One of the key factors in the popularity of online games on smartphones is their accessibility. Most of them are distributed for free (free-to-play) with the ability to make in-game purchases to accelerate progress or purchase cosmetic improvements. This allows anyone to try the game online play without incurring any upfront costs.
The development of mobile technologies such as improved processors and graphics accelerators has led to modern smartphones being able to run games with graphics previously available only on PCs and consoles. This, in turn, attracts more and more developers to create high-quality mobile games.
The social aspect also plays an important role. Many online games offer the opportunity to interact with other players, form teams, compete in ratings, and chat. This creates a sense of community and helps to retain players.