In the age of increasingly advanced technology, gaming smartphones used to be considered the 'king of performance'. These devices come with powerful processing chips, sophisticated cooling systems, and futuristic designs. However, when we are in 2026, the question arises whether such smartphones are still relevant or have begun to be replaced by regular smartphones that are increasingly powerful for various uses.
Today's users are smarter in making choices. They assess what is really needed from a smartphone. Some see gaming phones as a special product for a few hardcore fans, while most users are more likely to choose regular smartphones that can still play popular games without any problems. This issue has become increasingly heated when some gaming phone brands have begun to withdraw from the segment. This development has sparked debate about the future of gaming smartphones and their position in the global technology world.
If we look back, the era of modern gaming smartphones is usually associated with the emergence of the Razer Phone in November 2017. Before that, there was no specific category for gaming smartphones. Flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy or iPhone are already powerful enough for gaming, but they are not specifically marketed to gamers. The advent of the Razer Phone seemed to break new ground, but now things seem to be going back to basics. Maybe a regular smartphone will suffice for most people.
Sony Xperia Play
The debate about this is still ongoing but it is still part of an interesting technological journey to follow. I also remember the early days of one of the products like the Sony Xperia Play which was announced in 2011. It was equipped with a physical controller and was made in a push-up form factor. This was a combination of a smartphone and a mobile gaming console made by Sony Ericsson. However, this device was more experimental and did not create a big ‘trend’ in the smartphone world.
After the advent of the Razer Phone, many other brands started to enter this segment, including the ASUS ROG Phone (2018), Black Shark and Nubia RedMagic (2018). From there, gaming smartphones grew as a ‘niche’ segment but still have influence. Many new features were introduced through these devices, and one of the most notable was the screen with a high refresh rate.
These features have since become standard in today's mainstream smartphones. This is perhaps why the gaming phone segment is still relevant even though not everyone is interested. However, some gaming smartphone brands are starting to pull out because the competition is too fierce and the market is full of options. In other words, they have to work harder to stay competitive.
For example, ASUS recently announced that they will no longer produce smartphones. Now, the company is focusing more on developing artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This means that the ROG era may be over, and we will no longer have the opportunity to see new models from them. The same goes for the Zenfone series, which was also discontinued, although not entirely gaming-oriented. What makes Zenfone special is its strong user community.
I myself was once part of that community. When I was still a student, I used the Zenfone 5 as the first touchscreen smartphone that I bought with my own money. It felt like a huge achievement, not just having a phone but also a symbol of something in my life. Looking back, the phone was great for its time, it felt "tiptop". Although compared to the latest smartphones, it was certainly much different, the experience still brought nostalgia.
Now the smartphone market has changed a lot. Big brands have also had to make difficult decisions. The end of the Zenfone era brings sentimental feelings to users. In the past, every new phone felt like a huge technological leap, but today the improvements are more of small improvements. Maybe my view sounds too punitive, but that's the truth I feel.
If I may touch on ASUS, they are actually not too focused on smartphones. The company's main focus is more on computer hardware and laptops. The offerings provided are quite powerful according to their respective classes, and there are still loyal users who continue to buy them. In terms of after-sales service, it can also be said to be satisfactory, especially when compared to several brands from China that are trying to enter this segment.
ASUS' real challengers come from other big brands in the same niche. If we look at it, ASUS handheld products have also been well received. I hope they can consistently improve this product in the future, especially since they already have their own user community.
Okay, back to the original question, the answer actually depends on the conditions. Gaming smartphones still have fans, especially those who are willing to pay more for solid performance. In addition, there are also users who want to experience the experience of using a console in their hands.
However, the reality is that the majority of users still see smartphones as multipurpose devices. In other words, as long as they can be used for several needs such as work, social media, light games and entertainment, that is enough for most people. Moreover, in this modern era, regular smartphones are also powerful enough and can be used for gaming purposes without major problems. This situation seems to put gaming smartphones as an additional option or just to satisfy the feeling of wanting to own something exclusive (FOMO), rather than an absolute necessity.
However, I must emphasize that the decision to buy a device still depends on the user's own goals. In fact, there are two important things that are usually the main considerations, namely what they want from a device and how it can meet their daily needs. As my content manager once said in his recent article, the best phone actually does not exist. There is only a phone that suits the needs and lifestyle of each user.
