What is the most powerful phone to play Fortnite on? Here’s what users and reviewers are saying

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Currently, “Fortnite” is one of the most popular free games on the market. The title has a low barrier to entry since it is free and works on many smartphones. Plus, unlike consoles, you can take mobile versions of the game with you and connect to matches via Wi-Fi or cellular networks. But not all smartphones are equal and one model beats the competition because of its specifications.

If you’re looking for the best gaming smartphone, two names will keep popping up: the RedMagic 11 Pro and the RedMagic 11S Pro. These phones are focused on power thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and a secondary (and proprietary) RedMagic RedCore R4 chip. Not only do RedMagic 11 models load games faster and with higher graphical fidelity than most phones, but they can also store more games. Titles like “Fortnite” tend to eat up disk space, but the RedMagic 11 models have 1TB of storage, which should be more than enough for “Fortnite” and just about any other game you want to play on the phone. Additionally, the displays support up to 2K resolution with 144Hz refresh rates.

Of course, we shouldn’t take RedMagic’s word for it. According to outlets that have tested the RedMagic 11 Pro and 11S Pro, including GamesRadar, these phones are easily “the best gaming phones” of 2026. The devices are a bit thicker than most smartphone users are used to and their cameras are lackluster, but they eclipse the competition thanks to powerful hardware and a liquid cooling system that keeps internal components functioning smoothly under heavy loads. You can’t exactly play (or succeed) in “Fortnite” if the processors are overheating.

While the RedMagic 11 Pro was priced at $699 on the official RedMagic store, the device is currently sold out as of this writing. But you can buy the more powerful RedMagic 11S Pro for $799, also on the official RedMagic store. It’s not the cheapest gaming phone on the market, but it’s more affordable than most iPhone models (the iPhone 17 Pro costs $1,099, for example). But don’t spend that money just yet.

Although the RedMagic 11 Pro and 11S Pro are considered the most powerful gaming phones on the market, they share the same weakness as every other gaming smartphone: their main controls are virtual. Unless you buy an additional controller, such as the Backbone Pro ($169.99 at Amazon), you have to tap the screen to do most things in the game, which limits your field of view. Additionally, virtual controls are nowhere near as precise as a physical joystick and buttons.

The final problem with the RedMagic 11 Pro and 11S Pro lies in their prices. Again, these aren’t the most expensive smartphones on the market, but they still cost more than modern gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 (but not the PS5 Pro). These offer superior graphical fidelity and won’t run out of juice before a power outage. Hell, if you really want to play Fortnite on the go, you can buy a Switch 2 or a handheld like the ROG Xbox Ally X. Both are more powerful than the RedMagic 11 series, their screens are larger, and they include physical joysticks. Plus, the Switch 2 is cheaper. Nothing against the RedMagic 11S Pro. The reviews make it clear that this is a fantastic phone, but if you’re interested in gaming, these aren’t your only options.