You could argue that almost every smartphone is a gaming phone of some kind, but what if you want the smoothest performance? Maybe you need physical buttons or a display with a high refresh rate? Either way, that’s where gaming phones come in, and there are loads of devices that fit the bill. We’ve got you covered with our list of the best gaming phones you can buy.
The best gaming phones:
#1. Asus RO G Phone 6 series
The RO G Phone 6 series consist of two phones. The first is the RO G Phone 6 Pro, which is the best of the two. It has everything a gamer needs, including a large 6.78-inch display with a 165Hz refresh rate, a massive 6,000mAh battery with 65W charging, and great performance thanks to Snapdragon’s latest chipset paired with 18 GB of RAM.
Read next: Asus RO G Phone 6 Pro review
The device comes with ultrasonic Air triggers that are fully customizable in terms of sensitivity and button mapping. To level up your gaming experience, you can also get various accessories like Asus’ Aero Active Cooler 6 which does a great job cooling down the handset when playing games for a long time, or the Kauai 3 controller which makes the gaming experience more enjoyable for most people.
The second device in the series is the RO G Phone 6, which is more or less identical to the Pro model. The only two differences are that it tops out at 16 GB of RAM instead of 18 GB and that it lacks a secondary rear display, which is capable of displaying time, text messages, logos, and other simple things.
The phones are not perfect, though, as they lack wireless charging and have a limited IPX4 rating. Regardless, they are still among the best, if not the best gaming phones you can currently get.
RO G Phone 6 Pro specs:
- Display: 6.78-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 18 GB
- Storage: 512 GB
- Cameras: 50, 13, and 5MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Software: Android 12
#2. Black Shark 5 Pro
The Black Shark 5 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset that can handle just about any game out there when paired with as much as 18 GB of RAM. It features dual VC liquid cooling plates that have a new “antigravity” feature designed to improve the circulation of the cooling liquid. The processor, battery, and 5G antenna are directly connected to the cooling plate via a copper alloy design, which should help provide superior heat dissipation and keep the phone cool enough to run at peak performance.
The handset sports magnetic triggers, giving gamers a tactile controller feel rather than relying solely on on-screen controls. It packs a 4,650mAh battery with 120W charging that gets the phone from zero to full in just 15 minutes, according to the company.
Other specs and features worth pointing out include a 6.67-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate, three rear cameras, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
Black Shark 5 Pro specs
- Display: 6.67-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8/12/16 GB
- Storage: 256/512 GB
- Cameras: 108, 13, and 5MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 4,650mAh
- Software: Android 12
#3. Nubia Red Magic 7
If you’re looking for one of the best gaming phones that’s a little easier on the wallet, the Nubia Red Magic 7 will tick a lot of boxes. Designed for gaming first and foremost, it has the high-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, active cooling, shoulder triggers, and a blazing fast 165Hz AMOLED display.
That active cooling feature is also a huge upgrade over last year’s Red Magic 6, with the company promising 400 times better heat dissipation and absorption. It even has a headphone jack!
But the real kicker is that it costs less than half the sticker price of some of its brand-name competitors. Starting at just $629/€629/£529, it’s just a hair more expensive than many upper-midrange phones, with specs that punch well above that. You don’t get the same commitment to updates or camera performance, but for pure gaming, it’s a killer device.
Nubia Red Magic 7 specs:
- Display: 6.8-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 12/16 GB
- Storage: 128/256 GB
- Cameras: 64, 8, and 2MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Software: Android 12
#4. OnePlus 10 Pro
One Plus is a perennial favorite of our readers here at Android Authority, and for good reason. These phones might not offer the same level of value as they have in the past, but they combine great hardware with great software in a way that’s sure to please.
Read also: One Plus 10 Pro buyer’s guide
2022 only features one model in global markets: the OnePlus 10 Pro. Much like last year’s One Plus 9 Pro, it earns a spot among the best gaming phones with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, up to 12 GB of RAM, and a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display.
Like all Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones, it will run hot when gaming. That will reduce your overall battery life, but thankfully it includes a fast charger in the box. There was some minor controversy when One Plus announced charging speeds are lower in the US than outside the US (65W vs 80W) but rest assured that the difference is a matter of only a few minutes of charging time.
One Plus 10 Pro specs:
- Display: 6.7-inch, QHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8/12 GB
- Storage: 128/256 GB
- Cameras: 48, 50, and 8MP
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5,000Ah
- Software: Android 12
#5. Samsung Galaxy S22 series
Samsung’s 2022 flagships aren’t branded as gaming phones, but they are true powerhouses that offer exactly what most gamers need in a handset. Like the previous generation, the lineup includes the Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and super-premium Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Read also: Samsung Galaxy S22 buyer’s guide
All three Galaxy S22 models offer top-of-the-line specs, including adaptive 120Hz AMOLED displays, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (or Exynos 2200) processors, and excellent battery life. The S22 Ultra is the most powerful of the bunch, with an extremely versatile camera setup and, just like last year, S-Pen support. Only this time, the S-Pen is integrated into the body of the device. Galaxy Note fans, rejoice!
It isn’t just about the hardware, either. All three models offer Samsung’s Game Launcher and Game Tools options, allowing you to tweak performance in individual games. The Game Tools suite also lets you easily adjust resolution, take screenshots, record videos, and more.
None of these phones are cheap, but any of the Samsung Galaxy S22 phones are a great choice for those looking for one of the best gaming phones you can buy. If you want to save a bit of money, you can also wait until summer for the inevitable Galaxy S22 FE model, which should offer the same specs at a slightly lower price point. That said, recent rumors suggest the Galaxy 22 FE might use a Mediatek chip instead, which might mean it takes a hit when gaming.
Samsung Galaxy S22 specs:
- Display: 6.1-inch, FHD+
- SoC: SD 8 Gen1 or Exynos 2200
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 128/256 GB
- Cameras: 50, 12, and 10MP
- Front camera: 10MP
- Battery: 3,700mAh
- Software: Android 12
Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus specs:
- Display: 6.6-inch, FHD+
- Chipset: SD 8 Gen1 or Exynos 2200
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 128/256 GB
- Cameras: 50, 12, and 10MP
- Front camera: 10MP
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Software: Android 12
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra specs:
- Display: 6.8-inch, QHD+
- SoC: SD 8 Gen1 or Exynos 2200
- RAM: 8/12 GB
- Storage: 128/256/512 GB
- Cameras: 108, 12, 10, and 10MP
- Front cameras: 40MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 12
#6. Xiaomi 12 series
Xiaomi has long had great flagship contenders in its Mi series, and this year the company has dropped the Mi moniker for its Xiaomi 12 series lineup. There’s no Ultra model (yet), but the other two premium phones in the lineup have what it takes to compete with the best from Samsung, Apple, and others.
Read also: Xiaomi 12 series buyer’s guide
The top-of-the-line Xiaomi 12 Pro is a 2022 flagship through-and-through. It has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, up to 12 GB of RAM, and a 120Hz WQHD AMOLED screen. The sizeable 4,700mAh battery is a bit smaller than the Mi 11, but the speedy 120W wired charging or 50W wireless charging more than makes up for it.
On the more affordable side, the Xiaomi 12 hits many of the same points. The only major compromises concerning the Pro version are slower charging speeds and weaker camera sensors, neither of which are a dealbreaker when shopping for the best gaming phones. It also undercuts the Samsung Galaxy S22 in price, making it a very attractive alternative.
The same cannot be said about the Xiaomi 12X, which swaps out its processor for a Snapdragon 870. It’s still powerful enough to play the vast majority of games, but it might not fare so well in a few years. Still, at roughly $650 you’ll struggle to find such great value anywhere else.
However, the major downside here is that none of these phones are officially sold in the US. The phones are available in Xiaomi’s international markets, including but not limited to Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Despite being announced back in March, they’re still not available for purchase. We’ll update this list as soon as that changes.
Xiaomi 12X specs
- Display: 6.28-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 870
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 256 GB
- Cameras: 50, 13, and 5MP
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Software: Android 12
Xiaomi 12 specs
- Display:6.28-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8/12 GB
- Storage: 128/256 GB
- Cameras: 50, 13, and 5MP
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Software: Android 12
Xiaomi 12 Pro specs
- Display: 6.73-inch, WQHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8/12 GB
- Storage: 256 GB
- Cameras: 50, 50, and 50MP
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 4,600mAh
- Software: Android 12
7. iPhone 13 Pro Max
We usually talk about Android phones here at Android Authority, but we’d be doing a disservice to all of you by not including the iPhone 13 Pro Max among the best gaming phones. It offers incredible performance, fantastic cameras, and access to a more robust (albeit closed) ecosystem.
There are once again four phones in the 2021 iPhone lineup, but we chose the iPhone 13 Pro Max for this list because of its larger screen. Measuring 6.7-inches, the ProMotion 120Hz OLED panel is sharp, bright, and has an excellent contrast ratio at 2,000,000:1. It isn’t a huge change from 2020’s iPhone 12 Pro Max, but honestly there weren’t many faults with that phone, to begin with.
If the iPhone Pro Max display is too big (or expensive) for you, you should also consider the iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro. They both feature a smaller 6.1-inch OLED screen and the same great A15 Bionic processor, with the iPhone 13 Pro gaining 120Hz Promoting and an extra 12MP telephoto sensor. The fourth phone in the lineup, the iPhone 14 Mini, is just too small to use as a gaming phone.
iPhone 13 Pro Max specs:
- Display: 6.7-inch, XDR OLED 120Hz
- SoC: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM: 6 GB
- Storage: 128/256/512 GB/1TB
- Cameras: 12, 12, and 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 4,374mAh
- Software: iOS 15
8. Poco F4 GT
Like the idea of a powerful gaming phone but don’t want to spend a ton of cash? Well, that’s where the Po co, F4 GT comes in, starting at €599.90. That makes it cheaper than other gaming-focused phones on the list.
Aside from the flagship silicon here, Po co’s phone also offers a pair of retractable shoulder buttons for use in games. Toss in a 4,700mAh battery with 120W charging, quad speakers, and a 120Hz OLED panel, and you’ve got a great device for mobile gaming.
There are two downsides to the Po co, F4 GT, though. The first is the lack of US availability, while the second is the disappointing secondary cameras. Regardless, this is still one of the best gaming phones you can get.
Po co, F4 GT specs
- Display: 6.67-inch, FHD+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8 GB/12 GB
- Storage: 128 GB/256 GB
- Cameras: 64, 8, and 2MP
- Front camera: 20MP
- Battery: 4,700mAh
- Software: Android 12
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