Imagine the scene: you’re on the train and heading to the airport. You’ve not packed your Xbox, for obvious reasons, and your Steam Valve is in the suitcase. You decide you want to play Factorio, and you boot up the PC game emulator app on your smartphone in just a few seconds.
In 2025, gaming is no longer something we do at home – and it’s no longer something we need dedicated hardware for, either. For many people, mobile gaming is reserved for Plinko games and Candy Crush. While it’s true that casino games have pioneered mobile gaming use, it has since evolved into something even more elaborate.
Not every plane or train journey is great, and mobile gaming may well just be the best travel companion.
Smartphone as a Gaming Powerhouse
Advancements in mobile processor technology like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 allow for console-quality graphics and performance on handheld devices. The ubiquity and comparatively lower cost of smartphones compared to dedicated gaming hardware have democratized gaming – most of us already have a decent smartphone and don’t realize its full potential.
Secondly, though thermal management isn’t efficient, the average person replaces their phone around once every two years, unlike consoles and PCs, which they tend to play for 4 to 7 years.
This means that the longevity of the smartphone components needn’t be as long anyway, in part because the battery will likely die before the CPU does. While hot tempretures may slightly degrade the battery quicker, this depreciation is nowhere near the cost of buying dedicated gaming hardware.
The Most Popular Gaming Device
Smartphones have cemented their position as the leading gaming platform. In 2023, mobile gaming accounted for half of the global gaming market. Popular Steam games like Balatro are quickly being developed into mobile versions because of this market, and mobile gaming is seeing much less of a compromise.
In other words, mobile gaming’s surge isn’t just about casual games. It’s about everything, from casino plays to serious console titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite. In fact, cross-platform even means that mobile gamers can play with their PC and console-playing friends.
Elevating the Mobile Gaming Experience
Players can now play with the same controller medium as console by connecting their bluetooth controller. In fact, console controllers have been known to work, meaning they may be available already to the player.
The tangible input system makes it feel like console gaming (though a mouse and keyboard can also be used), but to make this one better, mobiles can connect to an external monitor (or some VR headsets) via the video-out USB-C port.
Then, you really are just playing as if you’re on console, with a controller on a large monitor. With half-inch thick 15-inch monitors that can be powered with the very same video USB-C connection, it’s possible to set this up on a train or plane within seconds. Monitor, controller, headphones – everything.
Plus, there are many PSP and Windows emulating opportunities now, making it possible to play titles never were never designed for mobile. In some cases, people have been seen playing GTA IV on their smartphone…
Final Word
Smartphones have accidentally positioned themselves as the leading gaming device. This was never the grand plan. But, at the end of the day, if we coud do everything on our phone, many of us would prefer this. Not just for puzzles and casino titles, but heavy-hitting PC games.
By Dushan StojchevLoves telling stories about life, the universe and everything. Special interest in technology, science and the arts. Collects books, cats, and dabbles in art and design in his spare time. Jack of all trades and a master of some!
