Minecraft 1.21 is releasing today (June 13, 2024), and fans can't contain themselves since it brings a ton of new content for players to explore and enjoy. This update has the Tricky Trials content, bringing massive changes to the game's combat, aesthetics, and exploration. With every update, the game becomes a bit more taxing on hardware, and not every phone may play it smoothly.
This article lists a few phones that can play Minecraft 1.21 smoothly without any issues.
Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.
Best phones to buy for Minecraft 1.21
1) Pixel 8a
Price: $499
The newly released Pixel 8a is a smaller version of the standard Pixel 8 and has almost the same internal hardware. The camera hardware is also similar, and the images captured with it are among the best.
This smartphone is powered by a flagship processor with enough performance to smoothly run some of the most graphically intensive games. Therefore, you can expect stellar performance in Minecraft 1.21.
Pros
- It has the fastest processor on this list.
- Flagship-level camera performance.
- It has an ergonomic design.
Cons
- The phone heats up significantly under load.
2) Nothing Phone (2a)
Price: $439
The Nothing Phone (2a) became highly popular among budget users as it delivers fascinating internal hardware and features for a budget price tag of just $439. It delivers excellent gaming performance and is available in 8GB and 12GB RAM variants.
While 12GB isn't needed for Minecraft, other games or programs might, but it's good to have the option. The new Minecraft 1.21 update will run smoothly without any issues.
Pros
- It has a large display that players will love.
- Its performance will satisfy most users.
- The images from the cameras look decent.
Cons
- Some games are not optimized for MediaTek chips.
3) Samsung Galaxy A55
Price: $359
The Samsung Galaxy A55 is the company's best mid-ranger for 2024, and the phone lives up to the company's reputation. It's perfect for those on a budget and provides satisfying performance.
It has a new processor with higher clock speeds and can easily provide a smooth gaming experience in Minecraft 1.21. The new update will have no issues running on this phone.
Pros
- It has a unique Glyph lighting side on the rear panel.
- The phone has a great performance and thermals.
- The cameras are tuned to their perfection and take great photos.
Cons
- The charging speed is slower than other phones in the same price range.
4) Redmi Note 13 Pro
Price: $294
The Redmi Note 13 Pro from Xiaomi is among the best phone under $300 mark. It has well-balanced specs from the display to the battery. It may have a lower price tag, but its processor will still go toe-to-toe with more expensive phones.
The gaming performance is excellent and will satisfy Minecraft fans. It also has a large battery to back up the gaming performance, and you will be able to play games for hours with a fully charged battery.
Pros
- It has a great performance in gaming without any overheating.
- Its battery performance is stellar.
- It has the fastest charging speed on this list.
Cons
- It may not be available in every region.
5) Motorola Moto G54
Price: $187
The Motorola Moto G54 comes with a MediaTek processor, which has surprisingly great performance and can easily handle all your gaming needs. It can comfortably run the new Minecraft 1.21 update without any issues.
It is available under the $200 mark and will deliver a satisfying experience for the price. Its camera setup is limited, but the pictures are decent and perfectly usable for social media.
Pros
- It has a decent performance for the price tag.
- Its battery will last for a full day effortlessly.
- It has the best price-to-performance ratio.
Cons
- The display is IPS, which could be a dealbreaker for some users.
These are the five best phones you must buy if you want to play the upcoming Minecraft 1.21 Tricky Trials update smoothly. They come at different price points and offer something unique to the user. I would recommend the Samsung Galaxy A55. It offers the best balance between the performance, battery, and pricing.