Gaming on a budget phone? These 5 FPS titles run smooth even on patchy networks

Finding a first-person shooter that does not lag on a mid-range device or rapidly exhaust monthly data remains a challenge for Indian gamers. Players using smartphones priced between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000, often reliant on inconsistent network connectivity, require titles optimised for Indian network and hardware conditions rather than graphically heavy ports that drain battery within minutes. The following five FPS games currently available in India balance competitive gameplay with practical performance.

Top 5 Best Mobile FPS Games in 2026 For Budget Phones

Critical Ops

At approximately 600MB, Critical Ops is the lightest competitive FPS on the list. Its 5v5 defuse mode focuses purely on gunplay, avoiding battle royale elements and vehicles. The 2026 competitive roadmap includes India-focused tournaments, and its netcode is reported to handle 100ms ping more effectively than several larger AAA ports. The title is suited to older devices running Android 8 and above, with 3GB RAM considered viable. Battery consumption during extended sessions is noticeably lower compared with BGMI.

Standoff

For players seeking CS:GO-style gunplay without waiting for Valorant Mobile, Standoff 2 offers a 1.2GB download and the option to play offline against bots, a feature uncommon in online shooters and useful in areas such as Delhi Metro network dead zones. The in-game economy system, defuse maps and recoil patterns require player skill, with no reliance on auto-aim assistance.

The game maintains active Indian communities hosting regular tournaments. It runs consistently on 4GB RAM devices and uses minimal background data when not downloading cosmetic items.

Call of Duty: Mobile

Players using higher-end chipsets such as Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Dimensity 9000 series processors, commonly found in premium OnePlus, iQOO and upper-tier Redmi Note devices, may find Call of Duty: Mobile to be the most polished FPS currently available. The gunsmith system adds tactical depth, and ranked multiplayer modes are regarded as more skill-oriented than battle royale variants.

The game requires stable WiFi or 5G connectivity, as 4G users may experience desynchronisation issues in Search & Destroy modes. Storage requirements are significant, ranging between 8GB and 10GB with all resources downloaded.

Garena Free Fire Max

Second on the list is Garena Free Fire Max. While BGMI can struggle on 3GB RAM devices, Free Fire Max is designed with India’s entry-level smartphone market in mind. Matches typically last 10 to 12 minutes, suited to short commutes, and the installation size of around 800MB limits storage strain. The Max version enhances visuals while maintaining stable 50 to 60 FPS performance on MediaTek Helio G-series processors common in ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 phones.

Garena Free Fire Max – #2 in 5 Best Mobile FPS Games in 2026

The game hosts dedicated Indian esports tournaments with Hindi commentary. Data usage is estimated at 15 to 20MB per match, considerably lower than BGMI’s 35 to 40MB.

Battlegrounds Mobile India

Battlegrounds Mobile India remains a leading mobile FPS title in 2026. Following its return after a ban, developer Krafton optimised the game specifically for Indian users. It now runs at 60 FPS on Snapdragon 7-series chipsets and above, with the Smooth graphics setting combined with Ultra frame rate widely used in competitive 4v4 Team Deathmatch modes to maintain lower latency.

Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) – #1 in 5 Best Mobile FPS Games in 2026
The initial download size stands at around 1.9GB, although monthly updates can range from 500MB to 1GB. The game functions on 4GB RAM devices, though users may encounter longer loading times.

This list is not definitive and should be considered indicative rather than absolute, as player priorities differ.

The mobile FPS landscape is expected to shift further, with Rainbow Six Mobile and Valorant Mobile targeting 2026 launches. Should either title successfully translate its PC pedigree while adapting to Indian infrastructure and audience demands, rankings may change rapidly. For now, however, the above games continue to deliver stable performance under present conditions.

First Published on February 21, 2026, 12:18:17 IST

Gaming on a budget phone? These 5 FPS titles run smooth even on patchy networks

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