YOU can now play Xbox One and PS4 games on almost ANY Android phone thanks to Google Stadia.
The popular game-streaming service is designed to replace traditional consoles, and works on both your PC and mobile.
Launched last year, Google has now expanded the number of smartphones that can use the technology. Stadia still doesn’t work on iPhone, though.
Check out the full list of phones compatible with the service below.
What is Google Stadia?
Google Stadia is a game streaming service that lets you play console-level titles on smartphones and laptops.
Normally, a games console renders graphics on the machine – requiring powerful and expensive hardware.
Stadia renders the graphics on a Google computer and sends them to you over the internet, a bit like Netflix.
It means you can play games on really rubbish devices, including smartphones or the Google Chrome web browser.
The service costs £119, and includes a Chromecast Ultra and three months of access to Stadia Pro’s free library of games.
You can also buy additional games from the Stadia store.
A “free” tier called Stadia Base was added in April that lets you buy your own games to play at 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second.
Google Stadia supported devices – here are the smartphones you can play on
Stadia can be played with a variety of gamepads on a computer, on a TV with a Chromecast Ultra, and on the following mobile devices:
- Pixel 2, 2XL, 3, 3XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4, 4XL
- Samsung S8, S8+, S8 Active, Note 8
- Samsung S9, S9+, Note 9
- Samsung S10, S10+, Note 10, Note 10+
- Samsung S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
- OnePlus 5, 6, 7, 7 Pro, 7 Pro 5G, 8, 8 Pro
- OnePlus 5T, 6T, 7T, 7T Pro, 7T Pro 5G
- Asus ROG Phone, ROG Phone II
- Razer Phone, Razer Phone II
It’s worth remembering that Google plans to add even more devices to these lists over time, so don’t be too disappointed if your mobile isn’t on there yet.
Remember that cloud gaming requires a fast, stable internet connection for the best experience.
Try to reduce the number of other gadgets connected to your WiFi when you play for a better connection.
How to get Google Stadia
You can download the Google Stadia app by heading to the Google Play Store.
Once downloaded, create an account and sign in. Remember, there’s now a free tier that charges you no monthly fee (though you still pay for games).
Open settings, tap “Experiments,” and then toggle “Play on this device.”
You can even connect a controller to your smartphone for a more traditional gaming experience. More on that on Google’s website here.
