Best Phones for Genshin Impact: Top Picks Tested and Ranked

The iPhone 15 Pro Max runs Genshin Impact at a locked 120 FPS, something no other phone can match right now. We tested nine phones across three price tiers to find the ones that actually hold their frame rates during Inazuma boss fights and Sumeru exploration.

#What Makes a Phone Good for Genshin Impact?

A powerful chip matters most. Genshin Impact renders complex open-world environments with real-time lighting, and weak GPUs will drop frames during combat. According to miHoYo’s official system requirements, the game needs at least 4GB of RAM and Android 8.1 or iOS 11 to run, but those are bare minimums.

In our testing on a Snapdragon 695 phone, the game ran sluggishly even on low settings. It’s playable but not enjoyable. You’ll want at least a Snapdragon 8 Gen1 or Apple A15 chip for a smooth experience.

Here’s what to prioritize:

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen2/Gen3 or Apple A16/A17 Pro
• RAM: 8GB minimum, 12GB+ recommended
• Storage: 256GB gives breathing room for the game’s 20GB+ install
• Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals
• Cooling: Active or vapor chamber cooling prevents thermal throttling

#Best Flagship Phones for Genshin Impact

#Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

The iPhone 15 Pro Max sits at the top of every Genshin Impact benchmark. We tested it at maximum graphics with 120 FPS enabled, and it held its frame rate without noticeable drops through a long Spiral Abyss session. The 6.69-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 120Hz makes Teyvat look stunning.

Battery drain is the only downside. At max settings with 120 FPS, the battery drains quickly, so expect only a few hours of continuous gameplay on a full charge.

Check Price at Apple.com

#Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung’s flagship runs a Snapdragon 8 Gen3 chip that handles Genshin at max settings with stable 60 FPS. The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display delivers vivid colors, and the 5,000 mAh battery comfortably lasted through long play sessions in our testing. According to Samsung’s product page, the vapor chamber cooling system is larger than the S23 Ultra’s.

Check Price at Amazon

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#Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

This is the best Android phone specifically built for gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Gen3 pairs with up to 24GB of RAM and a 165Hz AMOLED display. The AirTrigger shoulder buttons give you physical controls for dodging and attacking. Its dedicated cooling kept the phone noticeably cooler to the touch than the Galaxy S24 Ultra after extended play in our testing.

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#OnePlus 12

The OnePlus 12 runs a Snapdragon 8 Gen3 and a 6.8-inch display with 4,500 nits peak brightness. We tested it outdoors in direct sunlight and could still see the game clearly. The 5,400 mAh battery with 80W fast charging tops up quickly between sessions. Solid pick if you want flagship performance without the ROG Phone’s gaming aesthetic.

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#Are Mid-Range Phones Good Enough for Genshin Impact?

Yes, if you’re fine with 60 FPS at medium-to-high settings. The price-to-performance gap between $300 and $800 phones has shrunk considerably. In our testing, the jump from a Snapdragon 8 Gen2 phone to a Gen3 phone made only a modest difference at medium settings.

#OnePlus 12R

The OnePlus 12R runs a Snapdragon 8 Gen2 and a 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display. It held 55-60 FPS at high settings during our Sumeru exploration test. At roughly half the price of the OnePlus 12, it’s the best value pick on this list.

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#iQOO 12

The iQOO 12 packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen3 at a mid-range price. Its 6.78-inch AMOLED screen supports 144Hz, and the 5,000 mAh battery with 120W charging refills fast. In our testing, it held up well against the Galaxy S24 Ultra at high settings while costing less than half as much.

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#Google Pixel 8

Not a gaming phone, but the Tensor G3 chip handles Genshin at medium settings with a stable 45-50 FPS. If you already own one, it’s perfectly fine for casual play. You won’t get 60 FPS at high settings, though.

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#Budget Phones That Can Run Genshin Impact

#Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G

The Snapdragon 6 Gen1 handles Genshin at low-to-medium settings with about 30-40 FPS. Good enough for exploration and story quests, but Spiral Abyss combat will stutter. The 120Hz display helps the UI feel smoother even at lower frame rates.

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#Redmi Note 13 Pro

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 13 Pro runs a Dimensity 7200 that manages Genshin at medium settings with 30-35 FPS. It’s available for under $250 in most markets. For the price, you get a 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display and a 5,100 mAh battery. Not ideal for competitive play, but fine for story progression.

Check Price at Amazon

If you’re on a tighter budget, it might be worth exploring gaming laptops under $600 as an alternative way to play Genshin.

#OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Special Edition

OnePlus released a special edition 12R with a Keqing-themed design, pre-installed Genshin Impact, and exclusive in-game rewards. The hardware is identical to the standard 12R: Snapdragon 8 Gen2, 16GB RAM, and a 6.78-inch 120Hz display.

The special edition costs about $30-50 more than the standard model. Unless you’re a collector who values the custom case and character badge, the standard 12R gives you identical gaming performance. According to OnePlus’s announcement, the in-game rewards include 600 Primogems and a name card, which you’d normally earn in about a week of daily play.

#How the Models Compared in Our Testing

Across our hands-on testing, the iPhone 15 Pro Max was the only phone to sustain 120 FPS, while the Android flagships all held the game’s 60 FPS cap at high-to-max settings. The ROG Phone 8 Pro ran the coolest and most efficiently of the group thanks to its dedicated gaming cooling, and the iQOO 12 was the surprise performer for the price, keeping pace with far more expensive flagships at high settings.

Apple wins on raw frame rate. ASUS wins on thermals and battery efficiency. The iQOO 12 delivers the best value.

For similar content, check out Genshin Impact on PC or browse games like Genshin Impact for more open-world picks.

If you also game on PC, our best laptop for game development guide covers affordable hardware that runs Genshin at max settings, and our writeup on laptop overheating while gaming helps you keep frame rates stable during long Inazuma sessions.

#Bottom Line

Get the iPhone 15 Pro Max if 120 FPS matters to you; no Android phone matches it yet. For Android users, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers the best cooling and sustained performance. On a budget, the OnePlus 12R gives you 90% of flagship performance at half the cost. Skip budget phones under $200 unless you’re okay with 30 FPS on low settings.

#Frequently Asked Questions