Transforming my smartphone into an incredible gaming handheld – and you can do it too

Flagship smartphones are now giving dedicated gaming devices a run for their money, thanks to their impressive hardware capabilities. With top-tier chipsets like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Apple’s A17 Pro, flagship phones can handle quality games like “Resident Evil: Village” with ease. To enhance the gaming experience on smartphones, different controllers are recommended based on the type of phone you have. For foldable phones, a larger controller like the Razer Kishi Ultra provides better ergonomics, making the smartphone feel like a gaming handheld.

On the other hand, for regular slab-style phones, smaller controllers like the GameSir X2s are preferred to maintain a thin and light profile while offering retro-style layouts for emulated games. Utilizing emulation and cloud gaming software further enhances the gaming experience on flagship phones. Emulators like Delta on iOS and Android allow users to play retro games, while cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming provide access to a variety of games on smartphones.

While smartphones can serve as capable gaming handhelds, dedicated gaming devices still have their benefits. The choice between using a smartphone or a dedicated gaming handheld ultimately depends on personal preferences and gaming needs. However, with the advancements in mobile gaming technology and the availability of cloud gaming services, smartphones paired with the right accessories can provide a fantastic gaming experience while saving money in the process.