Solo Leveling Arise has become quite popular among fans of the action-RPG genre since its release on May 8, 2024. The game is based on the manwha and anime, Solo Leveling. It follows the journey of Sung Jinwoo, the protagonist, and features impressive anime visuals. As such, you need decently powerful hardware to ensure an acceptable framerate in this title.
However, you don't need to buy a $1,000 phone to play the game. In fact, this title can be enjoyed on budget devices as well, so long as they have a decent chipset inside. This article will rank the five best budget phones for playing Solo Leveling Arise based on their performance.
NOTE: This list is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.
Top budget phones to play Solo Leveling Arise
5) OnePlus Nord N30
Price: $249
The OnePlus Nord N30 is the cheapest device on this list and isn't the most powerful phone out there. It has a Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, which offers average performance and can run this game decently. A YouTube channel, "Ugdt" ran a test on a Snapdragon 695-based phone where Solo Leveling Arise ran at 30+ FPS most of the time with the "Normal" graphics settings applied.
The performance it offers is not the best and far from 60 FPS, but you can play the game on it without any problems. Its chipset is also complemented by 8GB of RAM. Even though the phone has a lower price tag, it is still 5G-capable. Also, the high-capacity battery inside the smartphone allows you to play games for longer sessions on a single charge.
Pros:
- Its CPU performance is decent, and most apps and games on this device run well.
- Its display has a 120Hz refresh rate, allowing smoother navigation through this phone's UI.
- Its battery should last a full day with light use of the phone.
- Its large screen size provides a better perspective when gaming.
Cons:
- 30+ FPS in Solo Leveling Arise may not be enough for everyone.
4) Motorola Moto G Power 2024
Price: $296
The Motorola Moto G Power hardware is quite capable. It has a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 5G chipset, which may not be the fastest can handle this game. The chipset is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, so you shouldn't have any issues when it comes to memory and space.
This smartphone also has a high-capacity 5000mAh battery, so you should be able to play Solo Leveling Arise without worrying about the phone dying. It also supports 30W wired fast charging, which should be able to fully charge the smartphone in around an hour and a half.
Pros:
- Its large display will provide a great viewing experience.
- Its high-capacity battery should provide one-to-two day's worth of battery life.
- With 8GB RAM, multitasking with several apps running in the background won't be an issue.
- Its 120Hz refresh rate should provide a smoother user interface.
Cons:
- You might see some FPS drops and stutters in games, as the GPU in this device is not that powerful.
3) Samsung Galaxy A35
Price: $359
The Samsung A35 ranks in the middle because it costs quite a bit more than the first two smartphones, but the performance gap between this entry and the last two is not that great. It's also worth noting that the Exynos 1380 chipset inside the smartphone doesn't offer the best performance in this price range.
That said, it will run the Solo Leveling Arise slightly better than the last two smartphones. Moreover, it has an admirable camera system. The main shooter is capable of taking some great pictures, and Samsung optimizes them.
Pros:
- Both the main and selfie cameras are satisfactory.
- Its Super AMOLED display of the phone will provide great visuals.
- It has a OneUI user interface and is known for its customization capabilities.
- The phone can be purchased with up to 12GB RAM, which is perfect for people concerned about RAM usage.
Cons:
- The phone is on the costlier side.
2) Google Pixel 7a
Price: $426
The Google Pixel smartphones need no introduction. They are famous for their excellent cameras and stock Android experience, which haven't changed yet. Google's Pixel 7a is a budget device in this series that has the Tensor G2 chipset, an aesthetic design, and more.
Since the Tensor G2 in this phone is the same chipset found in the Pixel 7 series, you get the same level of performance. You will be able to play Solo Leveling Arise at the highest graphical settings with the highest FPS on this device. The game has praiseworthy visuals, which will look better on the OLED display of this phone.
Pros:
- The game looks stunning on its OLED display.
- The Google Tensor G2 ensures excellent performance in Solo Leveling Arise and other games.
- Both the main and selfie cameras should leave little to be desired.
- The battery can last a whole day with light and medium usage.
Cons:
- The phone tends to heat up quite a bit when gaming.
1) Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Price: $429
The iPhone SE 2022 is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of phone. It has huge bezels on the top and bottom that some people just hate. However, others adore its retro design. Regardless of whether you like its aesthetics, this device has one of the most powerful smartphone chipsets.
The Apple A15 Bionic chipset inside this iPhone can not only beat every smartphone on this list but other flagship smartphones as well. However, this product's display and design are its Achilles heel. With just a 4.7-inch screen size, you may find it difficult to play games on this device if you're used to bigger displays.
Pros:
- The Apple A15 Bionic is the best chipset on this list.
- It features a retro design that some people prefer.
- It has a fingerprint sensor, which is practically gone from modern-day iPhones.
- Wireless charging is also available.
Cons:
- It has a small phone with huge bezels.
These are the top five budget phones to play Solo Leveling Arise. Each of them has something unique to offer, so choose one that best suits your requirements. I would recommend the Google Pixel 7a as it offers a flagship experience with the most balanced internal hardware and software capabilities.