Mobile Gaming: Does it Compare to PC?

We’ve all spent hours engrossed in our favourite video games – whether this is a fast-paced FPS, farming simulators, or adventurous RPGs. No matter what your choice of game is, the real question is what platform you’re using.

With PC, console, and mobile gaming all battling for popularity and the number one spot – we’re exploring the question of whether or not mobile gaming is really worth it.

Mobile Gaming

Mobile gaming has revolutionised the way in which we can enjoy playing our favourite games.

Portable and compact, you can use your smartphone wherever you are – whether you are on the road, sitting in a waiting room, or enjoying a coffee in a café. When your gaming session is over, your phone is easy to put away, either by sliding it into your pocket or the safety of a bag. I would absolutely like to see someone trying to fix an entire gaming PC, monitor, and peripherals into their pocket…

Whilst gaming PCs come packed with a vast array of cutting-edge technologies, mobile gaming isn’t so far behind.

ASUS ROG Phone 2 (Image credit: Trusted Reviews)

In fact, mainstream gaming hardware manufacturers, such as Razer and ASUS, have released dedicated gaming phones. These mobiles come equipped with a range of performance-boosting features, including high-quality screens with smooth refresh rates, intelligent gaming-focused chips, and hefty storage for all your games, videos, photos, and much more!

In addition to gaming phones, each new generation of smartphones is being released with greater support for gaming and video streaming. The latest Samsung S23 now features a 120Hz screen, and a brand-new processor that has been designed for high-speed on-the-go gaming and streaming.

What’s more, there are thousands of mobile games, with hundreds releasing every day, most of which are even free to download and play! The most popular ones, such as Temple Run, Hearthstone, Pokémon Go, and Candy Crush, have become worldwide favourites.

We all remember the hype and the mania after the launch of Pokémon Go, way back in 2016. More and more of us were venturing outside, teaming up with family and friends, and even stopping on the motorway just to capture that precious Bulbasaur or Snorlax. In fact, after just two weeks, Pokémon Go earned over $100 million through player in-game spending.

However, you can enjoy playing more than just the classic mobile titles. More PC games are becoming compatible with your phone, especially with platforms such as EPIC Games now being supported on both iPhone and Android. This means you can play classic fast-paced titles such as Fortnite and Fall Guys or even cosy comforts like Stardrew Valley. All from the comfort of your smartphone.

All these games have been optimised for their mobile ports, ensuring the controls are simple to use and you can enjoy the same level of gameplay compared to its PC counterpart. However, if you need help streamlining your performance to ensure your victory, there are plenty of mobile compatible Bluetooth game controllers that can be used alongside your smartphone. The Razer Kishi V2, is the perfect example.

This hand-held device can be attached to either an iPhone or Android smartphone and has been designed to deliver ultra-fast gaming, responsiveness, along with extended comfort during hours of gameplay.

Razer Kishi V2

Whilst mobile gaming has made some great strides, so has PC gaming.

Vs. PC Gaming

We’ve seen so much great PC tech being released in the last few months, including the NVIDIA RTX 40 Series, DDR5 RAM, and AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. All of which have been engineered to deliver superior performance in PC gaming, content creation, and streaming.

Not only do we have all of this amazing hardware, but there is also the fantastic technology behind it. Unlike a mobile phone, gaming PCs support cutting-edge features such as Real-Time Ray Tracing and AI DLSS 3, allowing you to experience all your favourite games in stunning photo-realistic quality. Enhanced Ray Tracing and AI capabilities, result in smooth immersive gameplay, something that you can’t achieve with mobile gaming.

Not only has PC tech been refined to deliver optimum performance, you also don’t have to worry about battery life or storage issues. The average phone doesn’t come with enough storage space for your apps, photos, music, and all your games. However, you can specifically tailor your gaming PC to include plenty of storage space, opting for hard drives, solid state drives, and even external devices. You never have to scroll through all your apps, files, and games, deciding which ones you no longer want.

Plus, unless you shell out for a dedicated gaming phone, the average smartphone battery life isn’t always equipped to keep up with your extended gaming marathons, streaming on Netflix, and scrolling through social media. There are definitely a lot of benefits to being tethered to your mains…

However, if portability is a deal breaker, there is always a high-powered gaming laptop.

With a laptop, you can enjoy all the benefits of gaming on-the-go, without having to compromise on performance, battery life, speed, refresh rates, and more! In fact, there is an entire range of high-end laptops that feature the latest NVIDIA RTX 40 Series graphics cards. These portable systems have been crafted specifically to meet the same standards and performance as a desktop gaming PC.

In addition to all of this, whilst mobile games may be free, they have been created in a way that restricts gameplay. Often exclusive content or levels are locked behind paywalls, and in some, gameplay is broken up constantly by unwanted adverts. Completely removing all of your immersion! Having to sit through several adverts each time you wish to advance a level is an annoyance you simply don’t get with PC gaming.

Can you imagine watching your favourite live streamer playing a game and having to take a break because an advert has popped up?

Whilst mobile game streaming may exist, even with its own category on Twitch, nothing quite lives up to PC live streaming. There is an expansive collection of AAA titles to explore, play through, and watch, along with an active chat to get involved with. Something that live streaming mobile apps haven’t been streamlined for.

In fact, not only is it incredibly difficult to view and interact in the chat on mobile, but if you wish to subscribe to your favourite streamer, certain apps will require an extra fee. On Android and iPhone devices, the app stores take a cut of your subscription fee on Twitch, making it significantly more expensive to subscribe using your phone instead of your PC or laptop.

Lastly, whilst mobile controllers are in fact a thing, there are far more compatible accessories and peripherals available for PC players. In fact, extra peripherals such as high-quality wireless or wired headsets place you in the centre of the action for greater immersion, and even offer certain distinct gameplay advantages.

You can’t create the racing or flight simulation set up of your dreams with your smartphone or gaming phone.

In the End… Is it Worth It?

Both mobile and PC gaming come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on your individual lifestyle, requirements, and even gameplay style.

If you don’t have the space for a gaming PC or even laptop – mobile gaming is definitely worth it. There are plenty of great games and even previous PC exclusives to add to your library, along with additional accessories, such as controllers, to boost your mobile gaming experience.

However, if you’re seeking an immersive performance, with ultra-fast speeds, smooth frame rates, and none of the restrictions of mobile gaming – then investing in a PC or laptop is absolutely the right choice. There are so many great games waiting for you to get your hands on, and even numerous ways you can start earning money from your PC, to help boost your income.

Ultimately, we aren’t here to tell you which platform to use. No matter if you enjoy playing games on your PC or mobile, gaming is a great way to relieve stress, escape your everyday struggles, and even socialise with your friends and family.