Best Phones for Emulation & Retro Gaming [2025]
Best Phones for Emulation & Retro Gaming As someone who loves old-school games, I enjoy playing classic titles on my phone. Whether it’s PSP, PS2, Game Boy, Nintendo DS, or Dreamcast, I want smooth gameplay without lag or glitches.
In this post, I’ll share the best phones I’ve tested for emulation and retro gaming. These phones run emulators like PPSSPP, Dolphin, AetherSX2, RetroArch, and more with ease.
Top Phones for Emulation & Retro Gaming in 2025
| Phone Model | Price (MYR) | Chipset | Display | Battery | Storage + RAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Phone 7 | RM4,099 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 6.78” AMOLED | 6,000mAh | 256GB + 12GB |
| OnePlus 12R | RM2,599 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | 6.78” AMOLED | 5,500mAh | 256GB + 16GB |
| Poco F5 Pro | RM2,199 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | 6.67” AMOLED | 5,160mAh | 256GB + 12GB |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 | RM3,899 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 6.1” AMOLED | 3,900mAh | 128GB + 8GB |
| iQOO Neo 7 Pro | RM2,099 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | 6.78” AMOLED | 5,000mAh | 256GB + 12GB |
Why These Phones Are Great for Emulators
1. ASUS ROG Phone 7
This is my top pick for emulation. It’s built for gaming. The chip is fast, the cooling is strong, and the battery lasts long. I played God of War on PSP and Mario Kart on Dolphin without lag.
2. OnePlus 12R
It runs all emulators like a champ. The large RAM helps with PS2 and GameCube games. Plus, the price is fair for the performance.
3. Poco F5 Pro
Good for retro games if you want a cheaper phone. It runs PSP, GBA, SNES, and even Dolphin well. I tested it with Need for Speed Most Wanted on AetherSX2, and it played fine.
4. Samsung Galaxy S23
Smooth gameplay, top display, and solid power. Works best for lighter emulators but can handle heavy ones too if settings are tuned right.
5. iQOO Neo 7 Pro
Cheap but strong. Great for casual retro fans. It loads games fast and doesn’t overheat.
Battery Life (Real Game Testing)
| Phone Model | Emulator Used | Avg Battery Time (Gameplay) | Charging Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROG Phone 7 | AetherSX2, Dolphin | 6.5 hours | 35 minutes |
| OnePlus 12R | PPSSPP, Citra | 7 hours | 30 minutes |
| Poco F5 Pro | Dolphin, PPSSPP | 6 hours | 38 minutes |
| Galaxy S23 | RetroArch, PPSSPP | 5 hours | 58 minutes |
| iQOO Neo 7 Pro | AetherSX2, SNES9X | 6.5 hours | 33 minutes |
Pros and Cons Overview
| Phone | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| ROG Phone 7 | Best cooling, high refresh rate | Pricey, bulky |
| OnePlus 12R | Smooth emulation, fast charging | No wireless charging |
| Poco F5 Pro | Budget-friendly, decent power | No IP rating |
| Galaxy S23 | Sharp display, good build | Smaller battery |
| iQOO Neo 7 Pro | Fast chip, great for budget users | UI can feel cluttered |
Best Emulators for Android
- PPSSPP – PSP games
- AetherSX2 – PS2 games
- Dolphin MMJR2 – GameCube/Wii
- RetroArch – Multi-system emulator
- Citra MMJ – Nintendo 3DS
- My Boy! – Game Boy Advance
- Drastic – Nintendo DS
FAQ – Emulation on Phones
Not always. For PSP and SNES, mid-range phones work fine. For PS2 or GameCube, a strong chip like Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 or Gen 2 helps.
Yes, if downloaded from trusted sources like the Play Store or GitHub.
Yes. Emulators need more power, especially 3D games. Choose a phone with good battery and fast charging.
Yes. All phones listed are available in Malaysia online or in stores.
Yes. Most emulators support Bluetooth controllers like 8BitDo or Xbox controllers.
Final Thoughts
If you love retro gaming like I do, a powerful phone makes all the difference. You don’t need to carry a console. Just install emulators and relive your favorite games anytime.
For the best experience, I recommend the ROG Phone 7. But if you’re on a budget, the OnePlus 12R or Poco F5 Pro are great too.
These phones are all available in Malaysia. They support emulators smoothly, have large batteries, and don’t overheat.