Fortnite is not the most technically demanding game, but it does have its good sides. Smartphone manufacturer OnePlus is keenly aware of this fact and is using Fortnite to demonstrate the power of its new flagships, the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. Both devices can currently run Fortnite at frame rates of up to 90 fps, which is 150% faster than PS4 or Xbox One.

This information comes from a OnePlus press release, in which the company announces a partnership with Epic Games; while the ability to run Fortnite at 90 fps is the most interesting aspect of this statement, the majority of the press release is about Epic Games app and the OnePlus 8's launch in India, with the OnePlus-exclusive "Game Space" app allowing players to install the Epic Games app, from which they can install Fortnite. This is theoretically much easier (and safer) than the multi-step sideloading process required on most Android phones.

Regardless of how gamers install it, the important thing to remember is that Fortnite runs at very high frame rates on the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. On the surface, this is due to the OnePlus 8's powerful specs, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, Adreno 650 GPU, and at least 8GB RAM.

While one cannot compare console and mobile CPUs and GPUs in the same breath, it is worth noting that the PS4 and Xbox One each have 8GB RAM. Smartphone technology has come a long way in the last seven years, and OnePlus' latest device is very powerful even by premium smartphone standards.

However, it will be interesting to see if Fortnite can run at the full 2400 x 1080 resolution while producing 90 fps. In general, reducing resolution is one way to improve frame rates, and the OnePlus 8 device may prioritize smoothness of gameplay over display resolution in order to achieve the 90fps goal. Whether that matters depends on the player, but it may be worth monitoring for those who have both the OnePlus 8 and Fortnite.

While the specs of the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro are ideal for Fortnite, there are still questions about how much it means for Android gaming as a whole. Fortnite is a popular game, but it is also easily playable on almost any platform. There are few other Android games that push the limits of the system in terms of specs, and at this point there is no definitive answer to Apple Arcade, a subscription service that delivers premium games exclusively for iOS.

Still, it's good to know that Android has a device that is so powerful that in some respects it could outperform current gaming consoles. As far as press releases go, OnePlus and Epic state that they are only the "first line of smartphones capable of running Fortnite at 90 fps on the Unreal Engine." This indicates that other high-end devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, may eventually join OnePlus.

Nevertheless, if companies like OnePlus can harness the power of cell phones and offer players an experience they cannot get anywhere else, the world of mobile gaming could become much more interesting. At least, until the PS5 and Xbox Series X are able to open up the water again.