7 “Budget Beast” Phones That Can Run Call of Duty Mobile at 60FPS

In 2026, a major part of the gaming scene is moving from console gaming to mobile gaming. This is not because gamers are switching their interests from multi-player online games to Candy Crush Saga, but, thanks to 5G connection and powerful mobile phone chips, gamers are now able to play heavy console games on their smartphones. With the right smartphone and a good internet connection, you no longer have to have a solid computer or a gaming console. You can now easily play Call of Duty on your phone.

Of course, you’d need a specific type of phone that, naturally, has 5G connection, and a beast of a chip to be able to render the graphics of the game. You might think that, with such premium specs, you’d need to spend a fortune on the mobile, and it would make more sense to get a PC than to pay over £1000 on a flagship such as an Apple iPhone Pro or the latest Samsung Galaxy S phone. While this is correct, there is an alternative that allows you to get the superior performance from a smartphone to be able to play heavy games on it without it costing a fortune. 

In this post, we’re bringing you 7 budget-friendly beast phones that can run Call of Duty at 60fps!

Lag: The Gamers’ Arch-Enemy

Any gamer knows that instant responses from the device you’re playing on isn’t just a desirable feature; it’s the difference between victory and respawning. This is why, despite games like Call of Duty being available on mobile for years now, many still prefer to play them on PCs and consoles to avoid the lag monster that turns what should be an enjoyable time into pure frustration. 

There are mainly 3 types of lag that gamers face, and you definitely want ot avoid when deciding to pick a mobile phone for gaming: 

• Network lag: ًwhen playing an online game, you’re connecting to the game server for the entirety of the time you’re playing. If you’re on a slow connection, data will take longer to transmit between your device and the game server. This is why you must choose a 5G smartphone.  
• Input lag: When you touch the screen or click a mouse, a response should occur within the game instantly. If there’s even a millisecond of delay, that’s input latency, and this is caused by the age or quality of your device’s hardware. 
• Graphics lag: This is one of the most important aspects of gaming, which is the GPU’s power to render the game’s graphics. And this is why you need a 60fps (frames per second) in your phone if you’re going to use it for gaming. 

To avoid all 3 types of lag while playing CoD Mobile, you need a flagship-level processor. However, with the prices of flagships like Apple’s Pro and Pro Max iPhones and Samsung’s S series Plus and Ultra versions, it seems like an excessive amount of money. 

Luckily, a flagship remains a flagship even after 2-3 years of its launch, meaning that it would still have its superior chip, whether Snapdragon 888 or an A15 Bionic, for example. You can get a refurbished flagship in excellent or even good condition and pay a mid-range price for it. From the right refurbisher, you’ll get the same performance with only cosmetic defects that can be easily covered with a cool-looking phone case.

The 7 Budget “Beast” Mobile Phone Picks

Since we’ve narrowed the gaming phone requirements to a powerful chip with a reliable GPU and a strong internet/data connection, preferably 5G, let’s look at the options that you can choose from. Buying any of these smartphones refurbished will help you stay on budget and get premium/flagship performance for your gaming time. All of our picks also support 5G connectivity. So, if you’re gaming on data during a commute, you’re all set!

1. The Gold Standard: iPhone 13

While the baseline iPhone 13 is not a “flagship” in its lineup, it still has the Bionic A15 chip and the reliable Apple GPU that makes it perfect for playing heavy games at entry-level specs without any lag or heating up. 

2. The Modern Workhorse: iPhone 14

If you’re willing to afford a little bit of a higher price tag, the refurbished iPhone 14 should be your choice. It has the same powerful A15 Bionic chip but with a 5-core GPU instead of a 4-core in the iPhone 13, and it has 2GB of extra RAM space.

3. The “Pro” Bargain: Google Pixel 8 Pro

The refurbished Pixel 8 Pro features Google’s Tensor G3, which is optimized for AI and photo editing. This means amazing processing power for high-demand processor games. Combined with a 120Hz refresh rate in the display, the responsiveness of this phone while playing is incredible. 

4. The High-Spec Hero: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The UK’s version of the Galaxy S21 Ultra has the legendary Snapdragon 888, powered by a huge 5000mAh battery. This means that you can play at 60fps for hours without thinking of a charger!

5. The Compact Juggernaut: Samsung Galaxy S22

With the Galaxy S series in general, you can always be sure of the chip performance. The S22 gives you a jump in GPU power that allows you to run your game at maximum graphics settings without sacrificing your frame rate lock. 

6. The Competitive Pick: iPhone 13 Pro

This is the middle-ground option with true flagship flavour. With this model, you get the A15 bionic chip plus a 120Hz refresh rate in the display. For games like Call of Duty, the iPhone 13 Pro’s ProMotion feature immediately raises the display quality to double from the standard 60fps, which results in higher precision in your phone’s input responsiveness.

7. The Thermal Champion: Samsung Galaxy S23

In addition to having the consistent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that gives priority to raw graphic power, making it the perfect choice for gaming, the Galaxy S23 is famously known for its thermal efficiency. This means speed, better rendering, and without overheating, even when you run the game at its highest settings. 

Premium Performance at Mid-Range Prices

While the prices of these smartphones in a brand-new condition may be high, opting for the refurbished devices will give you the same performance while saving you a small fortune that you can spend on games if you wish. 

Choosing where you buy your refurbished gaming phone plays a huge part in your experience with the mobile itself later. The seller must be transparent about the condition of the phone and offer sufficient guarantees, warranty, and return policies to protect the condition of the phone and your right to repair, replace, or return it if you’re not satisfied with the performance.

Choose a reliable refurbished that is well-established in the UK market, such as QwikFone. They have a wide selection of refurbished phones from flagships to premium baseline models that you can find in excellent, near-new condition, and you can pay in installments as well. 

Conclusion: High-Quality Gaming on a Budget IS Possible

In mobile gaming, the frame rate is the most important factor, but it depends on several variables. Once you recognize those variables and know how to find them in different smartphone models, you are no longer stuck in the mindset of having to spend over £1000 to have a decent gaming phone. 

Equipped with the knowledge of what specs you need and which refurbished seller to trust, you have found your smartphone gaming paradise, where you can have the best gaming experience for £500 or even less for the options on our list!

This list cuts the search process for you and saves you time, energy, and even money. You now know which mobile phone to get and where to get it. All you have to do is order it!