There are more than 100 million mobile gamers in the United States. That means almost one-third of us have made mobile games the most popular type of app. As designers create more sophisticated games to capitalize on the trend, you’ll need a smartphone that keeps up. Read on to learn about four of the best on the market.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Offers Fastest Gaming Graphics
The Samsung Galaxy S4 came out on top when American tech media website CNET put smartphone graphics to the test. The team compared how modern phones produced real-time, polygonal, video-game graphics using two graphics benchmarks designed to stress the systems. The Galaxy S4 squeaked past the HTC One, but the pair blew away the rest of their competition. Both high-performing devices are equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor.
The high-definition AMOLED screen also makes game graphics look much better than standard LED models. The screen’s also fully functional in direct sunlight, unlike many of its competitors. Not just aesthetically pleasing, fans report that the Galaxy S4’s touchscreen is also very responsive during gameplay.
HTC One Graphics Outpaces Most
The Samsung Galaxy S4 might have bested the HTC One in CNET’s tests, but the HTC One still outpaced the rest of the smartphones tested by a significant margin. It’s a good thing too because HTC hasn’t had the easiest time of late. Once the leading Android brand, it’s struggled to remain competitive against most Samsung models. On the back of the unsuccessful Flyer tablet and HTC One X, the Taiwanese firm’s 2012 final quarter profits dropped 91 percent compared to the year before. The HTC One could be the smartphone that turns the beleaguered firm around.
The graphics perform beautifully, thanks to that new Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor which offers speeds of 1.7GHz and 2GB of supporting RAM. All that power ensures graphically intense 3D apps run seamlessly on the device. They also look amazing on the generous 4.7-inch screen. The front-facing speakers, which use HTC’s new BoomSound audio technology, further enhance the gaming experience.
Sony Xperia Z is PlayStation Certified
The specs of the Sony Xperia Z might not be quite as impressive as the other smartphones featured here, but its PlayStation certification should be enough to lure gamers in. That stamp means customers can access Sony’s standalone PlayStation Mobile gaming store. While it doesn’t offer as many titles as Google Play or iTunes, many games are available exclusively through this channel.
While it might be outpaced by the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, the Sony Xperia Z still holds its own with a quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon Krait processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16 GB of expandable storage. Its sizable five-inch screen with 1080p resolution ensures gaming graphics look their best. The case is also water-resistant for accident-prone gamers or anyone who can’t bear to be parted from their device while showering!
iPhone 5 is Apple’s Best Gaming Smartphone Yet
Apple iPhones don’t have the best reputation as gaming devices. Most of its games were already available to play free of charge online, and they weren’t as addictive as the ones in the Google Play store. Perhaps that was an advantage because playing them sucked battery power at around one percent a minute! If you did get involved in a game, when you weren’t worrying about a dead battery, you were probably cursing its unresponsive controls.
But the iPhone 5 has ironed out many of those creases and been heralded as a true gamer’s delight. That’s great news for the many Apple fanboys who can’t bear to lose their beloved iOS system. You can even get the iPhone 5 as a T-Mobile no-contract phone for those of you that can’t make the commitment.
The iPhone 5’s screen is larger and longer than its predecessors at 4 inches. Android screens are typically larger, but the dimensions of the iPhone 5 seem just right. Its length means the screen matches the aspect ratio of high-definition television. That means games in landscape mode look just as they should. You also have more space to play, which goes a long way toward fixing the responsiveness issues that plagued earlier models. The new iPhone will also fit more comfortably in your hand and pocket than the larger Android devices.
The iPhone 5’s faster A6 processor speeds up load time and helps gaming graphics look their best. Titles that pushed the limits of the earlier iPhone 4S run smoothly and more advanced games have been added to the App store to complement the new model’s capabilities. If you’re a social gamer, you’ll also appreciate the iPhone 5’s connectivity to Facebook, Game Center, OpenFeint, and other social platforms.
With the smartphone gaming industry expected to double by 2016, we can expect more manufacturers to follow the example set by these powerful devices.
