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If gaming is your priority, these are the phones I’d buy in India

Here are the best gaming-centric phones in India across different price segments.

Published on: Jan 8, 2026, 18:06:46 IST

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Every product we recommend is chosen through a combination of Primary Research and Secondary Research.

OnePlus 15 is one of the most powerful Android flagship in Indian market right now. (Ayushmann Chawla)

By Shaurya Sharma

Shaurya Sharma is the Technology Editor at Hindustan Times Digital Streams, where he oversees technology coverage across digital and social platforms. With over eight years of experience across editorial, video production, and digital media, his work focuses on smartphones, AI, consumer gadgets, and shaping audience-first content strategies for modern tech consumers.

He began his career in 2018 as a fashion cinematographer before turning his lifelong passion for technology into a profession. From spending his childhood immersed in tech magazines, video games, and the latest gadgets to covering the global consumer tech industry today, technology has remained a constant throughout his journey.

Over the years, Shaurya has worked with some of India’s leading media organisations, including CNN-News18, Sportskeeda, and Guiding Tech, where he led video initiatives that combined strong editorial storytelling with engaging visual and social-first execution.

A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Manipal University, Shaurya has reviewed hundreds of products across categories including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, and wearables. Beyond work, he is passionate about animal welfare, environmental causes, and automobiles, particularly turbo-petrol cars

Flagship phones above ₹70,000

1. OnePlus 15 | 12GB+256GB | Infinite Black | India's First Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 | 7300mAh Battery | Personalised AI | Game-Changing 165Hz Display | Triple 50MP Camera with 4K 120fps Dolby Vision

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If you are looking at phones in the above ₹70,000 price bracket and true flagships, the OnePlus 15 certainly takes the spot as one of the best gaming-centric phones available in India right now. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, it delivers top-end performance, while the 6.78-inch display with a 165Hz refresh rate ensures that visuals remain smooth during gaming.

Realme GT 8 Pro

The Realme GT 8 Pro is another smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. It also packs a massive 7,000mAh battery, which ensures sustained performance and longer gaming sessions.

Around ₹50,000

2. OnePlus 13s | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Best Battery Life Ever on a Compact Phone | Studio-Grade Detail with Triple AF Cameras | Lifetime Display Warranty | 12GB+256GB | Black Velvet

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The OnePlus 13S is another powerful smartphone you can consider if you want something gaming-centric. While it is not a dedicated gaming phone, it is a compact device, and the processor it packs allows it to perform well for gaming. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the same processor found on the OnePlus 13, the previous OnePlus flagship. Alongside the Snapdragon 8 Elite, you get a compact and premium design that is reminiscent of the OnePlus 15.

The OnePlus 13S is available in three colour options: Green Silk, Black Velvet, and Pink Satin. It is available for around ₹52,000 after card offers.

Around ₹30,000

POCO F7

The POCO F7 is another smartphone you can consider for this list, especially if your budget is around ₹30,000. That said, it does not mean you have to compromise on specifications.

The POCO F7 is powered by the Snapdragon NVIDIA Gen 4 chipset, which is a sufficiently powerful processor and allows for up to 120FPS gaming. It also packs a large 7,750mAh silicon–carbon battery, which can power long gaming sessions with ease.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shaurya Sharma
Shaurya Sharma is the Technology Editor at Hindustan Times Digital Streams, where he oversees technology coverage across digital and social platforms. With over eight years of experience across editorial, video production, and digital media, his work focuses on smartphones, AI, consumer gadgets, and shaping audience-first content strategies for modern tech consumers. He began his career in 2018 as a fashion cinematographer before turning his lifelong passion for technology into a profession. From spending his childhood immersed in tech magazines, video games, and the latest gadgets to covering the global consumer tech industry today, technology has remained a constant throughout his journey. Over the years, Shaurya has worked with some of India’s leading media organisations, including CNN-News18, Sportskeeda, and Guiding Tech, where he led video initiatives that combined strong editorial storytelling with engaging visual and social-first execution. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Manipal University, Shaurya has reviewed hundreds of products across categories including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, and wearables. Beyond work, he is passionate about animal welfare, environmental causes, and automobiles, particularly turbo-petrol carsRead More

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