Our Comprehensive Guide to the Best Casino Smartphones

Posted by Harry Kane on Wednesday, March 10, 2021

While the mobile penetration rate in the UK have plateaued of late, it managed to increase by a single percentage point to 72% by the end of 2020.

This incrementally increased rate of mobile penetration has begun to have a huge impact on the iGaming market, with an estimated 51% of online gamblers now wagering regularly through their mobile devices.

But what are the best devices to wager on in 2021? Here’s our comprehensive guide to the best smartphones, including both dedicated gaming handsets and other general-purpose devices.

1. The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel

We’ll start with the top-rated gaming and software smartphone, which was launched in October 2020 and released to coincide with the Android OS 10 update.

A dedicated gaming phone with immense processing power and rapid charge times, this device is particularly popular amongst online gamblers, who can comfortably enjoy extended gameplay sessions while also operating multiple casino apps simultaneously.

In terms of charging, the Lenovo Legion supports 90W fast charging capabilities, while its whopping 5,000mAHh battery can last for well over 24 hours on a single, quick-fire charge. This minimises downtime and unwanted breaks in gambling activity, which is particularly important when playing live casino games.

As for the device’s power, this is provided by the high-end, Snapdragon 865 Plus processing chip, which is one of the best of its type in the marketplace and allows for high quality graphics and animation when gambling.

The device’s capacious 6.65-inch screen is also supported by resolution of 1080×2340, which provides a large and clear supply which makes it easy to navigate mobile slots in either portrait or landscape mode.

The only potential drawback is the lack of additional functionality and an average price in excess of £800, but this may be a price that seasoned mobile gamblers are more than willing to pay.

2. The Nubia Red Magic 5G

Next up is another device that’s great for gaming but not so good for everything else, but this may not be an issue for those who are primarily looking to wager freely on the move.

The main appeal here is the 6.65-inch, 1080×2340 display, which also boasts 144Hz and is ideal for immersive and animated gaming (such as live casino gameplay).

The latter specification certainly delivers a fluid and silky-smooth refresh rate, which lends itself to fast-paced or three-dimensional gaming experiences where the quality of graphics is key.

The device has also been designed with handy shoulder triggers, which allow for a more authentic virtual gambling experience and improved flexibility when holding the device.

As the name suggests, this device also supports 5G, while it supports the capacious Snapdragon 865 processor used by the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel.

However, the battery on the Nubia Red Magic handset is a little smaller than its rival at 4,500 mAh, while some users have reported a number of problematic software bugs since its official launch in March of last year.

3. The Asus ROG Phone 3

The Asus ROG franchise has delivered several dedicated gaming phones to the consumer market; and there can be no doubt that the third iteration device has been built from the ground up for gamers and gamblers alike.

This phone certainly made a splash when it was launched last summer, thanks primarily to its hugely impressive 144Hz AMOLED display which measures 6.59-inches. This delivers an incredibly slick visual experience, while the quality of graphics when wagering online is arguably second to none.

Then there’s the incredible 6,000 mAh battery, which is tailormade for extended gambling sessions and means that you’ll never run out of choice ahead of a crucial hand or spin of the reels.

In this case, the mightily impressive Asus ROG Phone 3 is powered by the purposeful Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset, while you can buy a model with up to 16GB of memory. There are internal storage options of 512GB available too, but this may be a little unnecessary for everyday or casual gamblers.

Still, this is a viable and dedicated gambling handset that’s well worth your attention, even if the average price of around £850 may be a little rich for some.

4. The Black Shark 3

Fourth on our list is a truly top of the range gaming handset, and one that’s also fully compatible with 5G technology.

Launched back in March 2020, this 6.67-inch smartphone boasts impressive screen resolution of 2080×2440 and the hefty processing power of the Snapdragon 865.

It also LED lights which are a key part of the modern gaming experience, although a refresh rate of just 90Hz is considerably lower than its rivals on this list.

Once again, the handset is powered by a big and capacious battery, which is a 4,720mAh unit and one that’s ideal for longer periods of betting and wagering during the weekends or your idle hours at home.

However, despite posting a relatively low and competitive price point, the handset lacks the sheer number of dedicated gaming features included in other specifications, although it’s a more than viable option for those of you with a minimal amount to spend on a new smartphone.

5. The Razer Phone 2

Razer is another brand that’s renowned for its range of dedicated smartphones, with the second iteration device certainly outshining many of its rivals in the marketplace.

The handset has also outlasted many of its established smartphones competitors, having maintained a strong (almost cult) following ever since its launch way back in October 2018.

Compatible with all devices on the Android 9 operating system or above, this device boasts a well-rounded and comprehensive specification that should wow both gamblers and even casual gamers alike.

The display is particularly impressive, and while it may be a little smaller than most of its competitors at 5.72 inches, it features a 120Hz refresh rate that allows for a smooth and seamless iGaming experience.

The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset, while the 4000mAh battery offers considerable juice despite being a little smaller and less capacious than many of the dedicated gaming handsets that have been released in the last year or so.

Most importantly, the second-generation Razer phone directly addressed the failings and inefficiencies of its predecessor, with the upgraded processor offering a relevant case in point.

However, some users may be deterred by the phone’s relative lack of all-purpose functionality, while the low minimum storing setting of 64GB is also a little disappointing in the contemporary marketplace.

6. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Now we move onto multi-purpose phones that offer premium specifications from the perspective of gaming, rather than handsets that have been specifically designed for this purpose.

The best device in this respect is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which was only released in January and has already earned rave reviews in the marketplace.

Online gamblers will certainly appreciate the handset’s large, 6.8-inch display, which also boasts 1440×3200 resolution and a genuinely impressive refresh rate. A top-of-the-range Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 processor also allows for some incredible processing power, while the whopping 5,000mAh battery unit

Of course, the main downside with the recently released handset is its cost, as you’ll have to pay well over £1,000 to buy it outright. Even if you secure a 12 or 24-month contract, you’ll have to pay a premium to secure the handset.

So, while the overall specification and sleek design of the phone justifies this price tag in the modern-day market, it may be a little too much for gamblers to pay to indulge their favourite pastime.

7. The iPhone 12 Pro

As a general rule, iOS smartphones tend to offer decent specifications for gamers, but there’s no doubt that the iPhone 12 Pro has taken this principle and evolved it onto a whole new level.

In fact, this handset is undoubtedly the best iPhone for gaming that’s available right now, and it has been ever since its initial release in October of last year.

Running on iOS 14, the 12 Pro has a handy 6.1-inch screen, complete with an impressive resolution of 1170×2532 that’s ideal for casino gaming. The A14 Bionic chip is also one of the best processors around, while Apple customers can also use the handset to access the best games’ ecosystem in the mobile realm.

However, the 2,815mAh battery is considerably smaller than other devices on our list, while the lack of a charging block arguably doesn’t lend itself to extended periods of gaming.

Once again, the device is also one of the most expensive on the market, with an average retail price of £1,099 indicative of a high-end and premium smartphone.

Still, iOS devices are widely considered to offer the best and most rounded smartphone experience overall, so such an investment would offer value beyond gaming and online wagering.

8. The OnePlus 8 Pro

Coming in at number eight is the outstanding but often underrated OnePlus 8 Pro, which was launched back in April 2020 and features a deceptively impressive gaming spec.

Certainly, the OnePlus brand has always delivered excellent gaming phones to the market, while its compatibility with Android OS 10 and above makes it widely accessible to players too.

We’re certainly impressed with the slickness of the display, which measures 6.78 inches and boasts a resolution of 3168×1440. In fact, this is one of the best screens around, while the Snapdragon 865 processor also provides plenty of power and capacity in real-time.

The phone is also compatible with 5G and features fast wireless charging, despite the presence of a 4,510mAh battery unit that should sustain you comfortably for more than 24 hours.

While this handset is also the most expensive OnePlus model, it’s relatively cheap when compared to Apple and Samsung offerings, so this is something to keep in mind when comparing the marketplace.

Make no mistake; this is one of the most competitive handsets on our list, and it’s certainly a dark horse for casual gamblers who are in the market for an all-purpose phone.

9. The LG V60 ThinQ + Dual Screen

While LG’s flagship phone may be a mouthful, it also features a truly unique design that offers considerable advantages to gamers.

More specifically, it features a second screen that’s effectively free of charge, with this representing an excellent selling point and a specification that’s also great for gaming and media consumption as a whole.

Even by itself, the 6.8-inch, 1440×2460 main display is worthy of note, allowing a smooth and silky gameplay experience across multiple genres and verticals.

Gamblers can also rely on the handset’s powerful Snapdragon 885 chipset and 5,000 mAh battery unit, allowing for immersive and extended gaming sessions through both mobile websites and native apps.

However, some may argue that the handset and its software is a little unremarkable beyond its dual screen capacity, with its overall specification lacking a little lustre.

Still, it’s great from a gambling perspective, particularly when you consider the presence of a gaming mode and the fact that the second screen can serve as an input touchpad.

10. The Motorola Edge Plus

We close with the Motorola Edge Plus, which is the first ever top-tier, flagship handset released by the legendary smartphone brand.

To this end, it backs a gorgeous, waterfall display, which measures 6.7 inches, impressive resolution of 1080x 2340 and full HDR10+ support. You’ll also notice digital trigger buttons that hang just over the screen’s edge, creating an additional gaming feature that can lead to a more immersive experience overall.

The handset also packs an impressive array of specs; including a Snapdragon 865 chipset, up to 12GB of RAM and a 256GB storage option that should suit even the most demanding smartphone user.

However, the handset is priced at a hefty £999, making it equal to similar flagship devices in the marketplace. It also has limited availability in the UK, which may make other handsets a little more appealing and easier to get hold of.

You may also have noticed that the preceding Motorola Edge handset is also for sale on the market, but while this may be a little cheaper, it boasts an inferior specification with a less capacious processor and a smaller 4,500mAh battery unit.

In our opinion, the Edge Plus offers a little more bang for your buck overall, especially if you’re a gamer or mobile gambler who’s looking for a genuinely immersive experience.