For most Arknights Endfield players, PC client is the best main platform, native mobile is ideal for short daily sessions, and emulators are a niche option if your PC can’t run the official client or you want keymapping-only play. A hybrid setup (PC for heavy play, phone for dailies) is currently the most recommended way to play Endfield.
PC Client – Best Overall Experience
- Performance and visuals:
- Mid–high range PCs can hold 60–120+ FPS on High–Very High with better textures, shadows, and effects than mobile.
- DLSS support on NVIDIA cards keeps even dense factory hubs and big fights smooth.
- Controls and AIC:
- Keyboard/mouse or controller gives precise camera and cursor control, making AIC base-building and conveyor layout much easier than on touch.
- When to prefer PC:
- Long sessions, story marathons, Umbral/late-game pushes, and serious factory optimization.
Verdict: Use PC as your primary if you have a mid-range or better machine.
Native Mobile – Best for Portability
- Performance:
- Flagship phones (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 / A15 and newer) handle 60 FPS on Medium–High with occasional dips; mid-range devices are happier at 30 FPS on Low–Medium.
- Pros:
- Full game experience anywhere; strong touch optimization for combat; great for quick Sanity dumps and dailies.
- Cons:
- Battery drain and heat on long sessions; AIC base editing is functional but less precise and more fatiguing than on PC.
Verdict: Best secondary platform for commuting and 20-minute daily routines.
Android Emulators – Niche but Useful
- What emulators offer:
- PC-like experience for the mobile client: keyboard/mouse support, multi-instance tools, and no phone battery concerns.
- Drawbacks:
- Performance and stability vary by emulator and PC hardware, with more crashes and input issues reported than the native PC client.
- Some players report better results just lowering graphics on the official PC version instead of using emulators.
Verdict: Use only if your PC cannot run the native client smoothly or if you specifically want classic Android tooling; otherwise, native PC is superior.
Recommended Setup by Player Type
- Has a decent PC and modern phone:
- Best: PC for story/AIC/endgame; mobile for dailies and farming via cross-save.
- Only strong phone, weak PC:
- Focus on native mobile, cap FPS at 30–60 and lower graphics to manage heat; skip emulators unless you test and find a stable setup.
- Low-end hardware on both:
- Try PC client on Low at 30 FPS first; if unplayable, fall back to mobile on Low/30 and keep sessions short to avoid throttling.
Overall, the “PC main + mobile side” approach gives the smoothest, least frustrating Endfield experience while still letting you keep up on Talos-II when away from your desk.