Best high-refresh-rate games for the iPhone in 2023

Apple has taken a while to bring high-refresh-rate displays to the iPhone, despite them being found on the best iPads for many years now. The first ProMotion display came to the iPhone in 2021 when Apple debuted the iPhone 13 Pro series. Even though the new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max also have ProMotion displays, the company hasn't given this treatment to base-model phones.

Regardless, if you do have a compatible iPhone, the ProMotion screens are capable of varying between 1Hz and 120Hz based on the situation. When you're gaming, you want the highest possible refresh rate, but not all iOS games are optimized for 120Hz. To help you find the games that will push your Pro-series iPhone to its limits, we've rounded up a list of the best high-refresh-rate games below.

Most, if not all, of the games on this list don't come with high-refresh-rate gameplay enabled by default. To ensure the setting is enabled, navigate to your in-game settings menu and select a 120Hz or high refresh rate toggle. If your iPhone isn't compatible, this option won't be available.

11 Phoenix 2

The best way to describe Phoenix 2 might be to say it's like Galaga on steroids. It's an arcade-style space shooter that is so simple just about anyone can play it. You might be surprised to know that a lot is going on graphically, from lasers to epic explosions, and, best of all, it supports 120Hz refresh rates, although it probably won't make as big of an impact as some of the other games on this list. However, any time you can push your device's ProMotion display to its limits, you know you're getting the most fluid mobile gaming experience possible. Like many of the options here, Phoenix 2 is a free download with some in-app purchases available.

10 Dead Cells

In another somewhat bizarre use of high refresh rates, we have the role-playing game Dead Cells. Before coming to mobile, the game was available on PC and consoles, and quickly became known as one of the best action roguelikes available. You play as a failed experiment and explore multiple castles and biomes to uncover the true history of the island. If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced, challenging game that maxes out your ProMotion display, this app is for you. There are no ads, but it does cost $9 as an initial purchase.

9 Hyper Light Drifter

Hyper Light Drifter is a 16-bit adventure game, and it first supported 120Hz on the iPad Pro. Now, the high refresh rates can be experienced on iPhones as well. This roleplaying game has been highly rated by critics and even won the Audience Award and Excellence in Visual Art awards from the Independent Games Festival. It follows Drifters, who are navigating a desolate world while collecting knowledge, ancient relics, and outdated technology. To make matters worse, the Drifter faces an illness, so the characters are searching for a cure as well. Hyper Light Drifter costs $5 as a one-time purchase, and it's also available on iPad and Mac.

8 Brawl Stars

This 3v3 multiplayer and battle royale game is mobile-first. It was developed by Supercell, the same company that brought Clash of Clans and Clash Royale. While playing against other players in different game modes, you try to upgrade your Brawler to become more powerful. The game looks like a cartoon with stunning visuals. With 120Hz refresh rate capabilities, it'll make the most of your iPhone's display. Although it isn't as intensive as a first-person shooter, that extra refresh rate can give you an edge anyway. The initial download is free, but you can make in-app purchases.

7 Pokémon GO

Pokémon Go is an absurdly popular game since it combines everything you love about Pokémon with a real-world experience. You walk around the real world trying to collect Pokémon. Then you can build a team and battle with other trainers. There are three teams, Team Instinct (Yellow), Team Mystic (Blue), and Team Valor (Red), which are fighting for control over gyms scattered all over the map. The game used to be limited to just 30FPS, but with a compatible iPhone, you can enable a high-refresh-rate mode for a much smoother gameplay experience. Best of all, Pokémon Go is free.

6 Pascal's Wager

Pascal's Wager is a dark fantasy RPG that is available on PC, iOS, and Android. You'll get to experience 120Hz refresh rates with compatible iPhones, enjoying more than 20 hours of its storyline with great responsiveness. Graphics are one of the best parts of this game, since it features a dark mist that clouds the entire in-game world. Throughout the game, players can experience the plot through various characters. It features a bunch of fights and challenges, which will be much more enjoyable thanks to the high refresh rate option. It costs $5 for the base game, and it can be expanded with DLCs as in-app purchases.

5 NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition

Though the standard NBA 2K editions aren't capable of high refresh rates, you do get that offering in the Arcade Editions. These versions are exclusive to Apple Arcade subscribers, which carries a monthly fee of $5 per month. NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition is the closest you'll get to the console edition, and it's a great way to kill time or have some fun on the go, even though it is definitely behind the console versions in graphics quality. Although the monthly subscription isn't ideal, you do get over 200 other games with your subscription. If you happen to subscribe to Apple One, you'll get access to Apple Arcade and NBA 2K Arcade Edition without having to pay extra.

4 PUBG Mobile

PUBG Mobile is one of the best shooters on mobile. It was actually the first battle royale game to come to mobile, although it was quickly overshadowed by Fortnite's relatively brief run of success on the platform. Like in other shooters, high-refresh-rate support can be a huge advantage while playing PUBG Mobile on a compatible iPhone. That extra split-second of reaction time could be the difference between victory and elimination. As such, PUBG Mobile represents some of the best integration of Apple's high refresh rate technology in the gaming category. It's available for free with some optional in-app purchases.

3 Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is one of the top games available on iOS, and it runs at 120Hz refresh rates on compatible iPhones. It's an adventure game where you explore a fantasy world with elemental energy. The combat system is centered around these elements, like water or fire. Aside from being a great adventure game with quality storylines, the graphics are similarly stunning. While Genshin Impact is a single-player game, it still benefits from high refresh rates with fluid movements and quick responsiveness. It's free, but there are optional in-app purchases available as well.

2 Call of Duty: Mobile

If there's a type of game that needs the high-refresh-rate capabilities of modern iPhones more than racing simulators, it's first-person shooters. Thankfully, one of the most popular options, Call of Duty: Mobile, supports 120Hz on compatible iPhones. While the graphics aren't really comparable between the mobile and console versions, the gameplay of this iOS game is actually pretty fun. You even get access to the battle royale mode, and aside from the ill-fated Fortnite, Call of Duty Mobile is the best first-person shooter and battle royale on iOS. Plus, it's completely free, minus optional in-game purchases.