IMO, If he does love gaming, sell the iPhone and get him a Alienware M11x C2D laptop. It costs 699$ new in the US. All his friends would love it, and it isn't easy to steal. He could use it to skype you as well. 11.6" and 1.8kgs make it portable. It's battery life is similar to an n900.
A laptop will help him a lot with studies - better than a smartphone or tablet.
I've never seen a boy who wouldn't be hugely impressed by an Alienware.