Discover the Best Gaming Phones Under £500 in the UK for September 2023! Unleash your gaming passion with powerful smartphones like the Poco F5 5G, iQOO 9 SE, and more.
In the ever-evolving realm of mobile gaming, enthusiasts are constantly on the hunt for the perfect device to fuel their gaming passions. Mobile gaming has become a legitimate passion and even a source of income for many individuals. For aspiring hardcore gamers, the quest for the ideal gaming gadget can be challenging, especially when constrained by a budget.
However, in 2023, smartphones have become powerful enough to handle demanding gaming experiences, making them a fantastic starting point for gaming enthusiasts in the UK. With a budget of under £500, you can kickstart your gaming journey. The only challenge that remains is the multitude of options available in the market. To simplify your decision-making process, we have compiled a list of the best gaming phones under £500 in the UK for December 2023.
Let’s dive into the exciting world of gaming phones.
Top Gaming Phones Under £500
Poco F5 5G
The Poco F5 5G, a recently launched gaming-oriented 5G smartphone, secures the top spot on our list. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, a robust performer. Coupled with 8/12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 Storage, this smartphone delivers lightning-fast read/write speeds. The result is an impressive AnTuTu Score of approximately 9,50,000, making it an outstanding choice for gaming enthusiasts.
The device features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED Display with a 120Hz fast refresh rate, providing an exceptionally smooth and high-quality gaming experience. On the camera front, it boasts a versatile triple camera setup of 64MP + 8MP + 2MP on the rear, complemented by a 16MP selfie camera. The 64MP main camera even features OIS for superior image stabilization.
Additional features include a robust 5000mAh battery, 67W Fast Charging, Dual Stereo Speakers, a Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner, support for 12 5G Bands, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 6, and it runs on the latest Android 13 out of the box.
iQOO 9 SE
While launched the previous year, the iQOO 9 SE remains a powerful contender. It boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, coupled with 8/12 GB RAM and 128/256 GB internal storage. This combination yields an impressive AnTuTu Score of up to 8,50,000, ensuring smooth gaming even during resource-intensive tasks. The device features a 6.62-inch FHD+ AMOLED Display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate and Dual Stereo Speakers tuned by Dolby Atmos, delivering exceptional video and audio quality.
On the camera front, it offers a 48MP primary camera with OIS, a 13MP Ultra-Wide camera, and a 2MP Depth camera on the rear, along with a 16MP selfie camera. To keep you gaming longer, it’s equipped with a 4500mAh battery and 66W Fast Charging. Additional features include an In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, Glass Back, support for 8 5G Bands, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, and Android 12.
iQOO Neo 7
iQOO Neo 7, a recent entrant in the gaming phone category, focuses on enhancing the gaming experience. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 5G chipset, it achieves an AnTuTu Score of nearly 8,50,000. With 8/12 GB RAM and 128/256 GB of storage, this phone offers a smooth and immersive gaming experience with its large 6.78-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED Display.
The camera department on this phone could be improved, featuring a 64MP Triple Camera with a 64MP Main Camera and 2MP Depth & Macro Camera. Notably, there is no Ultra-Wide Camera as seen in its predecessor, the iQOO Neo 6. However, you’ll find a 16MP camera for selfies and video calls on the front.
Other noteworthy features include a substantial 5000mAh battery and 120W Turbo Charger, Dual Stereo Speakers, In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, support for 8 5G Bands, and Android 13 out of the box.
Realme GT 2
Originally launched in the under £500 price segment. It packs the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, accompanied by 8/12GB RAM and 128/256GB storage. The device features a 6.62-inch Full HD+ E4 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring a seamless gaming experience.
With an AnTuTu Score of 8,00,000, this phone offers excellent performance. It houses a 5000mAh battery with a 65W Fast Charger for quick recharging. On the camera front, it offers a versatile triple camera setup consisting of a 50MP Main lens, 8MP Ultra-Wide lens, and a 2MP Macro lens on the rear. For selfies, there’s a 16MP front camera. Other features include Dual Stereo Speakers, an In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, support for 9 5G Bands, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Android 12.
Realme GT Neo 3T
The Realme GT Neo 3T is another budget-friendly gaming phone, originally launched under £500 but now available at a more affordable price point. It is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, 8GB RAM, and 128/256GB storage. The phone sports a 6.62-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, guaranteeing a smooth gaming experience without any lag.
With an AnTuTu Score of 7,10,000, it offers decent performance. The device houses a 5000mAh battery with an 80W Fast Charger that can charge your phone from 0 to 50% in just 12 minutes. On the camera front, it features a triple camera setup with a 64MP Main sensor, 8MP Ultra-Wide sensor, and a 2MP Macro sensor on the rear, along with a 16MP selfie sensor. Additional features include Dual Stereo Speakers, an In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, support for 8 5G Bands, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Android 12.
iQOO Neo 6
Although launched in the previous year, the iQOO Neo 6 continues to impress with its capabilities. It houses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G Processor, 8/12GB RAM, and 128/256GB Storage. With an AnTuTu Score of nearly 7,10,000, this phone delivers excellent performance. It features a 6.62-inch FHD+ 120Hz E4 AMOLED Screen, enhancing both video viewing and gaming experiences.
The camera setup includes a 64MP Main Camera, 8MP Ultra-Wide Camera, and a 2MP Macro Camera on the rear, accompanied by a 16MP selfie
camera on the front. The primary 64MP camera includes OIS, reducing image blurs and improving image quality.
Additional features comprise a 4700mAh Battery, 80W Fast Charging, Dual Stereo Speakers, an In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, support for 4 5G Bands, and Android 12.
Value For Money Gaming Smartphone Under £500
For exceptional value for money, the iQOO NEO 6 emerges as the top choice. Priced at just £279.99, it offers a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset, a 6.62″ FHD+ 120Hz E4 AMOLED Screen, 4700mAh Battery, 80W Fast Charging, Dual Stereo Speakers, an In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Android 12. This device is an outstanding deal for under £500.
Best Gaming And Camera Phone Under £500
Typically, gaming phones in this price range don’t excel in camera quality. However, if you desire a gaming phone with decent cameras, the iQOO NEO 7 is your best bet. It stands out as the best gaming and camera phone under £500. With a 64MP + 2MP + 2MP triple camera setup on the rear and a 16MP selfie camera, it offers versatile photography options. The 64MP main sensor, equipped with OIS, captures sharp and natural-toned photos, even in low-light conditions. In videography, it can shoot up to 4k at 60fps on the rear and 1080p at 30fps on the front, delivering improved color retention compared to its predecessor, the iQOO NEO 6.
Latest Gaming Phone Under £500
The POCO F5 5G and the iQOO NEO 7 stand as the latest gaming phones under £500. Both devices come equipped with impressive specs, including AMOLED Displays, Dual Stereo Speakers, In-Display Fingerprint Scanners, 64MP Triple Cameras, 16MP Selfie Cameras, and Android 13.
OnePlus Best Gaming Phone Under £500
For OnePlus enthusiasts, the OnePlus 10R is the best gaming phone under £500. It features the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Max processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB Storage. With an AnTuTu Score of approximately 8,00,000, it delivers impressive performance. The device offers a 6.7″ FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED Display, a 5000mAh Battery, 80 or 150W fast charging, 50MP triple rear cameras, a 16MP selfie camera, Dual Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos support, an In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, and Android 12. However, it’s worth noting that while the AnTuTu Score is impressive, it may not support the highest settings in heavy games like BGMI, maxing out at (HD, High) settings due to optimization concerns.
FAQs
Which Mobile Is Best For PUBG In £500?
The POCO F5, iQOO NEO 7, and iQOO 9 SE are the best mobiles for PUBG or BGMI in the £500 price category.
Which Phone Is Best For Heavy Gaming?
Under the £500 price segment, the POCO F5, iQOO NEO 7, and iQOO 9 SE are the best phones for heavy gaming.
Which Is The Best Smartphone Under £500?
Under £500, the POCO F5 and iQOO NEO 6 emerge as the best smartphones, delivering exceptional gaming performance and value for money.
