In a recent interview with IGN, an Apple executive boldly claimed that the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro would be “the best game console.” Initially skeptical, I questioned whether Apple’s claims about the device’s gaming capabilities would hold up in practice. However, after seeing footage of the highly-anticipated game Resident Evil Village running on an iPhone 15 Pro, I must admit that Apple’s vision may not be as far-fetched as I initially believed.
YouTuber Vincent Zhong showcased the game in a video, starting at the 13:48 mark. Zhong first played Village on the iPhone 15 Pro using a mobile game controller attachment, and the gameplay footage looked surprisingly decent. However, what truly impressed me was when Zhong connected the phone to an external display and a DualSense controller. In his video, Resident Evil Village appeared remarkably close to the graphical quality of the game on a traditional gaming console.
Admittedly, it is unlikely that the iPhone 15 Pro’s gaming experience will be an exact match for a dedicated gaming console. According to the captions in Zhong’s video, the game’s resolution is locked at 1560 x 720, and the framerate is currently capped at 30fps. Zhong himself acknowledged that the screen mirroring effect is not as good as on the phone, and definitely not as good as the original effect on a game console.
Nonetheless, the idea of plugging your iPhone into a monitor to enjoy console-quality games on a larger screen is undoubtedly appealing. This feature could be particularly useful while traveling or when away from your main gaming setup. The true test will come when the final versions of iOS ports like Village, Resident Evil 4, and Death Stranding are released. Only then will we be able to determine just how good these games can be on the iPhone 15 Pro and whether developers will be convinced to bring more console-quality games to the platform. Nevertheless, my level of intrigue and curiosity about this venture has increased significantly since last week.
Apple’s focus on higher-end gaming extends beyond the iPhone 15 Pro and encompasses its other products as well. For instance, Apple recently introduced a Proton-like tool for Macs, which enables the system to run Windows games. While I remain hopeful that this tool will expand the gaming options available on my MacBook Air, in the meantime, I look forward to diving into games like Baldur’s Gate 3, now that it will be compatible with Mac.
In conclusion, although I initially had doubts about the iPhone 15 Pro’s potential as a gaming device, the recent demonstration of Resident Evil Village on the phone has certainly piqued my interest. While there are limitations regarding resolution and framerate, the ability to connect the iPhone to an external display and enjoy console-like gaming experiences is undeniably intriguing. I eagerly anticipate the release of other console-quality games on the platform and the realization of Apple’s gaming vision. With their continued focus on high-quality gaming experiences across their product range, I can’t help but be excited about the future of gaming on Apple devices.
