Mid-range and budget smartphones are improving at an unprecedented rate, particularly in terms of performance. Many devices have also introduced support for 90fps gaming in popular games like BGMI, which was previously found only on flagship phones. After testing over 30+ smartphones, we have curated a list of the best phones under Rs 20,000 that support 90fps gaming.
This includes the Realme P3 Pro, Tecno Pova Curve 5G, and the Narzo 70 Turbo. Here’s a detailed comparison of gaming performance, display, and battery life among these three phones to determine which one is best for gaming.
Gaming Performance: Realme P3 Pro leads the pack
For the gaming test, we played BGMI on all three phones. They all have native support for Smooth + Extreme + graphics settings in BGMI, which enables true 90fps gameplay. We played the game for 2 hours straight on each device, which included 2-3 classic matches followed by a few Team Deathmatch (TDM) matches. Here are the results:
The Realme P3 Pro with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset consistently delivered 75-80 fps during gameplay. However, the frame rate dropped to 50fps during close-range fights, but there was no lag. The device achieved an average frame rate of 72fps in our testing. Although it is not close to 90fps, it is highly impressive for a mid-range smartphone.
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate processor. We were getting 70-75 fps in normal situations, and the game felt super smooth. However, in combat situations, we noticed that the frame rate went as low as 40fps. If you are a hardcore gamer who is used to hyper-sensitive gyro aiming, then close-range fights can feel challenging. The average frame rate was 70fps.
The Realme Narzo 70 Turbo features the Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset, which is quite similar to the Dimensity 7300 Ultimate on the Tecno Pova Curve 5G. When there is little action happening in the game, the device delivers 78-82 frames per second. During close-range fights, we observed it going as low as 50fps, but the experience was highly stable.
Based on our testing, the Realme P3 Pro offers the best gaming experience, closest to the 90fps mark. Between the other two, the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo has better stability compared to the Tecno Pova Curve 5G. Tecno’s device is not bad by any means, especially considering the price range, but Realme does it better. We recommend capping the settings to 60fps on the Tecno Pova Curve 5G and keeping it up to 90fps on the Realme P3 Pro and the Narzo 70 Turbo.
Display Comparison: Realme P3 Pro has a clear advantage
Gaming is not just about frame rate, as the display plays a crucial role in your adrenaline-filled experience. Here’s our review of the display panel of each device:
The Realme P3 Pro features a 1.5K resolution AMOLED screen. It also has the slimmest bezels among the three phones on this list. The touch response is excellent, and we did not face any ghost touches or input lag, even while playing BGMI with a four-finger claw control layout.
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G has a Full HD+ AMOLED screen with aggressively curved edges. This design can take a while to get used to, depending on how you grip the phone while gaming. It does not provide any advantage in terms of the field of view in matches.
This screen has a 144Hz refresh rate. While this sounds good for gaming, the max supported frame rate is just 90fps, so there are no real-world benefits of having a 144Hz refresh rate in gaming. The advantage is limited to smoother scrolling in messaging apps and UI navigation. Regarding the touch experience, the Tecno Pova Curve 5G also offers good accuracy. We had no complaints with touch registration on the phone.
The Realme Narzo 70 Turbo also has a Full HD+ OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. In terms of specifications, it is behind the other two phones, but this is not a major problem by any means. The touch accuracy is pretty good. If you compare it side by side, the P3 Pro feels more responsive as it produces higher frame rates.
Battery and Charging: Realme P3 Pro holds its lead
When gaming is a top priority, battery life becomes essential, as it determines how many matches you can play on the go. The time taken to recharge from 0-100% is also important, as it reflects how quickly you can resume your session. We drained each device to 0% and measured the time taken for a full charge using the respective bundled chargers. Here are the results:
- The Realme P3 Pro features the largest battery, boasting a 6000mAh capacity. On a full charge, you can continuously play up to 4-4.5 hours before needing to plug the charger. The device was also the quickest to charge fully, taking just 57 minutes with 80W charging.
- The Tecno Pova Curve 5G has a 5500mAh battery. You can extract a gaming session of up to 4 hours on a full charge. The device takes 1 hour to charge using the stock 45W charger.
- The Realme Narzo 70 Turbo features a comparatively smaller 5000mAh battery capacity. You can expect a single BGMI session to last up to 4 hours. Once the device starts to heat up, the drain also becomes faster, but this is normal for any smartphone.
All three phones provide excellent battery backup for gaming. The Realme P3 Pro has an advantage with its larger capacity and faster charging wattage, and the Tecno Pova Curve 5G and the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo are largely identical.
Verdict
The Realme P3 Pro offers the best gaming experience under Rs 20,000. The base variant starts at Rs 19,999. It produces the highest frame rate and offers the best battery life in gaming, thanks to its specs advantage.
The Tecno Pova Curve starts at Rs 15,999 in India. For that price, it delivers beyond expectations. Although it’s not close to 90fps, you can cap the frame rate at 60fps and enjoy a smooth and stable gaming experience.
The Realme Narzo 70 Turbo is the most affordable device of the lot, starting at just Rs 13,499. It consistently delivers a 75fps in BGMI, which sets high standards in the price-to-performance ratio. This is a dream gaming phone for users on a tight budget.
Between the Tecno Pova Curve and the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo, we recommend the Realme Narzo for its superior gaming stability.
