Best smartphone for gaming under $800

Recalculated at every price check · seen on November 15, 2026 · How we score

By budget: under $500 · under $600 · any budget

The ranking

  1. 1

    OnePlus 15R

    • Smart 77/100
    • Performance 85/100

    Best Smart score of the 7 models compared

    $699 new at Amazon

    Price checked on 09/24/2026 — check it at the shop

    View offer See the full page and all scores
  2. 2

    Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    • Smart 65/100
    • Performance 91/100

    Best Performance score of the 7 models compared · The cheapest of this selection

    $640 new at Amazon

    Price checked on 10/08/2026 — check it at the shop

    $640 for 5 years of updates (estimate): $128 a year

    View offer See the full page and all scores
  3. 3

    Xiaomi Poco F7 Ultra

    • Smart 68/100
    • Performance 85/100

    $717 new at Amazon

    Price checked on 10/08/2026 — check it at the shop

    View offer See the full page and all scores
  4. 4

    Samsung Galaxy S26

    • Smart 67/100
    • Performance 86/100

    $785 new at Amazon

    Price checked on 10/13/2026 — check it at the shop

    $785 for 6 years of updates (estimate): $131 a year

    View offer See the full page and all scores
  5. 5

    Samsung Galaxy S25

    • Smart 61/100
    • Performance 91/100

    Best Performance score of the 7 models compared

    $694 new at Amazon

    Price checked on 10/25/2026

    $694 for 5 years of updates (estimate): $139 a year

    View offer See the full page and all scores

This ranking combines two scores published by Picksly: the Performance score, based on public measurements, and the Smart score, which rates value for money. The price is the best new price checked at retailers, dated.

Ranked by the average of the Smart score and the Performance score, among 7 smartphones up to $800 with a verified offer. Smart only counts new devices scored at least 50 out of 100.

3 other models up to $800 score under 40 out of 100 for Performance: they are not suggested for this use.

Not sure what matters most? Find your phone in 3 questions →

Depending on what matters most to you

Budget — Paying as little as possible — refurbished is fine

Same pick as No. 1: OnePlus 15R.

Smart — The best value for money

Same pick as No. 1: OnePlus 15R.

Premium — The best quality, even if it costs more

  1. Premium

    Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    • Premium 67/100
    • Performance 91/100

    Best Performance score of the 4 models compared · Best Premium score of the 4 models compared

    $640 new at Amazon

    Price checked on 10/08/2026 — check it at the shop

    $640 for 5 years of updates (estimate): $128 a year

    View offer See the full page and all scores

What the Performance score measures

How fast the phone runs apps and games, measured by public benchmarks (Geekbench 7, otherwise AnTuTu).

Other budgets

Other uses

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