Which is the best gaming phone under Rs 1 Lakh in October 2026? We tested 9 flagships to find the answer

• By Dhruv Joshi
Published On: 15 October 2026 | 12:50 IST

With RAM and storage costs through the roof, flagship smartphones have become increasingly expensive. This makes finding a phone that delivers top-tier gaming performance under Rs 1,00,000 tricky, since most phones at this price point pack phenomenal specs. The question then remains: how do these phones compare? We put some of the best flagship phones under Rs 1 lakh to the test. Check it out below!

Testing methodology

To find out which phone performs best, we tested every device with Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI using the same graphics and frame rate settings. For consistency, every device was also set at 80 per cent brightness and 50 per cent volume to level the playing field.

We recorded the average frame rate and surface temperature before and after 30 minutes of gameplay to see how well each phone handles sustained gaming output. This helps us compare not just how smoothly these phones run games, but also how much they heat up during longer sessions.

Here’s what our tests revealed.

Call of Duty: Mobile

Game settings: Max graphics + Ultra FPS

The OPPO Find X9 seems to have the edge in CoD: Mobile, delivering the highest average frame rate while keeping temperatures in check rather well. Its temperature rise is only marginally higher than the Xiaomi 17, which manages thermals best, but the Find X9 offers better gaming performance. The OnePlus 15’s results are decent, but it doesn’t quite match the OPPO’s combination of performance and thermal management in Call of Duty: Mobile.

*Higher FPS is better and lower temperature rise is better
*OPPO Find X9s faced compatibility issues with our testing software, so it has been excluded.

BGMI

Game settings: Ultra HDR graphics + Ultra Extreme FPS

The OnePlus 15 is the clear winner in BGMI, delivering considerably better performance than the other phones while keeping temperatures in check. The realme GT 8 Pro and Xiaomi 17 also put up a good showing, offering a good balance of frame rates and thermal management. The OPPO Find X9 is another capable performer, as it stays relatively cool during gameplay, although its frame rate is much lower.

*Higher FPS is better and lower temperature rise is better
*OPPO Find X9s faced compatibility issues with our testing software, so it has been excluded.

The top contenders for gaming

OnePlus 15: The phone’s exemplary BGMI performance gives it a clear advantage, and it also delivers strong results in Call of Duty: Mobile. While it doesn’t lead every test, its performance across both games makes it a solid option for gamers who play a wide range of titles. The OnePlus 15 is also the only phone with a 165Hz refresh rate in this segment, meaning it could support higher frame rates in compatible games in the future.

Realme GT8 Pro: The most consistent performer across both games, with high average frame rates combined with impressive thermal management. The GT8 Pro’s results across both games make it a versatile gaming phone, and it is one of the two devices on this list with a proper 2K display (iQOO 15 being the other), meaning its image output is sharper than all other rivals in this segment.

OPPO Find X9: A great alternative for Call of Duty: Mobile players. It delivered the highest average frame rate in our test while keeping temperatures relatively low. It is a good choice for those who want smooth gameplay without a significant rise in temperature. For users who want a more compact but still capable gaming phone, the Find X9 is worth its mettle.

Xiaomi 17: The pick for gamers who value thermal efficiency. Despite its smaller form factor, it recorded the lowest temperature rise in Call of Duty: Mobile while delivering frame rates close to the OnePlus 15. It may not match the OnePlus in BGMI, but it remains a well-rounded option, especially if you play games in short bursts.

If you’re serious about mobile gaming and play a mix of titles, the OnePlus 15 is the safest all-round bet. Pick the Realme GT8 Pro if consistency matters more than peak performance, as it delivers strong frame rates across both games while keeping thermals impressively in check, and its 2K display gives it an edge in overall visual quality. OPPO Find X9 players who primarily live in CoD: Mobile will find it hard to beat, especially given how cool it runs during extended sessions. If you game in shorter bursts and want a phone that barely breaks a sweat, the Xiaomi 17’s thermal efficiency makes it the most comfortable long-term companion. Whichever you choose, all four will handle anything you throw at them. The differences come down to which game you play most and how long your sessions tend to run.