Gaming phone section?

[Mooncatt]

It looks like the gaming phone market is becoming a thing and may grow. Right now there's the Asus ROG, Razer Phone, and Black Shark phones, all on at least the second iteration of those devices. It also looks like Honor may be dabbling in this area. That's why I suggest a dedicated gaming phone section in the forums. There's a section for android based gaming consoles, but the gaming area is more for gaming in general and nothing dedicated to phone discussions.

By gaming phones, I'm referring to phones specifically targeted to gamers. Flagships like the Samsung Note's and LG's V-series are powerful phones, but not really applicable here. Gaming phones have extra control features, special cooling, ergonomics (I.e. Flat screens and no notches/hole punches), enhanced antenna configurations, quicker response times, etc. that would appeal directly to gamers. They also often have extra design flare with the body design.

This section would ideally be used for phone comparison, hardware discussion, performance tips, etc.

 

[pkcable]

Sounds like a GREAT idea to me! In addition a games section would work there, as well as a section of other phones that have gaming features such as the OP7 Pro, which has a 90Hz refresh rate as well as a "Gaming Mode" feature that optimizes (and can be customized) the phone for gaming!

 

[Windroid 2483]

Is there any such thing as a gaming phone, or is that just a marketing gimmick? In other words: Is there a diffrince between a "gaming phone", and a phone with lots processing power and all?

 

[Mooncatt]

Is there any such thing as a gaming phone, or is that just a marketing gimmick? In other words: Is there a diffrince between a "gaming phone", and a phone with lots processing power and all?

Gaming phones will focus more on touch screen responsiveness, high refresh screens, extra shoulder buttons for a more console controller like experience, game enhancement software for stricter resource management and DND options, extra cooling features like active fan cooling, extra exterior lighting on the back, more thoughtful connection locations, and some even place the selfie camera in a more ideal location for doing live stream gaming.

Some of that is a gimmick (like the lighting), but much of it does have a purpose. Sure, you can game on most any phone. Gaming phones just have extra features that can give you an edge in more competitive situations, or simply let the phone perform longer without throttling down performance.

 

[Windroid 2483]

Gaming phones will focus more on touch screen responsiveness, high refresh screens, extra shoulder buttons for a more console controller like experience, game enhancement software for stricter resource management and DND options, extra cooling features like active fan cooling, extra exterior lighting on the back, more thoughtful connection locations, and some even place the selfie camera in a more ideal location for doing live stream gaming.

Some of that is a gimmick (like the lighting), but much of it does have a purpose. Sure, you can game on most any phone. Gaming phones just have extra features that can give you an edge in more competitive situations, or simply let the phone perform longer without throttling down performance.

From what you're telling me: "Gaming phone" has a real meaning beyond just being marketing gimmick. However, not all gaming phones are marketed as gaming phones, even if they qulafy for the label. Conversley: Not all phones marketed as gaming phones really are gaming phones.

If we make such a section: We should probably define the term "gaming phone" in a sticky post.

 

[Mooncatt]

I'm not sure I've seen any phones like that. Any phones I've seen marketed as such fit the bill. I know non-gaming phones can also have some features to help with gaming, but one or two features don't mean it's a gaming phone. Gaming phones are a package deal, in that you get many/most of the features I mentioned above in them.

 

[Windroid 2483]

I know non-gaming phones call also have some features to help with gaming, but one or two features don't mean it's a gaming phone.

They do if the rest of the features can be added easily enough:

game enhancement software for stricter resource management and DND options

That software can on any old Android phone, right? You just need to know what software to install, and where to get it?

extra cooling features like active fan cooling

There are magnetic fans which can be attached to any old phone, or tablet. I use one myself when playing more demanding games on my tablet. It's nice, because I can attach the fan when playing that game, and then remove it when I'm done.

extra shoulder buttons for a more console controller like experience

While I've never used one myself: There are peripherals which can add buttons to make a phone into somthing akin to a game controller, such as the Razer Kishi for iPhone

 

[Mooncatt]

They do if the rest of the features can be added easily enough

The difference is what the phone is designed and shipped as, vs. modifications a user makes. I drive a Dodge Dart. I could make engine upgrades, wheel and tire upgrades, add spoilers, change the suspension, take out unnecessary weight, and make it a competitive racer, but that doesn't mean the Dodge Dart in general is a sports car. It's the same as what you are suggesting.

 

[Windroid 2483]

Of course! There's a difference between a phone which is a gaming phone out-of-the box, and a phone which can be modified into a gaming phone.

My point is: We should consider that the user might be able to make such easily enough, with good instructions on which modifications to make and how to make them.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Of course! There's a difference between a phone which is a gaming phone out-of-the box, and a phone which can be modified into a gaming phone.

My point is: We should consider that the user might be able to make such easily enough, with good instructions on which modifications to make and how to make them.

I honestly think you are splitting hairs for little to no reason. The point of the thread is to acknowledge gaming phones (I'm not sure if Mooncatt intended the suggestion to be for purely unmodified phones).

I guess you could argue that some things could be added as aftermarket, but I don't think that scenario is all that encompassing. Most of the physical features that a gaming phone would have over a standard phone would most likely perform better when installed and designed by the OEM. Software could be hit or miss...finding an apk on the internet is already asking for trouble in terms of malware, let alone if it would work without issues.

To take Mooncatts example of his car in a different way: there are external GPU enclosures that one could buy. They plug in via USB and sometimes powered with an additional AC plug. Already this is not the greatest way to spend your money as the connection (even using USBC 3.X or even thunderbolt) is already hamstringing the GPU. Not to mention the enclosure is almost as much as a graphics card to begin with.

My overall point is: just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

 

[Windroid 2483]

I guess you could argue that some things could be added as aftermarket, but I don't think that scenario is all that encompassing.

I disagree. I'll admit, my experience with phone accessories which help with gaming is quite limited. But in in limited experience: They're quite worthwhile.

Most of the physical features that a gaming phone would have over a standard phone would most likely perform better when installed and designed by the OEM.

Could go either way, if you ask me.

Software could be hit or miss...finding an apk on the internet is already asking for trouble in terms of malware, let alone if it would work without issues.

I would hope that good software for this kind of thing would be available from the Google Play Store!

My overall point is: just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Oh, I think you should, if you know what you're doing! That's why it'd be good to have instrutions for what software and accessories to use to make a phone better for video-games. Perhaps one of the Android Central writers and write an article like that.

The point of the thread is to acknowledge gaming phones

And he makes a good case for that. But accessories and software to add those gaming phone features is a closely related topic.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Could go either way, if you ask me.

Some things that most people wouldn't think of would also come into play. Most, if not all phones are still using glass backs. Something to keep in mind about glass is that it's an insulator. Adding any kind of aftermarket cooling system may not give much of an advantage than a phone that has a metal back designed from the OEM.

 

[Windroid 2483]

Most, if not all phones are still using glass backs.

Yikes. I hope you're wrong about that, because if you're right: That sounds very bad! As you said, glass is an insulator.

Some things that most people wouldn't think of would also come into play.

Hence why some good instructions would be useful.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Yikes. I hope you're wrong about that

There's one way to prove me right or wrong.... walk into any carrier store and look. Metal interferes with inductive charging, and plastic has become the material to avoid because of perceived 'inferior build quality'

 

[mustang7757]

5 years later in the site suggestion forum should tell you that it won't have its own forum as not enough to warrant one .

I think this thread has run it's course and will be closed