Best Gaming Phones 2022

As mobile phones have become increasingly smaller yet more powerful, on-the-go gaming has blossomed. Whether that’s in the form of emulation, cloud game streaming, or native Android and iOS gaming, the trend of mobile video games continues. But to get the best experience out of your handset, you’ll want an appropriate gadget. Check out the best gaming phones in 2022!

Read: Infinix GT 10 Pro Review

Best Overall Gaming Phone in 2022 – Red Magic 7 Pro

The Red Magic 7 Pro is an outstanding gaming phone. It sports a beefy Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor that’s paired with 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. Games and videos look stunning on its gorgeous 6.8-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that provides buttery smooth tapping and scrolling.

A generous 5000mAh battery keeps you juiced up on the go, plus its 65W quick charge capabilities let you recharge in no time. Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 5G offer blazing-fast mobile data speeds. Additionally, the Red Magic 7 Pro packs USB-C with display output support for playing Android games on monitors, TVs, or projectors.

Its bevy of purpose-built gaming amenities sets the Red Magic 7 Pro apart. A solid cooling system with a fan keeps the device cool under load. Software features like a screen recorder and fan speed control provide ample system settings specifically engineered for gaming. Even the onboard stereo speakers are rich and bass-filled.

In tests, the Red Magic 7 Pro clocked 60 frames per second (FPS) in Genshin Impact at very high. Call of Duty Mobile ran at 90 FPS on very high. Likewise, Fortnite for Android, PUBG Mobile, Titan Quest, and a slew of other games ran flawlessly. For emulation, the Red Magic 7 Pro tackles even newer retro video game ROMs with ease. You can easily emulate demanding PlayStation Portable titles such as God of War: Chains of Olympus or PlayStation 2 games such as Gran Turismo 4.

As a gaming-first smartphone, the Red Magic 7 Pro’s camera works great, but isn’t going to replace your DSLR, or compete with flagship Android handsets like the Pixel 6 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. The Red Magic UI launcher is good, though not as polished as stock Android, or Samsung’s One UI 4.1 You may also consider the similarly specced but slightly cheaper Red Magic 7 non-Pro. With its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU, 120Hz refresh rate display 5G, and whopping 16GB of RAM, the Nubia Red Magic 7 Pro is the best gaming phone on the planet.

Pros:

• Excellent price-to-performance ratio
• 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
• 256GB or 512GB of internal storage
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
• Android 12
• USB Type-C with display over USB-C video output
• Terrific speakers
• Robust cooling system with fan
• 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
• Game mode slider on the side
• 6.8-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED adaptive 120Hz refresh rate screen
• Long battery life

Cons:

• No microSD card slot
• Lacks headphone jack
• Pricey

Best Enthusiast Gaming Phone – ASUS ROG Phone 5s Pro

Renowned for its gaming laptops and desktops, ASUS revolutionized the mobile gaming space with its ASUS Rog Phone, and the ASUS ROG Phone 5s Pro is an outstanding gaming handset. Boasting a beefy Snapdragon 888 CPU, the ROG Phone 5 may be had with up to 18GB of RAM and as much as 512GB of onboard storage. There’s a long-lasting 6000mAh battery that can keep you playing on the go.

A 6.78-inch 1080 x 2448 AMOLED screen looks absolutely stunning. Its 144Hz refresh rate and 300Hz sample rate are terrific for fast-paced gaming. The onboard speakers are excellent with good bass response.

A GameGX audio system incorporates a symmetrical seven-magnet dual speaker configuration with a balanced stereo sound. It runs Android 12 for great app and game compatibility. Both the built-in 24MP front-facing camera plus rear camera array consisting of 64MP, 13MP, and 5MP lenses capture solid photos.

As a purpose-built gaming phone, the ROG 5 sports several different game-specific controls. An AirTrigger 5 control system utilizes ultrasonic AirTrigger shoulder buttons for gesture controls and motion controls. A side-mounted charger offers unparalleled cable management while gaming. The back cover touts an RGB logo.

ASUS offers a whole host of different accessories such as a cooling fan as well as a docking station. Video output capabilities allow you to play your mobile games on the big screen. 5G connectivity allows for blisteringly fast network speeds on the go, while Wi-Fi 6 ensures low-latency gaming while at home.

Unfortunately, the ROG Phone 5 foregoes a microSD card slot which could be handy for large game installs. Although its camera array is good, you won’t find a telephoto camera. All of the accessories such as the cooling fan and docking station are sold separately. And the ROG Phone 5 is a bit heavy. Still, there’s no denying the ASUS ROG Phone 5’s unrivaled gaming prowess, making it hands-down the best gaming phone on the market.

Pros:

• 6.78-inch 1080 x 2448 AMOLED screen with 144Hz refresh rate and 300Hz sample rate
• Android 12
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ processor
• 18GB LPDDR5 RAM
• 512GB onboard storage
• 24MP f/2.0 front-facing camera, 48MP (f/1.79) standard and 13MP (f/2.4) rear cameras
• 60000mAh battery
• 5G
• Wi-Fi 6
• Excellent speakers
• Lots of accessories
• Video out capabilities
• Multiple USB Type-C ports
• Weight: 238G
• Dimensions: 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3mm

Cons:

• Expensive
• No microSD card slot
• Accessories sold separately
• Lacks a telephoto lens
• Somewhat heavy and bulky

Best Gaming Phone for Fortnite, PUBG, and More – Lenovo Legion Y90

Lenovo’s Legion Y90 is an exceptional mobile gaming device. At its core, you’ll find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor mated to an Adreno 730 GPU. You’ve got a choice fo 12GB, 16GB, or 18GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB or 640GB of UFS 3.1 onboard storage.

A 5600mAh battery gives you all-day gaming performance, while 68W fast charging lets you juice up in a jiffy. Various gaming-specific features like ultrasonic shoulder keys, dual capacitance keys, and dual force touch sensors provide seamless controller-free gaming. Double engine air cooling technology powered by a VC vapor chamber with dual cooling fans keeps the Legion Y90 from getting toasty during intense bouts of mobile gaming.

Both games and videos look stunning on its large 6.92-inch 144Hz variable refresh rate AMOLED display. There’s great photo and video quality thanks to the Y90’s 64MP and 13MP dual artificial intelligence-powered rear cameras, as well as by its 16MP front-facing camera.

Running Android 12 with ZUI 13 OS, the Legion Y90 touts cutting-edge support for the latest Android apps and games. Lack of a microSD card slot is a bit of a downside. And there’s no headphone jack. In spite of a few minor drawbacks, the Lenovo Legion Y90 gaming phone arrives with a beefy processor, tons of triggers and buttons, plus active cooling, making it the best gaming phone for demanding titles such as Fortnite and PUBG.

Pros: 

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
• 256GB or 640GB onboard storage
• 12GB, 16GB, or 18GB LPDDR5 RAM
• 5G support
• 5600mAh battery and 68W fast charging
• Lots of gaming-specific features – 4x ultrasonic shoulder keys, dual force touch sensors, dual capacitance keys
• Double engine air cooling technology with VC vapor chamber and dual cooling fan system
• 64MP/16MP rear and 16MP front cameras
• 6.92-inch AMOLED 2460 x 1080 144Hz refresh rate, 720Hz touch response, 3.8ms response time display

Cons:

• No headphone jack
• Lacks microSD card slot

Best Value Gaming Phone – Nubia Red Magic 6

The Nubia Red Magic 6 offers an incredible value. At its core, you’ll find a Snapdragon 888 processor. Nubia’s Red Magic 6 packs up to 16GB of RAM. Its 165Hz AMOLED display allows for high refresh rate, low lag gaming.

A 5050mAh battery with 66W fast charging ensures that the Nubia Red Magic can last for hours-long gaming sessions. 5G provides fast network speeds even while away from Wi-Fi. The Red Magic 6 runs Android 11 for fantastic app compatibility.

Gaming-centric amenities such as shoulder triggers and active cooling make the Red Magic 6 an excellent option. Unfortunately, the display is only a full high definition plus (FHD+). Nevertheless, with an affordable price tag, the Nubia punches well above its weight class offering performance and specs in line with high-end gaming handsets like the ROG Phone 5, but at a fraction of the cost.

Pros:

• 6.8-inch AMOLED FHD+ 165Hz display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ octa-core processor and Adreno 660 GPU
• Up to 256GB storage
• As much as 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
• 64MP+8MP+2MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera
• Android 11 OS
• 5050mAh battery
• 5G

Cons:

• No microSD card slot
• Lacks video output capabilities
• Only a FHD+ screen

Best Budget Gaming Phone – Xiaomi Black Shark 4

The Xiamoi Black Shark 4 is a fantastic gaming phone that won’t break the bank. Despite its modest price tag, the Black Shark 4 sports a slew of advanced amenities. Onboard, you’ll find a lush 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time AMOLED display with 720Hz touch sampling. Its excellent color accuracy makes games like Fortnite and PUBG for Android really pop.

A pair of symmetrical stereo speakers make games sound rich and full thanks to DTS and Cirrus Logic Technology partnerships. 120W hyper charging lets you quickly juice up its 4500mAh battery to keep you gaming on the go. Just 5 minutes of charging produces 50% battery capacity, with under 15 minute total charging time.

Under the hood, you’ll find 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of storage space. A Qualcomm Snapdragon processor handles even demanding games and emulators with ease. While you might not be able to fully max out Genshin Impact, the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 features an outstanding price-to-performance ratio. NFC along with 5G connectivity from its dual SIM tray helps the Black Shark 4 punch well above its weight class.

Magnetic pop-up triggers provide dedicated gaming buttons. Additionally, we like the fingerprint reader integrated into the power button. A triple camera array captures solid images. Unfortunately, there’s only a 65W charger in the box despite the Black Shark’s 120W charging capabilities. Moreover, there’s no wireless charging. And camera quality is simply average. Nevertheless, the Black Shark 4 is the best cheap gaming phone, delivering incredible performance without cutting corners.

Pros:

• NFC
• 5G connectivity
• Dedicated gaming-first features like magnetic pop-up triggers
• 144Hz refresh rate/1ms response time AMOLED display
• 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB onboard storage
• Fast 120W wired charging, 4500mAh battery capacity

Cons:

• Average camera quality
• Lacks wireless charging
• Only 128GB onboard storage, no microSD card slot

Best Mainstream Phone for Gaming – Samsung Galaxy S22 Series

Although the Samsung Galaxy lineup isn’t game-specific, the flagship devices provide a high-end user experience for a mainstream phone that’s capable of running native Android games and emulators alike. For its S22 lineup, Samsung offers the Galaxy S22 Ultra, S22 Plus, and S22.

All three devices come powered by a rock-solid Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Therefore, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, S22+, and vanilla S22 should all deliver roughly the same gaming performance. However, we recommend the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which replaces Samsung’s Note tier. The S22 Ultra isn’t just the best Samsung phone for gaming, but Samsung’s top mobile device on the market. Replacing the previous Samsung Galaxy Note series, it gets you a big, bright, gorgeous display.

Differences arise in the screens, cameras, and 5G support. The vanilla S22 weighs in at 5.9 ounces with a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED FHD+ 48-120Hz screen, and the S22+ is 6.9 ounces with a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED FHD+ 48-120Hz display. Both handsets feature rear-located 50MP (f/1.8) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 10MP (f/2.4) 3x telephoto camera systems with 40MP (f/2.2) front-facing selfie cameras.

The S22 Ultra steps up to an 8.1-ounce, 6.8-inch 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED QHD+ 1-120Hz refresh rate screen. Its excellent camera array includes a rear 108MP (f/2.2) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 10MP (f/2.4) 10x telephoto, 10MP (f/2.4) 3x telephoto configuration with a 40MP (f/2.2) front-facing camera. Although the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra include 5G ultra-wideband support, the base S22 doesn’t. And the top-tier S22 Ultra comes with Samsung’s S Pen stylus, one of the best Samsung accessories available.

You’ll get a range of choices in onboard storage, from 128GB up to 1TB. Samsung’s DeX interface allows for a hardwired or wireless screen mirroring setup that’s perfect for gaming on a big screen.

You can expect to pay a premium for the Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup. Unfortunately, there’s no headphone jack or microSD card slot. The lack of a gaming-first design should satisfy most users, although no built-in shoulder buttons or active cooling may disappoint hardcore gamers. The Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup is a superb pick for a mainstream phone that games extremely well.

Pros:

• Up to 1TB storage space
• Large screen (up to 6.8 inches)
• Excellent cameras
• DeX built-in for video output
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
• Qi wireless charging
• Fantastic build quality
• Lacks a gamer aesthetic
• Up to 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging
• 5G compatible
• As much as 12GB RAM
• IP68 water resistance

Cons:

• Expensive
• No headphone jack
• Lacks dedicated gaming buttons
• No microSD card slot

Best Mid-range Gaming Phone – Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE ticks a lot of boxes. Although it’s not a dedicated gaming phone with built-in shoulder buttons or active cooling, the S20 FE is a feature-rich mid-range Android phone that’s superb for gaming.

Under the hood, the Galaxy S20 FE has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor. Its 6.5-inch 2400 x 1080 120Hz AMOLED screen is excellent for gaming while delivering gorgeous colors. You’ll find 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage space, and a microSD card slot for adding external storage.

The 4500mAh battery is great. 5G provides top-notch mobile Internet speeds. There’s also Wi-Fi 6 onboard. Despite shipping originally with Android 10, the S20 FE benefitted from an Android 11 update. Its 12MP, 12MP, and 8MP rear as well as 32MP front cameras are both solid.

Like its S22, S21, and S20 Galaxy flagships, Samsung includes its DeX desktop experience mode. This lets you connect a USB-C cable or dongle and enjoy video display output. Therefore, you can connect the S20 FE to a television, monitor, or projector for big-screen gaming.

Disappointingly, low light performance is middling. And there’s no Space Zoom. Furthermore, the S0 FE has been replaced by the S21 and S22 lineups. But with its microSD card slot, DeX video output support, and fair price tag, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is a compelling choice that can run everything from the latest Android games or emulators to cloud game streaming services at a reasonable cost.

Pros:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor
• 6.5-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED 120Hz display
• 4500mAh battery
• Android 11 OS
• 12MP, 12MP, 8MP front and 32MP rear cameras
• Wi-Fi 6
• 5G
• Includes microSD card slot
• Video output capabilities with DeX

Cons:

• Average low-light camera performance
• Lacks Space Zoom

Best iPhone for Gaming – iPhone 13 Pro Max

Whereas Android users get their pick of virtually any handset on the market, Apple aficionados are limited to iPhones. Despite the various differences in iPhone versions, there’s no video game-centric model. Still, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is an astoundingly powerful device.

At its core, there’s a beastly A15 Bionic processor, 64-bit GPU, and a user-friendly iOS experience. Add to that stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support, and Spatial Audio Technology. On the display side, the iPhone 13 Pro Max includes a whopping 6.7-inch 2778 x 1284 Super Retina XDR OLED with ProMotion variable refresh rates up to 120Hz. That’s a step up from the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro screen.

The big downside is price. With a standard retail price of over $1,000, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a top-shelf performer. But you could get a whole lot more phone for a lower price going with Android. Or, if you can live with the slightly smaller screen, the iPhone 13 Pro (non-Max) yields effectively the same performance as its 13 Pro Max older sibling, albeit for some price savings.

Even the Apple iPhone 13 and 13 mini should suffice as the entire iPhone 13 roster is fantastic for iOS gaming. Or, if you’re willing to settle for the older but still great Apple Bionic A14 processor, the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max are solid choices. However, if you’re an iPhone gamer, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is your best pick.

Pros:

• Best-in-class camera
• Gorgeous Super Retina XDR display
• Fantastic speakers: Dolby Atmo support, Spatial Audio Technology
• A15 Bionic processor
• 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display
• iOS ecosystem
• Up to 1TB storage space
• 5G with mmWave and ultra-wideband
• Great for Apple Arcade

Cons:

• Pricey
• No headphone jack
• Lacks microSD card storage

What to Look for in a Gaming Phone

There are many considerations when selecting a phone for gaming.

Carrier compatibility: For starters, you’ll want to find a cellular device compatible with your mobile carrier, so checking whether it’s GSM or CDMA compatible is a must.

5G: For future-proofing, you might look for 5G compatibility.

Camera quality: Amenities such as a camera are important, so consider the front and rear camera arrays and elements such as low-light performance or zoom functionality.

Gaming-specific features: You may desire mobile game specific features like a high refresh rate screen, and built-in controls or shoulder buttons.

Screen size, resolution, and refresh rate: A lot of screen real-estate is essential, particularly if you’re not using a phone grip or external controller. On-screen controls can be difficult to manage on a cramped phone touchscreen. Additionally, if you want to play online multiplayer games like Fortnite or PUBG Mobile, you’ll want a high refresh rate screen of 120Hz or more. Plus, consider screen resolution and screen type, like AMOLED.

Audio performance: It’s best to use a pair of headphones or a headset, but a solid set of onboard speakers will ensure that your in-game audio doesn’t sound tinny if you’re not rocking earphones.

Processor: Your phone’s processors are the real key to mobile gaming. Look for a phone with a great CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit). Gaming-first models feature excellent GPUs and CPUs, as do many high-end phones.

RAM: A generous amount of RAM will let you multi-task as well as run Android games with ease.

Built-in storage and expandable storage: Since mobile video game installations can take up a lot of space, high-capacity built-in storage, a microSD card slot, or both, will help.

Video output capabilities: If you want to enjoy your games, movies, and TV shows on a big screen like a TV, monitor, or projector, select a phone with video output functionality.

What to look for in a gaming phone:

• Strong CPU and GPU
• Lots of RAM
• High-capacity onboard storage
• microSD card slot
• Video output
• Gaming amenities (built-in shoulder buttons, active cooling, etc.)
• Large, high-resolution, fast refresh rate screen
• Carrier compatibility
• 5G

Best Gaming Phone 2022 FAQs

Best Gaming Phones You can Buy in 2022 – Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a gaming phone in 2022, you’re in luck. There are loads of options, from gaming-specific models such as the ASUS ROG Phone 5S Pro, Lenovo Legion Y90, and Nubia Red Magic 7 Pro to mainstream devices like the iPhone 13 Max Pro or Samsung Galaxy S22 series.

Casual users might consider opting for a more mainstream device such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and then add a gamepad such as the Flydigi Apex 2 controller for running native Android or iOS games as well as emulators. And budget-conscious gamers can find an array of different cheap gaming phones. Regardless of your needs, there’s a phone for mobile gaming available.

Your turn: Which gaming phones do you recommend?