The question should be, are serious gamers ready for the iPhone? That’s what the iPhone would want me to think, anyway. I saw a statement they released saying they hope their iPhone can be “the best games console.” That was in 2023. I think they got it wrong. Mine overheated with the software issue and I don’t think it’s as good as they (and everyone else) hyped it up to be.
Maybe it’s me, but every new iPhone release doesn’t seem so dramatically great anymore. They’re only slightly better than the predecessor, and that’s apparently true with the latest iPhone 16, due for release in mid-September.
I’ve also read that the iPhone 16 will be similar to the iPhone 15 except that it will run on iOS 18, have ChatGPT built in, and have a slightly smarter Siri.
Still, we’re here to talk about gaming, not my rant about model comparisons. Read on to learn about whether the iPhone is ready for serious gamers.
So, you might have guessed it, but my opinion is no. I don’t think, yet, that the iPhone is ready for serious gamers. Serious gamers take it seriously (believe it or not). In my mind, a serious gamer is a hardcore gamer with an a** imprint in their gaming chair.
So, why did Apple say they would be the next “best games console” as they released the iPhone 15? Because the phone supports modern games I’d usually only play on consoles.
I do have the iPhone 15, and some of the classics I found were:
- Death’s Stranding
- Resident Evil IV Remake
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Call of Duty (although I think this is on most mobile app stores)
The A17 Pro chip finally had the firepower to run these graphic, storyline-intense titles. The new iPhone 16 will have the A18 Pro chip, so I’ll be excited to see how this will change the gaming experience. Apple also made it possible to connect to the TV for a better gaming experience and introduced compatibility with a controller. So I guess you could say the iPhone was ready for serious gamers, but it still isn’t console gaming.
Still, no, I don’t think the iPhone is ready for serious gamers. It’s also competing with Samsung, which has one of the best gaming libraries for console games, casino games, and general mobile games.
Why Do I Think That?
Good question. Well, I’ve pretty much already answered this one.
If the title was ‘Is The iPhone Ready for Casual Gamers’, I would say, ‘Absolutely!’ But it’s not.
Serious gamers spend hours a day on their console or PC, with high-definition screens, super reactive controls, and what will always be a more immersive experience. The only thing I will say that makes me think the iPhone did really try, is the fact they introduced a feature of connecting to a controller and a bigger screen. But they might as well make a console if they’re going to do that.
And still, from what I’ve read, despite the software bug fix, the iPhone 15 does get extremely hot after 20-30 minutes of gaming, the analog sticks on the gaming controller don’t always work and aren’t as responsive. The battery also drains over 50% after an hour of gaming. Serious console or PC gamers don’t have that problem.
And then there’s the fact there are mobiles dedicated to gaming. Some of the top-rated include:
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Nubia RedMagic 9 Pro
- OnePlus 12R
The iPhone 15 Pro Plus is often included in the list of best mobiles for gaming, but I don’t think it is.
The iPhone, apps and Casino Games
As I said, I think the iPhone, as it is now, is more suited for casual gamers – your casino gamers. There are hundreds of apps on the Apple App Store for gaming that iPhone owners can download for free – and hundreds of casino games available on both iOS and Android – that I think work well for mobiles. Apple can attempt to create an iPhone that matches consoles, but I think it still performs better for games requiring less processing power.
From sophisticated, graphics-rich gaming apps that deliver first-person war and battle scenarios, to simple yet effective low end graphics like old school platform games once played on a Sinclair Spectrum, app gaming has never been more popular.
One gaming niche which has exploded in popularity in recent years however, is casino gaming. Online casinos have developed and delivered apps so their customers can play ‘on the go’ rather than be chained to a laptop or desktop computer. It is no surprise therefore, that as the improvements and proliferation of more reliable mobile internet connections, and more sophisticated mobile devices, so too has the proliferation of mobile casino gaming.
It’s the same for any mobile game, really. They’re designed to match the processing capabilities of mobiles, not consoles, and I think that’s where Apple is missing the mark. If Apple is to stay ahead of the game which its competitors seem to be winning, the company has to move hard and fast to maintain momentum in the mobile gaming market.
What About The iPhone 16?
Apple will reveal the iPhone 16 at its launch event on September 9th, 2024. Historically, the latest model always goes on pre-sale the following Friday after the launch event and general sale a week after. Doing the math, that means the iPhone 16 will go on sale on the 20th of September.
As I said, the latest chip will be the A18 Pro, which I can assume will have more processing power than the A17 Pro. I also think the chip will run more efficiently and prevent the overheating/battery drainage issues of the iPhone 15. And unlike the iPhone 15, Apple hasn’t hyped this model as the next ‘best console’.
Until the launch event, who knows whether the iPhone 16 will be better than the 15 for gaming?
What Consoles and PCs Are The Ideal For Gaming?
Apple, in my opinion, hasn’t created the next ‘best console’ just yet – so what consoles and PCs are the best for gaming? Here’s my opinion:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
- Nintendo Switch
- Alienware Aurora R16 (PC)
- Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (PC)
- HP Omen 25L (PC)
I would say that PCs are better than consoles, but I know more people are console gamers.
So, what do you think about the iPhone? Is it ready for serious gamers? Let’s wait and see what the iPhone 16 brings!
