Here's what you should look for when buying an Android phone for gaming

If you like gaming on your Android phone, you need a phone that can handle the graphics and processing required. Here’s what you should look for when buying an Android phone for gaming. There are so many devices out there with fancy designs, "never-before-seen features" and "incredible specs" that tag themselves as gaming phones.

So finding the right one can be like finding a needle in a haystack, particularly if you’re not willing to shell out thousands of dollars. Well, you can skip all the "up-tos" and unclear marketing jargon by simply knowing what to look for when buying an Android phone for gaming. A device doesn’t have to be explicitly tagged a "gaming phone" for it to actually be an excellent gaming phone.

The five most important components to look out for when buying an Android phone for gaming are: the device’s processor, RAM, display, thermal management (cooling) and battery. Any Android device that checks these boxes will provide an excellent gaming experience.

I almost spent $500 on a phone that does less. Instead, I fixed the one already in my pocket.

Don’t buy a $500 dumbphone. These apps will make your Android phone calm. Mobile Android apps Don’t buy a $500 dumbphone.

The phone, maps, calendar — only the useful bits. None of the time-sucky, doom-scrolly distractions.

But I don’t like the idea of spending $500 on a Light Phone or a Wisephone. Instead, I’ve been on a quest to turn my Pixel 9a into a calmer device.