The Best Gaming Phones 2022 that Wins Customers’ Attention

Android Phone, Technology

The best gaming phones 2022 are so much more than just high-powered thumb tappers in your pocket. They have big batteries, screens with a high refresh rate, powerful processors, and a lot of storage space to get you through big and small releases. Not only that, but as Xbox’s Cloud Gaming solutions become more popular, smaller screens are becoming even more popular.

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But there are many models on the market, and they all claim to be the best gaming phones 2022. That makes it hard to figure out exactly what you need from your phone and how much you should pay for a device made just for gaming. As gaming phones get better, we’re happy to see that the most popular and best ones are getting a little cheaper. That means there are now options for every budget, and we’ve put together a list of our favorites.

Our team of experts is ready to tell you about the best gaming phones 2022 on the market right now, as well as the best deals. We’ve used our own hands-on experience with the newest and best products to make sure you have a complete picture before making that important choice. You won’t get the performance of a gaming laptop or even the best gaming tablets here, but these are the models we’d recommend for a pocket-sized thumb twitcher.

If you like to play games like Fortnite or Arena of Valor while you’re on the go, these are the best gaming phones 2022 for that.

What is a Gaming Phone?

Technically, you could call any phone that lets you play games a gaming phone. But there are a few phones, like the ASUS ROG Phone 5S, that are made and marketed as “gaming phones.” As part of our review, we’ve pointed out some of these products, as well as some more popular options that gamers might like (like the iPhone 13 Pro Max).

What are the Best Gaming Phones?

The iPhone 13 series has surprised everyone by being a better gaming phone than phones that are made just for gaming. The main reasons for this are that Apple still has the most powerful chipsets (thanks to the A15 Bionic) and that the two Pro models have new displays with 120Hz adaptive refresh rates. Which made the best gaming phone in 2022.

There are, of course, still a lot of Android phones that are almost as good. The OnePlus 10 Pro is a great all-around phone that also plays games well. The Google Pixel 6 Pro and Galaxy S22 Plus also fit the bill. ( If you don’t mind spending a little more, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a pretty good stealthy gaming phone, too, if you don’t mind spending a little more.

We just reviewed the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro, and one of the best things about this new gaming phone is how long its battery lasts. It also has a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which makes it run faster than other recent Android flagships. So in this article, we are going to talk about the best gaming phones 2022 in the market.

Top 12 Best Gaming Phones 2022

Here is the list of best gaming phones 2022: Let’s check them out.

1. iPhone 13 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 13- Best Gaming Phones 2022 — Photo Credit: Apple

Specifications

Display: OLED screen, 6.7 inches (2778 x 1284) Maximum
Refresh rate: 120Hz
CPU: Bionic A15 RAM: 6GB
Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB /
Cameras (back/front): 12MP main, ultrawide, and telephoto / 12MP 8.5 ounces Time on a single charge: 12:16

Pros

Bright and colorful 120Hz display
A15 Bionic CPU more powerful than the competition
Strong battery life
Excellent photography abilities

Cons

128GB of storage on the entry model
Expensive compared to rivals

The newest iPhone from Apple, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, is on the list of best gaming phones 2022 for gaming you can buy. The newest big iPhone is better than even the best Android phone. From the very powerful A15 Bionic chip to the 120Hz screen and much longer battery life, this phone can play any mobile game and more.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is not only the best phone for gaming, but it is also the best phone you can buy in general. It has great cameras, a beautiful 6.7-inch OLED screen, and a lot of features that make it fun to use in everyday life. It can also have up to 1TB of storage space, so you’ll always have room for the best iOS games.

Emulators for old games are not allowed on the App Store, so people who want to play old games may be out of luck. Some of the most popular games from the SNES and PS2 eras have been moved to the iPhone, though.

It’s interesting that esports players from other countries like to train and play iPhone games like PUBG Mobile and Garena FreeFire. Because Apple’s chips are so efficient, they release less heat, which makes it easier to play games for long periods of time.

2. Black Shark 5 Pro

Specifications

Release date: April 2022
Weight: 220g
Dimensions: 163.9 x 76.5 x 9.5
mmOS: Android 12
Screen size: 6.67-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 RAM: 8/12/16GB
Storage: 256/512GB 4,650mAh
Rear camera: 108MP + 13MP + 5MP
Front camera: 16MP

Pros

Powerful performance
Retractable triggers

Cons

Lackluster battery life
Gets hot

The Black Shark 5 Pro has great performance for its price, which makes it the best gaming phones 2022 on the market right now. With its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and 12GB of RAM, it can play high-end games with the best graphics settings without any problems.

A set of pop-up physical triggers that can be set to do something in your game can also improve your gaming experience. It makes a big difference and turns the phone into a game controller that can be used by itself.

The Black Shark 5 Pro is a powerful gaming system that’s great for gaming on the go, but it gets pretty hot and the battery life could be better.

3. Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro

Specifications

Display: 6.8-inch AMOLED with 120Hz;
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1;
RAM: 16GB; storage: 256GB/512GB;
Weight: 235g;
Battery capacity: 5,000mAh;
Operating system: Android 12

Pros

16GB of RAM powers through any app or game
20,000 RPM Turbofan keeps the phone running efficiently
5,000mAh battery with 65W fast charging

Cons

No IP rating
Cameras are mediocre
No wireless charging

Since 2015, Chinese company ZTE’s gaming division, Nubia RedMagic, has been making the best gaming phones 2022 that are a good value. The Red Magic 7 Pro, its most recent product, is one of the most complete devices we’ve tested so far.

The phone looks and feels like a real gaming phone from the start, with a bold design and edgy looks. The Supernova model has a clear back that shows off the many gaming-focused features inside, like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 16GB of RAM, Octa-core CPU, and a huge 5,000mAh battery, as well as the 20,000 RPM Turbofan, which is the main selling point of the Red Magic. This fan and a set of other cooling features inside the phone keep it from getting too hot and keep the battery from going dead as quickly, which are both common problems with gaming phones.

The Magic 7 Pro has a huge 6.8-inch, 120Hz AMOLED screen that lets you see all of the animations and style icons on its Android 12 software. When you start any game, Nubia’s Game Space (and the Turbofan) go into high gear and give you a lot of controls, toggles, and plugins to use in the game. One of them lets you map the phone’s shoulder triggers, giving you more ways to control the game no matter what it is.

4. OnePlus 10 Pro

Specifications

Display: AMOLED screen, 6.7 inches (3216 x 1440)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM: 8GB, 12GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, can’t be added to.
Cameras: 48MP (f/1.8), 50MP (f/2.2), and 8MP (f/2.4). 3.3 times zoom
Front camera: 32MP (f/2.2) Weight: 7 oz.

Pros

Excellent battery life
Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate
Top performance among Android phones

Cons

No AT&T 5G

The OnePlus 10 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 system-on-chip, which is found in the best gaming phones 2022 on the market right now. So, even the most difficult games run smoothly on this device.

Gamers will also like that the phone’s 6.7-inch screen has a 120Hz refresh rate and that the battery lasts for nearly 12 hours even with the adaptive refresh rate turned on. But maybe the best thing about the OnePlus 10 Pro is how cheap it is. The OnePlus 10 Pro costs $899, while other flagship phones are getting close to $1,000. At that price, it’s hard to find a top-of-the-line phone with so many high-end features.

5. Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro

Specifications
Display: AMOLED screen is 6.8 inches (2488 x 1080)
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
RAM: 18GB Storage/Expandable: 512GB/No
Cameras (back/front): 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, macro, and 12MP 8.4

Pros

Incredible battery life
Excellent performance
Fantastic speakers and haptic engine
Useful software tweaks

Cons

Costs more than some gaming phone options

If you want a phone that is just for gaming, the ROG Phone 6 Pro is your best bet. This monster has the new Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, a huge 18GB of RAM, a huge 6,000 mAh battery, new and improved AirTriggers, and better cooling options for long gaming sessions.

Just because of the chip, the ROG Phone 6 Pro is the most powerful gaming phone to date. In our tests, it was almost as good as Apple’s A15 Bionic. Even though 18GB of RAM is too much, it’s something to be proud of. The software on this phone is also the best we’ve ever seen on a gaming phone.

And the life of the battery, wow. The ROG Phone 6 Pro has the longest battery life of any phone we’ve ever tested at Tom’s Guide. In its 165Hz mode, it can last for a whopping 15 hours and 30 minutes. If you slow it down to 60Hz, you’ll get an hour back. The ROG Phone 6 Pro does everything the best gaming phones 2022 should do and more, but it also costs $999.

6. Black Shark 4 Pro

Specifications

Release date: March 2021
Weight: 220g
Dimensions: 163.8 x 76.4 x 9.9
mmOS: Android 11
Screen size: 6.67-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Snapdragon 888 5G
RAM: 8/12/16GB
Storage: 128/256/512GB 4,
Battery: 500mAh
Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 5MP
Front camera: 20MP

Pros

Dedicated gaming features
Great battery life

Cons

Bulky
Mediocre camera

Even though the Black Shark 4 Pro is big, there is a lot to like about it. Like other Black Shark phones, it has gaming controls that pop out and can be changed to suit your needs.

It has a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED screen, so it’s a great choice for people who want their games to look great as well. With a refresh rate of 144Hz and a Snapdragon 888 processor, the action on this screen is always smooth as silk.

Shark Space, a dedicated gaming app, makes things complete and lets you focus on your gaming time. It can go more than a day without being charged.

7. Google Pixel 6 Pro

Google Pixel 6a — Photo Credit: androidauthority.com

Specifications

Display: OLED screen, 6.7 inches (3120 x 1440; 10-120Hz)
CPU: Tensor
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB;
Back cameras: 50MP main (/1.85), 12MP ultrawide (/2.2), and 48MP telephoto (/3.5) with 4x optical zoom.
Front camera: 11.1MP (ƒ/2.2) 7.4 ounces Battery life in hours and minutes: 7:49

Pros

Incredible cameras
Tensor performs well
Beautiful new design
More affordable than other flagships

Cons

Shorter battery life than competitors

You might not expect a Google phone, like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, to be on a list of the best gaming phones 2022, but Google made it happen. The Pixel 6 Pro is a great choice for your next gaming phone because it has a great screen and a new chip that works better than expected.

But there’s more. The Pixel 6 Pro does well in games and benchmarks, but it also does a great job as a regular phone. It may not have as many cool features as some other gaming phones, but it has the best camera you can get on an Android phone. You probably also want your phone to be good at other things.

If we had to pick one thing wrong with the Pixel 6 Pro, it would be that the battery life isn’t very good. Even though the phone’s battery is big enough to last for hours, it didn’t do well in our battery life tests for some reason. But when we use the phone every day, even with intense games and Xbox Game Pass, it works fine.

8. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Specifications

Display: 6.8-inch AMOLED with 120Hz,
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1,
RAM: 12GB/16GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB ,
Weight: 228g,
Battery: 5,000mAh, and
Operating system: Android 12

Pros

Latest Snapdragon processor with up to 16GB RAM
Best-in-class AMOLED display
Camera and S Pen puts the S22 Ultra above traditional gaming phones

Cons

Boxy, all-glass design is not the most durable
Very expensive at $1,199
Battery life can be better

Even though the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra isn’t just for gamers, it’s one of the best regular phones that can handle games with a lot of graphics.

On the surface, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a list of features that makes it seem like it could compete with other gaming phones. With a large 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, the latest Qualcomm processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery, a device of this caliber will feel like home to gamers.

What’s the best? When you buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, you’re getting more than just a phone that can play games. It’s a flagship that’s made for the masses. You get one of the best mobile experiences on the market, with a set of features that will help you do any job. With the new but familiar S Pen built in, you can feel like you’re back in the days of the Nintendo DS.

9. Lenovo Legion Phone Duel

Specifications

Release date: October 2020
Weight: 239g
Dimensions: 169.2 x 78.6 x 9.9
mm OS: Android 10
Screen size: 6.65-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2340
CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus
RAM: 12/16GB
Storage: 256/512GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 64MP + 16MP
Front camera: 20MP

Pros

Super-fast charging
Lots of processing power

Cons

It-Pretty expensive for the specs
Software issues

Lenovo’s first gaming phone, the Legion Phone Duel, has great features for gaming and some other great specs and features.

The phone can be charged quickly with 90W and has a camera that pops up so that the screen doesn’t get broken. It also has a high-quality processor and software that works best in landscape mode. All of these things make it a great place to play games.

We don’t have any problems with the phone’s ability to play games, but some people might be put off by its high price, software problems, and poor camera.

This is one of the best gaming phones 2022 on the market right now. If you want the best smartphone that’s also good for playing games, this is a good choice, but you might want to check out some of the other phones on this list first.

10. Motorola Edge Plus (2022)

Specifications

Display: OLED screen, 6.7 inches (2400 x 1800)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM: 8GB, 12GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB,
Back Cameras: 45MP (f/1.8). main; 50MM (f/2.2)
Ultrawide: 2MP (f/2.4) Depth
Front camera: 60MP (f/2.2) 6.9 ounces The battery lasts for 6:57 (144Hz) and 8:24 (60Hz)

Pros

144Hz refresh rate
Processor can match any leading Android phone

Cons

Subpar battery life
No telephoto lens

The latest top-of-the-line model from Motorola has a few flaws, but gamers will love it. The refresh rate of 144Hz is above average for Android phones, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and 8GB or 12GB RAM make sure that you don’t miss out on performance.

The Edge Plus’s short battery life is the main thing you’ll have to worry about when playing games. If you plan to play games for a long time, you might want to keep a plug on hand. The 30W charger that comes with the phone gets you back up and running quickly, and if you don’t mind that it doesn’t have a telephoto camera or a glass back panel, it’s a good compromise between expensive, all-around flagship phones and cheaper, gaming-only phones.

11. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 — Photo: Samsung

Specifications

Display size (in pixels): 6.2 inches (2268 x 832) 7.6 inches of internal display (in pixels) (2208 x 1768)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
CPU: Snapdragon 888
RAM: 12GB
Storage/Expandable: 256GB, 512GB/No
Cameras (Back, Front, and Inside): 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto/10MP/4MP (under display) 9.55 ounces
Battery: 500mgh.

Pros

Giant internal display
120Hz refresh rate inside and out
Stylus support

Cons

Short battery life
Heavy and bulky
Very expensive

If you have a lot of money to throw around, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 might be the best gaming phone. None of the other phones on this list can compare to the Z Fold 3, which has a 7.6-inch screen and is now compatible with the S Pen stylus, making it the most immersive and useful phone on this list. Of course, if you don’t have much room, you can still use the small display on the outside, which has the same 120Hz refresh rate as the display on the inside. This makes for smooth frame rates.

You pay both a real and a figurative price for this, of course. This phone is by several hundred dollars the most expensive on this list. It is also the heaviest and biggest, especially when folded up. It also has a short battery life, which isn’t great if you want to play for a long time with other people. This isn’t a phone you should buy on a whim, but if you won’t settle for anything less than the best screen, it could be a good choice.

12. Asus ROG Phone 5

Specifications

Release date: April 2021
Weight: 238g
Dimensions: 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3
mm OS: Android 11
Screen size: 6.78-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2448
CPU: Snapdragon 888
RAM: 8/12/16GB
Storage: 128/256GB
Battery: 6,000mAh
Camera: 64MP, 13MP, and 5MP.
Front camera: 24MP

Pros

Remarkable performance
Great display and speakers

Cons

No telephoto camera
Large, heavy, and dense

The Asus ROG Phone 5 is a great gaming phone that is even better than the Asus ROG Phone 3, which was already a great phone.

Its best features are a Snapdragon 888 chipset and up to 16GB of RAM, which give it the most power in its class. It also has a screen with a refresh rate of 144Hz and a touch sampling rate of 300Hz, which are both higher than most phones and help games.

The screen is big, and it has two of the best speakers you’ll find on a phone right in front of it. The Asus ROG Phone 5 also has a big 6,000mAh battery, so you can game for longer, and with 65W charging, you won’t be out of action for long when the battery runs out.

The Asus ROG Phone 5 is perfect for gamers because it has responsive shoulder buttons, and programmable RGB lights, and is compatible with a wide range of gaming-focused accessories. It’s not quite a top-of-the-line phone in every way (for one thing, the cameras aren’t as good as the rest of the hardware), but if gaming is your top priority, you should put this phone at or near the top of your list.

What Should I Look for When Buying a Gaming Phone?

As with everything else, the most important thing is to choose the right gaming phone. If you want the best performance, which you probably do if you’re reading this, you’ll want a phone with a Snapdragon 8-series Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset. The Snapdragon, which is Qualcomm’s best chip for Android phones, can be found in devices from a number of different companies.

But what about refresh rates that are fast? That’s something you’ll only find on more expensive phones, but it’s a feature that will surely make its way to cheaper phones in the future. Panels with a rating of 90Hz or more have smoother scrolling and better graphics overall than other screens. This makes it feel like every swipe, tap, and action is immediately reflected on the screen. If you play competitive games very seriously, a higher refresh rate will make sure you don’t miss anything.

Of course, phone makers pay less attention to other things the more a device is made for gaming with the right features. Even though the battery life is important for gaming (because games use a lot of power), it will be harder to find gaming phones with good hardware and software for the camera or features like wireless charging or water resistance. If these things are important to you, you might want to look at the OnePlus 10 Pro, Galaxy S22 Plus, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, which are among the most powerful phones on this list. These phones aren’t made just for gaming, but they can still hold their own.

How do We Test Gaming Phones?

For a smartphone, whether it’s a gaming phone or not, to make any of our best phone lists, it has to do well on a number of tests that we run on every phone. Some of these tests are done in labs, and some are done in the real world.

When it comes to performance, we use benchmarks like Geekbench 5 and GFXBench, which are made up, to measure how well graphics work. These tests let us compare how well iPhones and Android phones work. We also use the Adobe Premiere Rush app to convert real-world videos on each phone and time how long it takes.

To figure out how good a phone’s screen is, we do lab tests to find out how bright the panel is (in nits) and how colorful each screen is (DCI-P3 color gamut). In these situations, more is better. We also use a Delta-E rating to figure out how true to colors of each panel is. Lower numbers are better, and a score of 0 is the best.

The Tom’s Guide Battery test is one of the most important tests we do. We surf the web over 5G or 4G with the screen brightness set to 150 nits until the battery dies. In general, a phone with a battery life of 10 hours or more is good, and anything with a battery life of 11 hours or more makes our list of the best phones.

Last but not least, we take photos with the best phones outside, inside, and at night when there isn’t much light to see how they compare to their closest competitors. We take pictures of landscapes, food, portraits, and more. You can also be the judge by comparing two photos side by side in our reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Best Gaming Phones 2022

Do you need a dedicated gaming phone?

No, not always. Some popular phones that aren’t made for gaming are powerful enough to handle tough mobile games. Plus, these phones often do better in other ways than phones made just for gaming (like camera quality and design).

Still, a gaming phone might be the right choice if you like to play games on your phone and want something that is made for that purpose.

Are gaming phones worth it?

If you mostly use your phone to play games on the go, you should definitely get a gaming phone. If you prefer to play games on a console or PC and use your phone for more everyday things like calls, emails, the camera, and more, you don’t need a gaming phone.

Can I use a gaming headset with my phone?

If your phone has a standard 3.5mm audio jack, you can use most gaming headsets with it. Many phones don’t have 3.5mm jacks anymore because it makes the phone thinner and gets rid of the need for the traditional headphone jack. Several of the phones on this list, like the iPhone 13 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S22, use USB-C or lightning cables. However, you can easily fix this by using a dongle that converts from 3.5 mm jack to USB-C.

Which phones are best for gaming?

Based on our tests, the Samsung Z Fold 3 is the best phone for gaming right now, thanks to its expandable screen and great set of features. But the smartphone market is growing again, and Apple and Samsung’s shared monopoly is being broken up by flagship devices in the last few years. The market for gaming phones is the best place to see this. Between gaming-focused brands like Asus and Razer and more mainstream brands like OnePlus and Sony, there’s always something new on the horizon.

Which gaming phone is the cheapest?

The iPhone SE is the cheapest phone we recommend for gaming, but if you want a phone that’s made for games, your cheapest options are probably made by Xiaomi.

What phones are coming out in 2022?

Sony Xperia Pro-I is a phone with a great camera that is hard to find because of its high price. Even though the Huawei P50 Pro has a great camera and a sleek design, it’s hard to recommend because it doesn’t have Google or 5G. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a cheaper Galaxy phone that doesn’t skimp on features like its camera, processor, and gaming features like fps caps and performance modes.

Which is the No 1 phone in the world?

Samsung. Samsung sold 444 million mobile phones in 2013 and had a market share of 24.6%, which is up 2.6 percentage points from 2012 when it sold 384 million mobile phones. Even in 2012, the company was in the first place.

Which Snapdragon is best for gaming?

Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. These four cores make the device run faster and help it do all the complicated calculations and gaming it needs to do.

Which phone is good for PUBG?

Overall OnePlus 9 Pro is the best. PUBG Mobile was made to work pretty well on both old and new phones, but if you want to play it with the best graphics, you’ll need a phone with great specs.

Is Poco good for gaming?

The Poco F3 GT is a great phone for playing games that won’t break the bank. Some of the best features are the 120Hz AMOLED screen, the physical gaming triggers, and the 67W fast charging, but you can find better cameras elsewhere.