It is no surprise that the wider entertainment industry, especially the branches that rely heavily on the latest technological breakthroughs and innovations, leads in most statistics and records.
Video games used to be a niche hobby a few decades ago, but today, the market they belong to is one of the most lucrative and fastest-growing across the board.
While it may have originally started with arcades and then moved onto home computers and gaming consoles, today, in the year 2026, it is all about mobile devices.
Thanks to smartphones and tablets, the gaming industry has undergone one of the biggest revolutions ever, one that is still going strong with no apparent end in sight.
It has been so significant, in fact, that mobile gaming now outpaces any other form of gaming, despite often being described as “not real gaming” or as games that are looked down upon by fans of “true” console (PS, Xbox, Nintendo) and PC gamers.
Be that as it may, the facts remain, and some of the best form of gaming is done on phones. With that in mind, in this detailed guide, we tackle the best games to play on your mobile phone or tablet in 2026, be it an Android or an iOS device.
From legendary classics and adapted games from other devices, to novelty concepts and games that offer something more, like Stake slot games, the offer is never-ending.
If you are often on the go, whether commuting on public transport with a couple of hours to kill every day or often traveling with significant downtime at stations and airports, these titles are the absolute best way to make the time pass by more quickly.
And, who knows, maybe you will become an actual mobile gamer? Who says mobiles are just for out-of-home entertainment? Think of them as a portable console, and you can unlock a whole new way of fun.
Subway Surfers
Subway Surfers is a groundbreaking endless runner that has defined mobile gaming for over a decade. Launched in 2012 by SYBO Games and Kiloo, the core gameplay sees players sprinting across subway tracks, dodging trains and barriers while grabbing coins and power-ups with intuitive swipe controls.
What makes the title special is its relentless pace, vibrant cartoon aesthetic, and constant seasonal “World Tour” updates that refresh environments around the globe, keeping the experience continually engaging.
It has become the most downloaded mobile game ever, exceeding 4.5 billion downloads by 2025, with huge monthly active user numbers.
A follow up, Subway Surfers City, will expand the franchise with new modes and mechanics on February 26, 2026, while the original has also inspired an Apple Arcade spin off, Subway Surfers Tag.
Best for casual gamers who enjoy quick reflex challenges and short sessions, its simple yet addictive design has cemented it as a timeless mobile classic.
Almost a decade and a half removed from the original release, it seems like the best is yet to come for the franchise. Make sure to download and try the new version when it comes out.
Candy Crush Saga
When it launched in 2012 from King, the game turned match-three puzzles into a cultural phenomenon. The easy-to-understand formula involves players swapping colorful candies to align three or more identical pieces, which is combined with level objectives within limited moves.
This accessible mechanic, paired with steadily escalating difficulty and charming visuals, makes it perfect for players of all ages and skill levels, especially those who enjoy strategy under constraint or quick bursts of brain-teasing fun.
Candy Crush Saga helped pioneer the freemium model on mobile. The revenue once reached nearly $500 million in a quarter, and the franchise achieved over $20 billion in lifetime earnings.
With more than 2.7 billion downloads and numerous sequels and spinoffs like Candy Crush Soda Saga, Jelly Saga, and Friends Saga, it remains one of the most enduring puzzle games on phones.
Its constant level updates also make it ideal for long-term players who enjoy ongoing challenges and social competition through shared lives and leaderboards. And, as the memes like to point out, it has turned moms, aunties, and grammas into passionate gamers!
Angry Birds
The classic game franchise revolutionized mobile gaming with its debut in late 2009, taking a simple physics-based slingshot mechanic and turning it into a global hit that is now a whole entertainment franchise in its own right.
Players launch stylized birds from a slingshot to topple structures and defeat mischievous green pigs, each bird type offering unique abilities that deepen gameplay strategy.
The original game’s charm and accessibility helped the series collectively surpass 3 billion downloads by the mid-2010s, and its influence extends far beyond mobile, spawning Hollywood movies, series, and vast merchandise.
While many early titles were removed from app stores, classics such as Rovio Classics: Angry Birds and newer puzzle variants (Angry Birds Journey) keep the brand alive. A full sequel, Angry Birds 2, added leaderboard challenges and deeper mechanics in 2015.
The franchise appeals to players who appreciate clever level design, physics puzzles, and a lighthearted art style. The cultural impact is evident in nominations like the World Video Game Hall of Fame. Even with the design changes and a graphical overhaul, the game remains as classic as ever.
Jetpack Joyride
This OG is an action packed endless runner from Halfbrick Studios that debuted in 2011 and remains a favorite for fans of high octane arcade fun.
Players control Barry Steakfries as he blasts through a hazardous lab on a jetpack that is actually a gun, dodging lasers and missiles, collecting coins, and activating quirky vehicles in a side-scrolling adventure as he is propelled.
The game’s simple one-touch controls make it instantly approachable, while its missions and unlockable gadgets provide depth for completionists and speedrunners alike.
With over 750 million players and ports to many platforms, Jetpack Joyride has cemented its place as a staple of mobile gaming.
Its follow up, Jetpack Joyride 2, brings updated graphics, refined mechanics, new jetpacks and powerups, and new challenges, for a fresh but familiar experience for returning players.
This title is best for gamers who love reflex-based play, quick restarts, and continuous progression through unlockables and missions, making it feel both nostalgic and modern.
It feels very engaging and satisfying to control the character, and with a unique art style, graphics, and audio, it is sure to be your new favorite.
Brawl Stars
The fast-paced mobile MOBA from Supercell was released in late 2018. It combines short, dynamic matches with deep character variety and strategy in a genre-bending example of complete mobile fun.
Players choose from a large roster of unlockable fighters called Brawlers, each with unique attacks, abilities, and upgrade paths, and compete in diverse modes like Brawl Ball, Showdown, and objective-based team battles.
Matches typically last only a few minutes, making it ideal for casual play sessions, yet the depth of team coordination and character mastery also appeals to competitive gamers. If you like League of Legends or Dota 2, this is the perfect mobile game for you.
Brawl Stars has been downloaded over 500 million times worldwide and continues to attract millions of players monthly, with active player counts and downloads remaining strong into 2026.
Its monetization through cosmetic skins, seasonal Brawl Passes, and ongoing updates keeps the experience fresh, with new Brawlers and events added regularly to expand the offer and keep things fresh. What makes Brawl Stars special is how it blends quick, thrilling PvP action with accessible controls and a constantly evolving meta.
It is perfect for both quick bursts of play and long-term progression, and is popular among different age groups, from middle schoolers to adults.
Clash of Clans
Another familiar, long-running title, Clash of Clans, is one of the most influential mobile strategy games of all time. Also launched by Supercell, it predates Brawl Stars by 6 years, releasing in 2012 and still thriving almost a decade and a half later.
The core gameplay places you in charge of building and managing a fantasy village, gathering resources like gold and elixir, constructing defenses, training troops, and launching attacks on other players’ bases.
The strategic aspect of the game deepens with Clans, social groups of up to 50 players that can engage in cooperative Clan Wars, donate troops, and work toward shared goals, fostering a strong community aspect along the way.
The game has been downloaded over 2 billion times so far, making it one of the most widely played mobile games ever, and it continues to be a top-grossing title years after release.
Clash of Clans stands out for its long-term progression and strategic depth that rewards careful planning and tactics rather than quick reflexes, which many modern games focus on.
Therefore, it appeals especially to players who enjoy base building, resource management, and competitive clan play, and who are methodical with their entertainment.
It remains popular through high-profile collaborations, cross-events, and cultural tie-ins, demonstrating how Clash of Clans remains relevant well into 2026.
PUBG Mobile
Last but not least, one of the most popular video games of all time, mobile style. PUBG Mobile is one of the most influential and widely played mobile games ever that brought large scale battle royale gameplay to phones when it launched globally in 2018.
In each match, up to 100 players parachute onto a vast map, scavenge for weapons and gear, and fight to be the last person or team standing as the play area steadily shrinks.
Its tense survival loop, realistic gunplay, and tactical movement set it apart from more arcade-style shooters. The title is especially appealing to competitive players and fans of military style action that usually play on PC or consoles.
The game surpassed 1 billion downloads worldwide and has generated several billion dollars in revenue, becoming a cornerstone of mobile esports with major international tournaments and leagues.
PUBG Mobile has expanded through multiple maps, ranked seasons, and crossover events, while also spawning versions and successors like PUBG: New State.
What makes it special is how successfully it delivers console-like scale and intensity on mobile, offering deep strategy, teamwork, and high replay value even years after its debut, while showing how capable mobile devices are and that they should be equal to PCs and consoles.
Mobile Gaming Facts and Trivia
- Mobile gaming revenue is massive
The global mobile games market is projected to be worth around $387 billion in 2026, continuing the explosive growth year over year and dominating the wider industry.
- Mobile dominates the gaming world
Mobile gaming accounts for over half (between 52% and 55%) of total global video game revenue by 2026, outpacing both PC and console segments. Simply put, there are more phones out there than any other tech.
- Billions of players
There are approximately between 3.3 and 3.6 billion mobile gamers worldwide by the fiscal 2025/2026, making it the largest gaming audience ever. Everyone is a potential user, as opposed to consoles and personal computers.
- Immense engagement
Global mobile gamers spend trillions of hours playing each year, with sessions and overall playtime growing annually as engagement deepens.
- In app purchases rule
About 77% of mobile game revenue comes from in app purchases, and hybrid monetization (ads + IAP + subscriptions) continues to spread as developers chase higher lifetime value.
- Downloads are fewer but deeper
Installs have actually seen a dip in recent years, and are down 7% to roughly 49 billion. Yet, session length and retention have improved, reflecting more dedicated players and mobile-only gamers.
- Asia Pacific is king
The Asia Pacific region leads mobile gaming revenue globally, contributing more than half of total earnings thanks to huge player bases in China, India, and Southeast Asia. While it is the most populous region in the world, it also shows dominance in mobile culture over the West.
- Casual genre leads, and RPGs earn big
Casual games dominate downloads with nearly 60% of all installs. On the other hand, strategy and RPG titles generate some of the highest in-app spending among genres.
- Market share by platform
On mobile, Android holds about 68% of the market, with iOS at around 32%. However, iOS players still typically spend more per user on games. This is also in line with the general share difference between Android and Apple devices themselves.
- Iconic mobile hits continue huge runs
Games like Monopoly Go!, Honor of Kings, Roblox, PUBG Mobile, Candy Crush Saga, Subway Surfers, and Free Fire remain among the highest-grossing and most downloaded titles in all of gaming, not just mobile. It shows the staying power of both legacy hits and newer blockbusters.
