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Mobile currently takes the lion’s share of the gaming market, with 2.2 billion people around the world enjoying a fix of their favorite games from their mobile devices. And, latest figures suggest that just under three-quarters (74%) of all online gamblers choose to play online casinos using their mobile devices.
Developing sophisticated processors and crystal-clear displays has closed the gap between mobile and handheld consoles. At the forefront of this mobile gaming revolution are iPhone and Android. But as far as optimal mobile gaming experience is concerned, which is the superior choice between these two fantastic options?
With mobile games casino apps on the rise all the time, it’s more important than ever to choose your mobile device carefully if you’re serious about gaming on the go. This article compares the two options based on their performance, hardware capabilities, gaming options, game subscription platforms, and unique gaming features.
Let’s dive in.
Performance: Processing Power and Graphics
Deciding on a superior choice for mobile gaming between iPhone and Android requires comparing the processing power and graphics display, which dictate the device’s gaming performance.
Apple’s iPhones run on custom-designed A-series chips—the latest and most powerful being the A17 Bionic processor powering the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Max models. iPhone’s A-series processors are highly reputable for efficiently handling demanding games. So, they easily support visually stunning and immersive gaming experiences.
iPhone’s custom Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) also amplify the gaming performance. For instance, the latest iPhone 15 models deliver up to 20% faster graphics performance, claiming the spot as the best graphics performance in an iPhone ever. As such, iPhones can power both casual and demanding games with ease.
With Android devices, gamers can get varying levels of performance, as there are numerous manufacturers. The top picks are the Google Pixel 6 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. These devices use the Snapdragon 888 and Google Tensor processors, respectively. Being in the premium section of the market, they can go toe to toe with the A17 bionic processor. Other high-end Android devices possess cutting-edge GPUs like the Adreno 666 or the Mali-G78. These GPUs help them power clean graphics and responsive gameplay.
However, while deluxe Android devices might possess hardware capabilities, processing power, and graphics rivaling their iPhone counterparts, the quality drops with mass-market variants.
Unique Gaming Features
Besides the crucial features necessary for mobile gaming, as discussed above, iPhones and Android often have unique features that redefine gaming experiences.
For instance, players can enjoy shared-screen multiplayer gaming on a single device while playing some Apple Arcade games. Android devices still need to catch up with this level of local multiplayer functionality. But, they match up with the iPhone’s online multiplayer functionality as they both support 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi connectivity required to access online gaming sites and offshore sportsbooks.
Likewise, iPhones have the iCloud sync functionality, allowing them to continue their games on any device from where they stopped. This functionality creates seamless gameplay, which can be elevated to the highest level of traditional gaming experiences due to the extensive controller support made available for Made For iPhone (MFi) game controllers.
Android’s version of this feature is Google Play Games, an app installed on most Android devices to facilitate cloud syncing of game progress across all Android devices.
Hardware Capabilities: Storage and Battery Life
The superior choice in terms of storage between iPhones and Android depends on the model you’re comparing. Nonetheless, iPhone and Android utilize flash storage technologies, enabling them to retain information without power.
For instance, the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max has ultra-fast NVMe flash storage with 2GB/s sequential read. It is available in versions with 256 GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacity. Likewise, the latest Samsung S23 Ultra uses the UFS 4.0 storage technology and is available in the same range of models. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers a 2GB/s sequential read, the S23 Ultra delivers a 1GB/s sequential read, making the iPhone the superior choice in terms of storage capacity, thus facilitating faster load times for high-definition games.
However, faster load times come at a cost as the iPhone’s battery health deteriorates with time—most iPhones’ battery capacities, regardless of their model, range from 1800mAH to 3,500mAH. Compared to the range of 3,000mAH – 5,000mAH offered by various Android manufacturers, Android devices can power gaming activities for extended periods.
However, Apple’s tight integration between software and hardware enables iPhones to optimize the operating system more efficiently for longer battery lives.
Gaming Options
iPhones have slightly better processor and hardware capabilities than Android devices. However, they restrict their users to a small amount of games.
iOS’s rigorous approval process is a significant reason for these fewer gaming options. As a result, iPhone games tend to be of superior quality. Examples include first-rate mobile games like Monument Valley and Device 6. In addition, the Apple App Store contains exclusive games yet to be released to the public because developers love to leverage the App Store’s reputation for stringent review processes. The Room Puzzle series and the artistic masterpiece Monument Valley are excellent examples of these exclusive games.
In contrast, the Google Play Store has relaxed review requirements. As such, it gives players an extensive gaming selection. Furthermore, due to its successes with gaming, the Google Play Store also has exclusive blockbuster titles, especially free-to-play games with in-game purchases.
Apart from the Google Play Store, the Android OS is free, allowing users to download more games from third-party sources, further increasing the gaming options. Consequently, Android users have greater freedom for customizations to amplify their gaming library. Sadly, these mild review requirements might expose players to security risks and other cyber threats.
Therefore, iPhones are the superior choice for accessing an exclusive selection of premium-quality games. On the other hand, Android devices are excellent choices for a more comprehensive selection of high-end and average-quality games.
When it comes to casino games, the rules are a little different from other games. But again, Android has more choice for users. Historically, Apple has been slightly more restrictive when it comes to real-money gambling apps. While they now permit casino apps, the number and variety of real-money apps can be more limited compared to Android. Google’s policies have generally been more open to casino apps, provided they adhere to specific guidelines and have appropriate licensing. As a result, there’s generally a greater selection of real-money casino apps available on Android.
Game Subscription Platforms
iPhone’s game subscription platform is Apple Arcade, while Android’s platform is Google Play Pass. These platforms allow users to access many games for a monthly subscription fee. As you might expect, the iPhone’s Apple Arcade is on the pricey end of the spectrum, going for $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, while Android’s Google Play Pass also goes for $4.99 per month but $29.99 per year. As such, compared to Apple Arcade, users can pay up to 50% less on a yearly subscription to Google Play Pass.
Regarding gaming options, the variation observed with the Apple App Store and Google Play Store also exists with both subscription platforms. Apple Arcade offers a smaller selection (about 200 plus) of premium-quality games, while the Google Play Pass provides a broader selection (about 824 plus) of average and high-quality games.
Both these platforms allow users to add up to five additional accounts. However, Google Play Pass also lets users download apps, while Arcade Games doesn’t allow apps.
Android devices have the best game subscription platforms, considering their lower prices and more comprehensive gaming selection than Apple’s and the superior choice.
Conclusion
The superior gaming device between iPhone and Android depends on your games of choice, budget, and overall preferences.
iPhones are the superior choice for exclusive, ad-free gaming experiences. They have excellent processors and GPUs that deliver clean graphics and responsive gameplay. However, luxurious Android devices can close this gap. Both options offer sweet add-on functionalities that make them unique.
What a time to be alive for the average mobile gamer!
