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Smartphones have long ceased to be just a tool for communication. Today, they are increasingly acting as mobile gaming consoles, offering power comparable to computers of a few years ago. In 2026, gaming phones are becoming more and more popular – both among professional mobile gamers and people who simply want to run their favorite titles smoothly, without any crouching. How do they differ from ordinary smartphones and which models deserve to be called the best?
Game Booster performance modes – ability to manually adjust FPS
Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy processor – stable 90-120 FPS in demanding titles
OnePlus 15
In 2026, more and more people are opting for second-hand hardware – including gaming smartphones. Why? It’s a real savings and a contribution to environmental protection. According to the survey, already 45% of Poles are considering buying a refurbished phone. What’s more, the gaming market is characterized by a fast release cycle – that’s why relatively new and powerful devices hit the market for refurbished models. This makes it possible to get equipment with great performance for a fraction of the price of a new one, and at the same time reduce the amount of electro-waste.
Increasingly, gamers are facing a dilemma: buy a portable console or a powerful smartphone? Gaming phones have the advantage of combining both functions – they are devices for gaming, but also for work, communication and multimedia. In addition, they support gaming clouds (Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now), which opens up access to a library of games familiar from PCs and consoles.
The best gaming phone in 2026 is one that realistically fits your gaming style and budget.
If you’re looking for maximum performance and no compromises, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 and RedMagic 10 Pro are natural choices – devices built strictly for long, intense sessions. When you’re looking for a versatile flagship that performs equally well for gaming and everyday use, it’s worth betting on the iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. On the other hand, those looking to strike a balance between price, design and performance should look at the OnePlus 15, which offers very good smoothness without the typical gaming feel.
At SWOPiFY, we believe that everyone should have access to technology without overpaying and without generating unnecessary electro-waste. That’s why you should consider refurbished gaming phones – savings for you and a second life for your equipment.
In 2026, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 and RedMagic 10 Pro are considered the most powerful gaming smartphones – both offer 165 Hz screens, active cooling and stable performance without throttling. Among all-purpose flagships, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are at the top, combining high power with everyday functionality.
In 2026, the most popular games are those that make real use of the power of modern smartphones:
These are titles that require high performance, good cooling and stable FPS, so they work best on modern gaming phones and high-end flagships.
On a budget of up to £2,000, a great choice would be models from the Xiaomi Black Shark series or older generations of refurbished gaming phones. This is a way to get high performance at a much lower price and at the same time reduce the amount of electro-waste.
Yes, but it is not always necessary. If you play occasionally, a high-performance flagship such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or OnePlus 15 will suffice completely. Strictly gaming phones are best suited for long sessions and demanding titles.
The most important things are a powerful processor, a screen with a high refresh rate (at least 120 Hz), good cooling and a capacious battery. For intensive gaming, FPS stability and fast screen response are also important, not just sheer power on paper.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I’m passionate about refurbished electronics – I show that you can have great equipment without overpaying and without adding more electronics junk. On the blog, I share my knowledge and experience to inspire smarter and more informed technology choices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I’m passionate about refurbished electronics – I show that you can have great equipment without overpaying and without adding more electronics junk. On the blog, I share my knowledge and experience to inspire smarter and more informed technology choices.
