, Genshin Impact is only available at 120fps on iPhone, at the time of writing, so big fans of this game flock to Apple devices.

iPhones are also powerful devices capable of handling some pretty impressive games. If that wasn’t enough, iPhones have access to Apple Arcade, which gives you plenty of games to play for a relatively affordable subscription fee.

Where can I find the best iPhone deals?

Check out the following retailers if you’re after a good iPhone deal:

There you have it, our picks for the best iPhones for gaming. For more of the finest smartphones, check out our guides to the best Samsung phones, the best Xiaomi phones, and the best OnePlus phones. Or, if you’re looking for something new to play on, we’ve got lists of the best portable gaming consoles and the best gaming tablets to browse through.