Key Takeaways
1. Mobile gaming on Apple devices is growing, with popular PC and console games like Red Dead Redemption and Tomb Raider being adapted for iOS and iPadOS.
2. Tomb Raider will launch on Apple devices on February 12, 2026, featuring various graphical settings and performance modes optimized for different iPhone and iPad models.
3. Performance modes aim for different frame rates: 30 FPS in Battery Saver mode, 60 FPS on newer iPhones, and up to 120 FPS on certain iPad Pro models, with some limitations due to thermal issues.
4. Older devices like the iPhone XS are limited to Graphics and Battery Saver modes, maintaining stable performance but with lower resolutions and frame rates.
5. The performance of Tomb Raider on iOS is compared to other platforms, showing how newer iPad Pro models can achieve higher frame rates and better stability during gameplay.
Mobile gaming on Apple devices has seen a significant rise recently, with many well-known PC and console games being released on iOS and iPadOS. Among the notable titles is Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption, which has been adapted for iPhones and iPads. This was soon followed by the open-world game Where Winds Meet, which launched on iPhone, iPad, and certain high-end Android devices.
Tomb Raider’s Mobile Launch
In a similar vein, another classic series is transitioning to mobile, as Tomb Raider is set to be released on Apple devices on February 12, 2026. This marks another instance of major gaming experiences moving to mobile platforms. Popular YouTuber MrMacRight, who has previously reviewed high-end games on iPhones and iPads, has provided an early preview of Tomb Raider’s performance on these devices.
Performance and Graphics Settings
In his video, the creator notes that the iOS and iPadOS versions of Tomb Raider offer various graphical settings and post-processing features. The Battery Saver mode limits performance to 30 FPS, while the Graphics preset aims for 30 FPS but can achieve up to 40 FPS on certain iPad Pro models like the A12X, A12Z, M1, and M2. The performance mode seeks to reach 60 FPS on iPhone 11 and newer models, with the M4 and M5 iPad Pro variants potentially hitting 120 FPS. The game also features a built-in benchmark tool and does not use dynamic resolution scaling, as Feral Interactive has mentioned CPU-related performance limitations.
Gameplay Experience on Different Devices
As per MrMacRight, in Performance mode, Tomb Raider runs at a lower internal resolution of 2151 × 990 on the iPhone 17 Pro Max and 1482 × 683 on the iPhone 15 Pro while aiming for 60 FPS. He reports that the iPhone 17 Pro Max maintains a stable 60 FPS throughout extended gaming sessions without noticeable throttling, while the iPhone 15 Pro experiences occasional frame rate drops in more demanding scenes due to thermal buildup.
The YouTuber further explains that in Performance mode, the iPhone 12 Pro can achieve 60 FPS during lighter scenes but heats up quickly and experiences more frequent performance drops, reaching a “serious” thermal state almost immediately after starting the game. In Graphics mode, the iPhone 17 Pro Max targets native resolution at a locked 30 FPS, using about 1.5 GB of RAM. The absence of a 120 FPS option on these iPhones is attributed to frame-time constraints, as maintaining such frame rates would require frame times of around 8 ms or less, which were not observed, suggesting that pushing for higher frame rates could lead to throttling.
Older Devices and Performance Testing
On older iPhones like the iPhone XS, classified as vintage by Apple, Tomb Raider is restricted to Graphics and Battery Saver modes, with no access to Performance mode. In Graphics mode, the game runs at a resolution of 1632 × 753, generally maintaining a stable 30 FPS, although some scenes may cause frame drops. Despite having 4 GB of RAM, peak memory usage stays below 1 GB, indicating stable performance on the A12 chipset.
Meanwhile, on the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro, MrMacRight observes that Tomb Raider operates in Performance mode at an internal resolution of 1621 × 1117, supporting frame rates up to 120 FPS. He reports that this device maintains stable 120 FPS during long gameplay sessions and benchmark tests without any noticeable throttling.
Comparisons and Further Testing
The creator also mentions that older M-series iPad Pro models, including the M1, usually target 60 FPS in Performance mode, with an optional Performance Plus setting that reduces resolution for better frame rates. In Graphics mode, M4 and M5 iPad Pro models run the game at native resolution aiming for 60 FPS, while older models operate at 40 FPS, maintaining stable performance even in graphically intense scenes.
MrMacRight also compares how Tomb Raider performs on iOS with its performance on Mac, PS3, PS4, and Switch 2, and examines how the game runs on the M3 iPad Air. For a detailed look at the mobile performance of the game, you can check out the full video linked below.
MrMacRight via YouTube
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