The very best mid-range gaming cellphone is not from Google or OnePlus

There are many powerhouse gaming telephones in the marketplace, however their largest fault is that they’re typically very costly. Taking part in the most recent video games with the graphics cranked up whereas operating the smoothest body charges hasn’t actually been doable on a finances in earlier years, however that’s all altering in 2024.

We’ve already clocked the Google Pixel 8a as a robust but inexpensive mid-range choice — it options the identical Tensor G3 chip because the top-tier Professional mannequin. There’s additionally the mighty spectacular OnePlus 12R, backed by final yr’s flagship-grade Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that delivers silky easy efficiency for a fraction of a 2024 flagship pricetag.

These are tremendous choices, however we not too long ago acquired our arms on the Poco F6 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 chip inside — a by-product of the flagship-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that powers premium gaming telephones just like the ASUS ROG Cellphone 8. Priced at simply $379, this handset definitely feels like a game-changer for gamers on a finances.

We’ve already explored the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 versus Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in depth. The important thing level that’ll make the most important efficiency distinction is that the 8s Gen 3 relies on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s 2022 GPU, full with ray tracing and another small adjustments. The 8 Gen 2 was a stable gaming chip, standing the 8S Gen 3 (and the Poco F6) in nice stead as a mid-range gaming powerhouse. Let’s see if the numbers maintain up.

For immediately’s benchmark comparability, we’ve grabbed outcomes from the Poco F6 (8S Gen 3), Galaxy S24 (8 Gen 3), OnePlus 12R (8 Gen 2), Pixel 8a (Tensor G3), and Galaxy A55 (Exynos 1480).

Let’s begin with a have a look at CPU benchmarks. In GeekBench 6, the powerhouse Arm Cortex-X4 large core contained in the 8S Gen 3 is true on the heels of the identical core discovered within the top-tier 8 Gen 3. Albeit simply barely behind, owing to a 100MHz clock velocity discount. The 8S additionally drops one center core from the 8 Gen 3 CPU setup, which sees its multi-core efficiency rating fall a bit additional behind the Galaxy S24 we examined. However it’s actually not an enormous discrepancy, given the massive worth distinction.

Importantly, the 8S Gen 3’s CPU setup outpaces different smartphones nearer to the Poco F6’s worth bracket. It blazes previous the brand new Samsung Galaxy A55 and its Exynos 1480 chipset whereas preserving a stable tempo forward of the costlier Google Pixel 8a as effectively. The OnePlus 12R sneaks forward in multi-core workloads, however the two are fairly shut.

PCMark’s numerous real-world workloads, akin to doc parsing and picture modifying, replicate these outcomes. Clearly, the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 contained in the Poco F6 gives flagship-tier efficiency for day by day workloads at a fraction of the worth. Proper, onto gaming.

It’s no shock that Qualcomm’s best-in-class Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 tops our 3DMark outcomes (stress assessments being helpful to guage sustained body charges over marathon gaming classes). Nonetheless, sustained efficiency is a matter for this chip except manufacturers push the ability and warmth envelope, which is simply actually doable with large cooling. Likewise, final yr’s 8 Gen 2 beats the 8S Gen 3 out of the gate, and the OnePlus 12R does a good job preserving thermals in verify over the course of seven minutes of stress. Nonetheless, even this cellphone throttles again below heavy load, which provides the 8S Gen 3 a possibility.

The 8S Gen 3’s GPU isn’t fairly pretty much as good as we’d have initially hoped, at the least when it comes to uncooked numbers. Nonetheless, avid gamers needn’t despair; the Poco F6 has a very good 77.2 % stability rating that lasted 17 minutes of stress earlier than throttling again efficiency. Much better than both of Qualcomm’s final two flagship chips may muster.

On the finish of the stress check, the Poco F6 runs simply as rapidly because the OnePlus 12R and Galaxy S24, and marginally outperforms each fashions at numerous factors within the check. Whilst you won’t see the very highest framerates on this chip, it holds up way more persistently for these longer play classes. That stated, the cellphone hit an uncomfortable 49°C, so Poco runs the 8S Gen 3 fairly sizzling.

For sure, the chip outclasses each the Tensor G3 and Exynos 1480 for each peak and sustained efficiency, making the Poco F6 wonderful worth for efficiency over these two marginally costlier fashions.

At simply $379/£370, the Poco F6 is undeniably essentially the most inexpensive but competent smartphone you may purchase for gaming for the time being. It prices considerably lower than its rivals, but arms in efficiency that’s actually aggressive with extremely regarded flagships.

Nonetheless, there are caveats at this worth; our testing revealed that the cellphone runs sizzling, and the GPU contained in the 8S Gen 3 lacks international illumination graphics know-how, which could affect visible constancy in some cutting-edge video games. Nonetheless, these are small complaints given the sheer efficiency on provide.

Sadly you possibly can’t formally purchase the Poco F6 within the US, however it’s a stable decide for UK and European cell avid gamers. In the event you’re based mostly elsewhere, your greatest guess for a finances gaming cellphone stays the one barely costlier OnePlus 12R. Although I’d say the Pixel 8a is perhaps the higher all-around cellphone if pictures and a little bit of AI magic are additionally in your wishlist.