People think it’s easy to choose between Android and iOS when you know what you need. However, this is not always the case, especially when budget constraints are not present. Let’s take the case of gaming. How do you know which, between iOS and Android, is the better choice for gaming? I have had the same doubts once.
In this guide, I will share some insights that will help you choose the best one for gaming.
iOS vs Android: Best for Gaming
If you’re looking for a consistent and optimized gaming experience with exclusive titles, choose iOS. For a more extensive collection of games, including indie options and customizable performance settings, go for Android. However, iOS devices offer more consistent gaming performance than their Android counterparts.
1. Game Performance and Optimization
Performance is a primary priority when choosing a gaming device. However, you must not take device specifications at face value, either. Here are some insights on your ideal phone for gaming on iOS and Android.
Best Phone for Mobile Gaming on iOS
Choosing the best gaming phone on iOS is comparatively easy because only a few devices are available. More importantly, Apple offers the advantage of consistent hardware and software integration, making it easier for most people to choose a device that meets their requirements. In most cases, you can’t go wrong with an iPhone Pro or Pro Max model.
Additionally, the closed ecosystem and performance benefits mean that app developers only need to optimize applications for a limited number of devices. Consequently, your games are more likely to run without lag and with better graphics on iOS compared to a standard Android device. This seems to be the case with titles like PUBG, Genshin Impact, or Call of Duty Mobile.
Real-world performance and benchmarks are consistent when it comes to flagship devices running iOS. If you are looking for the best performance available, you can opt for a Pro version of an iPhone, such as the iPhone 15 Pro. It comes with the latest chipset and offers sufficient RAM to support high-end games.
Best Phone for Mobile Gaming on Android
Android smartphones present a distinctive situation compared to iOS when it comes to choosing a gaming device. For one, you can choose from a wider variety of devices from different manufacturers and filter these options based on the performance you need. For instance, if you require more RAM than graphical performance, you can select a different variant of an Android smartphone that meets those criteria.
However, there are concerns about optimization and performance because not all games are designed and optimized for all devices. Some games are built specifically for flagship devices, while others are meant to run on more generic Android devices. This fragmentation can lead to inconsistent gaming experiences across different Android models.
Real-world performance and benchmarks highlight this disparity in how various Android smartphones handle high-end games. Flagship models often show significantly better performance, while lower-end devices may struggle with the same games, showcasing the importance of choosing the suitable device based on specific game requirements and optimization.
2. Game Availability and Exclusivity
Let’s talk about the differences in terms of game availability and the exclusive nature of the library.
Game Library on iOS
The Game Library on iOS and iPadOS is known for a few characteristics, such as early access to popular games and a wonderful collection of exclusive titles and other elements. So, if you are looking for a more tailored experience from the excellent game library, you can get it by choosing an iOS device for gaming.
In most cases, you will find that all games in the library work with your iPhone or iPad, regardless of the model. I have to say the same about the quality of the iOS game library. Because there is a thorough vetting process, likely, a subpar game would not make it to the Apple App Store.
This is not to say that there are no terrible iOS games, but if you are looking for something better, you always have some options here.
Game Library on Android
The situation with the Android game library is a little diverse. For one, you have multiple times the number of games to choose from, which means there are some bad games as well. However, one good thing about the Android game library is the massive collection of indie games that are not always available on the iOS store. This is partly because developers need to pay a fee to list their games or applications in the Apple App Store.
However, there are also concerns over the quality and optimization of these games because there is no vetting process, as mentioned. It is possible to find quite a lot of subpar games on the Google Play Store, which can sometimes be annoying when you’re looking for a particular game from a favorite genre.
So, while the extensive Android game library offers a broad selection, the lack of a stringent vetting process means that the overall quality may vary, and finding high-quality games may require a bit more effort.
3. Hardware Considerations
Here are some points to note while choosing the best hardware for gaming on iOS and Android.
iOS
Because there are only two options when you go for an iOS gaming device, there isn’t much you can do in terms of hardware consideration. The only thing you can choose while getting an iPhone or iPhone Pro is the storage space. This would be a concern only if you plan on installing some high-end games that take up tens of GBs of data.
As far as performance is concerned, all these devices are expected to deliver standard speed and flexibility during the gaming experience.
Android
On the other hand, if you are planning to choose an Android device for gaming, you have to choose between many options.
First, you have to choose a brand that is trustworthy and reliable. Second, you have to choose a processor that can handle the games that you’re planning to play. Third, you have to make sure that the device has sufficient storage and RAM to get going with the titles that you want to play.
Even then, ensuring standard performance is not easy because it depends on how the manufacturer has optimized their device for specific games and applications.
However, you can avoid the situation by going for a flagship gaming smartphone, such as the ROG series from ASUS, or something like the Samsung Galaxy Ultra lineup.
Samsung vs iPhone Gaming Performance
It is difficult, if not impossible, to give you a straight answer when you ask which one between Samsung and iPhone is better for gaming performance. For one, iPhones only have two options, which are the standard iPhone and the iPhone Pro, making the competition a little unfair if you ask.
On the other hand, Samsung manufactures phones from different budget streams, including $100 devices and ones that cost hundreds of dollars. So, the actual gaming performance you get from a Samsung phone depends on the money you’re willing to spend and the processor that it comes with.
4. User Experience and Interface
How easy is it to use iOS and Android for gaming? Here is our take on the UX and interface.
iOS
iOS devices are laudable for their standard and typical user interface, which you can find on Apple devices. Once again, ecosystem control becomes a boon for iOS games since the developers can optimize their games for a single UI design.
Therefore, you might find it easier to use a game on an iOS device than you would on an Android device.
Android
While Android does not benefit from ecosystem control, you get the power of customizability. This means you can use several features, such as performance boosters and game launchers, to improve the gaming experience.
However, these features depend on the Android skin your manufacturer has shipped your device with.
5. Cost and Value for Money
iOS Devices
Getting an iOS device for gaming means you must make a significant initial investment. However, you get some rewards, such as a better resale value and continuous software support.
So, if you can justify the smartphone purchase in other respects, an iOS device for gaming offers value for money.
Android Devices
The value-for-money proposition is different for Android devices because there are so many options, from budget devices to super-premium smartphones.
But if you are getting a flagship gaming phone from a trusted brand, you can ensure better support and a rewarding overall gaming experience.
6. Community and Support
iOS
Like other things with Apple, the gaming community support you get from iOS is also great. You can find multiple communities on Apple websites as well as on Reddit. And the developer support system is also great because of the vetting process once again.
Android
In Android, you don’t lose much, but you get one of the best gaming support systems out there. It really depends on the title that you’re playing, but you can find communities and even custom rooms for popular titles. So, if you are into a little bit of tinkering, I recommend choosing Android as a gaming device.
7. Security and Privacy
You can’t simply forget security and privacy just because they are games.
iOS
The vetting process with iOS applications makes it a better choice in terms of security. The privacy options on your iPhone also contribute to this.
So, if you are looking for a gaming experience that does not hamper your privacy concerns, you might want to stick to iOS for your gaming device.
Android
On the other hand, the vetting process on Android is not the strictest. However, your manufacturer would have included an additional layer of protection for installing apps.
So, even though there is a chance of risk, most Android manufacturers are wary of it. So, you do not have to worry about security while choosing between iOS and Android for gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best phones for gaming should have a high-end processor, sufficient RAM, and an OS optimized for gameplay. For most people, when choosing between iOS and Android, iOS is known for offering an optimized gameplay experience. On the other hand, Android gives you access to a broader variety of indie games and customization options.
The iPhone is a perfect gaming phone because it offers optimized performance, regardless of whether you get a pro version. This means you can use your iPhone to play almost all the games available on the Apple App Store. For most titles, you would get competitive performance as well.
To choose the best gaming phone for you, you should understand what you are looking for. First, you should consider the list of games that you want to play. Second, you should see which of the operating systems offer a better version of the game. Then, you should consider the actual performance of the device.
Conclusion
Even though I have tried my best to compare iOS and Android as potential operating systems for gaming, this is only one part of the narrative. As I said before, the gaming experience you can expect from any smartphone depends on multiple factors, such as the game you’re planning to play and the experience you are expecting from it.
For instance, I have had cases in which I got super-spec Android devices, but they couldn’t handle the gameplay because I was into something like online multiplayer games. In that case, connectivity became something quite important that I should have looked into.
I have also had instances with iPhones that offer impressive performance on paper but fail to do so with particular games. So, the developer of the game and the effort they put into optimizing the game for each platform become important.
Therefore, I would recommend that you select as many use-case scenarios as possible before choosing a single OS for your gaming needs.
2 Comments
I have both iOS and Android, but for gaming, iOS is better. You can easily notice that the touch response on an iPhone is faster when you swipe, while Android has a slight delay. The gyroscope also works better on iOS.
yes indeed! iPhone is better for me.