10 Best Phones for Pokemon Go
Wally Nowinski
editor
Choosing the best phone for playing Pokémon Go requires careful consideration of several key factors, with screen size being one of the most crucial. A large screen not only enhances the overall gaming experience by offering a more immersive view of the game's world but also improves gameplay accuracy, especially when it comes to performing precise actions like throwing Poké Balls. Moreover, visibility under sunlight is an essential attribute for a screen, as Pokémon Go is predominantly an outdoor game. A phone that features a display with excellent brightness levels and anti-glare properties will ensure that players can easily see and interact with the game, even in direct sunlight, thereby enhancing the user's outdoor gaming experience.
Battery life and performance are equally important when selecting a phone for Pokémon Go. Since the game relies heavily on GPS tracking, augmented reality, and maintaining high screen brightness, it demands a lot from a phone's battery. Therefore, a device with a long-lasting battery is essential for extended gaming sessions without the constant need for recharging. Performance-wise, Pokémon Go requires a smartphone that can handle its AR graphics and animations smoothly. This means looking for a phone equipped with a powerful processor and sufficient RAM to ensure the game runs seamlessly, without any lag or stuttering, allowing for a more enjoyable and frustration-free gaming experience.
Our experts used the PerfectRec decision engine to comb through our phone database and find the best phones for Pokémon Go available in 2023. Here are our top picks.
Our criteria for the best phone for pokemon go:
- Size: A large screen size is important for playing Pokemon Go as it enhances gameplay by providing a clear and immersive view of in-game elements. A larger screen size also allows for more precise tapping and swiping when trowing Poke Balls, improving gameplay accuracy. Additionally, a screen with good brightness and visibility under sunlight can enhance a user's outdoor experience, making it easier to play the game while on the move.
- Battery: Gaming is battery-intensive in general, good battery life is crucial for playing Pokemon Go, even more so than other games, as it includes continuous use of GPS, high screen brightness and other hardware features can quickly drain a smartphone's charge.
- Performance: Sufficient performance is essential for playing Pokemon Go smoothly and without any stuttering. The game requires a smartphone with ample processing power and a decent amount of RAM, in order to handle AR graphics, animations, and other similar things required for a smooth experience.
To consider others factors, try the PerfectRec decision engine to get your personalized phone recommendation
Get your personalized recommendations10 Best Phones for Pokemon Go
1
Apple
iPhone 13 Pro Max
BEST RATING
Battery Life:4.7
Size: Largest iPhone
Camera: Very Good
Battery: Very Good
Expert Summary
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max comes at an upper midrange price offering 128GB of storage and runs on iOS. It features glass on the back and houses a hefty 4352mAh battery. The display is a 6.7-inch OLED screen without curved edges but with a high refresh rate for smoother visuals. Its screen delivers peak brightness for visibility even in bright conditions. The A15 processor paired with 6GB of RAM ensures top-notch performance. Camera capabilities are very good for both stills and videos, supporting HDR video and RAW output. It has a 12MP main camera as well as telephoto and ultrawide lenses. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is capable of 4K video recording and supports 5G connectivity. Note that it lacks a headphone jack, but offers NFC and dual SIM capabilities. If you're looking for high performance, excellent camera quality, and long battery life with premium screen features, this phone is a strong choice, albeit at a higher price point.
Pros
- Large, high-quality OLED screen
- High refresh rate for smooth visuals
- Exceptional camera with RAW and HDR video
- Long battery life
- Solid build with water and dust resistance
Cons
- No 3.5mm headphone jack
- No SD card slot for expandable storage
- No always-on display feature
- Heavy compared to some other phones
2
Apple
iPhone 14 Plus
BEST RATING
Battery Life:4.6
Size: Largest iPhone
Camera: Very Good
Battery: Very Good
Expert Summary
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus comes with a high-end price tag and offers a large 6.7-inch OLED screen, which is great if you prefer a bigger display for streaming or gaming. It runs on iOS and has a strong glass build. You'll find a potent A15 chip inside, paired with ample storage for your apps and media. Camera capabilities are excellent, with a high-quality 12 MP main camera that supports advanced features like Dolby Vision video recording. The battery is robust, likely to last a full day on a single charge, and it supports wireless charging. However, if you're looking for a high refresh rate display, you should know this model is capped at 60Hz, which is lower than some competitors that offer smoother visuals. The phone lacks a headphone jack, which is common in newer smartphones, but it has a notably good sound system. For connectivity, it uses the proprietary Lightning port over the more widely used USB-C. Overall, if you're invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer a larger screen and strong performance, this phone is a solid choice, though it comes at a premium price without some features found on competitors, like high refresh rate screens or USB-C ports.
Pros
- Large 6.7-inch OLED screen
- Excellent still photo and video quality
- Long battery life up to 9.3 hours
- Runs on the smooth iOS platform
- Wireless charging capability
Cons
- No high refresh rate display
- No always-on display feature
- Lacks a headphone jack
- Maximum brightness could be higher
3
Motorola
Motorola Edge+ (2023)
BEST RATING
Performance:4.8
Size: Large Android
Camera: Fair
Battery: Very Good
Expert Summary
The Motorola Edge+ (2023) offers a good balance of features for its midrange price. With a glass body and a large 5100mAh battery, it promises solid battery life, lasting over 9 hours. It sports a 6.67-inch curved OLED display with high brightness and high refresh rate, enhancing visuals. Its triple camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, provides fair photo and video quality and versatility with HDR10+ video and RAW output. Performance is very good, thanks to 8GB of RAM and the latest Snapdragon chipset. Plus, it retains a 3.5mm headphone jack and supports 5G connectivity. However, if multiple, high-quality cameras are a top priority, you might look into other options as the camera quality is fair, not exceptional.
Pros
- High storage capacity
- Large battery size
- High screen refresh rate
- Includes headphone jack
- Supports 5G connectivity
Cons
- Average camera quality
- Fair video quality
- No SD card slot
- No wireless charging
4
Apple
iPhone 15 Plus
BEST RATING
Performance:4.9
Size: Largest iPhone
Camera: Very Good
Battery: Very Good
Expert Summary
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus comes with a premium price tag and is a high-end offering from Apple's 2023 lineup, released in September. It operates on iOS and features a glass back. The phone has a large battery and a 6.7-inch OLED screen without curved edges, offering a crisp viewing experience with high peak brightness, although it lacks a high refresh rate. The A16 processor and 6GB of RAM ensure top performance, while its 128GB storage is ample for most users. Camera enthusiasts would appreciate its excellent photo and video capabilities, with the main camera boasting a high megapixel count and additional features like RAW output and Dolby Vision for HDR video. The device supports 5G but omits a headphone jack and SD card slot. It is equipped with a USB-C port, offers great battery life, and is built to withstand dust and water exposure. If you value top-notch camera performance and a large screen in an iOS device and are not deterred by the high cost, the iPhone 15 Plus is an impressive choice.
Pros
- Excellent still photo quality
- Excellent video quality
- Premium OLED display
- Very good screen brightness
- Powerful A16 processor
Cons
- No 3.5mm headphone jack
- No high refresh rate
- No always-on display
- Limited battery capacity
5
Expert Summary
The OnePlus 11 is an Android phone with high performance at an upper midrange price. It has ample storage, and the battery life is respectable. The camera system offers very good still photo and video quality, with features like Auto HDR, and can handle advanced tasks such as RAW output and HDR video. It sports a large 6.7-inch curved OLED display with high brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate, promising a top-notch viewing experience. Note that there is no 3.5mm headphone jack, SD card slot, or wireless charging, which may be important considerations for some users. It's built with quality materials and includes a high-performance charger in the box.
Pros
- High-performance fast charger included
- Long battery life
- High refresh rate OLED display
- Very good camera quality
- 5G enabled
Cons
- No 3.5mm headphone jack
- No wireless charging
- No SD card expansion
- No IP water or dust rating
6
Expert Summary
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a budget-friendly phone with a glass body and released in January 2021. It operates on Android, featuring a sizable 6.7-inch OLED display with a high refresh rate of 120Hz for smooth visuals, though it doesn't have a curved screen edge. With a battery capacity that allows for around 8 hours of battery life, it should last most users a full day on a single charge. Photographers will appreciate its good-quality triple camera setup including a 12MP main, 64MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide lens; it also supports HDR10+ video, captures still photos well, and can record video at high resolutions, including 8K at 24fps. The phone offers solid performance with the Snapdragon 888 processor and 8GB RAM, ensuring apps and games run smoothly. It does not have a headphone jack, but it supports NFC, 5G connectivity, and wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging. Lastly, while it does not support SD cards, the internal storage of 128GB should be adequate for most users.
Pros
- High-quality OLED display
- Strong overall camera performance
- 5G connectivity for rapid data
- Robust processor for smooth performance
- IP68 water and dust resistance
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Average battery life
- Lacks microSD card slot
- No charger included in the box
7
Expert Summary
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, offered at a premium price, is a high-end smartphone with a robust set of features, including a glass body and an integrated stylus. It comes with 128GB of storage and operates on the Android system. The phone boasts a large 6.8-inch curved OLED screen with a high refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals. The camera system is a highlight, offering very good still photo quality and good video quality, with the main camera at 108 megapixels and a telephoto lens capable of 10x optical zoom. Its 5000 mAh battery provides substantial battery life. It includes features like 5G, NFC, and wireless charging, though it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack and expandable storage via an SD card. If you value a phone with a sophisticated camera system, large display, and longevity, this model is a solid choice, but keep in mind it comes without some features that could be important for you, like a headphone jack or SD card slot.
Pros
- Integrated stylus for productivity
- Very capable telephoto lens with 10x zoom
- Good battery life
- High screen refresh rate
- Excellent screen quality
Cons
- Lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack
- No SD card slot for storage expansion
- Heavier than many other phones
- Expensive cost
8
Expert Summary
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is a high-end device with a premium price tag. It boasts a large 6.7-inch OLED display with a high refresh rate and always-on capability, providing excellent screen quality. Its A16 processor and 6 GB of RAM offer top-tier performance. The phone has a highly capable camera system, with a 48-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto lens and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, all contributing to what is considered excellent overall camera quality, including best-in-class still photo and video capabilities. It has a substantial battery life and offers 5G connectivity, but doesn't come with a headphone jack and can't expand storage with an SD card. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is designed with a glass back, supports wireless charging, and is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, ensuring good durability. It operates on iOS and comes with a Lightning port for charging and data transfer. If you're looking for one of the best displays and cameras on a smartphone and are willing to invest in a premium device, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a strong choice.
Pros
- Excellent camera photo quality
- Outstanding camera video quality
- Dependable battery life
- Premium screen quality
- Powerful A16 processor
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Lacks SD card slot
- Higher price point
- Heavier weight
9
Expert Summary
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is a budget-friendly option with a plastic body, and it operates on Android. Launched in 2020, it features a 6.5-inch screen without curved edges, a high 120 Hz refresh rate, and a Full HD resolution display. Battery life is substantial, and it also supports wireless charging. Photo enthusiasts may find its camera capabilities adequate, with fair photo quality and good video quality, while its camera setup includes a 12 MP main, 8 MP telephoto, and 12 MP ultrawide camera. It lacks a headphone jack but has NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. It's equipped with 128 GB of storage and 6 GB of RAM, and it can connect to 5G networks. If you're looking for a durable phone with solid performance and moderate camera quality without breaking the bank, the Galaxy S20 FE is a considerable choice.
Pros
- Good video recording quality
- High screen refresh rate
- Supports wireless charging
- Supports reverse wireless charging
- 5G connectivity available
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Only fair still photo quality
- Lower dust resistance
- Average battery life
10
Apple
iPhone 15 Pro Max
BEST RATING
Overall Camera:5.0
Size: Largest iPhone
Camera: Best in Class
Battery: Excellent
Expert Summary
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a premium price and is a high-end smartphone featuring 256GB of storage, released in September 2023. It runs on iOS and the back is made of glass. The battery capacity is large, offering long hours of use before needing to recharge. It has a large 6.7-inch OLED screen with high resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. Its camera system is top-of-the-line, with a main 48MP camera and additional 12MP ultrawide and telephoto lenses, supporting high-quality photo and video capture including 8K recording. The phone does not have a headphone jack but includes front-facing stereo speakers, 5G connectivity, NFC, and fast wireless charging capabilities. Additionally, it is water and dust-resistant, ensuring durability. This phone is best suited for users looking for the latest technology and best possible camera in a smartphone, prioritizing premium features and performance over cost.
Pros
- Top-notch photo quality
- Superb video capabilities
- Long battery life
- Bright and vivid OLED display
- Fast A17 processor
Cons
- Lacks 3.5mm headphone jack
- No SD card slot
- Expensive compared to rivals
- Heavy at 7.8 ounces