Your iPhone: The Next Nintendo Switch? We Put It to the Test


Your iPhone: The Next Nintendo Switch? We Put It to the Test

Apple's Shocking Announcement

Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and it came with a surprising feature that caught everyone off guard. The tech giant claims that this smartphone is capable of running big-budget games that are typically reserved for modern consoles and high-end PCs.

Resident Evil Village on the iPhone

In order to put this claim to the test, we decided to try out one of the biggest games currently available on the iPhone: Resident Evil Village. This game, originally developed for the PS4, seemed like the perfect starting point for our gaming experiment.

Improvements Over Previous Attempts

Previously, we tried playing Resident Evil Village on the iPad Pro, but we were left disappointed due to issues like battery draining, lag, and overheating. However, when we played the game on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, we noticed significant improvements in these areas. Although the battery still drained quickly, the heating issue was much better thanks to the titanium shell that distributes heat more effectively.

Graphics and Performance

One notable advantage of playing Resident Evil Village on the iPhone was the ability to use more graphical options without straining the device. We found that the game ran better at a stable 30fps, especially during shooting sequences. However, the smaller screen size (6.7 inches) was a major downside compared to other handheld gaming devices like the Portal, Steam Deck, or Switch OLED.

The Challenge of Touchscreen Controls

While using touchscreen controls on the iPhone, your hands cover a significant portion of the screen, which can be frustrating. On the other hand, using a controller makes the screen feel too small. An accessory like the Backbone can help with this issue, but it needs to be purchased separately.

An Unexpectedly Strong Performer

Despite our reservations, we were pleasantly surprised by how well the iPhone 15 Pro Max handled a high-end game like Resident Evil Village. Although it may require staying near a power source, we are curious to see how it fares against other gaming powerhouses on the market today.

If you're interested in comparing the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the iPad Pro, be sure to check out our full Resident Evil Village iOS review. And if you want to see how current-gen games play on another recent handheld, don't miss our PlayStation Portal review.